Episode 41 · Mraja3a: At the pharmacy

Welcome back to the neighbourhood. You've had a busy week sorting out your schedule, and it's finally Friday.

You're heading to the pharmacy for your check-up with Dr. Hala. And Lili is tagging along—she's been rubbing her forehead all morning.

The clinic bell chimes as you walk in. Dr. Hala looks up from her desk. Let's start by checking in. We need to say, I have an appointment at two.

Say: 3inde maw3id es-sa3a tintein.

عندي موعد الساعة تنتين — I have an appointment at two · 3inde maw3id es-sa3a tintein

Let's break that down. We know 3inde means I have. Then maw3id is appointment. Notice that deep 3 sound in the middle.

And es-sa3a tintein means at two o'clock. Try the whole thing with me. Nice and easy: 3inde maw3id es-sa3a tintein.

عندي موعد الساعة تنتين — I have an appointment at two · 3inde maw3id es-sa3a tintein

3inde maw3id es-sa3a tintein.

ahla w sahla. tfaddal.

She marks you down on her clipboard, but then she notices Lili pouting next to you. Lili really doesn't look well today.

salameta layla. shu ba?

She's asking what's wrong with her. Let's explain that her head hurts. Say: rasa 3am yuja3a.

راسها عم يوجعها — Her head hurts (her) · rasa 3am yuja3a

In Lebanese, we say her head is hurting her. rasa is her head. And 3am yuja3a means it is aching her. Listen to the rhythm and try it: rasa 3am yuja3a.

راسها عم يوجعها — Her head hurts (her) · rasa 3am yuja3a

Don't worry if the vowels blur together a bit at normal speed. Say it one more time, naturally: rasa 3am yuja3a.

راسها عم يوجعها — Her head hurts (her) · rasa 3am yuja3a

rasa 3am yuja3a.

ya 7aram. bared, akid.

Let's pause and lock in those first two phrases. First, we checked in. 3inde maw3id es-sa3a tintein. 3inde maw3id es-sa3a tintein. I have an appointment at two.

عندي موعد الساعة تنتين — I have an appointment at two · 3inde maw3id es-sa3a tintein

And then we explained poor Lili's headache. rasa 3am yuja3a. rasa 3am yuja3a. Her head hurts her.

راسها عم يوجعها — Her head hurts (her) · rasa 3am yuja3a

Dr. Hala gives Lili a tiny cup of sweet syrup, which she drinks with a grimace. Then Dr. Hala turns to your file for your check-up.

lezim tékhod ed-dawa.

لازم تاخد الدوا — You have to take the medicine · lezim tékhod ed-dawa

She just gave you your marching orders! You have to take the medicine. Let's practice her phrase: lezim tékhod ed-dawa.

لازم تاخد الدوا — You have to take the medicine · lezim tékhod ed-dawa

lezim is a great word—it means must or have to. tékhod is you take, and ed-dawa is the medicine. Try saying it like a strict but caring doctor: lezim tékhod ed-dawa.

لازم تاخد الدوا — You have to take the medicine · lezim tékhod ed-dawa

It's good to know how to give advice too, right? Repeat it one more time: lezim tékhod ed-dawa.

لازم تاخد الدوا — You have to take the medicine · lezim tékhod ed-dawa

You want to do exactly as she says, but you're not sure if you should take it before or after breakfast. You need to interrupt her politely.

To ask a question politely, say: fiyyé is2al?

فيّي إسأل؟ — Can I ask something? · fiyyé is2al?

fiyyé means I can, or is it in me. And is2al is I ask. It's the perfect polite way to seek permission. Notice the little catch in the throat for the 2. fiyyé is2al?

فيّي إسأل؟ — Can I ask something? · fiyyé is2al?

Let's ask her right now. Say: fiyyé is2al?

فيّي إسأل؟ — Can I ask something? · fiyyé is2al?

fiyyé is2al?

akid, tfaddal.

You ask about the food, and she explains it all clearly. Lili even gets a sugar-free lollipop for being brave.

You handled the clinic perfectly! Let's review today's key phrases. When you arrived, you said: 3inde maw3id es-sa3a tintein. 3inde maw3id es-sa3a tintein. I have an appointment at two.

عندي موعد الساعة تنتين — I have an appointment at two · 3inde maw3id es-sa3a tintein

Then we explained Lili's symptoms: rasa 3am yuja3a. rasa 3am yuja3a. Her head hurts.

راسها عم يوجعها — Her head hurts (her) · rasa 3am yuja3a

Dr. Hala gave us our instructions: lezim tékhod ed-dawa. lezim tékhod ed-dawa. You have to take the medicine.

لازم تاخد الدوا — You have to take the medicine · lezim tékhod ed-dawa

And we learned how to politely interrupt: fiyyé is2al? fiyyé is2al? Can I ask something?

فيّي إسأل؟ — Can I ask something? · fiyyé is2al?

With the medicine in your bag and Lili feeling a bit braver, you're ready for a quiet weekend in the flat. Fablingo Lebanese brings you a new slice of neighbourhood life every Tuesday and Friday. See you next time!