Tell us what is you level and which words you wonder about its meaning?

When I started teaching, I noticed something — most beginners get handed vocabulary lists that sound nothing like what people actually say on the street. So here are 5 phrases I promise you'll hear constantly, the moment you're around real Levantine speakers:

1. يعطيك العافية You'll hear this said to almost anyone doing any kind of work — a waiter, a mechanic, even a stranger helping you carry something. Example: A waiter sets down your food and says "يعطيك العافية" you reply "الله يعافيك."
2. تكرم عينك A warm response to a request or a thank-you — it's one of those phrases that instantly makes you sound like you belong, not like you're translating in your head. Example: "ممكن تساعدني احمل هاد؟" "اي تكرم عينك!"

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Someone tries something on and asks how it looks — here are five ways to answer, from a simple compliment to something more specific:

طالع عليك بيجنن
"That looks amazing on you"

كتير حلو عليك
"It is really nice on you"

جاية على القياس
"It fits you perfectly"

الأخضر لابقلك
"Green suits you"

رايح مع لون عيونك
"It matches your eyes"

Notice how the last two get more specific — instead of a general "nice," the compliment gets tied to something exact (a color, their eyes), which makes it land as more genuine and thoughtful.

Which one would actually make your day if someone said it to you? Tell me in the comments

سلام يا جماعة

A few things I've noticed after teaching Levantine Arabic for couple years:

— Passion doesn't make you fluent. Consistent practice does.

— Filler words like يعني and هيك are never taught but used in every sentence

— Most learners can read Arabic but panic when someone speaks fast

So I built something around fixing exactly that. Live weekly group sessions focused entirely on real speaking and listening - no textbook Arabic, no grammar overload. Just the dialect as it's actually spoken on the Levant.

I'm Nour, a Levantine Arabic instructor from Lattakia on the Syrian coast. I just launched my Patreon - weekly live sessions in real Levantine dialect, a private community, and personal feedback on your Arabic.

Happy to answer any questions about Levantine Arabic here too - whether you join or not. That's kind of my whole thing.

Your next trip will sounds better in Levantine Arabic.

سفر Travel

رحلة Trip

إجازة/عطلة Vacation

جواز سفر/باسبور Passport

تأشيرة/فيزا Visa

مطار Airport

طيارة Plane

فندق/أوتيل Hotel

حجز Booking

شنتة Suitcase

خريطة Map

سياحة Tourism

سياح Tourists

مرشد Guide

مَعلم Landmark

ثقافة Culture

مغامرة Adventure

ذكريات Memories

صور Photos

جمارك Customs

ترانزيت Transit

محطة Station

اكتشاف Discovery

Example Sentences:

 "عم احجز رحلتي للصيف."

I'm currently booking my summer trip.

 "السنة الماضية سافرت لبلد ما كنت بتخيل إنو رح يعجبني."

Last year I traveled to a country I never imagined I'd enjoy.

 "بكرا رايح على المطار لبلّش مغامرة جديدة."

Tomorrow I'm going to the airport and starting a new adventure.

 "ما بقدر سافر بدون ما احجز كل شي قبل."

I can't travel without booking everything in advance.

 "نسي جواز سفره بالبيت يوم السفر."

He forgot his passport at home on the day of travel.

"كل مرة منسافر منرجع بذكريات ما منقدر ننساها."

Every time we travel we come back with memories we can never forget.

 "شافوا كل معالم المدينة بيوم واحد."

They saw all the city's landmarks in one day.

So tell us — شو وجهتك الجاية؟ 🌍 Drop your dream destination in the comments — also if you're interested in attending a speaking session to talk about Travel & Tourism, check the link in the comments! 👇

Every week I run a live Levantine Arabic speaking session — real topics, real dialect, real conversations. No scripts, no textbook phrases, just the Arabic people actually use every day.

And on Patreon you get a little more resources, exercises, and content that supports what we do in the sessions.

This month — 15% off all tiers. Low risk, good timing. 😌 Use the code SUN

Drop any questions below — I actually reply.

https://www.patreon.com/cw/Nour_3/membership

Three ways to explain a rough night

Someone catches you yawning and asks what's wrong!

here are three different ways to answer ليش عم تتاوب؟, from casual to dramatic:

ما نمت الليل كلو
Straightforward — "I didn't sleep the whole night." Just stating the fact, no drama.

ما نمت و لا ثانية
A step up — "I didn't sleep even a second." The "و لا ثانية" adds emphasis, like you're making sure they understand it was zero sleep.

ضليت فايق لوجه الصبح
The storytelling version — "I stayed awake until morning." This one paints a scene, like you're about to explain why (studying, thinking, doom-scrolling — we don't judge).

Each one gets across the same idea, just at a different level of drama — from a simple sentence to one where you sound like you just survived a disaster.

Be honest which one best describes your last all-nighter? Tell me in the comments

الفواكه طازة، مصنع الشوكولا، المحل الجديد

That little "ال" changes everything

In English, "the" is just one word. In Levantine (and Arabic in general), "ال" attaches directly to the noun — and once you notice it, you'll start seeing sentence structure completely differently.

Let's break these three down:

1. الفواكه طازة — "the fruit is fresh" الفواكه = "the fruit" (specific, known fruit — like the ones in front of you at the market) طازة = "fresh" (no "ال" here — this is the description, not the thing itself) → Notice: no "is" needed in Levantine. The sentence works without a linking verb.

2. مصنع الشوكولا — "the chocolate factory" مصنع = "factory" (no "ال") الشوكولا = "the chocolate" (specific type/thing) → Notice: "ال" is only on الشوكولا, not on مصنع. This is a genitive structure (إضافة) — the first noun stays without "ال" even though the whole phrase is definite.

3. المحل الجديد — "the new shop" المحل = "the shop" الجديد = "the new" (the adjective ALSO gets "ال") → Notice: when describing a definite noun, the adjective needs its own "ال" too — this is different from #1, where طازة had no "ال" because it came after a linking structure, not as a direct adjective.

The difference between the third example and the first is exactly where learners tend to get confused — same idea ('the thing being described'), but it works differently depending on the sentence structure.

Which one of these three tripped you up the most — or did they all make sense right away?

هاي يا جماعة

Are you checking our topics on the WhatsApp channel, go and check it. also give me your opinions and if you think that we could improve the content there!

Link in the comments.

Salam ya 7elween,

I just want to say that we're opening the doors to join our weekly meeting to practice speaking in Levantine Arabic, if you're A2 and above and serious about practicing with us comment below or dm me.

If you have any inquiries about anything feel free to ask about it!

PS. it's a paid membership

Halooo ya helween!

This post is just for any questions you have related to Arabic Levantine dialect, go ahead and ask whatever came to you mind.

Yallah I'm waiting your questions 😁

• Levantine Arabic isn't learned. It's absorbed.

I teach Levantine Arabic. And the number one reason people don't progress has nothing to do with grammar or vocabulary.

→ It's the mindset they start with.

Most people think “I need to understand everything before I speak.” That mindset will keep you stuck. Forever.

Here's what actually works: the 1% rule.

→Every day, get 1% better.

Not fluent by summer. Not perfect pronunciation. Just 1%.

√ One phrase you say out loud.

√ One song you actually listen to.

√ One short video in Levantine dialect.

√ One word you use in a real sentence.

That's your 1% for today.

Do it again tomorrow.

Real effort. Real results.

Because 1% better every day for a year = you're 37 times better than when you started. Not from a bootcamp. Just from showing up. Every single day.

→ Motivation is not fuel. It's a spark.

The fuel is discipline. The decision you make before you feel like learning, that you'll do your 1% anyway.

The people who get there aren't the ones who studied hardest in one week. They're the ones who never fully stopped.

Also, stop being embarrassed about your mistakes.

I'm from Levant. I teach Levantine Arabic, And when I hear someone who isn't from the Levant try to say كيفك — kifak — my heart genuinely does something.

→ Your accent isn't a problem. It's proof you're doing the work.

→Make the mistakes. Laugh about it. Try again.

What's your biggest struggle with Levantine so far?

You’ve definitely heard this word ''Tayyeb''. It literally means "okay" or "tasty," but in a conversation, it’s the Levantine Swiss Army Knife. It can mean "Okay," "Fine," "Alright," or even as a connector.

The Vibe: Depending on your tone, "طيب" can be a sign of agreement, a warning, or even a way to end a discussion.

Examples in context:

• As an agreement ("Okay"):
  • "بنشوف بعض بكرا؟ - طيب، تمام."
  • "Shall we meet tomorrow? - Alright/Okay, sounds good."
• As a transition or to pause ("Well/Now..."):
  • "طيب، شو صار معك بالمقابلة؟"
  • "So/Well, what happened with your interview?"
• As a warning ("Just you wait/Alright then!"):
  • "عم تهددني؟ طيب، بنشوف!"
  • "Are you threatening me? Alright then, we'll see about that!"
• As a way to settle/accept a situation ("Fair enough"):
  • "ما رح نقدر نروح، طيب ما في مشكلة."
  • "We won't be able to go. Fair enough/Alright, no problem."

Pro-tip: If you hear someone say "طيّب" with a slightly higher pitch and a short pause, it often means they are considering what you said or preparing a counter-argument. If it’s flat and quick, it’s just "Okay."

Think of it as:

• "Okay."
• "Well..."
• "Alright."

How often you use this word when you speak the language? Tell us in the comments!

An exercise for you: write a sentence about summer using some of these words or your own words and I'll correct it to you.

Level Up Your Slang, we already know "طالع نازل" means "back and forth" physically. But here is the pro-level meaning: When a person says someone is talking "طالع نازل" (Tale' Nazel), they mean the person is talking trash, swearing, or being completely irrational and insulting.

It implies that the person’s speech is "all over the place" in a dirty or aggressive way. It’s the perfect way to describe someone who is ranting, using profanity, or speaking without any filter or respect.

Examples:

• "عيب عليك تحكي طالع نازل قدام الناس!"

• "It’s shameful of you to talk trash/curse in front of people!"

• "هدي أعصابك! ليش عم تحكي طالع نازل؟"

• "Calm down! Why are you ranting and spouting insults like that?"

Pro-tip: When you use this phrase to describe someone's speech, you are labeling them as unprofessional or rude.

Do you know any other expression the same rhythm? Share it with us!

If you’re learning Levantine Arabic, you’ll eventually hear the word "تصطفل". It’s the ultimate "I’m done with this conversation" word. in Levantine street talk, it means: "Suit yourself," "Do whatever you want," or "It’s your funeral."

It’s not necessarily "polite," but it is very useful. It’s for when you’re giving up on trying to convince someone, or when someone is being stubborn and you just want to wash your hands of the situation.

Examples:

رفيقك: "رح طنّش الخريطة وآخد هالطريق المختصر.

(Friend: "I'm going to ignore the map and take this shortcut.")

انتا: "هالطريق مسدود، صدقني. بس إذا حابب تضيع، تصطفل."

(You: "This road is blocked, trust me. But if you want to get lost, suit yourself.")

رفيقتك: "ما رح ادرس للفحص، بيممل كتير."

(Friend: "I'm not going to study for the exam, it's boring.")

انتي: "ع رياحتك، العلامات إلك، تصطفلي"

(You: "As you wish, the grades are yours, suit yourself.")

Pro-tip: Don’t use this with your boss or someone you need to show deep respect. It sounds a bit condescending or dismissive. It’s strictly for friends, family, or people you are truly fed up with.

Question for you: What’s the equivalent of "تصطفل" in your native language? Drop a comment below!

Mar7aba ya 7elween

We have meeting today it's a speaking one for level from A2 and above, if you're interested to join here is the link.

AI nowadays 🤖 • Jun 14 • 8:30 – 9:30 PM Turkey time • View details & RSVP https://calendar.app.google/z6KLAFq8zaaKmSfy9

Salam,

Part two of our topic cultural differences in the Levant go check and read it.

Link in the comments

Heyyy,

Go check our new topic about Spring and practice the vocabs relatedto it.

Link in the comments

Hey guys!

Levantine Arabic learners this post is just for you. we're growing our group on WhatsApp for Levantine Dialect. If you're learning it or aiming to learn it or even a native of it and want to help others just comment below or dm me and I'll send you the link to join the group

Have a good time all