English | Lebanese Arabic (Script) | Transliteration | Example |
|---|
Father | أب | Bay | bayye 3am yishteghel (My father is working). |
Mother | أم | imm | imme 3am ta3mil akel (My mother is cooking). |
Parents | أهلي | ahle | ahle bi Beirut (My parents are in Beirut). |
Son | إبن | ibn | 3andeh ibn sghir (He has a small son). |
Daughter | بنت | bint | 3andeh bint jdide (He has a new daughter). |
Brother | أخ | 5ay | 3andeh 5ay kbir (He has an older brother). |
Sister | أخت | ekhet | ekhte bel madine (My sister is in the city). |
- Grandmother (تِتَا / سِتّ) → teta or sitt.
- teta 3am ta3mil man2ousheh. (Grandma is making man2ousheh).
- Grandfather (جِدّ) → jeddo.
- jeddo kteer 7abboub. (Grandpa is very kind).
Cultural note: Lebanese often call grandmothers teta, both affectionate and respectful.
English | Lebanese Arabic (Script) | Transliteration | Example |
|---|
Uncle (father’s brother) | عمّ | 3amm | 3ammo Sami eja. (Uncle Sami came). |
Uncle (mother’s brother) | خال | khal | khalo bi Australia. (My uncle is in Australia). |
Aunt (father’s sister) | عمّة | 3ammé | 3ammte Laila kteer 3a2le. (Aunt Laila is very calm). |
Aunt (mother’s sister) | خالة | khale | khalto 3ayshe bel day3a. (My aunt lives in the village). |
Lebanese Arabic is very specific with cousins:
- ibn 3am = male cousin (father’s side).
- bint 3am = female cousin (father’s side).
- ibn khal = male cousin (mother’s side).
- bint khal = female cousin (mother’s side).
Example:
- ibn 3ammeh bel jem3a (My cousin is at university).
- bint khalti ktir mahboubeh (My cousin is very loved).
Dialogue 1 – Meeting Family
- A: hayda 5ayyak? (Is this your brother?)
- B: eh, hayda 5ayye. (Yes, this is my brother).
Dialogue 2 – Talking About Cousins
- A: min hiydeh? (Who’s this?)
- B: ibn khalti. (My cousin – mother’s side).
Dialogue 3 – Family Introductions
- A: 3ayle kteer kbireh 3andkon. (You have a big family).
- B: ehh, 3andi 3ammo, 3ammé, khalto, w khalo. (Yes, I have uncles and aunts).
- Family ties are huge. Sunday lunch is practically a sacred tradition.
- Titles like ammo and khalo are used even for family friends, as a sign of respect.
- Elders are respected: you rarely call a grandmother or grandfather by first name.
- Weddings and funerals often gather extended family members you barely know, and you’re still expected to greet each by their proper title.
- Using MSA terms (umm, ab) instead of Lebanese forms (emm, bayy).
- Forgetting the difference between ammo (dad’s side) and khalo (mom’s side).
- Translating “cousin” generically, in Lebanese Arabic, it must be ibn 3am, bint khal, etc.
- Calling elders by name instead of using titles.
How do you say grandma in Lebanese Arabic?
You can say teta.
How do you say grandpa in Lebanese Arabic?
You say jeddo.
What’s the difference between 3ammo and khalo?
3ammo is your father’s brother, khalo is your mother’s brother.
How do you say cousin in Lebanese Arabic?
You specify side and gender: ibn 3am, bint khal, etc.
Talking about family in Lebanese Arabic is more than vocabulary, it’s about showing respect, warmth, and connection. From teta to ibn 3am, these terms will not only help you learn the language but also fit right into Lebanese family life.
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