Egyptian Arabic Conversation 12: Super Busy

Today we are back with Egyptian Arabic Conversation 12.

In each Conversations post, we will provide you with:

1. a screenshot from an actual conversation between two Egyptians
2. the translation of each line of text, including English, Franco and Arabic script
3.  context on the conversation and further explanation

We think learning Egyptian Arabic from actual, authentic conversations between Egyptians is both fun and effective. We hope you like it too!

Let’s get started with Egyptian Arabic Conversation 12: Super Busy.

Egyptian Arabic Conversation 12: Super Busy.

As always, we will start out with a screenshot of a WhatsApp conversation in Egyptian Arabic.

The conversation is in Franco, but we put the actual Arabic below.

Before getting started with this Conversations post, be sure to check out our post on writing in Franco Arabic.

Egyptian Arabic Conversation 12: Translation

Hey dude, why aren’t you answering? I’m calling you since the morning! : Yasta enta mabtrodesh 3ali leeh!! Baklamak mn elob7!

!ياسطى انت مبتردش عليا ليه؟؟ بكلمك من الصبح

What? I swear I didn’t notice, I am super busy at work. : A da…walahy ma khadt bali ana mas7ol f elshogl.

.ايه ده؟؟ والله ماخدت بالي انا مسحول في الشغل

Ok dude no worries, I was just checking if you are coming tonight or not? : mashy yasta wala yhmak! Kont bashofak gai belil wala la2?

ماشي ياسطى ولا يهمك انا كنت باشوفك جي ولا لأ؟

Yes God willing I’m coming, I will come with Hossam and Jala. : Ah inshallah gau, hagi ma3 hossam w jala.

.اه ان شاء الله جي…هاجي مع حسام وجلا

Cool, see you tonight. : Gamed, ashofak belil.

.جامد..اشوفك بليل

Egyptian Arabic Conversation 12: Important Vocabulary

Hey dude! : Yasta!

!ياسطى

This is one of the most common Egyptian Arabic nicknames.

It can mean a number of things (bro, dude, man, pal, etc.).

I swear… : walahy…

…والله

One of the most important words in Egyptian Arabic.

Basically means “I swear..” (either that you did something or didn’t do something).

I didn’t notice. : ma khadt bali.

.ماخدت بالي

This is what you say when you weren’t paying attention to something / didn’t notice that something happened.

Super busy. : mas7ol.

.مسحول

This word is also super slang and cannot be used in a formal setting. While it can be used to refer to some kind of physical abuse, here it means “swamped” or “super busy” with something.

It would typically mean a task you are doing, like work, preparing for a wedding, or studying for an exam.

No worries. : wala yhmak.

.ولا يهمك

Simple but important.

You tell this to somebody when you don’t want them to worry about something.

Could also be roughly translated as “Relax” or “No big deal.”

God willing. : inshallah

.ان شاء الله

Inshallah is one of the best things to learn in Egyptian Arabic.

Here’s how you become an expert in the phrase.

Context + Further Explanation

This is an informal conversation between two friends. They are planning on meeting up, so we can expect it to be quite “slang heavy” (as it is).

Because the verbs from both speakers are conjugated in the masculine form, it’s two men. (Be sure to read up on verb conjugation for present tense verbs (1-10) and (11-20) for a more in-depth background on how verbs change depending on the speaker).

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Happy learning,

Cleo Lingo