Erica in the Middle East: Speaking Arabic

12.01.2010

Speaking Arabic

Well, I finally made a movie, but I must admit I'm not sure about it. :) Hopefully you enjoy it though. Audrey, I hope you're happy.

Tomorrow we are having breakfast together as a class, since my teacher wanted to make sure that we experience all the different food that they eat here. Also, on Tuesday next week we have yet another holiday, this time for the New Year according to the Islamic calendar. It is now the year 1431 according to their calendar. I've enjoyed the random breaks throughout the semester so I really hope we have some next semester, even though there aren't any Islamic holidays in the spring.

Ma Salaam!

1 comment:

Unknown12/1/10, 3:56 PM
Love it! It gives us something to practice along with you :) Or maybe use it if we come to visit!
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List of Arabic Words I've Used In Posts

shabob (Sha-bob) = literally, youth, although we use the word to describe young men who think they rule the streets :)

kufeeyahs (Ku-fee-yahs) = the square checkered scarves that were traditionally worn by the men and now are becoming a fashion accessory as well. There are still some men who wear them the traditional way.

Ma Salaam (maw Sa-laam) = good-bye

taowjihe (ta-ow-gee-he) = the university placement test all H.S. seniors take

Ikama (eeKama) = residency visa/permit.

A Salaam Al Li Kum (AaSalaam Al Lee Kum) = a greeting "God's peace be with you"

Wa Li Kum Salaam (Wa Lee Kum Salaam) = response to "A Salaam..."

Marhaba (MarHaBa) = Hello

Ahlan Wa Sahlan (AHaLan Wa SaHaLan) = a welcome

Sabakh Al Hare/Sabakh Al Noor (SaBahk Al Hkare/SaBahk Al Noor) = "Good morning" and the response

Eid (eeD) = basically a holiday of some sort. Birthdays can fall into this category as well, I believe

Hijab (He-Jab) = what they call the scarf the women cover their heads with.

Souk (SooK) = marketplace (most of the time it is more of an open-air market)

Shwerma (sch-wear-ma) = the official fast food of the Middle East. A gyro-type wrap with meat shaved off an upright spit and added to various condiments and then wrapped up in thin bread.

Al Humdilallah (hum-dee-lal-lah) = thank God, or hallelujah. It's used as a response to "how are you?" and it's one of my favorite phrases to say. :)

Servees (ser-veece) = shared taxis that run on set routes...they usually service a specific area, such as the jabel where I live, or the balad, or other neighborhoods.

Bint (binT) = girl

Jabal (ja-bal) = mountain/hill

Inshallah (inch-shal-lah) = "if God wills it"

Balad (bal-lad) = what they call the city center. It's a busy couple of streets with all kinds of shops along it.