“About” (approximation) in Lebanese Arabic

In Lebanese Arabic, “About” (as in approximation) is written using the Latin script as:

Hawalay

Using the Arabic script, it is written as:

حوالي

Listen to this word pronounced (audio)

 

Examples in sentences or statements

 
“I’m about half way through the book.”

2ana wselet hawalay lanes 2al kteb.

.انا وصلت حوالي لنص الكتاب

 
“About four kilograms of almonds, please.”

(m) Hawalay 2arb3a kilo rez, 2arjouk.

(f) Hawalay 2arb3a kilo rez, 2arjouke.

 .حوالي أربعة كيلو لوز، أرجوك (m)

 .حوالي أربعة كيلو لوز، أرجوكي (f)

 
“It’s about 3:30pm.”

2al se3a hawalay telete 2ou nes ba3ad 2al deher.

.الساعة حوالي تلاتة ونص بعد الضهر

 
“Your meal will be ready in about thirty minutes.”

Wejbetak rah tkoun jehze ba3ad hawalay nes se3a.

.وجبتك رح تكون جاهزة بعد حوالي نص ساعة

 
“A table will be ready in about twenty minutes.”

2al tawle rah tkoun jehze ba3ad hawalay tlet se3at.

.الطاولة رح تكون جاهزة بعد حوالي تلت ساعة

 

In other Mediterranean languages and dialects

“About” (approximation) in Tunisian Arabic

“About” (approximation) in Greek