شلونك؟ *

* what color are you?

Arabic Gulf, Various countries

Expression USED Frequently BY Everyone

The common way to ask 'how are you?'.

"شلونك؟ " "زين شكرا"

"What colour are you?" "I'm good, thank you."

Submitted August 2020 by giraffeseye

فكرة*

* idea

Arabic Algeria

Word USED On Occasion BY young adults

(n.) Used when expressing approval and/or interest in a suggestion or opinion. Can be formal or informal depending on the situation. E.g. could be considered informal when addressing elders but not in a meeting - be it official or non-official.

"في رايي كون نزيدو سعر المنتج وحدو و نبيعوه في باكيات تع 3 و نديرو سولد تجي مليحة" "!ايه فكرة"

"In my opinion, if we raise the price of the product on its own and then sell it in packs of 3 on sale, it would be good." "Oh yeah that's an idea!"

Submitted July 2020 by suzibyun

تقبرني*

* bury me

Arabic | Levantine Lebanon

Expression USED Frequently BY Everyone

(v.) Commonly used by people as a sign of affection. It's a way of saying "I hope I die before you". Can sometimes be used in a condescending way.

"مبروك عالولد ! يئبرني شكلو"

"Congratulations on the baby! May he bury me"

Submitted July 2020 by helissatabet

شو في ما في؟*

* What's there not there

Arabic | Levantine Lebanon

Standard Phrase USED Very frequently BY Anyone

A way of saying 'what's up?', typically used with friends and family or acquaintances.

"شو في ما في؟" "والله وا في شي"

"What's up?" "Nothing much"

Submitted July 2020 by helissatabet

Simohamed

Arabic | Moroccan Darija Morocco

Name USED Very frequently BY Everyone

(n.) In Morocco we use the name Simohamed to call anyone, particularly when we don't know them. For example if you yell "Simohamed!" to a waiter, they will come to you.

"Simohamed! Jibi lia qahua nos nos, 3afek."

"Simohamed! Bring me a coffee with milk, please."

Submitted August 2020 by delabedaouia

والله شكلنا وصلنا لمطرح ما ضيع القرد ابنو*

* the place where the monkey lost its child

Arabic Damascus, Syria

Expression USED Very frequently BY Almost Everyone

When someone is very lost.

"وين صرنا شريك؟ النا ساعة عم نمشي.. شكلنا ضعنا" "والله شكلنا وصلنا لمطرح ما ضيع القرد ابنو"

"Where have we arrived, mate? We have been walking for hours, it seems we are lost..." "It seems we arrived where the monkey lost its child."

Submitted August 2020 by wasemtheking