10+ Lebanese and Spanish Words That Sound and Mean The Same

If you are a traveler like most Lebanese and have visited Spain or any country in Latin America, you (or your ears) might have noticed these words that sound familiar.

You might have also understood what they mean. Let's check out how many of these words you have recognized as sounding and meaning the same as in Lebanon:

#1 Ojalá (Inshallah)

https://giphy.com/gifs/MovistarPlus-skam-spain-espaa-KgF93jYVrSBF6KmFbt

Ojala, pronounced Okhalah (Oh Allah from where it derives), does mean Inshallah in Spanish.

Does that mean we’re not the only ones who have heard “inshallah” from our parents and wondered if it was a yes or a no ?

#2 Pantalón (Trousers)

https://giphy.com/gifs/SNL-snl-saturday-night-live-season-44-klA8jbWtfVpM4WUr2k

The word stems from an Italian comedian character, Pantalone , of the 16th century. It was his hose portrayed as being down around his feet that the word pantalon we so use comes from.

#3 Camisa (Shirt)

https://giphy.com/gifs/tipsyelves-what-hey-3og0IPNcCRz8Tizbd6

Camisa = Qamiss (قميص)

#4 Blusa (Blouse)

https://giphy.com/gifs/iggy-azalea-fancy-charli-xcx-i5gAt8Fq6xl9C

It’s pretty much the same word in both languages, and very similar in English! According to Etymonline, the word probably originated from the word Pelusium , a city in Egypt known for clothes manufacturing.

#5 Aceite (the Oil)

https://giphy.com/gifs/oil-14iOwtxifSRRyo

Azeite = Al-zeit (الزيت)

#6 Aceituna (the Olive)

https://giphy.com/gifs/pbsdigitalstudios-olive-oil-acs-reactions-pbs-ds-ZE5QPf9H1D0W4RTfmB

Aceitouna = Al-zeitouneh ( الزيتون)

#7 Limón (Lemon)

https://giphy.com/gifs/latelateshow-xT1XGAFVgM73USM5QQ

Limón = Laymoun (ليمون)

#8 Azúcar (the Sugar)

https://giphy.com/gifs/jeff-goldblum-1986-the-fly-l2SpQ81wRfIRuObHW

Azúcar = Al-sukkar (السكر)

#9 Berenjena (Eggplant)

https://giphy.com/gifs/UniversalMusicFI-Ii3X0Pm2kOV3PUoyfY

Berengena sounds similar to the batenjan (باذنجان)