10 Common Egyptian Arabic Nicknames

Egyptian Arabic nicknames are a great thing to learn. They:

• Bring you closer to Egyptians and make it easier to chat with them
• Give you a valuable insight into Egyptian culture
• Heighten your listening comprehension as a non-native speaker

Today we are sharing some of the most common nicknames you will hear in Egyptian Arabic. For each nickname we will give you a little background into how it’s used, as well as a mini-conversation to put each one into context.

Let’s get started.

10 Common Egyptian Arabic Nicknames

Here are the ten Egyptian Arabic nicknames we will be covering today.

1. Ya 7abibi / يا حبيبي
2. Ya brens / يا برنس
3. Ya basha / يا باشا
4. Ya ostaz / يا استاذ
5. Ya 3arousa / يا عروسة
6. Ya 3am / يا عم
7. Yasta / ياسطى
8. Ya bashmohandes / يا باشمهندس
9. Ya captain / يا كابتن
10. Ya rayes / يا ريس

We break all ten of these Egyptian Arabic nicknames down below.

First, though, a few important notes about Egyptian Arabic nicknames…

Three Important Notes About Egyptian Arabic Nicknames

• Notice that we use the word “Ya” (يا) before each nickname when we are using it in conversation (same thing with saying peoples’ normal names). “Ya” is literally called “the calling article” which is used to call someone’s name. A rough equivalent is “Hey…”, although it doesn’t mean exactly the same thing.
• While we point out a few female nicknames (7abibty /حبيبتي and 3arousa / عروسة), most Egyptian Arabic nicknames are male specific. The reason? The most common Egyptian Arabic nicknames are basically slang that people use in the streets. The modern usage has its origins in “lower class” people (typically men) using them with their friends. That said…
• Many Egyptian Arabic nicknames were originally used as honorary titles for wealthy people. The nicknames then crept into the lower classes as people started to use them among each other for respect and compliments. Even if the words have lost their original meaning, it’s a nice way to show respect even if the words have lost their original meaning.

Egyptian Arabic Nicknames: Explanations & Examples

Egyptian Arabic Nickname #1:  Ya 7abibi / يا حبيبي

Background:

7abibi technically means “My lover.” That said, it’s also one of the most flexible and commonly used words in Egyptian Arabic. You will usually it with close friends (7abibty / حبيبتي when addressing females).

According to the tone of your voice it can also be used as an aggressive response to something that shocks you. In addition, it also one of the most common ways to say thank you in Egyptian Arabic.

Example Conversation:

I’m sorry I will be a little late. : Ma3lesh ana hat2har shwya.

.معلش انا هتأخر شوية

No worries dude, I’m waiting for you. : Wala yhmak ya 7abibi mstanyeek.

.ولا يهمك يا حبيبي مستنيك

Egyptian Arabic Nickname #2:  Ya brens / يا برنس

Background:

An English equivalent for ya brens would basically be “dude / boss”. This is an extremely slang word, although it can also be used with strangers in an informal setting (like if you’re ordering koshary and the worker says “Here you go boss” when giving you your order).

Brens is used pretty much exclusively among male friends /strangers. It’s a bit on the “lower class” side and while it’s a common word in many social situations (ordering ahwa at an Egyptian cafe, for example), it’s considered disrespectful to use it with older people. 

Example Conversation:

Go ahead Prince, drink something! : etfadal ya brens eshrab haga!

!اتفضل يا برنس اشرب حاجة

Thank you! : shokran!

!شكرا

 

Egyptian Arabic Nickname #3: Ya basha / يا باشا

Background:

Originally “Pasha” (Ottoman Turkish – پاشا) was a high rank in the Ottoman political and military system which was typically granted to governors, generals, and other dignitaries. Basha is one of the most commonly used words in Egyptian Arabic, and is is used between both friends and strangers. While it’s most common to use it in informal settings, you can also use basha when referring to police officers. It’s also quite common to use it with people you’ve met before if you can’t remember their names!

This word is used mostly among males, but it could also be used by/for females as well. It’s a common nickname between all classes and locations. In fact, Arabs from other countries always use basha if they want to sound Egyptian, talk like Egyptians or imitate the Egyptian accent. 

Example Conversation:

How much is that? : 7esabak kam keda? 

حسابك كام كده؟

87 pounds. : 87 gneh.

.سبعة وتمانين جنيه

Here you go, sir. : Etfadal ya basha. 

.اتفضل يا باشا

Thanks, here is your change. : Shokran, etfadal elba2i.

.شكرا، اتفضل الباقي

Egyptian Arabic Nickname #4: Ya ostaz / يا استاذ

Background:

Ostaz is an Arabic word that means “master” or “mister”. While it is often used when addressing teachers or professors, ostaz is also a word that can be used while talking to strangers. It can also be used as a generic way to refer to someone whose profession you don’t know. The word can be used for both males and females (ostazah), and is considered quite formal.

Fun fact: there are quite a few languages which have adopted the word, including Farsi, Indonesian, and even Spanish (Usted, the formal version of “You”).

Also, you’ll notice that the name in the example conversation is Amina – this is one of the most popular female Arabic names.

Example Conversation:

Hello, peace be upon you. : Alo, salamo 3aleko.

.الو سلام عليكو

And peace be upon you, who is talking with me (Lit. Who is with me)? : w 3alekom elsalam, meen ma3ia?

و عليكم السلام، مين معايا؟

I am Doctor Mohammed, is Miss. Amina there? : ana doctor mo7amd, ostaza Amina mawgoda?

انا دكتور محمد، أستاذة أمينة موجودة؟

 

Egyptian Arabic Nickname #5: Ya 3arousa / يا عروسة

Background:

3arousa is an Arabic word that means “bride”. Literally, it’s used when people are referring to a woman who is about to get married or just got married by 3arousa.

A for an Egyptian Arabic nickname, 3arousa is used when talking to a young lady. You can commonly hear it in a crowded market when someone is asking a young lady to clear the way for him to pass. Something like “Excuse me miss!”

Example Conversation:

Excuse me miss. : ba3d eznek ya 3arousa. 

.بعد اذنك يا عروسة

Peace upon you, do you sell lamps here? : Salamo 3aleko, 3andoko lomad hena?

سلام عليكم عندكو لمض هنا؟

Yes, please enter miss. : ah, etfadali ya 3arousa.

.اه، اتفضلي يا عروسة

 

Egyptian Arabic Nickname #6: Ya 3am / يا عم

Background:

This word technically means “Uncle” but it can be used between friends in almost any context.

Notice, however, that Ya 3am (used as a nickname) is different that “Ya+3am+name.” In this second case, the word 3am is used in its original meaning. Basically, the original version is calling an older man “Uncle” that you want to respect, but you don’t want to call him by his name directly (kind of like “sir”).

In this “respectful way”, it could be used with the old koshk guy, an old market owner, or even your boweb. And, of course, you would add his name after the word 3am.

Example Conversation

Ok dude, whatever you like. : mashy ya 3am, el tshofo.

.ماشي يا عم اللي تشوفو

 

Egyptian Arabic Nickname #7: Yasta / ياسطى

Background:

Yasta is basically “Ya usta.” The word “Usta” is borrowed from Turkish and it means “master” or “expert.” In practice, the word is used in Egyptian Arabic when referring to anyone who is really good at what they do. Most importantly for people learning Egyptian Arabic, it’s also the official word you need to know when getting a taxi in Egyptian Arabic.

Younger Egyptians have also started to use yasta when talking to their friends. It’s quite slang, and higher classes (as well as older generations) are still reluctant to use it this way. Never use it in a formal setting unless you are using it in its original meaning.

Example Conversation:

Pull over to the side, driver. : 3ala gamb yasta!

!على جمب ياسطى

Ok. : meshi.

.ماشى

You might also say:

God enlighten you, Master. : Allah ynwar yasta.

.الله ينور ياسطى

This is a phrase used when praising a worker who did a great job. You might remember that we covered the phrase tnwarna before. Be sure to check out that post for more background on this word.

 

Egyptian Arabic Nickname #8: Ya bashmohandes / يا باشمهندس

Background:

Mohandes (مهندس) literally means “engineer.” However, bashmohandes is borrowed from Turkish and originally waskind of a way to glorify people by saying “Mr. Engineer (name). Since then, Egyptians have started to use it with just about anyone in a respectful way, although it’s especially common with technicians and drivers.

Example Conversation:

How are you uncle 3adel? : Ezayak ya 3am 3adel?

ازيك يا عم عادل

All is good thank God, how are you Mr.? : Kolo tamam elhamdulelah ezayak ya bashmohandes.

كله تمام الحمد لله، ازيك يا باشمهندس؟

Great, thank God, send my greetings to the boys/kids. : Bkheer elhamdulelah, salmli 3ala elawlad.

.بخير الحمد لله، سلملي على الأولاد

 

Egyptian Arabic Nickname #9: Ya captain / يا كابتن

Background:

This Egyptian Arabic nickname isn’t actually used with a real pilot, but rather a stranger. It would be most common to use it with somebody younger than you, and they’d often be wearing something sporty.

While ya captain isn’t exactly respectful, it’s also definitely not insulting. You don’t want to use it, for example, while addressing an old man wearing a suit, but with younger people that you don’t know it’s likely a safe bet.

Example Conversation:

Captain, captain, you dropped this 10 pounds. : Ya captain, ya captain, el3ashra gneh de we23t menak.

.يا كابتن يا كابتن ، العشرة جنيه دي وقعت منك

Thanks, sir. : shokran ya basha.

.شكرا يا باشا

 

Egyptian Arabic Nickname #10: Ya rayes / يا ريس

Background:

The word was originally used among professions that are related to finishing. The captain of a small boat is usually referred to as rayes, as the leader of the boat.

Now, rayes would roughly translate to “boss” / “dude”. It’s usually used with strangers in informal settings and especially common among lower classes. 

Example Conversation:

How much is this, boss? : Bkam de ya rayes?

بكام دي يا ريس

It’s for 90 pounds, prince. : B 90 gneh ya brens.

.ب تسعين يا برنس 

Can I get it for 70? (Literal: can it pass for 70?) : Matmshesh b 70?

متمشيش ب سبعين؟

The least I can do is 80 (Literal: It’s last is 80, which means it’s final negotiation is 80). : Akherha 80.

.اخرها تمانين 

…

Happy learning,

Cleo Lingo