Knowing how to say “yes” in Egyptian Arabic is important.
But there’s a few different ways to do it….and a few subtle differences depending on the situation.
So read up, because we’ve got some good information for you.
Today, Cleo Lingo will be talking about….how to say yes in Egyptian Arabic.
Vocabulary To Say Yes in Egyptian Arabic
These are the first words you should know if you want to say “yes” in Egyptian Arabic. We will follow it up with some example phrases that are a bit more complicated.
Yes / No. : EYEwuh / UHH / LAW.
.ايوا / اه / لآ
Certain. : awKEED / MOOtawEHkidd.
.آكيد / متآكد
Uncertain. : MISH awKEED / MISH MOOtawEHkid.
.مش آكيد / مش متآكد
Trust. : SEHkaw.
.ثقة
I agree. : Ana mooEHfuh.
.موافق
Great./ Everything is great. : tawMEHM / KOOloo tawMEHM.
.تمام / كله تمام
Example Phrases To Say Yes in Egyptian Arabic
Yeah. : EYEwuh.
.ايوة
-Are you going to come tomorrow? – HawTEEgee BOKEraw? – هتيجي بكرة؟
-Yeah, I will be there. – EYEwuh hawKOON huhNECK. – .ايوا هكون هناك
The Egyptian Arabic future tense is actually pretty easy to learn.
Of course/Definitely. : AWkeed.
.اكيد
-Can I use your pen? – MOOMkin ihSTAWkhawDEHM elAWlim bihTAW’uckممكن استخدم القلم بتاعك؟
-Of course, please take it. – awKEED, ETfuhTHDLL. – .اكيد، اتفضل
Another slang way to say of course/for sure is ده كده كده “da keda keda” a very simplified and cool way used mainly by teenagers and it means “That is confirmed in either ways” or “in any way”
Obviously. : WAWtdhuhh.
.واضح
-Are you injured? – ENtaw MEHtaw’OWwrr? – انت متعور؟
-Obviously! – WAWtdhuhh! – !واضح
100 percent. : MEEuh feelMEEuh.
.مية في المية
This could be used as “completely”, or 100 percent sure, or for just rating stuff that is really good.
-Did you finish your homework? – ‘awMEHLT elWEHgib biTAW’uck? – عملت الواجب بتاعك؟
-100 percent (of course). – MEEuh feelMEEuh. – .١٠٠ في المية
– The chicken shawerma here is 100 Percent. – elshawWERMUH fuhREKH HEHnuh MEEuh feelMEEuh. – .الشاورما فراخ هنا ١٠٠ المية
How to order a shawerma in Egyptian Arabic is an excellent skill to have.
I am sure. : Ana MOOtawEHkidd.
.انا متآكد
I swear. : wuhLAWhee.
.والله
Swearing to God is very common in Egyptian daily talk. This means means you have to keep your word.
Longer Ways to Say Yes in Egyptian Arabic
Yes I can do that. : EYEwuh Ana AW’drr AW’mll KEHduh.
.ايوة انا اقدر اعمل كده
Yes I will do that. : EYEwuh Ana HAW’mll KEDduh.
.ايوا انا هعمل ده
Do you doubt me? : Enta bitSHOOfuck FEEuh.
انت بتشك فيا؟
Are you belittling me? (very slang) : Enta bihTEH’ll MENee?
انت بتقل مني؟
-Can you get us to the airport in 20 minutes? – TAW’drr TUHwuhSELnee elmawTAR fee TEHltt SAW’aw?
تقدر توصلنا المطار في تلت ساعة؟
– Yes – EYEwuh. – ايوة
-Are you sure? – MOOtuhEHkid? – متآكد؟
– Are you undermining me? – Enta bihTEH’ll MENee? -انت بتقل مني؟
And if you ARE in this situation, knowing how to navigate the airport in Egyptian Arabic can help.
Do you believe me? : Enta MOOsawDEH’nee?
انت مصدقني؟
Stop worrying. I have this under control. : MawTAWuhLESH KOOloo TAWHHT elseyeTAWruh.
.متقلقش كله تحت السيطرة
“Under Control” is actually the name of a great Ramadan series.
Here’s how to talk about Ramadan in Egyptian Arabic if you are curious.
Agreement Without Saying “Yes”
I’m with you on this/Count me In. : Ana MAW’uck.
.انا معاك
-We are going to visit David in the hospital, who is coming? – HUHNzoor David BOKEraw feelmooSTEHshfuh, MEEN GEYE?
هنزور ديفيد بكرة في المستشفى، مين جي؟
-I’m in with you. – Ana MAW’uck. – .انا معاك
Let’s do it/Let’s go. : YAWlaw BEEnuh.
.يلا بينا
-Who is up for a workout session tomorrow morning? – MEEN yawHHEHB yawtMAWrawn BOKEraw elSOBEHH?
مين يحب يتمرن بكرة الصبح؟
– Let’s do it! – Yalla Bena! – !يلا بينا
Done. : HHAWsll.
حصل
-Can you do this for me? – MOOMkin TAW’mll DAW AWlawSHEHnee? ممكن تعمل ده علشاني؟
–Done. – HHAWsll. – .حصل
-Consider it done, sir – HHAWsll haw BEHshaw. – .حصل يا باشا
Cultural Insight
Inshallah. ان شاء الله
This means “God’s will” or “If God allows it.” It is one of the Egyptian ways of responding to a “Yes or No” question.
This should sound like an agreement… but is often the Egyptian way to avoid saying “No.”
This can be really frustrating when you are planning something important and you keep hearing Inshallah. You aren’t really sure if they actually mean what they are saying, or if they are planning on cancelling last minute. Something to keep in mind. Maybe our post on Egyptian time (and how to interpret it) can help.
Good luck with saying yes in Egyptian Arabic!
…
Happy learning,
Cleo Lingo
