Today we are back with Egyptian Arabic conversation 27.
In each Conversations post, we will provide you with:
- a screenshot from an actual conversation between two Egyptians
- the translation of each line of text, including English, Franco and Arabic script
- 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 27: The Capital.
Egyptian Arabic Conversation 27: The Capital
Conversation #27 happens between a woman (the text in the green) and what could be either a man or a woman (the text in the white).
Here is the screenshot:
Before diving into Conversation 27, check out our guide to reading Franco-Arabic (what the numbers that Egyptians write actually mean).
This makes it a lot easier to read the transliteration of each phrase below.
Egyptian Arabic Conversation 27: Translation
Below you will find a full translation of the entire WhatsApp conversation, along with voice notes for each line.
Are you (fem) coming today? : Enty gaia elnahrda?
انتي جاية النهاردة؟
No I have a meeting at the capital. : La2 ana 3andii egtma3 f el3asema.
.لا انا عندي اجتماع في العاصمة
Ok call me when you finish. : Tayb khalas kalemini lama tkhlasi.
.طيب خلاص كلميني لما تخلصي
(Spelled kalemni in the picture, but it’s more accurate to write kalemini.)
Is there something or what? : Fe haga wala eh?
في حاجة ولا ايه؟
No I wanted to ask about something not urgent. : La2 kont 3ayz as2al 3ala haga mesh darory.
.لا كنت عايز اسأل على حاجة مش ضروري
OK I will call you at one o’clock. : Khalas haklmak elsa3a 1:00.
.خلاص هكلمك الساعة 1
Egyptian Arabic Conversation 27: Important Vocabulary
Are you (fem) coming today? : Enty gaia elnahrda?
انتي جاية النهاردة؟
This is one of the more common questions in Egyptian Arabic.
If you were asking a male, it would be:
Enta gai elnahrda? / انت جاي النهاردة؟
The capital. : el3asema.
.العاصمة
“The capital” implies “the capital city.”
The person is probably saying that they need to go to Cairo for a work meeting (implying that the people texting each other don’t live in Cairo).
Ok. : Tayb khalas.
.طيب خلاص
These two words literally mean:
- good: tayb / طيب
- enough / finished: khalas / خلاص
In casual speech though, it’s a way of saying “ok” or “sound good.”
(We think tayb is the more important word here to learn by heart.)
Is there something? : Fe haga?
في حاجة ؟
Very important question in Egyptian Arabic.
You use fe haga when you want to ask if everything is OK, or you are concerned that there might be something negative happening.
I wanted to ask about something. : kont 3ayz as2al 3ala haga.
.كنت عايز اسألك على حاجة
Good phrase to know. Keep in mind with the word kont / كنت that this is basically speaking in the past tense.
Not urgent. : mesh darory.
.مش ضروري
Self-explanatory here.
At one o’clock. : Elsa3a 1:00.
. الساعة ١
Always good to know how to tell time in Egyptian Arabic!
Context + Further Explanation
This conversation is a common one that might happen between any two friends.
One of them is going to a meeting, and they will probably have a phone call later (at 1 PM).
Simple – but lots of good vocab!
…
Happy learning,
Cleo Lingo