The Word “Keda” (كده) in Egyptian Arabic: How To Use It

Today we are talking about the word Keda (كده) in Egyptian Arabic.

This word has a bunch of very different meanings, and it also makes you sound super Egyptian when you use it.

Let’s get started!

The Word Keda (كده): Where It Comes From and What It Means

The word keda (كده) is a unique Egyptian Arabic word that has similar variations in other Arabic dialects.

It’s originally taken from the Standard Arabic word hakada, which means “like this” or “this way.” This eventually got shortened and became just keda in Egyptian Arabic.

The word keda is a very common word in Egyptian Arabic and has a ton of meanings. 

One thing is certain, though: the word keda is basically used to refer to something in a vague way without going into more detail. 

As you see, there isn’t really a specific definition of keda.

Still, let’s look at some of the ways that keda actually is used.

The Word Keda (كده): Different Ways to Use It

Here are just seven ways that keda is used.

1) Keda: This way (referring to a direction and probably using your hand to point)

2) Keda: This way or this action (referring to an action or a way something is being done)

3) Keda?: Is it gonna be that way? (when you don’t like how things are)

4) Keda keda: Anyway / either way / for sure/ already (referring to an event or a thing that will happen for sure regardless of any other factor)

5) W keda: etc. (stuff like this, “and so on”)

6) Keda: around/almost (when you aren’t sure about the specific value)

7) Keda w keda: Acting as, or faking a situation / not for real / fake stuff (use it with a wink maybe)

The Word Keda (كده): Example Sentences

Here are a few examples of the word keda in action.

Some of them have more than one line so you can see the context, while some stand on their own.

Where is Al Ahly bank? : Feen elbank elahly?

فين البنك الاهلي؟

Go ahead, then turn left. : Emshi 3ltol keda, w ba3den khosh shemal.

.امشي علطول كده، وبعدين خش شمال

Here is how you ask for directions in Egyptian Arabic.

Look at me, do it like this (showing someone how something is being done). : bos 3alia, e3mlha keda.

.بص عليا، اعملها كده

Do you guys think its fair this way? (Lit. Do you see it this way?) : ya3ni ento shayfen keda?

يعني انتو شايفين كده؟

I’m going anyway to the party tonight, see you there. : ana ray7 el7afla belil keda keda, ashofak henak.

.انا رايح الحفلة بليل كده كده، اشوفك هناك

Going to a party?

Here’s how to buy alcohol in Egyptian Arabic.

Yea, I like drinking stuff like coffee, tea, etc. : ana ba7b ashrab ahwa w shai w keda

.انا بحب اشرف قهوة وشاي وكده

And if coffee is more your thing?

Give our post on how to order at an Egyptian cafe a read!

We will make up a fight in front of them. : hentkhane2 odamhom keda w keda. 😉

.هنتخانق قدامهم كده وكده

What do you think, should I wear it this way, or this way? : eh ra2yak? albeso keda wala keda?

ايه رأيك، البسه كده ولا كده؟

Our post on how to argue n Egyptian Arabic has some good vocab for this.

I’m going to cancel the whole trip if anyone is late. : ana halghi elre7la law 7ad et2khar.

.انا هلغي الرحلة لو حد اتأخر

Please don’t do this. : argook mat3mlsh keda.

.ارجوك متعملش كده

Was it an accident? : de kant 7adsa?

دي كانت حادثة؟

Something like this, it was a fight. : 7aga zai keda, kant khena2a.

.حاجة زي كده، كانت خناقة

I personally think this last one is the most important. 7aha zai keda (“something like that”) is used all the time and is such a useful phrase!

Cultural Insight

Listen to this song by Wegz (a famous Egyptian trap singer and rapper).

It’s called Keda Keda.

He starts by saying:

We are stars for sure (for real). : ehna ngoom keda keda.

.احنا نجوم كده كده

We made real money for sure. : 3amlna floos keda keda.

.عملنا فلوس كده كده

While you are fake stars (keda w keda). : ento ngoom keda w keda.

.انتو نجوم كده وكده

You made fake money. : 3amlto floos keda w keda.

.عملتو فلوس كده وكده

If you didn’t understand the rest of the song, don’t feel bad about it!

Egyptians have hard time understanding him keda keda. 😉

…

Happy learning,

Cleo Lingo