How to Get People to Speak Arabic With You

Introduction

If you want to speak Egyptian Arabic, it’s a bumpy road at first.

The grammar isn’t all that similar to your native tongue. The words require you to stretch your mouth in weird ways. And don’t even get us started on the difference between Standard Arabic and dialects!

But of course, language aside, there are frustrating realities that can hinder your progress in learning how to speak. And one of those realities, dear reader, is the dreaded “language switching.”

Just like it sounds, this is when Egyptians switch to a language besides Arabic (usually English) when you are trying to address them in Egyptian Arabic. 99 percent of the time, they are language switching not to be assholes or destroy your language learning progress, but simply to be make you feel more comfortable.

Regardless, it’s frustrating. So, in the spirit of doing what you need to do to learn a language, treat today’s post as a “cheat sheet.” It’s a road map for gently (or perhaps more forcibly) steering a conversation back to Egyptian Arabic. It will make your life easier, less stressful, and ultimately, your spoken Arabic much more fluent.

Today, Cleo Lingo will be explaining…..how to get people to speak Arabic with you.

Vocabulary

Polite

Today’s post is split into three sections. The first section is “polite.” The phrases in this section are the words you should be saying the majority of the time.

Can you speak Arabic with me? : “MOOMkin tehtKEHlim ‘AREuhbee mawAYuh?”

ممكن تتكلم عربي معايا؟

I’m from Denmark (or any country). My English is bad, we can speak Danish (any random language) or Arabic if you want. : “Ana men elDENmark. elinGLEEzee biTEHee WEHsh…MOOMkin netKEHlim denMARkee ow ‘AREuhbee low tuhHEHB.”

.انا من الدنمارك. الانجليزي بتاعي وحش..ممكن نتكلم دنماركي او عربي لو تحب

I am learning Arabic. : “Ana BAWtuhAWlim ‘AREuhbee.”

.انا بتعلم عربي

Can we speak Arabic together? : “MOOmkin netKEHlim ‘AREuhbee MAW’ BAW’dth?”

ممكن نتكلم عربي مع بعض؟

Only Arabic, please! : “AREuhbee BESS, low suhMAWHT.”

!عربي بس لو سمحت

If you spoke Arabic I will learn fast. : “Low EHTkuhLEHMT ‘AREuhbee ana HEHtuhAWlim beeSOOruh’.”

.لو اتكلمت عربي انا هتعلم بسرعة

Please….. : “Low suhMAWHT….”

…لو سمحت

….speak a little slower. : “…..beeRAWhuh shWAYuh.”

.براحة شوية…

….repeat that? : “….MOOmkin tawOOL TEHnee.”

.ممكن تقول تاني…

….say that in a sentence. : “…OOLhaw fee GOOmluh.”

.قولها في جملة…

….give me an example? : “…MOOmkin tehDEEnee MEHsll.”

ممكن تديني مثل؟…

Sorry…. : “Ana EHsiff…”

…انا اسف

….my Arabic isn’t good. : “…elAREuhbee biTEHee mish KWAYiss OWee.

.العربي بتاعي مش كويس …

…you speak too fast. : “…ENtuh betKEHlim beeSOOruh’ OWee.”

.انت بتتكلم بسرعة قوي…

….I don’t understand. : “….ana mish FEHhim.”

.انا مش فاهم…

Like we mention above, Egyptians language switch to make you feel comfortable. No matter how frustrating it may be, they aren’t doing it to be jerks. Use these polite phrases for a nice (or humorous) way to tell Egyptians that you’re up for a conversation in Arabic.

In any case, learning Egyptian Arabic can be a tricky process. No use getting angry.

Irritated

Section two is a bit more forceful. These are when you are a bit justified in being irritated at somebody, or for just messing around with your friends. Use these carefully.

Speak Arabic! : “ehtKEHlim ‘AREuhbee!”

!اتكلم عربي

Why do you keep speaking English/French/Spanish/German? : “ENtuh lee betKEHlim inGLEEzee / franSOWwee / ihssBEHnee / elMAWnee?”

انت ليه بتتكلم انجليزي/فرنساوي/اسباني/ الماني؟

This isn’t helping me! : “ENtuh KEHduh mish BITsaw’EDnee!”

!انت كده مش بتساعدني

We have to speak Arabic! Otherwise I won’t learn! : “LEHzim netKEHlim ‘AREuhbee! AWluhSHANE AWtuhAWlim!”

!لازم نتكلم عربي! علشان اتعلم

Keep in mind that it’s NEVER ok to treat others like a tool for your language goals. That just isn’t fair, and it makes you look like a total prick. Other people are interested in learning languages, as well. To force other people to speak a language (even if it’s their native tongue) isn’t just mean; it also turns you into a bully.

Extreme

Section three is for extreme circumstances. These phrases are for when somebody is actively trying to sabotage your language attempts, or when they simply aren’t doing their job. Think of an Egyptian teacher that you pay money for who (despite your numerous requests not to) explains everything in English. Think of a “language exchange partner” who, by agreement, is supposed to chat with you in Egyptian Arabic….and then simply takes advantage of your native French for an hour.

Bust these out…but only if you absolutely need to.

Can you give me a chance for us to speak Arabic? : “MOOmkin tehDEEnee FORsuh nehtKEHlim ‘AREuhbee?”

ممكن تديني فرصة نتكلم عربي؟

You are crazy! Why don’t you speak Arabic with me? : “ENtuh megNOON! mish betKEHlim mawAYuh ‘AREuhbee LEE?”

انت مجنون؟ مش بتتكلم معايا عربي ليه؟

Your English is so bad! Can you speak (switch to) Arabic? : “inGLEEzee bihTAW’uck WEHsh OWee! MOOmkin tetKEHlim ‘AREuhbee?”

الانجليزي بتاعك وحش قوي..ممكن تتكلم عربي؟

We don’t need to say it, but we will anyway: the sections should mimic the “stages” you go through in this process. Always start with polite. If nothing changes after numerous attempts, progress to “irritated.” That will probably get your point across. Only when all choices have been exhausted should “extreme” be an option. Don’t be an asshole….but if somebody else is, these phrases might come in handy.

Like we said, learning Arabic is difficult, but with these phrases up your sleeve, you can approach the process more confidently. Heck, the same strategies can be used quite effectively regardless which language you are learning.

Cultural Insight

Egyptians, like many people around the world, will be delighted that you speak their language. No matter what your level is, they will see your attempts, and will often be rewarded handsomely.

But the whole “language switching” thing definitely differs between generations. Young Egyptian = English. Old Egyptian = little to no English. This is of course a generalization, but its something to keep in mind. The world was different 30 years ago, plain and simple. If you want to be forced to use Egyptian Arabic (and skyrocket your fluency), go drink tea with some old guys.

No amount of Danish will save you then.