Every summer I get the same request from students. "Suzanne, I am going to Lebanon in six weeks, can you give me twenty phrases that will actually help?" Yes, I can. These are the ones I pick, in Levantine Arabic because that is what you will hear in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Palestine. All are transliterated loosely so you can say them before you can read them. Do not worry about perfection. The goal is recognisable, not flawless.
Greetings that open every door
Start here. A good Lebanese greeting is half the battle, and people will warm to you immediately. Marhaba (مرحبا) is a universal hello. Ahlan wa sahlan (أهلاً وسهلاً) is a warmer, more welcoming version, traditionally said by a host. Keefak? (for a man) or Keefik? (for a woman) means "how are you?". The reply is easy: mneeh, hamdulillah (فرحة الحمد لله), "fine, thanks be to God". That last phrase carries cultural weight; you will hear it constantly.
Yes, no, please, thank you
Basics that should be your first hour. Na'am (yes) or aywa (yes, casual). La (no). Law samaht for "please" to a man, law samahti to a woman. And of course شكرا (shukran, thank you). Reply to thanks with afwan (أفواً), "you're welcome". These five will cover half your daily interactions before you even try a full sentence.
Ordering food and drink
This is where Lebanon really rewards you. Ana juaan ("I am hungry", for a man) or ana ju'aaneh (for a woman). Baddi means "I want": baddi qahwa (I want a coffee), baddi ma' barid (I want cold water), baddi hummus w khubz (I want hummus and bread). When the food arrives, sahtein is the Lebanese equivalent of "bon appetit", and your host will often say it before you eat. To ask for the bill: l-hisab, law samaht.
Taxis and getting around
Lebanese taxis can be a sport. A few phrases change the whole experience. Baddi rouh la ("I want to go to") followed by your destination: baddi rouh la Hamra, baddi rouh la l-matar (the airport). Bikam? (how much?) is essential. Kteer (too much) and aleel (a little) help you negotiate. Yamiin (right), shmeel (left), and doughri (straight on) guide the driver. If you need them to stop: hone tayeb (here is fine).
"In Lebanon, a few words of Arabic turn a transaction into a conversation. That is the whole point."
In the markets
Lebanon loves a bit of friendly bargaining, especially in the souks. Always start polite. Bikam hayda? (how much is this?) opens the dance. Ghaali (expensive) is the opening move. Bta'mel arkhas? (can you do cheaper?) is the follow-up. A smile works better than any clever phrase. And once the price is agreed, seal it with tayeb, shukran (good, thank you). Nobody minds a foreigner trying, and many shopkeepers will teach you a new word if you seem interested.
Kindness and farewells
Two phrases that will make any Lebanese person warm to you. Allah ya'teek el-afieh means "may God give you strength", said to anyone working hard: a waiter, a driver, a stallholder. It is generous and culturally precise. Yislamo is an affectionate thank you, more intimate than shukran, used between friends. For a farewell, ma' as-salameh (go with peace) is both polite and warm. And if you are leaving after a meal, daymeh ("may it always be so") acknowledges the hospitality beautifully.
A final thought on effort
You will mispronounce things. You will forget the word at the crucial moment. A taxi driver will look confused, and you will both laugh. Lebanon is the best possible country in which to be an imperfect Arabic speaker, because people are warm, quick to help, and genuinely delighted when someone tries. The twenty phrases above will not make you fluent. They will make you noticed, in the best way. That is worth more than any textbook will ever teach you.
If you are heading to Lebanon and want a few short lessons before you go, I offer a free thirty-minute taster. We can go through whichever phrases matter most for your trip. Book a taster and we will take it from there.