ÿþ<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"> <html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> <head> <meta http-equiv="Content-type" content="text/html;charset=UTF-8" /> <title>Colloquial Egyptian Arabic expressions (9('1'* 'D9'EJ) 'DE51J))</title> <link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="style.css" /> <meta name="description" content="Colloquial Egyptian Arabic idioms and expressions." /> </head> <body> <div id="content"> <div id="head"> <span class="title">Arabic learning resources</span> <ul id="menu"> <li><a href="index.html">home</a></li> <li><a href="vocab.html">vocabulary</a></li> <li><a href="grammar.html">grammar</a></li> <li><a href="faq.html">faq</a></li> <li><a href="about.html">about</a></li> <li><a href="links.html">links</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="body"> <h1>Colloquial Egyptian Arabic expressions</h1><br /> <p>Here are some colloquial expressions used in Egyptian 3ammiyya (and only in 3ammiyya; I didn't list words that are also found in fuSHa with the same meanings). I focused on interesting idioms, very commonly-used words and phrases, and words that can have completely different meanings from the standard meaning. And I tried to list only expressions that I've actually heard used, ones that are relatively frequent or at least interesting.</p> <span class="arabic">-7QG 9DI 'D1AQ</span> (HaTTuh 3ala r-raff) <br />To put someone on the shelf (not make use of their abilities) <br /><br /><span class="arabic">H,9 1'3G</span> (waga3 raasu) <br />To annoy or inconvenience someone (lit. hurt their head) <br /><br /><span class="arabic">F'3 E'(*,J4 'D' ('D9JF 'D-E1'</span> (naas matbitgiia illa bil-3ein il-Hamra) <br />People who only do things the hard way, like after being yelled at (lit. who only come by the red/evil eye) <br /><br /><span class="arabic">EB79 'D3EC) H/JDG'</span> (mi'aTTa3 is-samaka we-deilha) <br />A "player" or someone who commits lots of vices <br /><br /><span class="arabic">F3H'F,J</span> (niswaangi) <br />A womanizer or philanderer <br /><br /><span class="arabic">9F/G H4Q</span> <span dir="ltr">(3andu waaa)</span> <br />Someone crazy (lit. who has a buzz/hum) <br /><br /><span class="arabic">E'9F/H4 /EQ</span> (ma3anduua damm) <br />He has no shame (lit. no blood) <br /><br /><span class="arabic">CH3'</span> (koosa) <br />A wasta (<span class="arabic">H'37)</span>) - connections, someone you know who can grease the wheels for you <br /><br /><span class="arabic">(JF ACJQ 'DCEQ'4)</span> (bein fakkeiyy il-kammaaaa) <br />Between a rock and a hard place (lit. between the plier's jaws) <br /><br /><span class="arabic">.1,F' EF 'D-A1) HHB9F' AJ 'D/-/J1)</span> (xaragna mil-Hofra wa wi'i3na fid-daHdiira) <br />We jumped out of the frying pan and into the fire (lit. we got out of the hole and fell down the slope) <br /><br /><span class="arabic">F2D EF 9JFJ</span> (nizil min 3eini) <br />He went down in my estimation, my opinion of him fell (lit. he fell from my eye) <br /><br /><span class="arabic">9DI EGDC</span> <span dir="ltr">(3ala mahlak)</span> <br />Slowly, take your time; you can say this to a driver to try and get him to slow down <br /><br /><span class="arabic">E'AJ4 A'J/)</span> (mafiia fayda) <br />It s no use, it s pointless <br /><br /><span class="arabic">E'JFA94</span> (mayinfa3a) <br />It does no good, it's useless <br /><br /><span class="arabic">E4 E9BHD</span> (mia ma3'uul) <br />No way; that's ridiculous! (lit. not reasonable) <br /><br /><span class="arabic">2J 'DAD</span> (zayy il-full) <br />Perfect (lit. like jasmine) <br /><br /><span class="arabic">HD' JGEQC</span> (walla yhimmak) <br />Don't worry <br /><br /><span class="arabic">E'AJ4 E4CD)</span> (mafiia moakila) <br />No problem <br /><br /><span class="arabic">.DDJ ('DC EF</span> (xalli baalak min) <br />Watch out for, take care of (s.t.) <br /><br /><span class="arabic">AJ 'DE4E4</span> (fil-miamia) <br />Never; used to express skepticism about something happening (lit. in the apricot season) <br /><br /><span class="arabic">'4E9FI</span> (iama3na) <br />Why (especially, particularly) <br /><br /><span class="arabic">J' 3D'E</span> (ya salaam) <br />Wow! Expression of surprise (lit. oh peace) <br /><br /><span class="arabic">J' .(1 #(J6 | '3H/</span> (ya xabar abyaD/iswid) <br />Expresses surprise about a piece of news; you can say just <span class="arabic" dir="rtl">J' .(1!</span> or <span class="arabic" dir="rtl">J' .(1 '(J6</span> in reaction to any news; <span class="arabic" dir="rtl">J' .(1 '3H/</span> is used in reaction to bad news. <br /><br /><span class="arabic">E'DH4 /9HI (@</span> (maluua da3wa bi) <br />He has nothing to do with (s.t.) or no right to interfere in it; you can tell someone <span class="arabic">E'DC4 /9HI (J</span> (malaka da3wa biyya) to tell them to leave you alone and stop meddling in your affairs. <br /><br /><span class="arabic">2J 'DBE1</span> (zayy il-'amar) <br />Beautiful (lit. like the moon) <br /><br /><span class="arabic">EH*</span> (moot) <br />A slangy intensifier. <div class="example"><span class="arabic">5H1) -DH) EH*</span> (Suura Helwa moot)<br /> an awesome picture<br /><br /> <span class="arabic">5H1) -DH) EH*</span> (baHebbak moot)<br /> I love you so much.<br /><br /> <span class="arabic">'F' *9('F) EH*</span> (ana ta3baana moot)<br /> I'm really tired.</div> <br /><span class="arabic">JEH* AJ</span> (yimuut fi) <br />To be crazy about something (lit. to die in) <br /><br /><span class="arabic">EGHH3 (@</span> (mahwuus bi) <br />Crazy about s.t. <br /><br /><span class="arabic">:'HJ</span> (!aawi) <br />A fan, enthusiast or devotee <div class="example"><span class="arabic">:'HJ CH1)</span> (!aawi kora) <br />a soccer fan</div> <br /><span class="arabic">CJJA (,) CJJA)</span> (kayyiif (pl.) kayyiifa) <br />A buff or enthusiast; or a connoisseur or sophisticated devotee <div class="example"><span class="arabic">CJJA) C41J</span> (kayyiifit koaari)<br /> a koshari fan<br /><br /> <span class="arabic">CJJA E2JC'</span> (kayyiif mazziika)<br /> a music connoisseur</div> <br /><span class="arabic">E'DC</span> (maalak?) <br />What's wrong with you? What's with you? <br /><br /><span class="arabic">6-C 9DI</span> (DiHik 3ala) <br />To fool, trick (lit. to laugh at) <br /><br /><span class="arabic">B/ 'D/FJ'</span> ('add id-donia) <br />(1) world-class, very big and important, a big-shot <div class="example"><span class="arabic">GH /C*H1 B/ 'D/FJ'</span> (howwa doktoor 'add id-dunia)<br /> He's a top-class doctor.</div> <br />(2) very much <div class="example"><span class="arabic">(-(C B/ 'D/FJ'</span> (baHebbak 'add id-donia)<br /> I love you a lot.</div> <br /><span class="arabic">AJ ".1 'D/FJ'</span> (fi aaxer id-donia) <br />At the ends of the earth; can be used to indicate great distance <br /><br /><span class="arabic">AJ 4E'D .7 'D3E'</span> (fi aemaal xaTT is-sama) <br />Very far away <br /><br /><span class="arabic">7HJD 'D#ED</span> (Tawiil il-amal) <br />Very long <div class="example"><span class="arabic">C'F* 1-D) 7HJD) 'D'ED</span> (kaanit reHla Tawiilit il-amal)<br /> It was a very long trip.</div> <br /><span class="arabic">2J 'DD(D(</span> (zayy il-liblib) <br />Fluently; used in reference to someone's language abilities <br /><br /><span class="arabic">:5( 9FG</span> (!aSb 3annu) <br />Forced on someone, against their will <br /><br /><span class="arabic">(DQHG H'41( EJ*G</span> (billuuh wiarib mayyetu) <br />Wet it and drink its water; used to denigrate a worthless or useless piece of paper <br /><br /><span class="arabic">/G CD'E #J CD'E</span> (da kalaam ayy kalaam) <br />That's a bunch of nonsense <br /><br /><span class="arabic" dir="rtl">'DCD'E /G</span> (il-kalaam da) <br />A state of affairs or condition (lit. that talk); <span class="arabic" dir="rtl">-C'J)</span> (Hekaaya, lit. story) can also be used in a similar way to mean matter/affair. <br /><br /><span class="arabic">94'F .'71C</span> <span dir="ltr">(3aaaan xaaTrak)</span> <br />For your sake <br /><br /><span class="arabic">(*D'*) EDJE</span> (bi-talaata milliim) <br />Worthless, poor-quality (lit. for three pennies) <br /><br /><span class="arabic">7HQD ('DC</span> (Tawwal baalak) <br />Be patient <br /><br /><span class="arabic">(D3'F 7HJD</span> (bi-lisaan Tawiil) <br />Rudely, insultingly (lit. with a long tongue) <br /><br /><span class="arabic">7HD (916</span> (Tuul bi-3arD) <br />Can be used in reference to a man to refer to their muscular build (lit. height by breadth) <br /><br /><span class="arabic">('D/1'9</span> (bid-diraa3) <br />By force (lit. by the arm) <br /><br /><span class="arabic">-('DG 7HJD)</span> (Hibaalu Tawiila) <br />He takes a long time to get anything done (lit. his ropes are long) <br /><br /><span class="arabic">2J 3EF 9DI 93D</span> (zayy samn 3ala 3asal) <br />Used in reference to two people who get along really well (lit. like clarified butter on honey) <br /><br /><span class="arabic">-1'E 9DJC</span> (Haraam 3aleik) <br />Shame on you <br /><br /><span class="arabic">9'DA'6J</span> <span dir="ltr">(3al faaDi)</span> <br />For nothing <div class="example"><span class="arabic">51A* 'DADH3 /I 9'DA'6J</span> (Saraft il-filuus di 3al-faaDi) I spent that money for nothing.</div> <br /><span class="arabic">'*CD 9DI 'DDG</span> (ittakil 3al allah) <br />Depend on God; you can tell someone <span class="arabic">'*CD 9DI 'DDG</span> to mean "Go away!" <br /><br /><span class="arabic">-',) :1J()</span> (Haaga !ariiba) <br />How strange! <br /><br /><span class="arabic">/EQG .AJA</span> (dammu xafiif) <br />He's fun to be around (lit. his blood is light). (The opposite expression would be <span class="arabic">/EQG *BJD</span> dammu ti'iil, his blood is heavy.) <br /><br /><span class="arabic">9DI -3'(J</span> <span dir="ltr">(3ala Hisaabi)</span> <br />On my bill; I'm the one who pays. Can be used to offer to pay for dinner, etc. (Lit. on my account) <br /><br /><span class="arabic">9DI AC1)</span> <span dir="ltr">(3ala fikra)</span> <br />By the way, incidentally <br /><br /><span class="arabic">61( 9DJG (E()</span> (Darab 3aleih bomba) <br />To cheat s.o. of their money <br /><br /><span class="arabic">E'AJ4 -',) '3EG'</span> (mafiia Haaga ismaha) <br />There's no such thing as... (lit. there's nothing called...) <br /><br /><span class="arabic">'-7J'7J</span> (iHTiyaaTi) <br />A spare; can be used in the context of a spare tire etc. or can mean an understudy in the context of theater <br /><br /><span class="arabic">FE1 | DBJE (,) DBE'!</span> (nimr/la'iim [pl.] lu'ma) <br />Somone cunning and sly (<span class="arabic">FE1</span> literally means "tiger") <br /><br /><span class="arabic">1',D '.7(H7</span> (raagul axTabuuT) <br />A corrupt, ruthless businessman who accumulates a lot of money (lit. an octopus) <br /><br /><span class="arabic">2J 'D-5'F</span> (zayy il-HiSaan) <br />Used to describe someone who is strong and active (lit. like a horse) <br /><br /><span class="arabic">2J 'DB7) *'CD H*FC1</span> (zayy il-'uTTa taakul wa tinkir) <br />Like the cat who eats and denies (that she just ate). Used to describe someone ungrateful. <br /><br /><span class="arabic" dir="rtl">FE3</span> (nims) <br />Used to describe someone clever and astute (lit. a weasel, but it's not used insultingly like it would be in English) <br /><br /><span class="arabic">#817 EF 3*J %DI 3J/J</span> (aZraT min sitti ila siidi) <br />Used to describe two people who are worse than each other <br /><br /><span class="arabic" dir="rtl">E.1(4</span> (mixarbia) <br />Describes someone who knows all the tricks of his trade <br /><br /><span class="arabic" dir="rtl">7DQ9 9JFJG'</span> (Talla3 3eineiha) <br />To give someone a hard time <br /><br /><span class="arabic" dir="rtl">D9Q(G' 9DI 'D4F'CD</span> (la33abha 3alaa-aanaakil) <br />To give someone a hard time <br /><br /><span class="arabic" dir="rtl">4JQ(</span> (aayyib) <br />Not just to give someone a hard time, to put them through the wringer. At the Military Academy, the non-commissioned officers say this to intimidate the cadets &mdash; <span class="arabic" dir="rtl">G4JQ(CH 'DFG'1/G!</span> (haaayyibku n-nahaarda!) It can also describe something really scary &mdash; <span class="arabic">/G EH6H9 J4JQ(</span> (da mawDuu3 yiaayyib) Lit. to make s.o.'s hair turn white. <br /><br /><span class="arabic" dir="rtl">'-*1E FA3C</span> (iHtirim nafsak) <br />Behave yourself, be polite (lit. respect yourself) <br /><br /><span class="arabic" dir="rtl">*9('F</span> (ta3baan) <br />In addition to "tired," it can mean "sick, ill" or "poor, of bad quality." <div class="example"><span class="arabic">'F' *9('F) EF 3G1) 'E('1-</span> (ana ta3baana min sahrit imbaariH)<br /> I'm tired from last night's party.<br /><br /> <span class="arabic">GH *9('F #HJ 'DJHEJF /HD</span> (howwa ta3baan 'awi il-yoomein dool)<br /> He's really sick these days.<br /><br /> <span class="arabic">AJDE *9('F #HJ</span> (film ta3baan 'awi)<br /> a lousy movie</div> <br /><span class="arabic" dir="rtl">C14</span> (kira) <br />Potbelly; you can call someone with a potbelly <span class="arabic">'(H C14</span> (abu kira). <br /><br /><span class="arabic" dir="rtl">'*51QA</span> (itSarraf) <br />To cope or manage, to find a way to deal with something. (The more standard meaning is "to act or behave.") <div class="example"><span class="arabic">E'91A4 '*51A '2'J DH ,H2J E'*</span> (ma3rafa atSarraf izzaay law goozi maat)<br /> I don't know how I'd cope if my husband died.<br /><br /> <span class="arabic">'9ED 'JG AJ 'DE4CD) /I - '*51A</span> (a3mil eih fil-muakila di? - itSarraf)<br /> What should I do about this problem? - Find your way out of it.</div> <br /><span class="arabic" dir="rtl">9JFG 5A1'</span> <span dir="ltr">(3einu Safra)</span> <br />His eye is yellow; used to describe someone jealous <br /><br /><span class="arabic" dir="rtl">-1'1)</span> (Haraara) <br />In addition to the usual meaning of "heat," Haraara can also mean an electric current in the context of a phone line. If someone is checking to see if there's a ring tone, you can ask them, <span class="arabic">AJ -1'1)</span> (fii Haraara?). <div class="example"><span class="arabic">E'B/1*4 '*5D (JC, E'C'F4 AJG -1'1)</span> (ma'dirtia attiSil biik; makana fii Haraara)<br /> <br />I couldn't call you, the line was dead.</div> <br /><span class="arabic" dir="rtl">'D.7 7'1</span> (il-xaTTe Taar) <br />The (phone) line went dead. Lit. "The line flew." <br /><br /><span class="arabic" dir="rtl">-7Q 'DFB7 9DI 'D-1HA</span> (HaTT il-no'aT 3ala l-Horuuf) <br />To clarify something, make everything crystal-clear and precise. Lit. "to put the dots on the letters." <div class="example"><span class="arabic">E'B/1*4 '*5D (JC, E'C'F4 AJG -1'1)</span> (wa dilwa'ti haHoTT il-no'aT 3ala l-Horoof) - A lecturer could say this at the end of his talk to mean:<br /> Now I'm going to explain everything and make it all clear.</div> <br /><span class="arabic" dir="rtl">./G *-* ('7G</span> (xaduh taHt baaTu) <br />To take someone under one's wing, be a friend to someone (lit. to take s.o. under one's armpit) <br /><br /><span class="arabic" dir="rtl">-*Q) (,) -**</span> (Hetta (pl.) Hetat) <br />Several meanings: (1) a piece or bit, like a piece of food or material; (2) place or neighborhood. <br /><br /><span class="arabic" dir="rtl">7D9 - J7D9</span> (Tili3 - yiTla3) <br />Aside from meaning "to go up," it can also mean "to turn out (to be s.t.)." <div class="example"><span class="arabic">AC1*G 1',D CHJ3 (3 7(9 C/'(</span> (fakkartu raagil kwayyis bass Tili3 kaddaab)<br /> I thought he was a good man but he turned out to be a liar.<br /><br /> <span class="arabic">'D'CD 7D9 -DH</span> (il-akl Tili3 Helw)<br /> The food turned out good.</div> <br /><span class="arabic" dir="rtl">J31B 'DC-D EF 'D9JF.</span> (yisra' il-kuHl mil-3ein.) <br />He could steal the eyeliner from your eye. (Used to describe a big thief.) <br /><br /><span class="arabic" dir="rtl">-7QG AJ ,J(G</span> (HaTTuh fi geibu) <br />To put someone in one's pocket, have them at your beck and call <br /><br /><span class="arabic" dir="rtl">JA*- 'DDG</span> (yiftaH alla) <br />Said between a seller and buyer, if one doesn't accept the other's price; the meaning is like "May God open (another opportunity)." <br /><br /><span class="arabic" dir="rtl">F'E - JF'E</span> (naam - yinaam) <br />Aside from meaning "to sleep," in the context of a tire or battery, naam can mean "to go flat," as in <span class="arabic">'D9,D) F'JE)</span> (il-3agala nayma), The tire is flat. <br /><br /><span class="arabic" dir="rtl">,/9 (,) ,/9'F</span> (gada3 (pl.) gid3aan) <br />Gada3 can have several different meanings: (1) smart and hard-working; (2) someone with integrity and nobility of character; (3) a manly tough guy. A general, vague translation could be "a good guy." It can also be used to address a young man (<span class="arabic">J' ,/9</span>). It's not always used to describe men, but it often is; if a woman displays one of these characteristics, she can also be called a <span class="arabic">,/9)</span>. <br /><br /><span class="arabic" dir="rtl">F6JA (,) F6'A</span> (niDiif (pl.) nuDaaf) <br />In addition to meaning "clean/free of impurities," <span class="arabic">F6JA</span> can mean (1) presentable or neat and proper-looking; (2) honest, upright, morally decent; (3) high-quality, excellent. <br /><br /><span class="arabic" dir="rtl">(D/J</span> (baladi) <br />Baladi can mean (1) local, traditional Egyptian (as in <span class="arabic">1B5 (D/J</span> ra'S baladi, local Egyptian-style dancing, or <span class="arabic">9J4 (D/J</span> <span dir="ltr">3eia baladi, local coarse whole-meal bread); (2) common or garden, ordinary; (3) of the more rural or lower class; upper middle-class Cairenes often refer to something as being "baladi" in a condescending way; (4) vulgar</span> <br /><br /><span class="arabic" dir="rtl">'DDG</span> (alla) <br />Often used as an interjection of annoyance, surprise, or frustration <br /><br /><span class="arabic" dir="rtl">9DI 'DDG</span> <span dir="ltr">(3al-alla)</span> <br />Can be used (1) when refusing alms to a beggar (as in "God will provide") or (2) to imply misgivings about an outcome. <div class="example"><span class="arabic">'D3('C B'D DJ 'FG ,'J 9DI 7HD - 9DI 'DDG J,J /DHB*J</span> (is-sabbaak 'aalli innu gayy 3ala Tuul - 3al-alla yiigii dilwa'ti)<br /> The plumber told me he's coming right away - Let's hope so.</div> <br /><span class="arabic" dir="rtl">9DI 7HD</span> <span dir="ltr">(3ala Tuul)</span> <br />3ala Tuul has several meanings: (1) straight ahead, as e.g. a direction for a driver; (2) right away, immediately; (3) continuously, incessantly <br /><br /><span class="arabic" dir="rtl">(*'9</span> (bitaa3) <br />Bitaa3 is a flexible word with different meanings: (1) it can indicate possession, particularly in situations where the normal iDaafa structure might cause confusion. <div class="example"><span class="arabic">'DC*'( (*'9 'D7'D( 'D,/J/</span> (il-kitaab bitaa3 iT-Taalib il-gediid)<br /> the new student's book<br /><br /> <span class="arabic">F6'1) 4E3 (*'9*G</span> (naDDarit aams bita3tu)<br /> his sunglasses</div> <br />(2) In a more general sense, it can also indicate an association or a general tendency/inclination. <div class="example"><span class="arabic">'D1',D (*'9 'DD(F</span> (ir-raagil bitaa3 il-laban)<br /> the milkman<br /><br /> <span class="arabic">GH 1',D (*'9 'DDG</span> (howwa raagil bitaa3 allaah)<br /> He's a very religious man.<br /><br /> <span class="arabic">/G CD'E (*'9 3*'*</span> (da kalaam bitaa3 sittaat)<br /> That's womanish talk.<br /><br /> <span class="arabic">'F' E4 (*'9 ,H'2</span> (ana mia bitaa3 gawaaz)<br /> I'm not the marrying kind.<br /><br /> <span class="arabic">1',D (*'9 F3H'F</span> (raagil bitaa3 niswaan)<br /> a womanizer</div> <br />(3) <span class="arabic">(*'9 'JG</span> (bitaa3 eih) can mean "Why, what for?" or "How come?" <div class="example"><span class="arabic">(*'9 'JG *'./ ,FJG</span> (bitaa3 eih taaxud gineih?)<br /> Why should you take a pound?<br /><br /> <span class="arabic">(*'9 'JG E'BD*DH4</span> (bitaa3 eih ma'ultiluua?)<br /> How come you didn't tell him?</div> <br />(4) It can also indicate a genitive relationship. <div class="example"><span class="arabic">'D'+'1 (*'9) E51</span> (il-asaar bitaa3it maSr)<br /> Egypt's historical monuments<br /><br /> <span class="arabic">(*'9 2E'F</span> (bitaa3 zamaan)<br /> of a long time ago, in the old days</div> <br />(5) Or it can indicate approximation, like <span class="arabic">*B1J('</span> (ta'riiban) or <span class="arabic">-H'DJ</span> (Hawaali). <div class="example"><span class="arabic">,(* (*'9 CJDH</span> (gibt bitaa3 kiilo)<br /> I brought about a kilo.</div> <br />(6) Especially with a "wa-" it can mean "and so on, and what not." <div class="example"><span class="arabic">1-F' 'D3HB H(*'9</span> (ruHna s-suu' wi-btaa3)<br /> We went to the market and so forth.<br /><br /> <span class="arabic">JECF FD'BJ -*) ,D/ H(*'9</span> (yimkin nilaa'i Hettet gild wi-btaa3)<br /> We may find a bit of leather or what not.</div> <br />(7) And finally, I hear it used frequently to mean "the thingamajig, the whatchamacallit." <div class="example"><span class="arabic">AJF 'D(*'9 /G</span> (fein il-bitaa3 da?)<br /> Where's that thingummy?</div> <br /><br /><span class="arabic" dir="rtl">-7Q 5H'(9G AJ 'D4BQ EF</span> (HaTT Sawaaba3u fia-aa'' min) <br />To give on s.t., be completely fed up with it. Lit. to put one's fingers in the crack. <div class="example"><span class="arabic">-7J* 5H'(9J AJ 'D4B EF 'DC/'(JF /HD</span> (HaTTeit Sawaaba3i fia-aa'' mil-kaddaabiin dool) <br />I've had it with those liars.</div> <br /><span dir="rtl" class="arabic">1H-J 7D9*</span> (ruuHi Til3et) <br />Another way of saying "I'm fed up." <br /><br /><span class="arabic" dir="rtl">HB9 'DA'3 AJ 'D1'3</span> (wi'i3 il-faas fir-raas) <br />Things have gone past the point of no return, there's nothing that can be done about it now. The situation is ended. (Lit. the hoe has fallen on the head) <br /><br /><span class="arabic" dir="rtl">C0' E1)</span> (kaza marra) <br />Many times <br /><br /><span class="arabic" dir="rtl">41( - J41(</span> (airib - yiarab) <br />Aside from meaning "to drink," <span class="arabic">41(</span> can also mean "to smoke" (ex. cigarettes or shisha), or "to absorb or soak in." <div class="example"><span class="arabic">'D-J7'F (*41( 'D4E3 7HD 'DJHE</span> (il-HiTaan btiarab ia-aams Tuul il-yoom)<br /> The walls absorb the sun all day.</div> <br /><span class="arabic" dir="rtl">9DI E' J1'E</span> <span dir="ltr">(3ala mayraam)</span> <br />Okay, decent. <br /><br /><span class="arabic" dir="rtl">E4 HD' (/Q</span> (mia wala bodd) <br />So-so, not very good. <br /><br /><span class="arabic">E4 (7'D</span> (mia baTTaal) <br />Not bad. <br /><br /><span class="arabic" dir="rtl">91A - J91A</span> <span dir="ltr">(3irif - yi3raf)</span> <br />In addition to meaning "to know s.t.," 3araf can mean: (1) to have the ability to do s.t. <div class="example"><span class="arabic" dir="rtl">*91A *9HE</span> (ti3raf ti3uum?)<br /> Can you swim?</div> <br />(2) to manage to <div class="example"><span class="arabic">E'91A*4 'F'E 'E('1-</span> (ma3areftia anaam imbaariH)<br /> I couldn't manage to get to sleep yesterday.</div> <br />(3) to discover or find out s.t. <div class="example"><span class="arabic">A6D* 1'J- H,'J EF :J1 A'J/) D-/ E' 91A* 'FG 9'J2 ADH3</span> (fiDilt raayiH gayy min !eir fayda l-Hadd ma 3reft innu 3aayiz filuus)<br /> I kept coming and going to no avail until I realized he wanted some money.</div> <br />(4) to recognize or distinguish s.t. <div class="example"><span class="arabic">E'91A*CJ4 H'F*I D'(3) F6'1)</span> (ma3reftikiia winti labsa naDDaara)<br /> I didn't recognize you in your glasses.</div> <br />(5) to show consideration for <div class="example"><span class="arabic">'D9'DE GF' E'J91AH4 (96</span> (il-3aalam hina mayi3rafuua ba3D)<br /> People here show no consideration for one another.</div> <br /><span class="arabic" dir="rtl">61(G 9DI BA'G</span> (Darabu 3ala 'afaah) <br />To fool someone, make a fool of him (lit. to hit someone on the back of the neck). To literally slap a man on the back of his neck is a huge insult in Egypt; it's seen as humiliating and degrading to one's manhood. <br /> <br /><span class="back">&larr; <a href="vocab.html">All vocabulary lists</a></span> <span class="forward"><a href="colloq2.html">More colloquial expressions/idioms</a> &rarr;</span> <br /> </div> <div id="footer"> <p><a href="mailto:webmaster%20(at)%20desert-sky%20(dot)%20net">Contact</a></p> </div> </div> </body> </html>