Arab Love: How to Show Affection in Arabic

In the Arab world, expressing love is an art form where words become strokes on the canvas of affection. Arabs seldom use Standard Arabic for expressing personal emotions, preferring the warmth and intimacy of their local dialects instead. So let’s explore the poetic and creative ways locals convey their feelings in Levantine, Egyptian, Gulf, and Maghrebi Arabic. 🎨🧑‍🎨

Expressions of parental and family love in Arabic

Parental love is a universal and powerful emotion that transcends boundaries and cultures. In the Arab world, as in many other cultures, various sayings capture the depth of a parent’s affection for their children, reflecting unconditional love and the belief that one’s children are the most precious beings in the world. Let’s explore some of them:

In Egyptian:

القِرْدْ فِي عِينِ أُمُّهْ غَزَالْ
“A monkey is a gazelle in his mother’s eyes.”
Meaning: Moms see their kids as perfection, no matter how they look. 🙈

أَدْعِي عَلَى اِبْنِي وَأَكْرَهْ اللِي يِقُولْ آمِينْ
“I curse (criticize) my child but I hate who says amen.”
Meaning: Arab parents might be tough on their kids but won’t tolerate anyone else criticizing them!

In Levantine:

قَلْبِي عَلَى ابْنِي وقَلْب ابْنِي عَالحَجَر
Literally: “My heart is on my son, and my son’s heart is on stone.”
This popular proverb means that parents care deeply about their children, while the children often don’t reciprocate the same level of care.

In Darija:

الزيتونة كتصبر للضرب على ولادها
“Olive endures beatings for the sake of her children”
Meaning: The olive tree is a metaphor for parents as they can afford all hardships for the sake of their children.

لي ما جرب كبدة يقول مولاها حمق
“Whoever has not tried liver will say that the person having it is crazy”
Meaning: “Liver” is a common word in Darija referring to that intense feeling of affection from parents toward their liver. And the meaning of the proverb is that whoever didn’t try children’s love can say that the parent is crazy.

Family love in Arab cultures isn’t limited to parents and children but extends to all family members. There are popular sayings about this sacred bond:

In Egyptian & Levantine:

الدم ما بصير مي (Levantine) / عمر الدم ما يبقى ماية (Egyptian) / الدم ما يصير مويه (Gulf)
“Blood is thicker than water.” Literally: “Blood doesn’t become water.”
Meaning: Blood ties between siblings or relatives remain the most important, and no matter what happens between them, these ties prevent enmity and the severing of relationships.

الضفر ما بيطلع من اللحم (Levantine) / الضفْر ما يِطلَعش من اللحم (Egyptian)
“A nail doesn’t separate from flesh.”
Meaning: A person can’t abandon their family no matter what happens because they’re an inseparable part of it, just like a nail in the flesh.

In Gulf:

اللي أمه في الدار قرصه حار
Literal Translation: “The one whose mother is at home always has his food hot.”
Meaning: A person whose mother lives with them is always well taken care of, with hot meals prepared—a metaphor for the mother’s constant care and nurturing.

أنا أمكم حميتكم، وأنا أبوكم كليتكم
Literal Translation: “I am your mother, I protected you, and I am your father, I fed you.”
Meaning: The mother provides protection for her children, while the father ensures their sustenance. Together, they fulfill the essential roles of caregiving and provision in the family.

In Darija:

امك حبيبة واخا تكون ديبة
“Your mother is you beloved even if she is a wolf”
Meaning: your mother will stay your beloved person even if she is a wolf meaning malicious.

اللي عندو مو في الكُشِينَة ما يموت بالغَْبينَة
“He who has his mother in the kitchen will not die of grief”
Meaning: Whoever has his mother in his house cannot worry or be concerned.

These expressions reflect the deep and enduring love that characterizes family relationships in Arab culture.

Romantic love in Arab culture: Arabic love expressions

There’s a common saying in Arab countries that “كل ممنوع مرغوب” (what’s forbidden is desired), and this certainly applies to romantic love. While romantic love itself isn’t forbidden, romantic relationships outside of marriage or engagement are generally not accepted, except in some areas of the Levant. Despite these societal constraints, romantic love undeniably exists and plays a significant role in Arab life, as evidenced by the rich tradition of songs and poetry dedicated to the theme of Arabic love.

In the Arab world, love often blossoms in secrecy. Lovers communicate and meet privately, away from the scrutinizing eyes of society and relatives. Public dating is uncommon and not widely accepted, leading to a culture where romantic relationships must be conducted discreetly. Typically, these relationships are platonic, as premarital sexual relationships are strictly prohibited. However, some couples may share stolen kisses that evade these prohibitions in certain circumstances.

In essence, while the expression of romantic love in Arab countries may be constrained by societal norms, it remains a profound and significant aspect of life, celebrated through art and maintained through private, often secret, interactions.

An important cultural aspect to note is that pickup lines and romantic terms of endearment are usually directed towards girls. It’s uncommon for girls to flirt with men unless the girl is very bold, which is rare and often frowned upon. However, in relationships such as dating, engagement, or marriage, women can express their feelings through compliments and affectionate phrases. Still, it’s rare for a girl to initiate this, especially if there’s no established romantic relationship with the guy.

The craft of pickup lines

While flirting isn’t always openly embraced within the culture, those who engage in it ensure it’s a creative and rhythmic endeavor. Surprisingly, it’s common to encounter poetic Arabic love expressions, even from individuals in the humblest of neighborhoods. When it comes to crafting pickup lines, there’s a genuine commitment to putting in the effort and making them as memorable as they can be. Since they’re generally directed toward women, we’ve conjugated them below in feminine form:

Pickup lines from Egypt

Not all pickup lines have to be inappropriate. Depending on context, some can be lighthearted:

هُو القَمَرْ بِيِطْلَعْ الصُّبْحْ وَلَّا اِيهْ؟
“Since when do we see the moon in the morning?”
“Moon” is a symbol of beauty in the Arab world, so comparing someone to the morning moon is a cheeky compliment!

A Levantine guy compliments a girl’s beauty with the phrase: “You’re like the moon,” as seen on Playaling, which was reviewed here.

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يَا أَرْضْ احْفَظِي مَا عَلِيكِي
“Oh Earth, guard the person who treads on you.”
This phrase, used in the Levant too, is a poetic way to express admiration and wish for the beloved’s protection.

هي ماما كانت نحلة؟
“Was your mom a bee?”
This indirect compliment implies that the girl is sweet like honey, without saying it directly.

هو بابا كان حلواني؟
“Was your dad a confectioner?”
This phrase is another indirect compliment, implying that the girl is as sweet as pastries.

تتجوزيني وأنضفلك الشقة؟
“Will you marry me and I’ll clean the apartment?”
This playful offer aims to impress the girl with a promise of help around the house.

هاتي رقمك يا مزّة
“Mozza, give me your number.”
In Egypt, the term مُزَّة is the most known flirt word for a hot, sexy girl. Similarly, مُزّ is used for boys, even though it’s not socially acceptable for girls to flirt with boys. It’s what girls would call a hot boy among themselves. This phrase often comes off as too forward and is often considered inappropriate.

Pickup lines from the Levant (Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, and Jordan):

حَاكِيْنَا وخدي الغَلّة
“Talk to us and take all the money we have.”
An exaggerated way to get attention!

حاكينا وخدي أواعينا
“Talk to us and take our clothes.”
Another exaggerated way to get attention!

تطلعي على قبري
“May you walk on my grave.”
This phrase is an exaggeration to express the extent of admiration, implying that guy is willing to die if she would walk over his grave.

ما يبلا الحلو
“I hope nothing bad happens to this beauty.”

When it comes to pickup lines, they can’t be limited to specific examples, although we’ve mentioned some of the popular ones. They can be any phrase describing a girl’s appearance, commenting on her clothes, height, body shape, the way she walks, or anything else that comes to a guy’s mind when he sees a girl and wants to get her attention. For instance, he might even ask for private lessons if he sees her with a book, just to get her attention:

A Jordanian guy harasses a girl at his university.

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Pet names for endearment

In the Arab World, women have a very long and diverse list of pet names, most of which are inspired by names of animals or sweets. Here’s some examples:

Animal-inspired terms

English	Arabic	Levantine	Egyptian	Darija	Gulf
Deer	غزال الغزالة	X	X		X
Goose	وِزَّة	X		X	X
Duck	بَطَّة			X	X
Chick	كتكوتة				X
Cat	قطة بسة القطيطة القطيوطة	X X	X X X	X X	X X X X
Kitten	قطقوطة مشيشة	X X	X	X	X X
Butterfly	فراشة		X	X
Bird	عصفورة فرفورة		X	X X	X X

Keep in mind that not all animal names can be considered pet names. Some have a sexual nature, while others are outright insults. فرسة (mare) is used for a tall and curvaceous woman, while لبوة (lioness) implies a woman is highly-sexed or licentious, since lionesses take many sexual partners. And of course كلبة (bitch), بقرة (cow), and حمارة (jackass) are insults same as they are in English.

In some parts of the Levant, الجاجي “chicken” and الطيرة “bird” are considered impolite and disrespectful when referring to girls. These words imply that the girl is in an unmarried sexual relationship, which is stigmatized. Consequently, young men use these terms to talk about girls disrespectfully, damaging their reputations.

So while animal metaphors can be playful and complimentary, it’s crucial to be aware of cultural nuances and potential negative connotations to avoid offending or disrespecting someone. 🛑

Sweet-inspired terms

English	Arabic	Levantine	Egyptian	Darija	Gulf	Notes
Sugar	سكر				X
Honey	عسل			X
Cream	قشطة			X		Used to describe a very light-skinned girl, with skin as white as cream, a symbol of beauty in the Arab world
Butter	زبدة			X		Used to describe a very light-skinned girl, with very smooth skin
Biscuit	بسكوتة			X
Asaliyya	عسليّة	X		X	X	A stick of candy made from molasses and flour and covered with sesame seeds
Candy	بونبونة بونبوناية سكاكر حلاوة	X X	X X X	X X	X X X
Sweet(s)/ Dessert	حلو
Cake	كيكة		X	X
Baklava	بقلاوة	X		X	X	A rich, sweet dessert pastry made of layers of filo filled with chopped nuts and held together with sweet syrup
Basbousa	بسبوسة	X		X	X	A sweet, syrup-soaked semolina cake
Mehalabiya	مهلبية	X		X	X	A white gelatinous dessert. It is used to describe a very white and chubby girl, both signs of beauty in the Arab world.
Locally sourced sugar on cream	سكر محلي محطوط على كريمة	X		X	X	This is a verse from an Egyptian song that became popular as a flirt, implying “excessive sweetness”

Romantic love expressions in Arabic

English	Levantine	Egyptian	Gulf	Darija	Notes
I love you!	بْحِبَّكْ (to a male) بْحِبِّكْ (to a female)	بَحِبَّكْ (to a male) بَحِبِّكْ (to a female)	أحِبَّكْ (to a male) أحِبِّكْ (to a female)	كَنْحِبَّك كنبغيك	In Darija, there is no difference between addressing a male or a female in these terms.
I love you to death!	بْمُوت فِيك (to a male) بْمُوت فِيكي (to a female) بْمُوت عَلِيك (to a male) بْمُوت عَلِيكي (to a female)	بَمُوت فِيك (to a male) بَمُوت فِيكي (to a female)	أموت فيك ( to male) أموت فيكي ( to female )	كَنْمُوت عَلِيك	Literally: I die for you!
I adore you!	بِعْشَقَك (to a male) بِعْشَقِك (to a female)	بَعْشَقَك (to a male) بَعْشَقِك (to a female)	أعشقَك ( to a male ) أعشقِك ( to a female )	X
I’m crazy about you! / Your love drives me crazy!	مَجْنُونَة فِيك (to a male) مَجْنُون فِيكي (to a female)	مجنونة بيك (to a male ) مجنون بيكي (to a female)	مجنونة فيك (to a male) مجنون فيكي (to a female) مجنونة	كَنْحْمَاقْ عْلِيكْ	Many love stories in the Arab World have driven lovers to madness due to the inability to marry the ones they love, often because of cultural traditions and family interference. One famous story is that of Qais ibn al-Mulawwah and Layla, which led to Qais being nicknamed “the madman” for his love for Layla.
I’m madly in love with you!	بْحْبَّك بْجْنُون (to a male) بْحْبِّك بْجْنُون (to a female)	بْحْبَّك بْجْنُون (to a male) بْحْبِّك بْجْنُون (to a female)	أحْبَّك بْجْنُون (to a male) أحْبِّك بْجْنُون (to a female)	كَنْتْسْطَّى عْلِيكْ	In Darija dialect, the same term is used to address both males and females here.
I’d die for you!	تُقْبُرْني (to a male) تُقْبُرِينِي (to a female) تُقْبُشْني (to a male) تُقْبُشِينِي (to a female)	X	تفداكْ روحي (to a male) تفداكي روحي (to a female)	X	Literally: Bury me! or Wrap me with a shroud! A common expression in the Levant, it means not wanting to live even a single day without the beloved.
I miss you!	اِشْتَقْتِلَّك (to a male) اِشْتَقْتِلِّك (to a female)	وَحَشْتِنِي (to a male) وَحَشْتِينِي (to a female)	وَحَشْتِنِي (to a male) وَحَشْتِينِي (to a female)	تْوَحَّشْتَك (to a male) تْوَحَّشْتِك (to a female)	Derived from MSA أَوْحَشَ (to make someone feel desolate or lonely), i.e. you made me feel lonely without you

A Syrian guy tells his girlfriend he loves her a lot but doesn’t want to marry her.

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A Syrian woman flirts with her husband by saying: تقبرني (may you bury me).

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Love in songs: romantic Arabic phrases

We saw examples of expressing love in a normal conversation in Arabic. The language used in songs might be a bit different, perhaps a little dramatic. Here’s some examples.

From Egypt:

!حبيبي يا نور العين
My love, o light of my eye!

!حُبَّك سَفَّاحْ
Your love is killing me. (literal: Your love is a serial killer) 🔪

!لَمَّا شُوفْتَهَا قَلْبِي دَقْ 3 دَقَّاتْ
When I saw her, my heart beat three times!

From the Levant:

أَنَا لَحَبِيبِي وْحَبِيبِي إِلِيْ
I’m for my beloved, and my beloved is mine.

عْندِي ثِقَة فِيكْ وْبِيكَفِّي
I have confidence in you, and that is enough.

عِيْشَةٌ لَا حُبَّ فِيهَا، جَدْوَلٌ لا مَاءَ فِيه
A life without love is like a creek without water.

General terms of endearment

Let’s dive into how Arabs call their loved ones. Here are common terms of endearment used for romantic partners, family members, and even friends. These terms can be used with partners, family members, close friends, and even strangers. However, their appropriateness depends on the situation, the individual, and the region. To stay on the safe side, it’s best to use them only with people you are close to.

English	Arabic	Levantine	Egyptian	Darija	Gulf
My beloved (m)	حبيبي
My beloved (f)	حبيبتي
My heart	قلبي			X
My love	حبّي
My life	حياتي			X
My life	عمري			X
My soul	روحي			X
My eyes	عيوني			X
My life	العمر ديالي	X	X		X
The soul of my heart	روح قلبي			X
Piece of my heart	حتة من قلبي	X		X	X
The light of my eyes	نور عيني			X
The pupils of my eyes	نني عيني	X		X	X
The pupils of my eyes	بوبو عيني	X	X		X
The pupils of my eyes	مومو عيني	X	X		X
My heartbeat	نبض قلبي		X	X
The core of my heart	صمصوم قلبي		X	X	X
The core of my heart	قلب قلبي		X	X

Personalizing romantic responses in Arabic

A pro tip for responding warmly to your lover when they call you by your name is to combine a romantic word with their name. For example, if your name is Ahmed and your partner calls you by your name, you might respond with عيون أحمد (Ahmed’s eyes) or قلب أحمد (Ahmed’s heart) or روح أحمد (Ahmed’s soul).

To make it even more affectionate, you can add “يا” before the phrase. This would result in يا عيون أحمد (O eyes of Ahmed) or يا قلب أحمد (O heart of Ahmed) or يا روح أحمد (O soul of Ahmed) . This technique personalizes the endearment, making it more intimate and heartfelt.

By using these love expressions in Arabic, you can show your love and affection in a way that feels special and unique.

The use of suffixes to express affection in Levantine Arabic

In Levantine Arabic, adding suffixes like ا, ه, هم, ها, ني followed by ل indicates possession or identification. While this construction might seem redundant, it’s often used to express feelings of wonder, tenderness, love, or affection. Additionally, it adds a sense of endearment and tenderness in speech.

For example, when the woman below says to her husband, يا عيونا لفايزة instead of يا عيون فايزة , it subtly indicates deeper affection and tenderness. This use of suffixes highlights the emotional connection and intimacy in their relationship.

A Syrian wife addresses her husband with terms of endearment and flirtation.

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Remember, humor and cheekiness can add a playful touch to your expressions of love in Arabic. Just be sure to use them with the right person and in the right context to avoid any misunderstandings! 😉❤️

An Egyptian love song نور العين, by Amr Diab.

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Unfortunate realities of sexual harassment

Despite the romance and tenderness associated with terms of endearment and Arabic love words, they can become offensive when used by men to address women on the street, engaging in harassment and catcalling. In these situations, “يا” is often added before these words to grab the women’s attention, indicating that the remarks are directed at them.

When used by men towards women they don’t know, such pickup lines, terms of endearment, and romantic expressions are considered highly inappropriate and are a form of verbal sexual harassment, which is unfortunately common in many Arab countries. Young men often stand in the streets, calling out these phrases to women passing by or even following them while repeating these remarks, regardless of whether the women look annoyed or ignore them.

However, these phrases take on a different connotation within a relationship. When used with a girlfriend, they are usually seen as flirtatious, except for those with overt sexual innuendos, as in suggesting a secret meeting place. For example:

مَا تِيجِي وِنِجِيبْ مِلِيجِي
“Let’s go and bring Mileigi”
مَا تِيجِي وَرَا العَامُودْ ونِجِيبْ مَحْمُودْ
“Let’s go behind the pillar and bring Mahmoud”
مَا تِيجِي فِي التَّابُوتْ وِنِجِيبْ حَتْشِبْسُوتْ
“Let’s go in the coffin and bring Hatshepsut”

The Egyptian pickup lines above follow the template of: “Wanna go (someplace) and have a baby named (name).” Though creative, such lines often cross the line and are considered inappropriate.

In Arab cultures, sexual relations are considered unacceptable outside of marriage, so the context in which these phrases are used significantly impacts their perception.

In this Jordanian show, a guy harasses a girl.

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Affection in same-sex friendships

Expressions of affection between male friends are common and quite different from Western norms, often confusing outsiders. Seeing men walking hand in hand or arm in arm is normal, symbolizing deep friendship and brotherhood rather than any romantic involvement. This physical closeness, deeply ingrained in the social fabric, serves as a powerful expression of solidarity and kinship. For example, when President Bush and Crown Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia met in Crawford, Texas, they walked hand in hand, an act that raised eyebrows among Americans but is a common, non-sexual expression of affection in the Arab world.

Public domain, link.

Common forms of physical affection between men

Holding hands:

One of the most notable forms of physical contact is men holding hands. This practice is a visible sign of friendship and trust. It’s common to see friends walking together, hand in hand, especially in more traditional or rural areas (Morocco, the Gulf). This gesture signifies a deep bond and mutual respect.

Walking arm in arm:

Men often walk arm in arm in some regions (Egypt, Morocco, the Gulf), symbolizing companionship and support. This form of physical closeness is prevalent in public spaces and is a way for friends to stay connected physically and emotionally.

Cheek kissing:

Greeting each other with cheek kisses is common among male friends. Typically, this involves kissing both cheeks, sometimes multiple times, depending on the region. This gesture conveys warmth and affection, reflecting the depth of the relationship.

Prolonged handshakes:

Unlike the brief handshakes common in Western cultures, handshakes among Arab men can be prolonged and accompanied by other gestures, like placing the other hand on the friend’s shoulder. This extended contact expresses sincerity and a strong emotional connection.

Clutching hands:

During conversations, men might clasp each other’s hands firmly to emphasize points or express strong feelings. This act of clutching hands during discussions reinforces the bond and shows attentiveness and agreement.

Touching and patting:

Physical touches such as patting the back, shoulder, or even the thigh are common. For instance, during a friendly debate or conversation, it’s not unusual for a man to reach over and pat his friend’s thigh to emphasize a point. This behavior, while potentially intrusive by Western standards, is considered normal.

Hugging:

Hugging is another common form of greeting among male friends, especially when meeting after a long time. A hug conveys feelings of warmth and happiness.

Nose touching:

In the Gulf region, particularly among Bedouins, touching noses is a traditional greeting between men. This involves lightly touching noses together once, twice, or three times. Generally, when two people meet, they shake hands, then each touches the tip of the other’s nose, sometimes without shaking hands. The initiator may place their right hand on the other’s left shoulder, and the recipient is expected to do the same. After the nose touches, they proceed with verbal greetings and inquiries about well-being.

Nose-touching in Gulf

The strong emphasis on physical contact among men in the Arab world is partly due to historical and social contexts. In many Arab societies, the segregation of sexes has led to men spending significant amounts of time together, fostering a culture where physical expressions of friendship are the norm. As urbanization and social dynamics evolve, these practices are gradually changing, especially in more cosmopolitan areas where the interaction between sexes is more common. For instance, in cities like Beirut, it is less common to see men holding hands due to the mingling of genders and changing social norms. However, in more conservative regions, such as Saudi Arabia, these traditions remain strong.

Misunderstandings and cultural sensitivity

For those unfamiliar with these customs, the physical closeness between Arab men can be confusing and lead to misunderstandings. In Western cultures, where such behaviors might be interpreted as romantic or overly intimate, it’s essential to understand the cultural context behind these actions. The physical affection shown by Arab men towards each other typically reflects solidarity and emotional connection, not sexual attraction.

In daily interactions, male friends might use affectionate terms such as حبيبي (my dear). These are normal expressions of friendship and loyalty in the Arab world. Moreover, these interactions extend beyond close friends to acquaintances and even strangers in some contexts. For instance, it’s common for men to use terms of endearment like حبيبي even when addressing someone they don’t know. This cultural characteristic highlights warm and inclusive social interactions, though it can sometimes blur personal space boundaries for those unfamiliar with it.

Two Jordanian guys introduce each other. If you’re interested in learning Arabic with real world videos, subscribe to Playaling and get your free trial.

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In contrast, public displays of affection between men and women are generally considered inappropriate and are often frowned upon. This further channels expressions of affection towards same-sex friendships, where such displays are socially accepted. While potentially confusing to outsiders, they’re an integral part of social interactions in the Arab world and highlight the cultural differences in understanding and expressing same-sex friendships.

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