Egyptian Arabic Conversation 15: New Year’s

Today we are back with Egyptian Arabic Conversation 15.

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 15: New Year’s.

Egyptian Arabic Conversation 15: New Year’s

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 15: Translation

One note before we get started – this is a conversation between a man and a woman.

Pay attention to the verb conjugations.

Happy New Year Rana. : kol sana w enty tayba ya rana.

.كل سنة وانتي طيبة يا رنا 

Likewise, God-willing it’s a happy year for you. : w enta tayb, inshallah sana sa3eda 3aleek.

.وانت طيب ان شاء الله سنة سعيدة عليك

You too, where are you spending New Year’s Eve? : w enty kaman, hat2adi ras elsana fen?

وانتي كمان، هتقضي راس السنة فين؟

I am traveling tomorrow with some friends to Siwa. And you? : ana msafra bokra ma3 sohabi ray7en siwa, w enta?

انا مسافرة بكرة مع صحابي رايحين سيوة, وانت؟

No, I’m spending it at home, I have the flu. : la2 ana ha2deh f elbeet, 3andi bard.

.لا انا هقضيه في البيت عندي برد

Get well soon. : alf salama 3aleek.

.الف سلامة عليك

Egyptian Arabic Conversation 15: Important Vocabulary

Happy New Year… : kol sana w enty tayba…

…كل سنة وانتي طيبة  

Kol sana w enty tayba (and it’s other two common forms) is what you say during just about every celebration.

God-willing. : inshallah

.ان شاء الله

The phrase Inshallah is one of the most important ones to learn in Egyptian Arabic.

Definitely memorize this one!

New Year’s Eve. : ras elsana.

.راس السنة

This is a common way to say “New Year’s Eve” in the Arabic-speaking world.

I am traveling…: ana msafra…

…مسافرة

Notice that Rana says ana msafra / مسافرة, which starts with the letter م.

In Egyptian Arabic, the letter م signifies the present progressive tense (verb + ing). This is one way to imply doing something in the future in Egyptian Arabic.

Note – this is pretty much the same thing in English.

Question: “Where are you going this weekend?

Answer: “I’m going to my friend’s house.”

The “future tense” is implied.

I have the flu. : 3andi bard.

.عندي برد

This is literally “I have cold.”

Get well soon. : alf salama 3aleek.

.الف سلامة عليك

A very common thing to say to somebody when they are sick.

Wishing it to a female would be alf salama 3aleeki / الف سلامة عليكي.

Context + Further Explanation

This is a friendly conversation between two Egyptian friends.

Many Egyptians will travel for the New Year. Siwa is is a cool place to go, and is definitely a nice break from the hustle and bustle of Cairo.

Still, the biggest “event” of the year will always be Ramadan and the vacation that happens afterwards.

Just something to keep in mind!

…

Happy learning,

Cleo Lingo