19 Common Expressions That Reveal Lebanese People Are More Spiritual Than They Think
If you pay close attention to the daily expressions in the Lebanese culture, you'll realize how spiritual the people in Lebanon generally are... even if we don't know it or acknowledge it.
From simple greetings and good wishes to future planning, these expressions are constantly on our lips in different situations and scenarios.
Some might take them lightly or for granted and some really mean them. The fact remains that their messages and intentions are there to reflect a culture of peace, faith, and love.
#1 Insha'Allah انشالله
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You probably hear or say this expression a lot in your daily life in Lebanon, and which means "God willing." While many of us mean it - such as in I'm traveling next week, Insha'Allah, or I'll be home soon, InshAllah - many others just say it spontaneously without a second thought, especially in replies, like for example when we are told, "Come back visit us again," and the spontaneous answer ensues, "InshAllah."
#2 Ya Allah/Ya Rab يا لله - يا رب
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"Ya Allah!" and "Ya Rab" are expressions calling to God, sort of like saying "Oh God" to ask for divine help in certain difficult or exasperating situations, even when the intention for that prayer is not necessarily consciously uttered.
#3 Hamdellah حمدلله
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We tend to frequently use this expression that means "Praise be to God" to express gratitude in many different situations, and we use it more often than we consciously think about it. We almost always answer with Hamdellah when we are asked how we are or how our family or work is faring.
#4 Allah Ma3ak الله معك
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While the English version of Allah Ma3ak is God be with you and is also used as God speed , its meaning is in fact "God is with you."
It is a usual traditional greeting in Lebanon when we meet someone we know or when someone is leaving. They are actually wishes of divine blessing and peace.
#5 Ya3tik el a3fye الله يعطيك العافية
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This is a very beautiful wish that we often say when we meet a person working or exhausted from work. It means "May He gives you health and vigor," referring to God, as the original expression that is also commonly used is الله يعطيك العافية (May God gives you...).
One always replies to that expressed wish with also a similar spiritual wish, Allah ya3fik .
A shorten expression of the same we often use is El A3fiye العافية.
#6 Allahu A3lam الله اعلم
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That expression, which we give as an answer to what we can't know, means "God only knows." It is a traditional expression used to express uncertainty about a question, or doubt about the correctness of a piece of information.
#7 Eza Allah Rad - In Allah Rad إن الله راد
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Both these expressions, which we often used, have almost the same meaning: If God wills , and When God Wills.
We often utter them when answering about something we intend to do in the future. "Are you going to your friend's party?" Iza Allah Rad. "Do I see you tomorrow?" In Allah Rad...
We similarly use them when speaking about our own plans " I will go buy some new equipment next week in Allah Rad."
Somehow, this expression comes with a sense of assurance and hope about the uncertainty of a future matter.