أهلين

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Jump to navigation Jump to search

North Levantine Arabic

[edit]

Etymology

[edit]

Dual of أهلا (ʔahlan), from Arabic أَهْلاً (ʔahlan), so as to “double” the good wishes received; hence at first used only as a response to the singular form. Compare the same in مرحبا (marḥaba), مرحبتين (marḥabtain), and even بونجور (bōnjūr), بونجورين (bōnjūrain). However, أهلين is now also used independently, or as a response to other greetings.

Interjection

[edit]

أَهْلِين (ʾahlēn, ʾahlain)

  1. hello; hi; particularly as a response to أهلا (ʔahlan)
    !أهلا يا جوليا! — أهلين يا زينب! وين هالغيبة
    ʾAhlan ya Jūlya! — ʾAhlain ya Zainab! Wain hal-ġaibi!
    Hi, Julia! — Hello, Zainab! Long time no see!

Synonyms

[edit]

South Levantine Arabic

[edit]

Etymology

[edit]

Dual of أهلا (ʔahlan), from Arabic أَهْلاً (ʔahlan), so as to “double” the good wishes received; hence at first used only as a response to the singular form. Compare the same in مرحبا (marḥaba), مرحبتين (marḥabtēn).

Pronunciation

[edit]
  • IPA(key): /ʔah.leːn/, [ʔahˈleːn]
  • Audio (Ramallah):(file)

Interjection

[edit]

أهلين (ʔahlēn)

  1. dual of أهلا (ʔahla, welcome): response to أهلا (ʔahla) or أهلا وسهلا (ʔahla w-sahla)