Knowing how to give (and receive) gifts in Egyptian Arabic is important. It brings you closer to people and allows you to express yourself more fluently.
But how do you do it?
Let’s learn about it today.
Gifts in Egyptian Arabic: Vocabulary
We will start with some of the most important vocabulary about gifts in Egyptian Arabic.
After that we will move on to longer example phrases.
Gift (present) / gift (presents). : hedya/ hadaya.
.هدية/ هدايا
Pay attention to the pronunciation here. There is a slight difference.
Surprise. : mofag2a.
.مفاجأة
Give. : yedi.
.يدي
The form of give yageeb (يجيب) is also common in Egyptian Arabic, which you will see in the examples below.
Get. : yakhod.
.ياخد
For more background on conjugating “give” and “get” in Egyptian Arabic, check out our post about verb conjugations.
Thanks. : shokran.
.شكرا
Here’s some other ways to say “thank you” in Egyptian Arabic.
Please (take it). : etfadal.
.اتفضل
Congratulations. : Mabrook.
.مبروك
Kolea sena w enta teyeib / entee teyiba.
.كل سنة وانت طيب
This one doesn’t really have a direct translation in English, because it can mean many different things. It’s a greeting that works for any annual celebration or event like birthdays, Ramadan, Eid, New Years or even a wedding anniversary.
Gifts in Egyptian Arabic: Example Phrases
Let’s start with example phrases for giving and getting gifts in Egyptian Arabic.
I love giving gifts. : ana ba7b agyb hadaya.
.انا بحب اجيب هدايا
Gifts are an important thing in (part of) my culture. : elhadaya haga mohema awy f el saqafa bta3ti.
.الهدية حاجة مهمة قوي في الثقافة بتاعتي
Here’s how you talk about Egyptian culture in Egyptian Arabic.
My family always gives presents. : 3elti dayman bygybo hadaya.
.عيلتي دايما بيجيبو هدايا
Need some more “family” vocab? This is the post for you!
I have a gift for you! : ana ma3aia hedya 3lshanak.
.انا معايا هدية علشانك
Here is how you use the two forms of “have” in Egyptian Arabic.
I love getting gifts. : ana ba7b akhod hadaya.
.انا بحب اخد هدايا
I don’t love / like getting gifts. : ana mab7bsh akhod hadaya.
.انا مبحبش اخد هدايا
Need to know how to use the word mish (مش)? Check out how to make mish sandwiches.
She is very thankful (happy) for the present she received. : hya mabsota awy bel hedya elgatlaha.
.هي مبسوطة قوي بالهدية الجبتهالها
I want to give a gift to my fiance. : 3ayz agyb hedya l khatebty.
.عايز اجيب هدية لخطيبتي
Gifts in Egyptian Arabic: Common Questions
Here are some questions you might ask about gifts.
Do you like getting presents? : bt7b ygelak hadaya.
بتحب يجيلك هدايا؟
As we have pointed out before, a lot of our examples are conjugated in the masculine tense to save time. Egyptian Arabic is a gendered language though, so the conjugation will change depending on the gender of the person you are asking a question to.
For more explanation, read our first post about conjugating verbs in Egyptian Arabic.
What do you want for your birthday this year? : 3ayz eh l 3eed meladak elsanadi.
عايز ايه لعيد ميلادك السنادي؟
Are you giving something to your family this Christmas? : gebt haga l 3eltak el christmas da?
جبت حاجة لعيلتك الكريسماس ده؟
Here is some extra information about Christmas in Egypt if you’re curious.
What is the best gift to give to someone? : eh ahsan hedya tedeha l 7ad?
ايه احسن هدية تديها لحد؟
What is the best gift you have received in your life? : eh ahsan hedya gatlak f 7yatak?
ايه احسن هدية جاتلك في حياتك
What gift is suitable for someone who had a baby boy? : eh hedya monasba l wa7ed gab walad?
ايه هدية مناسبة لواحد جاب ولد؟
Do you buy a gift for the groom in Egypt? : btshtri hedya lel 3arees f masr?
بتشتري هدية للعريس في مصر؟
Check out our older post about Egyptian weddings. You might learn something!
Example Conversation
Do you like getting presents / gifts? : bt7b ygelak hadaya?
بتحب يجيلك هدايا؟
Sometimes. It depends on the present. : sa3at, 3ala hasab el hedya.
اه ساعات…على حسب الهدية
(I) understand what you mean, what about this year? What do you want for your birthday? fahem asdak, tab elsanadi? 3ayz eh 3lshan 3eed meladak?
فاهم قصدك..طب السنادي؟ عايز ايه علشان عيد ميلادك؟
There’s nothing, really. Maybe koshary would be really cool. : mafesh haga ha2e2y. momken koshari yb2a gamed awy.
مفيش حاجة حقيقي. ممكن كشري يبقى جامد قوي
Ok, then I will make you some homemade koshary! : tab tamam, ha3mlak koshari beety.
طب تمام ..هعملك كشري بيتي
Looking to actually make koshary? Here is everything you need to know about koshary in Egyptian Arabic.
It’s my favorite food ever…just saying. 🙂
…
Happy learning,
Cleo Lingo
