Learn Lebanese Arabic with weekly transcribed podcasts 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
Lebanon's is experiencing a profound economic crisis that began before massive protests rocked the country in October 2019. Since then the coronavirus has further compounded the economic downturn. In a video seen widely in local media, a Lebanese woman who lost her job was sobbing and said through tears, “I was working and sustaining a … Continue reading Episode 36 – Economic hardship
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
The coronavirus pandemic is a historic health crisis that has affected Lebanon and every other country around the world. Unfortunately, Lebanon was already in a recession when Covid-19 further paralyzed the economy and shuttered campuses of schools and universities across the country. Early in the pandemic, the Lebanese government announced a plan called Al-Ta‘be’a Al-A‘meh … Continue reading Episode 34 – Coronavirus
In the heart of Beirut along one of its most important avenues is a yellow building that was situated on a major front line of Lebanon's 15-year civil war that ended in 1990. The families that lived in the building fled when the war broke out and warring factions fought to control the building due … Continue reading Episode 33 – Beit Beirut
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
Lake Qaraoun is the largest body of water within Lebanon. The artificial lake is located in the Beqaa Valley, the most important agricultural area in the country. To create the lake, engineers dammed Lebanon's longest river, the Latani River, near the village of Qaraoun in 1959. The reservoir provides hydroelectricity and water to nearby municipalities … Continue reading Episode 30 – Lake Qaraoun
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