Hey, you’re human, and as a human, you experience a whole range of emotions that can sometimes feel overwhelming. Anger is definitely one of them! While some people can keep their cool and try to resolve what made them angry in the first place, others might unleash a string of words that would even shock the Devil. If you’re studying or planning to travel to the Middle East, why not learn how to say when you’re angry in Arabic?
In today’s lesson, we’re taking a more measured approach. We’ll learn some basic Arab words and phrases that might not magically solve the situation, but could certainly help you express how you’re feeling if someone in the Arab world makes you mad or annoying. So, if you’re traveling and need to let someone know you’re frustrated in Arabic, here are some useful expressions.
- شو هاد / shu hayda?
- Meaning: “What’s this?”
- Usage: Use this Arab phrase when something is absolutely crazy or unbelievable. For example: “Shu hayda meaning? Someone just keyed my car!” (Note: shu hayda is commonly used in Levantine Arabic).
- خلص / khalas
- Meaning: “Enough already!”
- Usage: When you’ve truly had enough, just say “khalas.”
- اوف / ufff
- Meaning: An exasperated sigh or the sound you make with your lips when you’re angry or incredibly annoyed.
- Usage: Similar to an English speaker’s frustrated “ugh.”
- يا الله / ya allah
- Meaning: “Oh my God!” (used in anger or frustration).
- Usage: Equivalent to the English exclamation when you’re really upset, like “Ya allah! You spilled coffee all over my laptop!”
- عيب عليك / haram aleik
- Meaning: “Shame on you.”
- Usage: Use this Arab phrase when someone’s behavior is disappointing or wrong.
- طيب / tayeb
- Meaning: “Okaaaay” (said through clenched teeth with the “okay” hand gesture).
- Usage: This conveys a sense of “You better watch it” or suppressed anger.
- أَنتَ مبتسمع لي / enta mabtesmaʿle
- Meaning: “You’re not listening to me.” or “Do you understand what I’m saying?”
- Usage: When you feel ignored or unheard.
- انتبه لكلامك / intabih likalamik
- Meaning: “Watch your mouth.”
- Usage: Use this when someone is on the verge of being insulting or very disrespectful.
- وقف / tawaqaf
- Meaning: “Stop it.”
- Usage: When someone is doing something really annoying or perhaps throwing a tantrum.
- ما بدي احكي معك / ma bedi ahki maak
- Meaning: “I don’t want to talk to you.”
- Usage: The classic silent treatment.
- انت بتمزح معي / ʾenta betmzeh maʿaee?
- Meaning: “Are you kidding me?”
- Usage: When you can’t believe what’s happening.
- هاد محبط جدا / had mohbet geddan
- Meaning: “This is so frustrating.”
- Usage: To express frustration in Arabic without necessarily being outright angry.
- اسكت / iskot
- Meaning: “Be quiet.”
- Usage: A direct way to tell someone to stop talking.
It’s worth remembering that people from Arabic-speaking countries are generally known for their kindness and hospitality, and Arab culture often values patience over quick anger. So, hopefully, you won’t often find yourself in situations where you need these angry Arabic words and phrases. But if you do, you’ll be a little more prepared to express yourself.
So, take a deep breath (تهدئة من فضلك / tahdiat min fadlik), relax (الاسترخاء / alaistirkha’), and be happy (كن سعيدا / kun saeidaan), knowing that we hope you’ll rarely need these expressions. However, should the moment arise, you’ll have some basic Arab words ready.
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