Egyptian Arabic Conversation 2: “Gari”

Today we are back with Egyptian Arabic conversation 2.

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 (here is Egyptian Arabic conversation 1 if you want to check it out)!

Let’s get started with Egyptian Arabic Conversation 2: “Gari.”

Egyptian Arabic Conversation 2: Gari

Running. : gari.

.جري

Egyptian Arabic Conversation 2: Translation

Now that we have seen the conversation, let’s go over the translations.

After that we will dive deeper into the phrases and when they are normally used.

To follow along with the Franco version of Egyptian Arabic conversation 2, check out Cleo Lingo’s guide to Franco-Arabic.

S: The running on Tuesday… what will it be like? : L gari yom  l talat 7ikon 3obara 3n eh?

الجري يوم التلات هيكون عبارة عن ايه؟

S: Because today maybe I try to go early and run it because Tuesday maybe I can’t come. : 3lshan anhrda mmkan a7wal aro7 badri agriha 3lshan l talat mmkan ma3rafsh agi.

. علشان النهاردة ممكن احاول اروح بدري اجريها علشان التلات ممكن معرفش اجي

T: Ok great, I will send you the run. : ok hayel, hab3tlak elgaria.

.اوك هايل، هبعتلك الجرية

Here is our post on the Egyptian Arabic future tense for background on you to say “I will send.”

T: You will find it in the PDF anyway. : hatla2eha f el pdf keda keda.

.هتلاقيها في البي دي اف كده كده

The acronym PDF is literally written here as البي دي اف.

Also, remember keda keda? Here is our post on the word keda as a reminder.

2 days later (on Tuesday)

S: It looks (Lit. I look) like I won’t be able to come today. : Shakli msh 7a3raf agi anhrda.

.شكلي مش هعرف اجي النهاردة

S: Night shift unfortunately. : Nabtshia ll2saf.

.نباطشية للاس

S: If I managed to bail I will tell you. : law 3arft 25la3 72olk.

.لو عرفت اخلع هقولك

Ekhla3 / 25la3 is more slang. It literally means “to pull something off / remove something forcibly from its place” (for example, a tooth from its root / dislocating a shoulder).

Fun stuff! In this example it just means “bail / leave.” More info in the next section!

Egyptian Arabic Conversation 2: Important Vocabulary

Time for some more information on the vocabulary from Egyptian Arabic Conversation 2.

Running. : gari.

.جري

The run (noun). : el garia.

.الجرية

Try. : ye7awel/a7awel.

.يحاول/ احاول

Early. : badri.

.بدري

We cover some of these words in how to tell time in Egyptian Arabic.

It looks / the look / I look… : Shaklha / shakl / shakli.

.شكلها / شكل/ شكلي

Elshakl literally means “the look / shape.”  Egyptians will typically use the word with a suffix added to indicate “the look / shape of something” (or, more specifically, “it looks…”).

Other examples could include:

• Shaklak (شكلك) = You look…
• Shaklo (شكلو) = He looks…

To be able / I am able. : ye3raf / a3raf.

.يعرف/ اعرف

Unfortunately. : lel2asaf.

.للاسف

Context + Further Explanation

Now that we understand the literal meaning, lets try and understand the context and the cultural insights.

S starts the conversation on Sunday asking T about the details of their run together:

The running on Tuesday…what will it be like? : L gari yom  l talat 7ikon 3obara 3n eh?

الجري يوم التلات هيكون عبارة عن ايه؟

3obara 3n eh? (عبارة عن ايه؟) means “what is it like / what does it contain?” This could also be used in describing the contents of a package. Basically, S wants to run earlier because he might not be able to show up on Tuesday.

T responds that he will send the details, even though S can find the details of the run on the PDF anyway (hatla2eha f el pdf keda keda).

Two days later (the day of the run), S confirms that he won’t be able to show up today. He has a “night shift, unfortunately” (nabtshia ll2saf / نباطشية للاس).

The word nabatshia is borrowed from the Turkish word “nöbetçi”, pronounced nubatchi, which means “guard” or “watchman.” It is used in the context of overnight shifts, typically associated with work in the army or police work. S likely works as a police officer (or something similar).

S adds that if “I manage to bail / leave” (law 3arft 25la3… / …لو عرفت اخلع), he will tell T. The word Ye5la3 means “to leave,” but usually indicates that you want to get out of or leave an unpleasant situation. This could mean:

• a boring party
• an extra long work meeting
• a slightly lame family gathering

However, it can also be used to “leave” normal situations. For example, some friends are having fun at an Egyptian ahwa but it’s getting late. One of the friends might say:

Well guys, I’m leaving. : Tayb ya shbab, hakhla3 ana.

.طيب يا شباب هخلع انا

Stay tuned for more Egyptian Arabic conversations that are taken from everyday conversations.

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Happy learning,

Cleo Lingo