Lost in Arabic, ask here :)

savary

New member
Hi everyone, I wanted to start a new thread if you have any questions regarding the Arabic language. I don't know if this is the right place to post this topic, but I'm assuming so. If you have any qeustions ask here, and I will be more than happy to answer your qustions and queries.
 

shiradotnet

Well-known member
Hi everyone, I wanted to start a new thread if you have any questions regarding the Arabic language. I don't know if this is the right place to post this topic, but I'm assuming so. If you have any qeustions ask here, and I will be more than happy to answer your qustions and queries.

Thanks for offering! I've been using audio CD's to learn Arabic, and sometimes I do have questions, so it would be great to have a place to ask!

Which dialect of Arabic are you most proficient in?
 

savary

New member
Thanks for offering! I've been using audio CD's to learn Arabic, and sometimes I do have questions, so it would be great to have a place to ask!

Which dialect of Arabic are you most proficient in?

You are welcome, I speak the Egyptian dialect and I understand other different dialects but I might have some problems with the Algerian and Moroccan.
 

shiradotnet

Well-known member
Okay, I have a question....

First, see this link for a translation of the Farid al-Atrache song "Me Alli We Oldtelu": Arabic Music: English Translation of Lyrics for Me Alli We Oltelu by Farid al-Atrache

The translation says, "He did not tell me and I did not tell him either." I'm not sure I understand that. Would it be better to translate that as "He did not talk to me and I did not talk to him either"?

It seems as though this song is saying that a couple quarreled because other people told each lies about the other in hopes of driving them apart. Is that correct? But it also sounds like the couple overcame this and love each other even more?
 

savary

New member
Hi Shira, thanx for this amazing song, it is one of my favourites:)
This is the video of the song (it is taken from a movie and this is part of the movie, the bellydancer is Samya Gamal, she is gorgeos)
YouTube - ‫?????? ???? ?? / ????? ???? ????? ?????? .‬‎

Ma alle we oltelo means he told (talked to) me and I told him. Ma at the beginning doesn't mean not, it is just used in 'ammeya and it doesn't change the meaning. It is used in two cases, if you are suggesting something like the following:
ma + tegy + verb: ma tegy nor'os ما تيجى نرقص and it means let's dance or shall we dance (an arabic movie based on the movie shall we dance)
or ma + verb: ma nel'ab and it means let's play
The other ma ما which you confused with this one is when you tell someone not do something, used as the following:
ma + (verb + sh): ma tel'absh = don't play
ma toraosh = don't dance
ma takolsh = don't eat

Back to the song:
ma alle we olteloh: he said to me and i said to him. It means i spoked and talked to him and he did the same. He is telling the people who tried to drive them apart that we now we are together and we talk to each other and tell our secrets to each other.
we mally we melteloh: literally means he leant towards me and i leant towards him. it means our bond is stronger now and we are attracted to each other more.
we galy we rohteloh: he came to me and i went to him.
ya 'awazel falfeloh: you seprators, fume. Falfelo comes from felfel which is pepper, and the closest meaning would be you seperator fume, coz we are back together.
aloly kalam, we alaloh kalam: they told me some stuff, told him other stuff
we kan beny we benoh khesam: and parting/separation took place between me and him. 'khesam' is when you don't talk to a person for sometime, quarrel is not accurate i guess

if you need the whole lyrics translation let me know, I will finish it and move it the lyrics section, hope it is clear now
 

shiradotnet

Well-known member
Wow, thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions about this song! I've always enjoyed this song very much, and I appreciate being able to ask questions about what the lyrics mean!
 

shiradotnet

Well-known member
Savary, are you willing to help me with another song? I really, really love the song Shamandora by Mohammed Mounir - any chance you'd be willing to translate it for me?

I've been told the lyrics are this:


Eyou shamandora min ghina bari gaskeryo min ghena, Midri mala wa innama montan jala wayna (repeat).

3a ashatti estani rayha fain, dana leiki baghanni ghinwitea (repeat).

Ghinwa 3an elaha wil haneen, iw ghinwa la i3naiki ya haneen

Ah ya shamndoura labsa toab, yajmal min sora ya doab ya doab. Ya asmar ya samara dobti doab
ya i3youn addara 3al oulob.

Ah ya shamndoura sabri taal, roddi iw ghawbeni 3a ilsoual (repeat).

Ootlobi witmani laou mohal, melein walneni ya ghazal.

Aah Ya shamandoura min ghina.
Ah ya Shamondora ah iw ah.

Ah ya shamndoura labsa toab, yajmal min sora ya doab ya doab. Ya asmar ya samara dobti doab ya i3yoon addara 3al oulob. (repeat).

Hiyya shamandoura min ghina.
 

savary

New member
hi shira, i like all mounir songs and I'm willing to help you with any lyrics of his. However, in this song (and some other songs) he sings in Nubian which has nothing to do with Arabic. I will translate the Arabic parts only.
 

shiradotnet

Well-known member
hi shira, i like all mounir songs and I'm willing to help you with any lyrics of his. However, in this song (and some other songs) he sings in Nubian which has nothing to do with Arabic. I will translate the Arabic parts only.

Savary, thanks for the reply! Although I knew that Mohammed Mounir was Nubian, I didn't realize that he used the Nubian language for part of his lyrics. Interesting. I look foward to learning what the Arabic part means!
 

savary

New member
The Shanandura lyrics and translation are posted on the lyrics section, and the nubian part is also translated. If you have any questions, plz ask here, they don't have to be regarding lyrics or music, questions regarding the Arabic language in general.
 
Lost in Arabic ask here

Hi Savary - I was wondering I am starting to make some dance practice wear and want to know what the word raks sharki looks like in arabic script so I can embroider or bead on the shirts. Thanks Creaks
 
Last edited:

savary

New member
Hi, the word raqs sharqy is:
رقص شرقى
It can be written in different font styles (calligraphy) which will give a different (better for sure) looking. If you have MS office, copy the word and download Arabic fonts pack (free) and you will be albe to use different syles. PM me if things are not clear, or if you need a good looking logo design :) (I'm experienced with photoshop)
 

leb_American

New member
hey savary, I understand levantine spoken arabic. It seems like the arabic your talking about is the written or "High Language". This can be understood by all arabic educated people correct?, and your right Samya Gamal is gorgeous, Whenever my mom is watching the old egyptian movies she always calls me when Samya is dancing. Amazing belly dancer




Hi Shira, thanx for this amazing song, it is one of my favourites:)
This is the video of the song (it is taken from a movie and this is part of the movie, the bellydancer is Samya Gamal, she is gorgeos)
YouTube - ‫?????? ???? ?? / ????? ???? ????? ?????? .‬‎

Ma alle we oltelo means he told (talked to) me and I told him. Ma at the beginning doesn't mean not, it is just used in 'ammeya and it doesn't change the meaning. It is used in two cases, if you are suggesting something like the following:
ma + tegy + verb: ma tegy nor'os ما تيجى نرقص and it means let's dance or shall we dance (an arabic movie based on the movie shall we dance)
or ma + verb: ma nel'ab and it means let's play
The other ma ما which you confused with this one is when you tell someone not do something, used as the following:
ma + (verb + sh): ma tel'absh = don't play
ma toraosh = don't dance
ma takolsh = don't eat

Back to the song:
ma alle we olteloh: he said to me and i said to him. It means i spoked and talked to him and he did the same. He is telling the people who tried to drive them apart that we now we are together and we talk to each other and tell our secrets to each other.
we mally we melteloh: literally means he leant towards me and i leant towards him. it means our bond is stronger now and we are attracted to each other more.
we galy we rohteloh: he came to me and i went to him.
ya 'awazel falfeloh: you seprators, fume. Falfelo comes from felfel which is pepper, and the closest meaning would be you seperator fume, coz we are back together.
aloly kalam, we alaloh kalam: they told me some stuff, told him other stuff
we kan beny we benoh khesam: and parting/separation took place between me and him. 'khesam' is when you don't talk to a person for sometime, quarrel is not accurate i guess

if you need the whole lyrics translation let me know, I will finish it and move it the lyrics section, hope it is clear now
 

shiradotnet

Well-known member
Hi Savary - I was wondering I am starting to make some dance practice wear and want to know what the word raks sharki looks like in arabic script so I can embroider or bead on the shirts. Thanks Creaks

Hey Creaks! If you have any interest in buying rather than making, you could check out the web site for Amira of Las Vegas. In the past she has sold t-shirts that say "ana raqissa" ("I am a dancer") in Arabic script. See her web site at Amira - International Emissary of Dance

Looks like she is currently sold out but planning to offer new stock soon.
 

Sita

New member
Hi everyone, I wanted to start a new thread if you have any questions regarding the Arabic language. I don't know if this is the right place to post this topic, but I'm assuming so. If you have any qeustions ask here, and I will be more than happy to answer your qustions and queries.

Hi Savary,

Thanks for being so generous and helping us all. ~*I've edited this message as my query has been answered :)*~
So I shall just repeat my thanks for your help and imput on the board Savary :clap:
yours,
Sita:)
 
Last edited:

savary

New member
Hi Savary,

Thanks for being so generous and helping us all. ~*I've edited this message as my query has been answered :)*~
So I shall just repeat my thanks for your help and imput on the board Savary :clap:
yours,
Sita:)

you are welcome, sorry I didn't answer your question on time, my connection was down for the past three days.
Was it about eyon baheya song? This type of songs is called "mawal" which I coulnd't find an appropriate translation, it could be a ballad. A mawal is a song that tells a tale from the folklore and it has a certain rhyme. So, baheya is usued in many mawals, the most famous is "yassen and baheya"
and the other one is 'eyon baheya.
 

savary

New member
hey savary, I understand levantine spoken arabic. It seems like the arabic your talking about is the written or "High Language". This can be understood by all arabic educated people correct?, and your right Samya Gamal is gorgeous, Whenever my mom is watching the old egyptian movies she always calls me when Samya is dancing. Amazing belly dancer

Hey, yeah I think you are right, there is a bottom line where all Arabs could speak and understand each other. However, I live lived in Saudi Arabia for 6 years and I had close ties with Syrian, Lebanese, Palestinian and Saudi families, and this is the reason I could understand those dialects pretty well.
The classic Arabic is not used in speaking, only in speeches, formal talks, and writing in general.
 
Top