How to say "please" in Levantine Arabic
لَوْ سَمَحْت
law sama7t
- Without tashkeel
- لو سمحت
- Franco / chat alphabet
- law sama7t
- Literally
- if you permitted
When to use it
This is the most common and versatile way to say "please" across the Levant, used to politely request something or get someone's attention like a waiter. It conjugates depending on the gender and number of the people you are speaking to. In Lebanon and parts of Syria, "iza bitreed" is also heavily used, while younger speakers everywhere frequently just use the English word "please".
Other ways to say it
to a man
لَوْ سَمَحْت
law sama7t
please
The default form used when addressing a single male.
to a woman
لَوْ سَمَحْتِي
law sama7ti
please
Used when addressing a single female.
to a group
لَوْ سَمَحْتُوا
law sama7tu
please
Used when addressing two or more people.
Lebanese/Syrian alternative
إِذَا بِتْرِيد
iza bitreed
please
A very common alternative in Lebanon and Syria, literally meaning 'if you want'.
more formal
مِنْ فَضْلَك
min fadlak
please
Slightly more formal, often used in customer service or professional settings.
How people reply
تَفَضَّل
tfaddal
Here you go / Go ahead.
تِكْرَم
tikram
At your service / You're welcome.
عَلَى عَيْنِي
3ala 3ayni
With pleasure.
In a sentence
لَوْ سَمَحْت، مُمْكِن الْحِسَاب؟
law sama7t, mumkin l-7isab?
Please, can I have the bill?
جِيبْلِي قَهْوَة لَوْ سَمَحْتِي.
jibli qahwa law sama7ti.
Bring me a coffee, please (to a woman).
لَوْ سَمَحْتُوا، سَكِّرُوا الْبَاب.
law sama7tu, sakkiru l-bab.
Please close the door (to a group).