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A Fun and Engaging Language Guide Inspired by the March Film Club Feature!
Welcome to the vibrant world of ‘Caramel’, a delightful 2007 Lebanese film directed by Nadine Labaki. This heartwarming movie beautifully explores the intricate themes of female friendship, beauty, love, identity, and the timeless struggle between tradition and modernity, all set against the bustling backdrop of Beirut. Join us as we dive into the rich tapestry of Lebanese Arabic, learning phrases that will deepen your appreciation for the film and its culture.
👋 Basic Greetings & Politeness
| Lebanese Arabic (Arabic Script & Romanisation) | English Translation | Example in Use |
| مرحبا (Marhaba) | Hello | Marhaba, kifak? (مرحبا، كيفك؟) – Hello, how are you? |
| أهلا وسهلا (Ahla w sahla) | Welcome | Ahla w sahla! (أهلا وسهلا!) – Welcome! |
| كيفك؟ (Kifik?) | How are you? (to female) | Marhaba! Kifik? (مرحبا! كيفك؟) – Hello! How are you? |
| تمام، شكرا! (Tamem, shokran!) | Fine, thank you! | Ana tamem, shokran. (أنا تمام، شكرا.) – I’m fine, thank you. |
| صباح الخير (Sabah el kheir) | Good morning | Sabah el kheir! (صباح الخير!) – Good morning! |
| مع السلامة (Maʿa salame) | Goodbye | Maʿa salame, bshufik bokra. (مع السلامة، بشوفك بكرا.) – Goodbye, see you tomorrow. |
💖 Love & Friendship
| Lebanese Arabic (Arabic Script & Romanisation) | English Translation | Example in Use |
| بحبك (Bhebbik) | I love you (to female) | Bhebbik ya sadi2ti. (بحبك يا صديقتي.) – I love you, my friend. |
| حبيبتي (Habibti) | My love (to female) | Ya habibti, kifik? (يا حبيبتي، كيفك؟) – My love, how are you? |
| صديقة مقربة (Sadi2a m2araba) | Close friend (to female) | Hiye sadi2a m2araba. (هي صديقة مقربة.) – She is a close friend. |
| إنت حياتي (Enti 7ayati) | You are my life (to female) | Enti 7ayati w rou7i. (إنت حياتي وروحي.) – You are my life and my soul. |
| اشتقتلك (Shta2tellik) | I miss you (to female) | Shta2tellik kteer! (اشتقتلك كتير!) – I miss you a lot! |
| إنتِ كتير حلوة (Enti kteer Helweh) | You are very beautiful (to female) | Enti kteer Helweh lyoum. (إنتِ كتير حلوة اليوم.) – You are very beautiful today. |
✨ Beauty & Identity
| Lebanese Arabic (Arabic Script & Romanisation) | English Translation | Example in Use |
| إنتِ متل القمر (Enti metel el amar) | You are like the moon (compliment) | Enti metel el amar lyoum. (إنتِ متل القمر اليوم.) – You are like the moon today. |
| ابتسامتك جميلة (Ibtisamtik jameeleh) | Your smile is beautiful | Ibtisamtik jameeleh jiddan. (ابتسامتك جميلة جداً.) – Your smile is very beautiful. |
| كونِ على طبيعتك (Kouni 3ala tabee3tik) | Be yourself (to female) | Kouni 3ala tabee3tik, enti ahla. (كونِ على طبيعتك، إنتِ أحلى.) – Be yourself, you are more beautiful. |
| هويتي (Hawiyyati) | My identity | Hawiyyati lebnaniyye. (هويتي لبنانية.) – My identity is Lebanese. |
| تقاليدنا (Taqaleedna) | Our traditions | Taqaleedna ktir 7elwe. (تقاليدنا كتير حلوة.) – Our traditions are very beautiful. |
| التغيير (At-taghyeer) | Change | At-taghyeer darouri. (التغيير ضروري.) – Change is necessary. |
🗺️ Everyday Conversations & Travel
| Lebanese Arabic (Arabic Script & Romanisation) | English Translation | Example in Use |
| لو سمحت (Law sama7t) | Excuse me / Please | Law sama7t, wen el hammam? (لو سمحت، وين الحمام؟) – Excuse me, where is the bathroom? |
| شكراً (Shukran) | Thank you | Shukran 3ala l-musa3ade. (شكراً على المساعدة.) – Thank you for the help. |
| قديش هيدا؟ (2addeish hayda?) | How much is this? | 2addeish hayda l-fustan? (قديش هيدا الفستان؟) – How much is this dress? |
| وين؟ (Wen?) | Where? | Wen el souk? (وين السوق؟) – Where is the market? |
| بدي مي (Baddi mayy) | I want water | Baddi mayy, law sama7t. (بدي مي، لو سمحت.) – I want water, please. |
| يلا (Yalla) | Let’s go / Come on | Yalla, khallina rou7. (يلا، خلينا نروح.) – Come on, let’s go. |
📝 Famous Caramel Quotes & Everyday Uses!
| Lebanese Arabic (Arabic Script & Romanisation) | English Translation | Example in Use |
| أنا بحب حالي متل ما أنا. (Ana b7ebb 7ali metel ma ana.) | I love myself the way I am. | This quote reflects the theme of self-acceptance and identity, crucial for the women in ‘Caramel’ as they navigate societal expectations. |
| الصداقة أهم من كل شي. (As-sadaqa ahamm min kell shi.) | Friendship is more important than anything. | A central theme of the film is the strong bond of female friendship, making this quote highly relevant to the characters’ relationships. |
| الحب بيجي فجأة. (Al-7obb byiji faj’a.) | Love comes suddenly. | The film explores various romantic encounters and the unexpected nature of love, making this a fitting quote. |
| الحياة حلوة بس بدها صبر. (Al-7ayat 7elwe bas bedda sabr.) | Life is beautiful, but it needs patience. | The characters face challenges and uncertainties, and this quote speaks to their resilience and hope for a better future. |
| كل امرأة جميلة بطريقتها الخاصة. (Kell emra’a jameeleh bi taree2ta l-khassa.) | Every woman is beautiful in her own way. | This quote encapsulates the film’s celebration of individual beauty and the diverse experiences of women. |
🔢 Numbers 1–10 in Lebanese Arabic
| Number | English | Lebanese Arabic | Romanisation | Pronunciation |
| 1 | One | واحد | Wa7ad | wah-had |
| 2 | Two | اتنين | Tnen | tnen |
| 3 | Three | تلاتة | Tlete | tleh-teh |
| 4 | Four | أربعة | Arba3a | ar-ba-ah |
| 5 | Five | خمسة | Khamsa | kham-sa |
| 6 | Six | ستة | Sitte | sit-teh |
| 7 | Seven | سبعة | Sab3a | sab-ah |
| 8 | Eight | تمانية | Tamaniye | ta-ma-ni-yeh |
| 9 | Nine | تسعة | Tis3a | tis-ah |
| 10 | Ten | عشرة | 3ashra | ash-ra |
🏆 Final Thoughts
We hope this Lebanese Arabic phrasebook has given you a delightful glimpse into the language and culture of ‘Caramel’.
May these phrases inspire you to explore more, connect with others, and perhaps even plan a trip to beautiful Beirut!
👇Share your favourite new phrase using
📌 #CaramelFilm #LebaneseArabic #FilmClub
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