Egyptian Arabic Conversation 4 : “Ba2olak eh”

Today we are back with Egyptian Arabic conversation 4.

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 4: Ba2olak eh.

Egyptian Arabic Conversation 4 : Ba2olak eh.

Hey listen. : ba2olak eh.

Before diving into Conversation 4, check out our post on the phrase “ba2olak eh”. In it we talk about this phrase specifically and the different ways that it is used.

Egyptian Arabic Conversation 3: Translation

D: Hey listen, put from your house to Cairo Uni Sheikh Zayed how much (How much time does it take to go from your house to Cairo University in Sheikh Zayed)? : ba2olak eh 7ot mn 3nd betk kda l cairo uni sheikh zayed ad eh?

بقولك ايه، حط من عند بيتك ل كايرو يوني شيخ زايد قد ايه؟

D: And it’s giving you (the route) from where and is there traffic or what? : w mdyk ymsh(i) mnen w hal fe zahma wala eh?

و مديك يمشي منين و هل في زحمة ولا ايه؟

T: Ok, (one) second I will look at it. : ok, sania habos aho.

.اوك، ثانية هبص اهو

T: This is the one next to Hyperone 😀 : De elee gamb hyperone 😀

.دي اللي جمب هايبروان

T: Whatever, you will go on the desert road then get on the Mehwar (high way with bridge). : 3ady hatmshi sa7rawy w tetla3i mehwar.

.عادي، هتمشي صحراوي وتطلعي محور

Read our post on the word 3ady in Egyptian Arabic for more background.

T: It’s giving 25 “minutes” from my house. : medi 25 min mn beti.

.مدي 25 “مينت” من بيتي

The voice note says “minutes” (da2e2a) as it is in Egyptian Arabic.

T: So from your house let’s say half an hour. : ya3ni men betek 2oli nosaia.

.يعني من بيتك قولي نصاية

The word ya3ni (يعني)  can be used in a couple of different ways.

Egyptian Arabic Conversation 3: Important Vocabulary

Hey listen… : ba2olak eh…

…بقولك ايه

This phrase literally means “I tell you what…,” but is used before asking somebody something. That makes the actual use more like “Hey listen…” (often used before asking for a favor or a question).

We linked it above, but here it is again:

• The Phrase “Ba2olak Eh”: How To Use It.

Traffic (or any crowded place). : zahma.

.زحمة

This word is actually kinda interesting. Get more information on it in our post on how to complain about Cairo traffic in Egyptian traffic.

Home / house. : beet.

.بيت

Pronounced like the English word “bait.”

Or what? : Wala eh?

ولا ايه؟

This is a super common and useful phrase.

Tip from a non-native speaker: this is also a common phrase you hear during aggressive arguments that are turning into fights. In this context it can be used as kind of a way of saying “are you scared?”

To look. : Yboss.

.يبص

Right away / on it. : aho

.اهو

Ok, tricky word here, and one that will require more explanation than anything else from Conversation 4.

Aho is a word that is used when pointing to someone or something that is present in front of you (specifically masculine because of the ending و).

An example:

Question: “Where is Tamer? “

Answer: Aho (while pointing at Tamer).

Usually when the word aho is used with verbs, it indicates that the verb is either happening in the present or will happen immediately.

Another example, with Arabic this time:

Boss: When are you handing over the report? : hatslem el taqreer emta?

هتسلم التقرير امتى؟

Employer: I’m working on it, I will send it tomorrow God-willing. : ana shaghal 3aleh aho, hab3ato bokra inshallah.

.انا شغال عليه اهو، هبعتو بكرة ان شاء الله

To go / walk. :  Temshi / yemshi.

.تمشي/ يمشي

To get on / climb. : yetla3.

.يطلع

This word is used with any upwards movement (going up stairs, going up a bridge, and even going on a trip).

Half an hour. : Nos sa3a.

.نص ساعة

So, the actual “correct” way to write “half an hour” is nos sa3a / نص ساعة. That’s why we include it here. The nos means “half” and sa3a means “hour.” Therefore, quite literally, “half an hour.”

However, in Conversation 4, we see it written as nosaia (نصاية), which is the second part of the voice note. This is a super slang word and is basically like saying “one half”, usually used to indicate an estimation (not an accurate half an hour).

This is actually pretty relevant to Egyptian culture. To see what I mean, check out our post about Egyptian time.

Does “T” actually mean half an hour? If he’s Egyptian…probably not. 😉

Context + Further Explanation

Now that we understand the literal meaning of this conversation, lets try to dig deeper and understand more about the meaning and the culture behind it.

Here D is talking to T and seems to be in a bit of a rush. She starts the conversation with “ba2olak eh” and asks right away for a favor: check Google Maps to see how long it take to reach Cairo University from his place.

Important note: the Franco Arabic text from the screenshot looks like some Arabic words crammed together. This shows you how different texting Egyptian Arabic is from actually speaking. It also shows you the relative “flexibility” of the dialect.

She then adds “check which route it shows and if there is any traffic on the way.”

T responds “Wait a second. I will check (look) right away”.

After checking (1 min later), he finds that Cairo University (Sheikh Zayed) is next to a place called HyperOne. This seems to be a place that both of them know. Since they both know the location, he adds “whatever / normal” (the word 3ady / عادي). This means in this context that there is nothing special about what Google maps is suggesting.

Next: “You will take the desert road then “get on” mehwar / محور. Mehwar is a bridge, which is why the verb tetla3i / تطلعي is used.

T finally adds “It gives 25 minutes from my house…” and “let’s say half an hour.”

In Egyptian Arabic, “let’s say” (approximation, guessing an amount) is translated as 2oli / قولي. This literally means “to say.”

…

Happy learning,

Cleo Lingo