How to say "yes and no" in Levantine Arabic
إِيه وَلَأ
eh w la2
- Without tashkeel
- إيه ولأ
- Franco / chat alphabet
- eh w la2
- Literally
- yes and no
When to use it
Used exactly like its English equivalent to express mixed feelings, partial agreement, or a complicated situation. It is universally understood across the Levant, though the word for 'yes' varies regionally (eh in Syria and Lebanon, ah in Jordan and Palestine). It is casual and conversational, typically followed immediately by an explanation.
Other ways to say it
Jordanian/Palestinian
آه وَلَأ
ah w la2
yes and no
Uses 'ah' for yes, which is the standard affirmative in the southern Levant.
idiomatic alternative
شْوَيّ هِيك وَشْوَيّ هِيك
shwayy heek w shwayy heek
a little like this and a little like that
Used when you want to say a situation is a mix of two extremes or outcomes.
half and half
نُصّ نُصّ
nuSS nuSS
so-so / half and half
A very common way to express mixed feelings or a mediocre outcome instead of a direct yes or no.
How people reply
كِيف يَعْنِي؟
keef ya3ni?
What do you mean? / How so?
اِشْرَحْلِي.
ishra7li.
Explain it to me. (to a man)
مَا فْهِمْت عَلِيك.
ma fhimt 3aleek.
I didn't understand you. (to a man)
In a sentence
حَبِّيت اَلْفِيلْم؟ - إِيه وَلَأ، اَلتَّمْثِيل حِلُو بَسّ اَلْقِصَّة مُمِلَّة.
7abbeet el-film? - eh w la2, et-tamtheel 7ilu bass el-qiSSa mumilla.
Did you like the movie? - Yes and no, the acting was good but the story was boring.
مْسَافِر هَالصَّيْفِيَّة؟ - إِيه وَلَأ، يِمْكِن رُوح جِمْعَة بَسّ.
msaafir haS-Sayfiyye? - eh w la2, yimkin roo7 jim3a bass.
Are you traveling this summer? - Yes and no, I might go for a week only.
اَلِامْتِحَان صَعْب؟ - إِيه وَلَأ، حَسَب قَدِّيش دَارِس.
el-imti7aan Sa3b? - eh w la2, 7asab qaddeesh daaris.
Is the exam hard? - Yes and no, it depends on how much you studied.