Phrases
Farhan, Za'lan, Ta'ban: How to Say How You Feel in Iraqi Arabic
زعلان
za'lan
Sad / upset
Za'lan: sad, upset, or offended
زعلان (za'lan) covers everything from mild disappointment to genuinely hurt feelings — Iraqis also use it for being offended by something someone said or did. If a friend seems quiet or off, this is the first word you'll reach for.
زعلان
za'lan
Sad / upset
Also used for being offended
Farhan and khayef: happy and scared
فرحان (farhan) is 'happy' — used for good news, a celebration, or simply a good mood. On the other end, خايف (khayef) means 'scared,' whether it's a genuine fright or just nerves about something coming up.
فرحان
farhan
Happy
خايف
khayef
Scared
Physical states that double as feelings
Iraqi Arabic uses the same kind of words for physical needs as it does for emotions. تعبان (ta'ban) is 'tired,' عطشان (atshan) is 'thirsty,' جوعان (jo'an) is 'hungry,' and مرتاح (murtah) is 'comfortable.'
تعبان
ta'ban
Tired
مرتاح
murtah
Comfortable
Shy and sick
مستحي (mustahi) means shy or embarrassed — useful for describing yourself before speaking up, or teasing a friend who's gone quiet in front of someone they like. مريض (mareedh) simply means sick.
مستحي
mustahi
Shy / embarrassed
مريض
mareedh
Sick
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