Key Egyptian Arabic Expression: معلِشّ ma3alíšš
معلِشّ is used to downplay a situation, whether to console, sympathize, or apologize. The word originally comes from the Modern Standard Arabic phrase ما عليه شيء, which literally means nothing against it.
Key Egyptian Arabic Expression: كِده kida
كِده is likely the most quintessentially Egyptian word there is. Not only is it very high frequency in everyday speech, but it is unique to the Egyptian Arabic dialect. كِده is related to the Modern Standard Arabic word هكذا like this but takes on a range of idiomatic meanings on its own and in phrases.
Egyptian Arabic as a Written Language
Ahmad tells us about the barriers of diglossia in the Arabic-speaking world and how Egyptian Arabic is gaining ground as a written language.
Unit 1: Egypt is the Number One Country to Visit for 2020
Let’s take a look at Unit 1 from the book The News in Egyptian Arabic.
Egyptian Arabic Pronunciation
Learn how to pronounce Egyptian Arabic and about the sound changes that distinguish it from other varieties of Arabic.
Egyptian Arabic Song: Zay Manty (Amr Diab)
Learn Egyptian Arabic with Amr Diab’s Zay Manty (video, English translation, and language notes).
Egyptian Arabic Reading Practice: Saturated Fats May Affect Concentration
Practice reading Egyptian Arabic.
Salman and Captain America
Salman, age 7, has a story for us. What was Captain America’s fate?
Around the World Without Leaving Cairo
Mostafa traveled around the world without leaving Cairo. But how?
Egyptian Arabic Song: Ashrab Shai (Hamada Helal)
Learn Egyptian Arabic with Hamada Helal’s catchy Ashrab Shai (video with lyrics, English translation, and language notes).
Alexandria: The Bride of the Mediterranean
Yomna (from Cairo) has never cared for Alexandria. How does she feel after her most recent trip there?
16 of the Most Common Conjunctions in Egyptian Arabic
Conjunctions are very important. We use them all the time in Egyptian Colloquial Arabic. That’s why we will be learning 16 Egyptian Arabic conjunctions today. Conjunctions in Arabic are called…