Desert Diaries

October 31, 2009

Word List 2

As promised, here’s word list #2.

Min jadeed: From the beginning

Shaabi (adj.) – Poor

  • Shaabi:  Pronounced just like the English word “shabby” meaning: run-down, seedy, not up to par in quality, dilapidated
*ShaabiColloquial ‘Arabic, ’Arabizi or ironic? :)

Habbah: Qit‘ah – piece

  • Habbaat/Qita’ – pieces
  • Li habbah – per piece

Min jid: Haqeeqatan – In reality, actually, in fact, really, etc…

Kateer: Katheer – A lot, much, many, etc.

Shoor(ee): Udkhul(ee) – Enter, get in!

Marra: Jiddan – Very

Sanfarah- Emery (nail file, emery board)

  • The locals say mabrid or mibrid when referring to a nail file and sanfarah when referring to facial/body scrub (i.e. beauty product)

Shaambou: Saa-il lil Istihmaam - Shampoo

Shareehatu Lahm: Hamburghur – Hamburger

Shateerah: Sandweesh – Sandwich

I read this in the news… Low-slung jeans worn imitating US rap stars  partially revealing the underwear are known in Saudi ‘Arabia as “tayyihni.”

Billaahit tawfeeq.

3 Comments »

  1. As salaamu alaykum, this is a nice little resource, the word list, masha Allah.

    That “kateer” makes me laugh, lol. My co wife uses that, she is from Morocco.

    I’m just now seeing your “new” look. I like it, masha Allah.

    Comment by talibiddeenjr — October 31, 2009 @ 10:44 am

  2. Wa ‘alaikis salaam wa rahmatullaahi wa barakaatuh. Jazaakillaahu khairan.

    Na’am, kateer is funny, but “fil mish mish” is at the top of the chuckle list for me! (See comment #12)

    Loving your UAE blog theme and pictures, Maa Shaa Allaah, Tabaarakallaah.

    Comment by Desert Diaries — November 1, 2009 @ 7:39 pm

  3. As salaamu alaikum,

    Way Cool! Very interesting and helpful in relating with students during lighter moments.

    Comment by Shaheed — November 2, 2009 @ 5:50 am


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