Iconic Damascene Phrases You Won’t Find in a Dictionary

If you’ve ever heard a Syrian soap opera or spent time around Damascenes, chances are you’ve stumbled on a few of these gems. Here’s a roundup of some of the most iconic phrases that only true Damascenes will understand. Learn them, love them, and next time you hear them, you’ll know exactly what’s going on.

Image Credit: Syria Direct

1. Describing People Like a Pro

Mahdoom (مهضوم): A total sweetheart, lovable and fun to be around.

Fas‘oon (فصعون): An adorable little kid.

Barim Bouzo (بارم بوزو): That person who’s pouting or acting snobbish.

‘A‘lo jawzten bkherj (عقلو جوزتين بخرج): Basically saying someone’s not the sharpest tool in the shed.

Teneh (تنح): Stubborn to a fault.

Ma’nbaz (مأنبز): Full of themselves.

Mdharné (مدهرنة): A little girl acting like she’s all grown up.

Msarsab(eh) (مسرسب/مسرسبة): A neat freak to the extreme.

Keḥteh (كحتة): A cheapskate.

Mdarbas (مدربس): Chubby and short, said playfully.

Dammo smeek (دمو سميك): Zero charm, heavy energy.

2. Frustration, Sass & Sarcasm

Ta’o fyozato (طَقّوا فيوزاتو): Totally lost it—short-circuited from anger.

Sammali badni (سمّلي بدني): That gave me the ick, seriously.

Entamaz (انطمز): So annoyed, can’t even talk.

Aal ya‘ni (قاال يعني): “Oh, really?” Said with maximum sarcasm.

La‘alo albo (لعالو قلبو): Can this person ever stop talking?

Nataf albo (نطف قلبو): Patience completely gone.

Masah feeh el-arḍ (مسح فيه الأرض): Totally humiliated someone.

Sheh (شه): A whole mood—annoyance, judgment, or surprise.

Nakhar mekhi (نخر مخي): Nagged me to death.

Tshabra’ (تشبرء): Splurged on things that bring happiness.

Yoooh lwah lwah (يووو الواه الواه): Eye-roll level: pro.

3. Chaos, Movement & Drama

’Od y’’od rezzak (قعود يقعد رزك): You’re so annoying, we’re gonna cook for your funeral.

Ḥaaj tḥous khayyaltna (حاج تحوص خيّلتنا): Stop moving like a tornado!

Arjini ‘ard ktafak (أرجيني عرض كتافك): Leave. Now.

Ballat (بلّط): Showed up uninvited and stayed too long.

Zaḥal ‘a’lo (زحل عقلو): Freaked out with excitement or sadness.

Khanas (خَنَس): Shrunk away after being exposed.

4. Health & Emotions

Mkhastak (مخستك): A funny, old-school way to say someone’s sick.

Sha’ayt ‘leh (شأيت عليه): Went to visit a sick person.

ejeto el-jamdeh (اجتو الجمدة): Shocked to the bone.

Ṭle’ men ‘oyouno ‘aameṣ (طلع من عيونو عامص): That joy? Crushed.

Fatal raasi (فتل راسي): I looked everywhere and couldn’t find it.

Sakh bezer mokho (ساخ بزر مخّه): Walked in the sun way too long—brain’s fried.

‘Ala mala wesho (على ملا وشو): Left in such a panic, he couldn’t even see straight.

5. Everyday Habits

Tfarfad (تفَرفَد): Kicked back and relaxed after taking off shoes or a jacket.

Tkamkar (تكمكر): Got cozy under a warm blanket.

Mrasti’ Halo (مرستئ حاله): Looking sharp, fully put together.

Neksor el-sefrah (نكسر السفرة): We finally had breakfast.

Ta’ta’et zla‘eemoh (طئطئت زلاعيمو): So thirsty, his throat dried up.

‘Ala lahem batno (على لحم بطنه): Didn’t eat a single bite all day.

6. Noise & Behavior

Radah (ردح): Loud, dramatic ranting—maybe with a few curses thrown in.

Entawash (انطوش): Overwhelmed by too much noise and chaos.

hammam ma’too’a mayto (حمام مقطوعة ميته): Total chaos, no one’s listening to anyone.

7. Markets & Dealings

Men dehno sa’eelo (من دهنو سئّيلو): Used their own resources without waste.

Halak ne‘metha (هلك نعمتها): Ruined something by overusing it.

Enma’at ma’et (انمعط معط): Flooded the market—everywhere you look.

Ma bzell ‘alek bi ḥarf (ما بزلّ عليك بحرف): Swear I’m not lying.

Men hon la hon (من هون لهون): bargaining tactic.

Ma fi el-doumari bil tari’ (مافي الدومري بالطريق): It’s a ghost town.

Khosh bosh (خوش بوش): Friendly, casual relationship—no pressure.

If you grew up in the ‘90s or early 2000s, you might not say these Damascene phrases, but you’ve probably heard your parents or grandparents use them. Or maybe you heard them in Syrian TV dramas and laughed without fully getting it.

Got a favorite Damascene phrase that cracks you up every time? Share it with us—we’re all ears!

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