Lesson 32: How to Talk About Winter in Lebanese Arabic

As the weather gets colder, the conversation changes. This lesson covers all the essential Lebanese Arabic vocabulary you’ll need for the winter season, from talking about the cold and snow to the names of heaters, winter clothing, and seasonal foods.

Learn how to describe a winter storm, talk about going skiing, and stay warm with the right words.

Full Transcript: A Guide to the Winter Season

1. Describing Winter Weather

Let’s start with some common phrases for talking about the cold.

• It’s really cold today: l yom ktir sa’3a (اليوم كتير سقعة)
• There is a storm coming: fi 3aSifeh jeyeh (في عاصفة جاية)
• It snowed yesterday: talajit mberiH (تلجت مبارح)
  • Note: Snow is talj (تلج), which also means “ice cubes” in Lebanese Arabic.
• The road was blocked: el taree’ msakkar (الطريق مسكر) or ma’too3 (مقطوع)

Feeling under the weather?

• It’s too cold, I can’t go out, I will catch a cold: Ktir sa’3a, ma fineh oDhar, raH rashiH. (كتير سقعة، ما فيني إظهر، رح رشح)
• I have a cold: ana mrashHa (أنا مرشحة) or ana mjarbeh (أنا مجربة)

2. Winter Heaters & Appliances

How do you stay warm? Here are the names for common heaters.

• Electrical Heater: Deffeyeh (دفاية)
• Gas Heater: Deffeyeh 3al-Ghaz (دفاية عالغاز)
• Radiator: Chauffage or Shofaj (شوفاج)
• Chimney: Shemineh (شيمينيه)
• Wood/Fuel Stove: Sobya (صوبيا) or Baboor (بابور). These work with Hatab (حطب – firewood/coal) or mazout (مازوت – fuel/diesel).

3. Traditional Winter Foods

Winter in Lebanon has its own special treats.

• Chestnuts: Kastana (كستنا)
• Grilled Potato: Batata meshwiyeh (بطاطا مشوية)
• Soup: Shawraba (شوربة)
• Kishk: Kishek (كشك) – A traditional dish made from bulgur and dried yogurt, often saved to be eaten in winter.

4. Winter Clothing & Accessories

Bundle up with these essential items.

• Scarf: Sheil (شال)
• Gloves: Kfoof (كفوف) (One glove is kaff – كف)
• Coat: Kabboot (كبوت)
• Hat: Brnayta (برنيطة)

5. Winter Activities: Skiing

Lebanon is famous for its ski slopes. Here’s how to talk about going skiing.

• I’m going to the snow: ana tal3a 3a-l talj (أنا طالعة عالتلج)
• I’m going skiing (female): ana rayHa a3mol ski (أنا رايحة أعمل سكي)
• I’m going skiing (male): ana rayiH a3mol ski (أنا رايح أعمل سكي)

You can tell someone to “stay warm” by saying ddaffo mniH (إدّفّوا منيح).

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Key Vocabulary & Phrases

Lebanese Phrase	Transliteration	English Meaning
اليوم كتير سقعة	Lyom ktir sa’3a	It’s very cold today
تلجت مبارح	Talajit mberiH	It snowed yesterday
تلج	Talj	Snow / Ice Cubes
أنا مرشحة	Ana mrashHa	I have a cold
دفاية	Deffeyeh	Heater
صوبيا / بابور	Sobya / Baboor	Wood/Fuel Stove
كستنا	Kastana	Chestnuts
شوربة	Shawraba	Soup
شال	Sheil	Scarf
كفوف	Kfoof	Gloves
كبوت	Kabboot	Coat
أنا طالعة عالتلج	Ana tal3a 3a-l talj	I’m going to the snow