Politics can be a complex topic, but knowing the basic vocabulary is key to understanding the news and current events in Lebanon. This lesson covers the main words you’ll need to discuss politics, from “country” and “capital” to “elections” and “revolution.”
Learn the essential terms for government, political roles, and key concepts, and see how they are used in full sentences.
Full Transcript: A Guide to Political Vocabulary
1. The Basics: Country & Government
Let’s start with the fundamental building blocks of a nation’s structure.
- Politics: Siyeseh (سياسة)
- Country: Balad (بلد)
- Capital: 3asmeh (عاصمة)
- State: Dawleh (دولة) or Woleyyeh (ولاية)
- Republic:Jumhuriyyeh (جمهورية)
- Example: The Republic of Lebanon – el jumhuriyyeh el Lebneniyeh (الجمهورية اللبنانية)
- Kingdom: Mamlakeh (مملكة)
- Nation:‘Ummeh (أمة)
- Example: The United Nations – el-‘Umam Al-MuteHdeh (الأمم المتحدة)
2. Political Roles & Titles
These are the titles for the people who run the government.
- President: Ra’ees (رئيس) / Ra’eeseh (رئيسة) (f.)
- King: Malik (ملك) / Malikeh (ملكة) (f.)
- Minister: Wazeer (وزير)
- Ministers (plural): Wuzara (وزرا)
- Representative: Neyib (نايب)
- Representatives (plural): Nuwweib (نوّاب)
3. Institutions & Events
Here are the names for political bodies and important events.
- Parliament: Barlamen (برلمان) or Majlis (مجلس)
- Ministry: Wizara (وزارة)
- Party: Hezeb (حزب)
- Parties (plural): ‘aHzeib (أحزاب)
- Election: ‘entikhabet (انتخابات)
- Revolution: Sawra (ثورة)
4. Example Sentences
Let’s see how these words are used in the news (akhbar – أخبار).
Sentence 1: “Today the representatives met at the parliament to elect a president.”
- l yom el nuwweib jtama3o bil barlamen ta yentekhbo ra’ees.
- (اليوم النوّاب اجتمعوا بالبرلمان تينتخبوا رئيس)
Sentence 2: “There are two main political parties in the United States.”
- fi Hezbein asesiyyeh bil wileyet el mutteHdeh.
- (في حزبين أساسيّي بالولايات المتحدة)
Key Vocabulary & Phrases
| Lebanese Phrase | Transliteration | English Meaning |
| سياسة | Siyeseh | Politics |
| بلد | Balad | Country |
| عاصمة | 3asmeh | Capital |
| دولة | Dawleh | State |
| رئيس / رئيسة | Ra’ees / Ra’eeseh | President (m/f) |
| برلمان / مجلس | Barlamen / Majlis | Parliament |
| وزير / وزرا | Wazeer / Wuzara | Minister / Ministers |
| نايب / نوّاب | Neyib / Nuwweib | Representative / Representatives |
| حزب / أحزاب | Hezeb / ‘aHzeib | Party / Parties |
| انتخابات | ‘entikhabet | Election |
| ثورة | Sawra | Revolution |
| أخبار | Akhbar | News |
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