In this video, we’re embarking on a unique journey through the vibrant streets of Beirut, specifically focusing on shopping! You’ll learn not just words but the cultural nuances of shopping in Lebanon. From the casual attire like “2amees” (shirt) and “pantalon” (pants), to more specific items like “scarbeeneh” (high heels) and “3wayneit” (glasses), we’re covering it all. We’ll dive into how to ask for different sizes, inquire about prices, and even how to negotiate, just like a local. Plus, I’ll take you along for a real shopping experience in Hamra, where we’ll discover vintage treasures and learn some shopping lingo right on the spot. Get ready for a linguistic shopping spree without leaving your home! And remember, this isn’t just about language; it’s about cultural immersion, understanding the Lebanese way of life, and of course, having fun while at it. No greetings needed, let’s dive right in!
Transcript:
Introduction
Hi guys, and welcome again for a new lesson to learn the Lebanese dialect.
Today, because you’ve asked me to do a shopping video, I will do it. We will start and I will teach you some words which we use in English, like a short when you want to buy a short.
- Cravate [from French]: cravate is a tie in English.
- Pantalon: the pants it’s also pantalon [from French].
Now different words:
- A shirt: 2amees
- Shoes: if you want to buy high heels you say scarbeeneh. It’s so feminine, the word. Really! The sound is scarbeeneh.
- Regular shoe: espadrille [from French], or sobbat. But you can of course use espadrille.
- Dress: fostan
- Glasses: 3wayneit
After I finish this, I’m going to show you when I went shopping for glasses, to buy glasses, and we will go together to Hamra street again and I will show you the Scoop shop. You will see it later.
Let’s start with the sentences:
- Can you help me? fikeh tse3deeneh (f.)/ fik tse3edneh(m.)?
- Is there another size? fi gheir 2yeis
- I need a smaller one: baddeh 2yeis azghar
- I need a larger one: baddeh 2yeis akbar
- In how many colors does it come? kamm lon fi menna/menno
- How much does it cost?: addeh 7a22a(f.)/7a22o(m.)?
- Are they on sale? fi sale?
So if you want to ask the saleswoman if it looks good:
- Does it look good on me? 7elo 3layyeh? 7elweh 3layyeh?
- For example, does the dress look good on me?: l fostan 7elo 3layyeh?
Before we go to the glasses shop, I will give you some tips which you could use at a small shop if you want to buy souvenirs for example in Byblos, or the souks, so you go and you negotiate with the salesperson and you can get a good bargain. I can give you a few sentences.
- Can I get it for a cheaper price? fik trakhesleh yeh?(m.) / fikeh trakhsileh yeh(f.)
- And the last thing I will tell you when the salesperson tells you it’s for 5 dollars, you say: w kermeleh?
Ok so let’s go to the glasses shop and have fun. Thank you! Bye-bye!
Shopping at Scoop in Hamra Street
Hello guys, how are you?
So like I promised, I’m doing a shopping video now. It’s about shopping in Beirut and I am in Hamra. In a very special place. It’s a place where you can buy glasses and the guy here owns it.
Hiba: mazbout enta sa7ib l ma7al?
Aakeef: mazbout, sa7i7.
Hiba: shou esmak?
Aakeef: daroure bl englizeh?
Hiba: la2
Aakeef: Aakeef
Hiba: Aakeef?
Aakeef: Aakeef. 7atta esmeh mfarkash.
Hiba: He has an original name also, Aakeef. And you can find here vintage glasses, and actually lots of stars bought…
Aakeef: All new. Nobody used it. hayda ma 7ada mesta3melo.
Hiba: All new of course but it’s vintage. They use it in video clips and, as you see, they wrote about it in timeout magazine in Beirut.
Aakeef: w 3ala google 3enna safa7tein scoop optic…
Hiba: And also you can google the place, it’s Scoop. Aakeef: Exactly.
Hiba: And I will show you after the poster, or what we say, I don’t know. And I bought this from his place.
Aakeef: This is 1970. 42 years ago. haydeh tnayna-w-arb3een seneh 3omra
Hiba: And actually, he showed me the machine…
Aakeef: This machine gives guaranteed UV. It checks the lenses. [It fully protects from UV light]. This is bad quality, light enters the eye. Be careful, you will ruin your eyes. ente ma ma3ik khabar, sa7 walla la2?
Hiba: So 3akeef I’m thinking about buying this. Let me choose one. I like the Rayban here. I will talk in Arabic now. addeh 7a22o hayda?
Aakeef: hayda manno vintage, fikeh tle2i 7ayalla ma7al.
Hiba: Ok w fi menno gheir lon?
Aakeef: eh hayda fi eshyia normal, bas fina nshouf shi teneh. L eshiya l vintage hayda l ekhtisas taba3eh. Haydek kello manno ekhtisaseh. Fikeh tsawreh shi hek vintage iza baddik. Hawdoleh kelloun 1970-1965. W keloun handmade. 1940.
Hiba: Wow look at this, it’s original. It’s like an alien.
Aakeef: You can try and let’s take a picture. 1940. I show you one, handmade for one reason.
Hiba: It takes the form of your eyes.
Aakeef: Lyom 3melto. Khatar b raseh, naffazto.
Hiba: He did it today.
Aakeef: Shou ra2yik fiya hal fekra?
Hiba: It’s very good, ktir 7elwe.
Aakeef: Marra t3allamet shi. Barra fi makana, hon fi makana. Barra fi mokh, hon fi mokh. Barra fi 2id, hon fi 2id. Lesh ma mna3mil metel barra? Ma beftekir shaghleh so3beh, mesh hek? Ahwan mn hek ma fi? Mesh hek? meshen hek hayda l sheghel taba3eh.
Hiba: Tayyib. So thank you laken. Ok we will meet outside now. Laken we could say addeh 7a22o? Fik ta3mlena se3er if we need to tell him please can you reduce the price a little bit? Or fi menno gheir lon? I will tell you this later. I will explain more. Let us see the vitrine. The students of the American university designed this. The girl with her eyes. And they won the first prize. Congratulations. Now we’ll say thank you to Aakeef.
Aakeef: You are welcome.
Hiba: And don’t forget when you come to Hamra visit scoop for glasses.
Aakeef: This building is 200 years old.
Recap:
| English (Bolded) | Lebanese (Latin Letters) | Lebanese (Arabic Alphabet) |
|---|---|---|
| Cravate | cravate | كرافات |
| Pantalon | pantalon | بنطلون |
| A shirt | 2amees | قميص |
| Shoes | scarbeeneh/espadrille | سكربينة/اسبادريل |
| Dress | fostan | فستان |
| Glasses | 3wayneit | عوينيت |
| Can you help me? | fikeh tse3deeneh/fik tse3edneh | فيكي تساعديني/فيك تساعدني |
| Is there another size? | fi gheir 2yeis | في غير حجم |
| I need a smaller one | baddeh 2yeis azghar | بدي حجم أصغر |
| I need a larger one | baddeh 2yeis akbar | بدي حجم أكبر |
| In how many colors does it come? | kamm lon fi menna/menno | كم لون فيها/فيه |
| How much does it cost? | addeh 7a22a/7a22o | أدا حقها/حقو |
| Are they on sale? | fi sale? | في سيل؟ |
| Does it look good on me? | 7elo 3layyeh/7elweh 3layyeh | حلو عليي/حلوة عليي |
| Can I get it for a cheaper price? | fik trakhesleh yeh/fikeh trakhsileh yeh | فيك ترخصلي ياه/فيكي ترخصيلي ياه |
| And the last thing I will tell you | w kermeleh? | و كرمالي؟ |
