Top 5 Weird and Beautiful Arabic Expressions That Don’t Exist in English
By: Yara Zeitoun
Tags: Culture, Language, Travel, Society, Love

Na’eeman — نعيماً

Meaning: Congratulations on your cleanliness!

Literal Meaning: Doesn’t have a literal meaning in and of itself, but this word is derived from the word naa’em, which means, ‘something like paradise.’

Kind of like saying congratulations, you are reborn, or coming out of heaven. You’re fresh!

Usage: When someone comes out of a shower, cuts their hair/beard, or does their makeup/nails.

I love this expression. It makes me feel warm and fuzzy inside.

As a child, there wasn’t a single shower I had where my parents and family wouldn’t tell me Naeeman.

Naturally, now my life feels missing when people don’t say it to me. So I made sure my partner learnt it and every time I finish a shower, I stare him down until he tells me Naeeeman!

Every time I see someone with a new haircut, I’m just dying to tell them ‘Naeeeeeeeeman!’ But I just can’t, because it doesn’t exist in our mutually shared language.

I went through a phase where I tried to translate it and tell people congratulations for their haircuts and quickly realized it was coming across as super weird.

Walaw! — ولو

Meaning: It’s nothing/don’t mention it! or Are you serious?

Although it is translatable, the emotion behind the words is almost worlds apart.

I use this a lot when people thank me for things which I think they shouldn’t thank me for, but with a rising intonation which signals something like ‘how dare you, thank me for this menial task!’

Also commonly used to express frustration at someone when they do something that you can’t believe they’ve done or said, also implying that the person is a little stupid — in a fun way, of course.

Sahtain! — صحتين

Literal Meaning: two healths!

Meaning: Bon appétit

Although it is similar to bon appétit which is still not English but understood in principle, it is distinctive in than it can be used anytime surrounding a meal: before, during, and after.

So, rather than saying enjoy the meal, it is more about, ‘May you digest in good health’ or something along those lines. It makes it quite flexible.

Another difference is that it can be used to people that you are not serving, and strangers too.

So if you’re walking down the street and see someone mid-eating, you can say ‘Sahtain!’ I think if I did that in French people would think I’m a weirdo.

Yaeteek(i) el Aafye — يعطيك العافيه

(also: Yateek(i) alf Aafye)

Meaning: May (God) end your life well or give you 1000 good endings

(Note: The God in the sentence here is implied and not always used, although sometimes people do insert ‘God.’ )

This is an incredibly compassionate statement, letting people of all backgrounds and rankings know that not only do you recognize their hard work, but you truly appreciate it and wish them the best for it.

It’s a truly beautiful way to say hello and or goodbye to someone working in a corner shop, delivering you a package, or just generally working while you have the liberty of receiving their hard work.

To my humble knowledge, nothing comes close to this statement in the English language. I truly miss using it with people and letting them know that I am thankful for their work, however simple it may be.

To’borne/Yo’borne — يؤبرني

Meaning: You’re SO cute!

Literal meaning: Bury me!

This is a strange one for sure.

Usually, parents and grandparents use this with younger family members, but when I tried repeating it back to my grandma as a child she’d gently scold me, telling me that I couldn’t use this phrase on her. I didn’t understand why until much later on when I realized the literal meaning of the expression and what it stemmed from.

The idea behind this is, I love you so much I don’t want to see you die and bury you, but I’d rather you bury me.

It can also be used between lovers or in a lighter way between friends.

Weirdly morbid, but beautiful? I guess?

A’kabalek — عقبالك

*bonus number 6, just because it’s a bit funny.

Meaning: you next!

Literal meaning: you next

Usually said to unmarried women, men, and their parents when they are at a wedding or engagement party.

At its core, it is a deeply compassionate statement: ‘I wish you also find happiness in marriage and in love.’

Of course, when used by your lousy great-aunt, it can mean ‘you’re becoming an old spinster, let’s get moving.’

It’s the statement I dreaded most at weddings and engagement parties since I had no plans of getting married. But, I guess all their good wishes worked, as I’m now happily engaged too.