Learn Lebanese Arabic with transcribed podcast episodes exploring Lebanon and its people | تعلم اللغة العربية باللهجة اللبنانية مع البودكاست الأسبوعي والمكتوب الذي يعرفك على لبنان وشعبه
Sampling the street food of a city is one of the most enjoyable ways to explore the city's culture. In this episode, we go on a food adventure with our host Naim to Tripoli in northern Lebanon. Tripoli is famous for its ancient history, bazaars, artisans, and traditional handmade soap. Another special aspect of the … Continue reading Episode 37 – Street food in Tripoli
Ever heard a Lebanese phrase or expression that sounded awkward or did not make sense? For example, has someone ever asked you in Lebanese Arabic not to eat their head? Or have you ever heard someone talk about another person and say "the lettuce grew bigger inside their head"! Idiomatic expressions are a common feature … Continue reading Episode 35 – Lebanese idioms
Handicraft making is a popular profession in Lebanon. It reflects the traditional and artistic face of the country. Some families have specialized in this field for generations. Lebanese handicrafts often celebrate village life, social traditions, and the country's mountains and cedar trees. In this episode we discuss some of the most famous Lebanese handicrafts and … Continue reading Episode 32 – Traditional handicrafts
Sabah is one of Lebanon's most iconic singers and movie stars. She is famous for the beauty and power of her voice and her larger than life persona both onscreen and in real life. She grew up in Lebanon and launched her singing and acting career in Egypt but her music reached every corner of … Continue reading Episode 31 – Sabah
For generations Lebanese people have prepared food provisions ("mouneh") to last them until spring when snow covered fields and roads would be accessible again. Nowadays people no longer depend on mouneh to make it through the cold months, but its role as an integral part of Lebanese cuisine and culture is as alive as ever. … Continue reading Episode 29 – Mouneh (food provisions)
When Moussa Abdel Karim Al Maamari was a young boy he had a crush on a girl. She said she was not interested in him because he was poor and she was rich and lived in castle. So, Moussa began daydreaming of building a castle. One day, while in school, Moussa’s teacher got irate at … Continue reading Episode 28 – Moussa Castle
Has someone you know acted petty even when they have everything they need? Or have you ever been surprised that everyone around you does not see the obvious logic you see so clearly? Well, Mariam has two perfect proverbs to help you in such situations. In this episode, she tells us the stories behind these … Continue reading Episode 27 – Two common proverbs
Hassan Kamel Al Sabbah was a Lebanese inventor who made significant scientific contributions in the fields of electrical engineering, solar energy, and space technology. He was such a prolific inventor that people called him "Thomas Edison of the East”. He grew up in the Lebanese town of Nabatie. After completing his graduate degree in the … Continue reading Episode 25 – Hassan Kamel Al Sabbah
Traditional village weddings in Lebanon are a multiday affair with diverse cultural traditions that vary by region. In the mountains and valleys beyond the big coastal cities, weddings are often as much about two families coming together as they are about two individuals coming together. Although aspects of modern wedding customs common in Lebanon’s large … Continue reading Episode 24 – Traditional village weddings
French words form an integral part of the Lebanese dialect. This influence stems from France's 23 years of mandate rule over Lebanon after World War I. Since then Arabized French words have become a defining feature that you hear sprinkled throughout daily Lebanese conversations. In this episode, Mariam points out several Arabized French words in … Continue reading Episode 21 – Arabized French words