تعبيرات مصرية
Egyptian slang
Mastering a language requires learning more than just the grammar or vocabulary, it involves immersing yourself in its culture. To truly grasp a people’s culture, one must delve into their expressions and slang, as these nuances offer profound insights into their personalities and customs. Acquiring knowledge of such colloquial language not only deepens your understanding but also helps you integrate and communicate more authentically and sound more like a native. Join us as we explore the most common slang words in Egyptian Arabic: “
1- Words when addressing someone:
| Sound | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|---|
باشا\ بيه | basha/ beah | Turkish originatedwords that meant“chief” now used as“mister” or “buddy” | |
يا اسطى |
ya-sta | Used to address adriver, mechanic, orplumber but alsoused among youngpeople as “dude” | |
كابتن |
kapten (captain) | Used to get a man’sattention, usually ayoung man. | |
حاجّ / ة |
‘hag/ ‘hagga | Addressing an eldersoriginally meanssomeone who madea pilgrimage. |
2- Adjectives:
| Sound | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|---|
تُحْفَة | to’hfa | Lit. “masterpiece” andit’s used to describesomething as verygood or amazing. | |
مِيَّة مِيَّة |
meyya meyya | 100% / perfect | |
بيئة |
bee’a | Lit. “environment” Used as “trashy” or “ghetto” | |
نَحْس |
na’hs | Bad luck | |
لُقْطَة |
lo’ta | “A catch” used todescribe somethingwith good quality andlow price. Also,calling someone“lo’ta” could meaneither they’re “hard tofind” or “naive andeasily deceived. | |
لَكَّاك \ ة |
lakkak/ lakkaka | Garrulous / chatty |
3- Other words/ expressions:
| Sound | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|---|
!يا بخْتك | ya bakhtak/ ya bakhtek | Lucky you! | |
في المِشْمِش |
fel-meshmesh | Never going to happen. | |
فَرْفش\ فرفشي |
farfesh/ farfeshy | Cheer up! | |
خلّيك في حَالَك\خَلِيكِي في حَالِك |
khallik fi ´halak khalliki fi ´halek | Mind your own business. | |
مَعْلِش |
maa’lesh | A very common wordthat could mean“sorry” or to comfortsomeone. |
Arabic Vocabulary
Learn new Arabic words each week with a selection of vocabulary divided by topic: colors, body parts, means of transport and much more...
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