Introduction

These are strange times.

You know what we are talking about. Wherever you look, news of the coronavirus is everywhere. People are getting sick, the virus is spreading, and the stock market is crashing.

Shit’s crazy.

While we don’t know where this thing is going, we thought it was useful to write up a post for you.

Stay safe, and if you’re indoors, keep learning.

Today, Cleo Lingo will be explaining…how to talk about coronavirus in Egyptian Arabic.

Vocabulary

You know the drill by now.

We have the most important vocabulary regarding this topic, followed by longer phrases that you would actually use in a conversation.

Coronavirus. : “kuhROHnuh.”

.كورونا

Pandemic. : “SHEHmll.”

.شامل

Plague/Epidemic. : “wawBEH’ / TAW’OOn.”

.وباء / طاعون

Sick. : “‘eyeYEHN.”

.عيان

Hospital. : “mooSTEHSHfuh.”

.مستشفى

Risk. : “KHAWtrr.”

.خطر

Infection. : “‘AWDwuh uhSOHbaw.”

.عدوى / اصابة

Quarantine. : ” ‘AWzll.”

.عزل (could also mean insulation or isolation, depends on the context)

Example Phrases

Because this is a pretty difficult topic, we have broken the post down into numerous categories.

Basic Questions

Have you heard about the Coronavirus? : “sihMAW’it ‘awn kuhROHnuh?”

سمعت عن الكورونا؟

What do you think about the Coronavirus? : “RAWeek AY fee mowTHDOOuh kuhROHnuh?”

رأيك ايه في موضوع الكورونا؟

Have you read the latest news about the Coronavirus? : “awRATE EHkhr elawkhBAR ‘awn elkuhROHnuh?”

قريت اخر الاخبار عن الكورونا؟

What’s the situation (you guys have) in the country? : “elWAWthduh AY ‘awnDOOkoo feelBEHlid?”

الوضع ايه عندوكو في البلد؟

Are you guys working from home? : “BIHtishTUHghuloo men elBATE?”

بتشتغلو من البيت؟

Sharing Opinions

Basically, you are either mostly negative or mostly positive about this situation. We’ve included phrases for both.

Do you think people are overreacting? : “ENTa SHEYEiff elNESS bitBEHligh?”

انت شايف الناس بتبالغ؟

I think that it is a very serious problem. : “Ana SHEYEiff ehNAWhaw mooSHKEHluh khawTEEruh GEHdin.”

.انا شايف انها مشكلة خطيرة جدا

People are dying. : “elNESS mitMOOT.”

.الناس بتموت

The virus is spreading quite fast. : “elVEYEriss beeyenTEHshrr beeSOOraw’aw OWee.”

.الفيروس بينتشر بسرعة قوي

I don’t think this is a serious problem. : “Ana mish SHEYEiff ENhaw mooSHKEHluh khawTEEruh.”

.انا مش شايف انها مشكلة خطيرة

People are just paranoid. : “elNESS bess mooEHSS-WEHsuh.”

.الناس بس موسوسة

It’s only old people and sick people that are at risk. : “elNESS elkawBEEruh wuh elEYEihNEEN bess HOMEuh ehLEHfee KHAWtrr.”

.الناس الكبيرة والعاينين بس هم الفي خطر

Stop spreading rumors. : “BUHtll TOHNshrr ehSHAW’EHT.”

.بطل تنشر اشاعات

Advanced Questions

These questions are a bit more complicated. Then again, it’s a complicated topic in any language, so don’t feel too bad if these phrases are confusing.

What is the percentage of people that die? : “NESSbeht elNESS ELLee bitMOOT AWD’ AY?”

نسبة الناس اللي بتموت قد ايه؟

How long will a vaccine take? : “elMUHsll heyeYEHkhod AWD’ AY?”

المصل هياخد قد ايه؟

Do you think the government’s response was good? : “ENtaw SHEYEif en tuhSUHruff elhawKOOmuh kan KWAYiss?”

انت شايف ان تصرف الحكومة كان كويس؟

Important Comments

Lastly, here are general comments that are important to know.

 Take care of yourself. : “KHEHlee BEHluck men NEFFsuck.”

.خلي بالك من نفسك

Wash your hands more regularly and try to stay inside as much as possible. : “EGHHsll EEduck KOLE’ SHWAYuh w KHOWwill TUFthdll fee elBATE AWluh AWD’ mw TUH’drr.”

.اغسل ايدك كل شوية وحاول تفضل في البيت على قد ما تقدر

Don’t touch your face. : “MAWtehlMISS-SHh WISHuck.”

.متلمسش وشك

Don’t worry too much. I’m sure things will get better soon. : “mawTAW’LEHSH OWee. KOLE’ HHAWga huhTEB’aw tawMEHM.”

.متقلقش قوي. كل حاجة هتبقى تمام

I’m not scared. But people need to be smart. : “Ana mish KHEYEiff. Bess elNESS mawhhTEHguh TEBaw zawKAYuh.”

.انا مش خايف. بس الناس محتاجة تبقى ذكية

People need to stay at home. : “ElNESS mawhhTEHguh TAW’uhd feeL-BATE.”

.الناس محتاجة تقعد في البيت

Airports and boarders are locked. : “ElMUHtawRAWT w elhhawDOOD etFEHFUHloo.”

.المطارات والحدود اتقفلو

May god heal/fix him (praying for a speedy recovery for a sick person). : “rawBEHnuh yawshFEEuh.”

.ربنا يشفيه

Cultural Corner

With the current economic situation of Egypt, Egyptians can’t afford a total lock down – no matter how harsh the situation and outbreak is.

In a city like Cairo, there will always be gatherings and lots of contact between people. This, of course, increases the chance of infection. Culturally speaking, Egyptians are naturally paranoid, and this sometimes leads to some weird and aggressive attitudes. Did you see, for example, that racist incident towards an Asian guy in Cairo when the Coronavirus started spreading?

In my defense for Egyptians, the lack of proper education (and globally promoted xenophobia) might lead to such unjustifiable behavior in any country. But it’s only worse in times of danger.

However, in Muslim countries (and despite the lack of education to contain such a pandemic virus), people tend to have faith and believe that God “Allah” is testing them. And :that hard times shall always pass.” Whether you believe in that or not, all what we can say is, wherever you are in the world, from Cleo Lingo: stay safe.

…

Happy learning,

Cleo Lingo