Arabesque :-)
INSHALLA -- when you want something urgent and the response is a long and drawn out and very musically sounding 'inshaaaaaaaaaaaaaaala', then, you know, it's nyet. But if it's a short and snappy "insh-allah", then, you know the person means business. Practical application: If someone asks you to do something that you really don't want to do, then, you use the first inshalla, ok :-)))
HABIBI -- the cute Lebanese colleague can never be your 'habibi', she can only be your 'habibti' but make sure you don't call her THAT if her boyfriend is Bruno, with an anchor tatooed on his arms, who works out in a gym and has muscles to prove it. But there is no harm taking Arabic lessons from her, right.
AZIZI -- if you've already crossed the Bruno hurdle and see no danger in making further moves, then, the word 'azizi' can prove very handy. But don't utter it like you would after a second, third or fourth patiala peg but be casual and say, 'take it easy, ya azizi'. It has greater impact if you say it in an Egyptian accent but be absolutely sure that the person you are saying this to is not Egyptian or has Egyptian parents.
LA KHAWLA WAH ILAKATIBILLAH -- this basically means, "God help me from this (person/ thing/ situation) or something like that and can be very effective when uttered in the company of native Arabic speaker. For example, when you are in the company of the said Lebanese colleague's parents and there is something really tragic on the news, then, just say it with a lot of feeling and emotion. Bruno will have no chance at all.
:-)))
HABIBI -- the cute Lebanese colleague can never be your 'habibi', she can only be your 'habibti' but make sure you don't call her THAT if her boyfriend is Bruno, with an anchor tatooed on his arms, who works out in a gym and has muscles to prove it. But there is no harm taking Arabic lessons from her, right.
AZIZI -- if you've already crossed the Bruno hurdle and see no danger in making further moves, then, the word 'azizi' can prove very handy. But don't utter it like you would after a second, third or fourth patiala peg but be casual and say, 'take it easy, ya azizi'. It has greater impact if you say it in an Egyptian accent but be absolutely sure that the person you are saying this to is not Egyptian or has Egyptian parents.
LA KHAWLA WAH ILAKATIBILLAH -- this basically means, "God help me from this (person/ thing/ situation) or something like that and can be very effective when uttered in the company of native Arabic speaker. For example, when you are in the company of the said Lebanese colleague's parents and there is something really tragic on the news, then, just say it with a lot of feeling and emotion. Bruno will have no chance at all.
:-)))
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