We had immensely high expectations for Jinn (جنّ), the first Arabic-language Netflix original series. Although the show is a good representation of the Jordanian dialect, it also caused some controversy in its portrayal of Jordanian teens. 

The show centers around the concept of jinn, which roughly translates to “spirits,” and can be used to explain unusual or supernatural happenings in life. Mira, the main character, is on a class field trip to Petra when she begins hearing whispers and capturing the jinn speaking with a handheld recorder. Conflicts between her classmates during the trip are heightened as the jinn intervenes and by the unexplained entrance of a mysterious new classmate.

For those who have lived in or visited Jordan, it’s exciting to see so many Jordanian actors get top billing and to revisit the views of Petra. However, the plot of the show veers between high school romance, bloodshed, and the seemingly mundane. This show is worth it for the Jordanian accent and the multilingual subtitle options, but get ready to be taken for a bit of a ride.

Vocabulary / مفردات

جنّ
“Spirits” or a supernatural being

2:05
جكاتات
Jackets
As is common in Jordan, the teacher and students throw in frequent Arabizi works like “jacket-at” derived from the English word “jacket” with the Arabic addition of “at” to make a singular noun plural

2:56
بستغل / أستغل
To take advantage of

4:56
صخر/ صخور
Rock(s)

5:24
خويف
He's afraid or he's a scaredy cat

10:54
أنتي توجيهي، صح؟
You’re in the last year of high school (tawjihi), right?
The last year before university, students take the tawjihi exam then apply to university so students in their last year can be called “tawjihi” as is done here

16:04
مشروب
Alcoholic drinks

25:16
طلع عالباص
Get on the bus
The verb طلع means both to leave or get out and to get on (the bus) as it’s used here

27:26
مستفشل عليك
I’m disappointed in you

27:34
كان عقبتني
It was my punishment

28:00
ما كان في داعي
There was no need

33:00
بصرخ / صرخ
To scream

36:14
بجع / وجع
To fall

37:29
بعاقب / أعاقب
To be punished for

38:59
الحق عليك
It’s your fault

41:47
مالك أشي؟
Is there something wrong?
شو مالك؟
What’s wrong?