I only know some Arabic, Russian, and English, so I’m usually comfortable with just Russian and English. As someone who used to be transfem, I had to get used to changing the way I said things in Russian and Arabic now that I’m a man.
For example, if I was an alcoholic as a woman, in Russian I’d be алкоголичка, but as a man, I’d be алкоголик. If I’m tired now, I’d be устал, but as a woman, I’d have been устала.
In Arabic (Standard Arabic), if you want to ask a woman her name formally, you ask “ ما اسمك؟” (ma ismuki), but you say ma ismuka to a man.
Adjectives also change in Arabic. In Levantine Arabic, you’d say “ هو ذكي” (huwwe zaki) meaning “he is smart”, but for a woman, you’d say “ هي ذكية” (hiyye zakiyye)
They are quite interesting. We mainly speak English there as it’s a common language and everyone speaks it. I barely know any Hebrew despite my mom being from Israel.
14 Comments
darklamer@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 5 pts · 1y
GB19@lemm.ee · 2 pts · 1y
I only know some Arabic, Russian, and English, so I’m usually comfortable with just Russian and English. As someone who used to be transfem, I had to get used to changing the way I said things in Russian and Arabic now that I’m a man.
GB19@lemm.ee · 2 pts · 1y
For example, if I was an alcoholic as a woman, in Russian I’d be алкоголичка, but as a man, I’d be алкоголик. If I’m tired now, I’d be устал, but as a woman, I’d have been устала.
In Arabic (Standard Arabic), if you want to ask a woman her name formally, you ask “ ما اسمك؟” (ma ismuki), but you say ma ismuka to a man.
200ok@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 1y
Neat! The only English word I can think of like that is "his blond" and "her blonde" pubes
darklamer@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 4 pts · 1y
200ok@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 1y
Touche!! Thanks for that
GB19@lemm.ee · 0 pts · 1y
In actual Egyptian Arabic, you’d say, اسْمَك إِيْه؟ (ismak eh) to a man. It’s written the same when said to a woman, but it’s ismik eh.
In Levantine Arabic (I guess i’d be of Levantine descent), you’d say (casually) شو اسمك؟ (shu ismak/shu ismik to a woman)
GB19@lemm.ee · 0 pts · 1y
Adjectives also change in Arabic. In Levantine Arabic, you’d say “ هو ذكي” (huwwe zaki) meaning “he is smart”, but for a woman, you’d say “ هي ذكية” (hiyye zakiyye)
OldManBOMBIN@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 1y
How are family reunions?
GB19@lemm.ee · 1 pts · 1y
They are quite interesting. We mainly speak English there as it’s a common language and everyone speaks it. I barely know any Hebrew despite my mom being from Israel.
OldManBOMBIN@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 1y
Neat
Flamangoman@leminal.space · 2 pts · 1y
What do you make of people with very little cultural history? Do you look down on them with pity or scorn???
GB19@lemm.ee · 0 pts · 1y
I honestly don’t care, i think everyone’s history is interesting
200ok@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 1y
Which holidays do you like to celebrate?
GB19@lemm.ee · 0 pts · 1y
Christmas, Easter, Passover normally :)
(It’s odd because we kinda celebrate Chanukah and Christmas)
200ok@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 1y
Sounds amazing. A lot of opportunities to spend time with loved ones ❤️
NoneOfUrBusiness@fedia.io · 1 pts · 1y
who@feddit.org · 1 pts · 1y