How to say "excuse me" in Levantine Arabic
عَفْواً
3afwan
- Without tashkeel
- عفوا
- Franco / chat alphabet
- 3afwan
- Literally
- pardon / forgiveness
When to use it
Used to get someone's attention, ask someone to repeat themselves, or politely ask someone to move. It is universally understood across the Levant and is appropriate in both formal and casual situations. When asking to physically pass by someone or excusing yourself to leave, '3an iznak' is often preferred.
Other ways to say it
getting attention (to a man)
لَوْ سَمَحْت
law sama7t
excuse me / if you please
Used to get a man's attention, such as a waiter or a stranger on the street.
getting attention (to a woman)
لَوْ سَمَحْتِي
law sama7ti
excuse me / if you please
Used to get a woman's attention.
asking to pass/leave (to a man)
عَنْ إِذْنَك
3an iznak
excuse me / with your permission
Used when you need to physically pass by a man or when excusing yourself to leave a gathering.
asking to pass/leave (to a woman)
عَنْ إِذْنِك
3an iznik
excuse me / with your permission
The feminine form of asking to pass by or leave.
getting attention (to a group)
لَوْ سَمَحْتُوا
law sama7tu
excuse me / if you please
Used when addressing multiple people.
How people reply
تَفَضَّل
tfaddal
go ahead / yes? (to a man)
تَفَضَّلِي
tfaddali
go ahead / yes? (to a woman)
نَعَم؟
na3am?
yes?
In a sentence
عَفْواً، وِين أَقْرَب صَيْدَلِيَّة؟
3afwan, wayn a2rab saydaliyyeh?
Excuse me, where is the nearest pharmacy?
عَنْ إِذْنَك، مُمْكِن أَمْرُق؟
3an iznak, mumkin amru2?
Excuse me, can I pass?
عَفْواً، ما سْمِعْتَك.
3afwan, ma smi3tak.
Excuse me, I didn't hear you.