The word moomkin is basically like the secret sauce of Egyptian Arabic.
Nobody really knows what it is, but everybody knows that it makes Egyptian Arabic delicious.
Ok, maybe not the best analogy, but just go with it.
We have covered the word ya3ni (يعني ) and the word 3ady (عادي) before.
Same sort of thing today: the two main meanings of moomkin, and some examples of how to use it.
Let’s get started!
The Different Ways to Use the Word Moomkin
Moomkin. : ممكن
1) Asking for permission.
This is basically asking if you may / are allowed to do something.
This version of moomkin is always asking a question, and is often (but not always) coupled with law samaht (please) at the end.
2) Expressing possibility / likelihood.
English equivalents here would be “possibly / maybe / could be.”
Is something possible, but not guaranteed? Use the word moomkin!
This version is almost always a statement.
Example Phrases With the Word Moomkin
Now let’s talk about some examples.
Remember, while direct translations work sometimes….they aren’t always the most accurate.
But you get the idea. 🙂
Asking for permission.
1) May I please enter here please? : Moomkin adkhol hena law sama7t?
ممكن ادخل هنا لو سمحت؟
2) May we speak Arabic? : Moomkin etkehlm 3rabee?
ممكن اتكلم عربي؟
Our post on how to get people to speak Arabic with you would be helpful right here.
3) May I call you later? : Moomkin aklmak ba3den?
ممكن اكلمك بعدين؟
Expressing possibility / likelihood.
1) Do you (masculine) want (need) to take (use) my car? : 3ayz takhod 3arabeti?
عايز تاخد عربيتي؟
Maybe. : Moomkin.
.ممكن
2) Are we meeting later tonight (Lit. Will we meet at night today)? : Hant2abel elnharda belil?
هنتفابل بليل النهاردة؟
Possibly. I still have work, I’ll check (Lit. I will see) and tell you. : Moomkin. Ana lesa 3andi shoghl, hashof w a2olak.
.ممكن. انا لسه عندي شغل هشوف واقولك
Confused about that first sentence?
Check out Egyptian Arabic future tense for more info!
3) I feel like they will probably break up (Lit. I feel like they will not continue together). : ana 7ases enhom mesh hykmlo ma3 ba3d.
.انا حاسس انهم مش هيكملو مع بعض
It could be…they always argue! : moomkin…homa tool elwa2t bytkhan2o!
!ممكن …هما علطول بيتخانقو
Some Last Advice
This word is literally everywhere.
Learn how to use it correctly, and you can basically throw it into any sentence you want that is either a question or a statement.
So, like….all of them.
As for some much more specific advice?
Check out this answer from #2 of “Expressing possibility / likelihood”:
Possibly. I still have to work, I’ll check (Lit. I will see) and tell you. : Moomkin. Ana lesa 3andi shoghl, hashof w a2olak.
If an Egyptian tells you Hashof w a2olak (I’ll check and tell you) consider the plan cancelled.
No joke.
And before you get angry at me about this cultural observation….that one is from Tarek.
He knows what he’s talking about!
…
Happy learning,
Cleo Lingo
