Today we are back with Egyptian Arabic conversation 29.
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 29: Gym.
Egyptian Arabic Conversation 29: Gym
Conversation #29 happens between two friends making plans to meet at the gym later.
Here is the screenshot:
Before diving into Conversation 29, 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 29: Translation
Below you will find a full translation of the entire WhatsApp conversation, along with voice notes for each line.
When are you going to the gym today? : Hatnzel el gym emta elnharda?
هتنزل الجيم امتى النهارده؟
At 3:30 or 4:00. : 3ala 3:30 aw 4:00 keda.
.على 3:30 او 4:00 كده
Alright very good, tell me 15 mins before you move. : Khalas helw gedan, 2oli abl matenzl b rob3 sa3a.
.خلاص حلو جدا، قولي قبل ماتنزل ب ربع ساعة
Deal, I will send you the workout now. : Etfa2na, hab3tlak el tamreen dlwa2ti.
.اتفقنا، هبعتلك التمرين دلوقتي
Sweetheart. : 7abeeeeeby.
.حبيبي
Egyptian Arabic Conversation 29: Important Vocabulary
When are you going.. : Hatnzel…. emta?
هتنزل …امتى؟
This literally means “when will you exit”, but it’s kind of like saying “when will you leave to go to…?”
The gym. : El gym.
.الجيم
Obvious by now but Egyptians literally say “gym” when talking about the gym.
Just try to do it with a slight Egyptian accent to sound authentic.
At… : : 3ala…
Good word to know. Use this when telling the time in Egyptian Arabic.
Alright very good. : Khalas helw gedan.
.خلاص حلو جدا
Here the word khalas / خلاص kind of fuctions as a filler word.
It literally means “finished”, but it’s kind of like saying “OK that’s enough” when making plans.
Tell me… : 2oli…
…قولي
This is a basic command in Egyptian Arabic.
If this was spoken to a woman, it would be:
- 2olili / قوليلي
Deal. : : Etfa2na.
.اتفقنا
Very common word when Egyptians are making plans with each other.
It basically means “we agreed.”
I will send you the workout. : Hab3tlak el tamreen dlwa2ti.
.هبعتلك التمرين
There are a few useful things you can learn from this quick phrase:
- Hab3tlak / هبعتلك = the future tense with the letter ه at the beginning + “to you” with lak / لك at the end
- Tamreen / التمرين literally means “the exercise” but Egyptians often us it as “the workout”
Sweetheart. : 7abeeby.
.حبيبي
In this case the guy is not literally calling his friend sweetheart.
Habibi / 7abeeby is just a really common word in Egyptian Arabic, and is often to used to say “thank you” to each other.
Context + Further Explanation
This is a common conversation that probably happens between tons of Egyptians every day.
And if you were wondering about gyms in Egypt – there are a lot of them! 🙂
Mostly in bigger cities like Cairo and Alexandria, but increasingly in smaller towns too.
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Happy learning,
Cleo Lingo