Today's episode is dedicated to my friends, Serkan and Asli. It's the story of how they came into my life and the story of how they met.

At the end of the episode I am sharing a snippet of one of their favorite Arabic songs, "Ohkom" by Alaa Sallam

For Transcripts in both Arabic and Latin letters (plus extra exclusive surprises) : https://buymeacoffee.com/theshamsway/membership

For Palestinian Arabic one on one Lessons, get in touch here: https://readymag.website/u80491099/theshamsway/

For The Shams Way: Arabic songs playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1b4hWbAud3QGsKLFzBfRjN?si=e2a9c0ce73cd43cc

For The Shams Way: Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/theshamsway/

Vocab:

da5alet- i entered دَخَلِت

mawqe3ha- it’s location مَوْقِعْها

3a 2addi- it fits me عَقَدِّي

ajaarha- it’s rent أجارْها

munaasib- suitable مُناسِب

el mas2ool 3an- responsible for الْمَسْؤول عَن

ittafa2na- we had an agreement إتَّفَقْنا

el suwed- Sweden السُّويد

insajamna- we got along إنْسَجَمْنا

b ma innu- since it was بِما إنُّه

mane3 tajawwul- curfew مَنِع تَجَوُّل

shadda- playing cards شَدَّة

Taawla- backgammon طاوْلَة

5aff- was lifted / got lighter خَفّ

bey2oom- he gets up بِيْقوم

beynaadeeha- he calls out to her بِيْناديها

tinDammilna- she joins us تِنْضَمِّلْنا

bitwaddi3- she says goodbye بِتْوَدِّع

ra2ee2a- affectionate / gentle رَقيقَة

aSliyya- authentic / original أصْلِيَّة

mubdi3a- creative مُبْدِعَة

ibtisaamitha- her smile إبْتِسامِتْها

mushriqa- bright مُشْرِقَة

ingharamu b ba3aD- they fell in love إنْغَرَمو بِبَعَض

naZra- sight نَظْرَة

byitbannu- they adopt بْيِتْبَنُّو

jaar- neighbor جار

humma el itnain / itnainaathum- both of them هُمَّ الْإتْنين /إتْنيناتْهُم

babaTTil- I quit / stop بَبَطِّل

bil marra- at all بِالْمَرَّة

kul fatra ou fatra- every now and then كُل فَتْرَة و فَتْرَة

naadiran ma- rarely نادِراً ما

miDyaafa- hospitable مِضْيافَة

daraja- degree دَرَجَة

junooniyya- crazy جُنونِيَّة

tihtam b- she takes care of تِهْتَم بِ

raa7et el jamee3- Everyone’s comfort راحِة الْجَميع

nujoom- stars نُجوم

el roo7aaniyyaat- Spirituality الرُّوحانِيَّات

ma3loomaat- information مَعْلومات

mufeeda- useful مُفيدَة

mnijtimi3- we gather مِنِجْتِمِع

zowj- couple زَوْج

mithaali- perfect / exemplary مِثالي

mitwaazin- balanced مِتْوازِن

fa5er- pride فَخِر

mawjooda- there (existing) مَوْجودَة

shahadet- i witnessed شَهَدِت

si7riyya- magical سِحْرِيَّة

jama3athum- it gathered them جَمَعَتْهُم

sha2i- naughty شَقي

raa2i3- great رائِع

mitwansa- feeling delighted مِتْوَنْسَة

So7bithom- their companionship صُحْبِتْهُم

bahdi- I gift / dedicate بَهْدي

Today's episode is about a very special cat that kept me company at the hostel in Beirut for years. Her name was Teresa.

At the end of this episode I will be sharing a full song, "Mahjoor" by Bitter mouthfeel. A Syrian Canadian artist that so kindly gave me permission to share his song here.

For Transcripts in both Arabic and Latin letters (plus extra exclusive surprises) : https://buymeacoffee.com/theshamsway/membership

For Palestinian Arabic one on one Lessons, get in touch here: https://readymag.website/u80491099/theshamsway/

For The Shams Way: Arabic songs playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1b4hWbAud3QGsKLFzBfRjN?si=e2a9c0ce73cd43cc

For The Shams Way: Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/theshamsway/

Vocab:

Awwal ma- as soon as أوَّل ما

2iTTa- cat قِطَّة

Zboona- costumer زْبونَة

laa2at- she found لاقَت

shaare3- street شارِع

jaabatha- she brought her جابَتْها

3a isimha- after her name عَإسِمْها

Istiqbaal- reception إسْتِقْبال

Zabaayin- costumers زَبايِن

tra77ib feehum- she welcomes them تْرَحِّب فيهُم

7orra- free حُرَّة

Emta ma bidha- whenever she wanted إيمْتَة ما بِدْها

tiTla3- she gets out تِطْلَع

til3ab- she plays تِلْعَب

feeraan- mice فيران

7aamil- pregnant حامِل

mit5abya- hiding (adj) مِتْخَبْيَة

Kaan shakilha- she looked (her look was) كان شَكِلْها

doktoor el 7ayawanaat- the vet دُكْتور الْحَيَوانات

aTfaalha- her babies أطْفالْها

maatu- died ماتو

ra7emha- her womb رَحِمْها

yista2Sel- he removes/excises يِسْتَأصِل

itsammamat- she got poisoned إتْسَمَّمَت

ghurfet el 3amaliyyaat- the operation room غُرْفِة الْعَمَلِيَّات

najat- she survived نَجَت

la muddet- for the periodof لَمُدِّة

rajja3etha- I returned her رَجَّعِتْها

infijaar el mina- the harbor explosion إنْفِجار الْمينا

dammar- it detroyed دَمَّر

shawaare3- streets شَوارِع

bil rughum min- despite بِالرُّغُم مِن

ma btintasa- she’s unforgettable ما بْتِنْتَسى

Ba3D el naas- some people بَعْض النَّاس

bish3a- ugly بِشْعَة

2iTaT- cats قِطَط

Our episode today is dedicated to my mentor/ friend, Majd. Always grateful for the week we spent during the Pandemic in Beirut, for the inspiring knowledge he shared with me, for believing in me, encouraging me and for opening this door for me. Thank you.

At the end of this episode I am sharing a snippet of, Mamnoun, (grateful), by Bu Kolthoum.

For Transcripts in both Arabic and Latin letters (plus extra exclusive surprises) : https://buymeacoffee.com/theshamsway/membership

For Palestinian Arabic one on one Lessons, get in touch here: https://readymag.website/u80491099/theshamsway/

For The Shams Way: Arabic songs playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1b4hWbAud3QGsKLFzBfRjN?si=e2a9c0ce73cd43cc

For The Shams Way: Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/theshamsway/

Vocab:

nitsalla- we have fun نِتْسَلَّى

yin2ol- he moves يِنْقُل

mu7taram- respectful مُحْتَرَم

mutheer lal ihtimaam- interesting مُثير لَلْإهْتِمام

manhaj- curriculum مَنْهَج

ta3leem- teaching تَعْليم

shaami- Levantine شامي

ajaanib- foreigners أجانِب

m3allim/a- teacher مْعَلِّم

3araD 3alay- offered me عَرَض عَلَي

aktar min marra- more than once أكْتَر مِن مَرَّة

anDam- to join أنْضَم

miqtin3a- convinced مِقْتِنْعَة

mas2ooliyya- responsibility مَسْؤولِيَّة

aqna3ni- he convinced me أقْنَعْني

dawra- a course دَوْرَة

majjaaniyya- free مَجَّانِيَّة

osloobo- his method أسْلوبُه

shaarakni- he shared with me شارَكْني

naZariyto- his theory نَظَرِيْتُه

najaa7- success نَجاح

manZooro- his perception/ outlook مَنْظورُه

inlahamet- I was inspired إنْلَهَمِت

2aaman- he believed in آمِن

qudriti- my ability قُدْرِتي

aSaddi2- I believe (a truth/lie) أصَدِّق

ad5ol- I enter أدْخُل

adarris/ a3allim- I teach أدَرِّس / أعَلِّم

Taaliba- student طالِبَة

maktoobli- written for me مَكْتوبْلي

it7assanat- it improved إتْحَسَّنَت

atma33an- I contemplate أتْمَعَّن

b shakil ma- in some way بِشَكِل ما

saaham b- contributed to ساهَم بِ

taghyeer- changing تَغْيِير

afDal- better أفْضَل

faDlak 3alay- your favor on me فَضْلَك عَلَي

Our story today is told in the present tense, about the here and now in my life these days.

At the end of this episode, I share a snippet of "el 7ilwa de" by Dania el Khateeb.

For Transcripts in both Arabic and Latin letters (plus extra exclusive surprises) : https://buymeacoffee.com/theshamsway/membership

For Palestinian Arabic one on one Lessons, get in touch here: https://readymag.website/u80491099/theshamsway/

For The Shams Way: Arabic songs playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1b4hWbAud3QGsKLFzBfRjN?si=e2a9c0ce73cd43cc

For The Shams Way: Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/theshamsway/

Vocab:

Raadya- Satisfied راضْيَة

btibsiTni- Makes me happy بْتِبْسِطْني

batma33an- I contemplate بَتْمَعَّن

titkaathar- It multiplies تِتْكاثَر

masalan- For example مَثَلاً

faSel el 5areef- Autumn فَصِل الْخَريف

awraa2ha- Its leaves أوْراقْها

we23o- They fell وِقْعو

faSel el shitaa-Winter فَصِل الشِتا

3aryaana- Naked عَرْيانَة

faSel el rabee3- Spring فَصِل الرَّبيع

it3abbat- It got filled up إتْعَبَّت

a5baarhom- Their news أخْبارْهُم

el wilaayaat el mutta7ida- The United States الْوِلايات الْمُتَّحِدَة

7ayawiyya- Lively حَيَوِيَّة

A5eeran- Finally أخيراً

Mushmis- Sunny مُشْمِش

Saafi- Clear صافي

Mun3ish- Fresh مُنْعِش

B Talaaqa- Fluently بِطَلاقَة

baTba3ha- I type it بَطْبَعْها

basajjilha- I record it بَسَجِّلْها

banazzilha- I download it بَنَزِّلْها

anshurha- I publish it أنْشُرْها

riyaaDa- Sport رِياضَة

nasheeTa- Active نَشيطَة

5ayaaliyya- Fantasy خَيالِيَّة

7ikma- Wisdom حِكْمَة

Bashkur- I thank بَشْكُر

This is a story about yet another wonderful dear friend of mine that I met in Beirut, Sorcha, whose birthday is in a few days! Happy birthday habibti. This is also a story about my life long obsession with Ireland.

At the end of this episode I share with you a snippet of " Ana la 7abibi" by Feiruz (one of Sorcha's favorite Arabic songs).

For Transcripts in both Arabic and Latin letters (plus extra exclusive surprises) : https://buymeacoffee.com/theshamsway/membership

For Palestinian Arabic one on one Lessons, get in touch here: https://readymag.website/u80491099/theshamsway/

For The Shams Way: Arabic songs playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1b4hWbAud3QGsKLFzBfRjN?si=e2a9c0ce73cd43cc

For The Shams Way: Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/theshamsway/

Vocab:

Saakna- residing / living ساكْنَة

m3allim- teacher مْعَلِّم

3arrafni- he introduced me عَرَّفْني

kuttaab- writers كُتَّاب

ma3 innu- even though مَع إنُّه

3umri ma- I’d never in my whole life عُمْري ما

mahwoosa- obsessed مَهْووسَة

3alam- flag عَلَم

m3alla2- hanging مْعَلَّق

ashajji3- I cheer for أشَجِّع

faree2- team فَريق

3eed el qaddees Patrick- Saint Patrick’s day عيد الْقَدِّيس باتْريك

sha3erha- her hair شَعِرْها

byilma3- shines بْيِلْمَع

jawaaz safar- passport جَواز سَفَر

it7ammaset- I got excited إتْحَمَّسِت

a3azz el aS7aab- dearest friends أعَز الْأصْحاب

a5bizilha- I bake for her أخْبِزِلْها

nir2oS- we dance نِرْقُص

nil3ab Tawla- we play backgammon نِلْعَب طاوْلَة

nis2alhum- we ask them نِسْألْهُم

Beirut el ghaalya- Precious/ dear Beirut بَيْروت الْغالْيَة

lugha- language لُغَة

itsaa3edni- she helps me تْساعِدْني

alfoZ- I pronounce ألْفُظ

7uroof- letters حُروف

b Talaaqa- fluently بِطَلاقَة

anhi- I end أنْهي

jur2a- courage جُرْأَة

da3amatni- she supported me دَعَمَتْني

mu7aamiya- lawyer مُحامِيَة

Sowt malak- voice of an angel صوت مَلَك

bil bareed- by mail بِالْبَريد

3aalam- world عالَم

ma7ZooZa- lucky مَحْظوظَة

hadal Seif- this summer هادا الصِّيف

Sorcha's song recommendations:

Bukahara- Wein a Ramallah

Meen- Cliche

Shadia Mansour- Somos Sur

Hanine- Cuando

Elyanna- Ghosn Zaytoun

Our story today is about the six months I spent sharing a small room with my Iranian friend, Samane.

For Transcripts in both Arabic and Latin letters (plus extra exclusive surprises) : https://buymeacoffee.com/theshamsway/membership

For Palestinian Arabic one on one Lessons, get in touch here: https://readymag.website/u80491099/theshamsway/

For The Shams Way: Arabic songs playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1b4hWbAud3QGsKLFzBfRjN?si=e2a9c0ce73cd43cc

For The Shams Way: Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/theshamsway/

With a snippet from a famous Arabic song that she used to listen to when she was young in Iran, at the very end of the episode.

Vocab:

mas2oola- responsible مَسْؤولَة

waffarli- provided for me وَفَّرْلي

mushtaraka- shared مُشْتَرَكَة

bil iDaafa la- in addition to بِالْإضافَة لَ

ma3aash shahri- monthly salary مَعاش شَهْري

baaraat- bars بارات

ajammi3- I collect (to save) أجَمِّع

adfa3- I pay أدْفَع

ajaar- rent أجار

murheq- exhausting مُرْهِق

shughul idaari- administrative work شُغُل إداري

tshaarikni- shares with me تْشارِكْني

akawwin- I create أكَوِّن

nitsalla- we enjoy/ have fun نِتْسَلَّى

btishbah- is similar to بْتِشْبَه

bil fe3el- indeed بِالْفِعِل

5alleeha- keep it خَلِّيها

7ala2a- episode حَلَقَة

jibtilha- I brought for her جِبْتِلْها

keeka- a cake كيكَة

sham3aat- candles شَمْعات

min wa2et.ha- since then مِن وَقِتْها

nimza7- we joke نِمْزَح

jamma3et.ha- collected (saved) it جَمَّعِتْها

sweesra- Switzerland سْويسْرَة

Zuroof- circumstances ظُروف

7uroob- wars حُروب

ahaaleena- our parents أهالينا

qasef- bombing قَصِف

junoon- madness جُنون

7aaliyyan- currently حالِيَّاً

bab3at- I send بَبْعَت

shu3oobna- our peoples شُعوبْنا

muDTahada- oppressed مُضْطَهَدَة

2areeban- soon قَريباً

On this day last year, my father passed away. This episode is in memory of his life. Born and raised under occupation in Palestine to become a self-made man in all the meaning of the word.

For Transcripts in both Arabic and Latin letters (plus extra exclusive surprises) : https://buymeacoffee.com/theshamsway/membership

For Palestinian Arabic one on one Lessons, get in touch here: https://readymag.website/u80491099/theshamsway/

For The Shams Way: Arabic songs playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1b4hWbAud3QGsKLFzBfRjN?si=e2a9c0ce73cd43cc

For The Shams Way: Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/theshamsway/

Stick around for a snippet of a Tunisian song by the Duo, Yuma. The song is titled, Smek (Your Sky).

Vocab:

la darajet innu- to the degree that (so much so) لَدَرَجِة إنُّه

y5allooh- they let him يْخَلُّوه

y2azzin- to announce the call for prayer يْأَذِّن

azaan- the call for prayer أذان

Salaah- prayer صَلاة

Tufoolet- the childhood of طُفولِة

ta7t el i7tilal- under the occupation تَحْت الْإحْتِلال

bil saanawiyya- in highschool بِالثَّانَوِيَّة

yi3tini feeha- looks after her يِعْتِني فيها

yTa3meeha- feeds her يْطَعْميها

y7ammimha- bathes her يْحَمِّمْها

ymashit- brushes يْمَشِّط

yihtam- takes care يِهْتَم

umoorha- her matters أمورْها

shihaada- certificate/ degree شِهادَة

Dawret- a course of دَوْرِة

Tibaa3a- typing طِباعَة

ka sekreter- as a Secretary كَسِكْرِتير

shirka- company/ firm شِرْكَة

ghina- singing غِنَى

muntij aghaani- songs producer مُنْتِج أغاني

3arad- he offered عَرَض

rafaD- he refused رَفَض

yitmaddad- lays down/ stretchs out يِتْمَدَّد

farsha- mattress فَرْشَة

Sa77at- an opportunity came or arose صَحَّت

furSa- opportunity فُرْصَة

bana nafso- he built himself بَنَى نَفْسُه

mudeer- manager مُدير

3iSaami- self-made عِصامي

bi kul ma3na el kilma- in all the meaning of the word بِكُل مَعْنَى الْكِلْمَة

shabaabo- his youth شَبابُه

iDTar- was forced to/ obliged to إضْطَر

yisma7li- allows me يِسْمَحْلي

a7Dono- to hug him أحْضُنُه

7amalni- he carried me حَمَلْني

ree7to- his smell/ scent ريحْتُه

malmas- the feel of a material مَلْمَس

dishdaashto- his dress (a traditional white dress worn by men in AbuDhabi) دِشْداشْتُه

baTno- his belly بَطْنُه

baSarri5- I scream بَصَرِّخ

kawabeesi- my nightmares كَوابيسي

el s7oor- the meal eaten before dawn in Ramadan السُّحور

baTali- my hero بَطَلي

qudwiti- my role model قُدْوِتي

3aSabi- angry عَصَبي

ghaDabo- his wrath غَضَبُه

2add ma- as much as قَد ما

maSeerna- our end result/ outcome/ destiny مَصيرْنا

ta7t el ward- beneath the roses تَحْت الْوَرْد

bad3i- I pray بَدْعي

batmanna- I wish بَتْمَنَّى