Politeness, Apologies & Goodbyes
Key Egyptian Arabic courtesy formulas for excusing yourself, apologizing, thanking, and saying goodbye.
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Questions Covered in This Set
12 cards to master
law sama7t / law sama7ti / law sama7tu
"Excuse me / please" (lit. "if you permit") — to a man / woman / group. All-purpose way to get attention or soften a request.
What does the transcription 3, 7, and 2 stand for?
3 = ع ('ayn, tight throaty sound); 7 = ح (strong breathy H); 2 = glottal stop (the catch in "uh-oh").
ma3lesh
Multi-purpose word: "sorry," "never mind," "it's okay," "too bad," or "sorry to bother you" — meaning depends on tone and context.
aasif / aasfa
"I'm sorry" for a real apology. Changes with the SPEAKER's gender: aasif (man), aasfa (woman).
mumkin
"Is it possible / may I" — pair with anything: mumkin mayya? = "could I have water?"
3an iznak / 3an iznik
"By your leave" — used to excuse yourself to squeeze past someone or leave a room.
Name three replies to shukran.
el-3afw ("you're welcome"), ala eh? ("for what? / don't mention it"), tekram/tekrami ("you're too kind"). Also 3afwan.
min fadlak / min fadlik
A more formal or emphatic "please" — common in writing, announcements, and with officials.
ma3a s-salaama (and its reply)
Standard goodbye, "go in safety." Reply: allah yisallimak / yisallimik — "may God keep you safe."
yalla, ana mashi
"Okay, I'm off." yalla = "let's go / come on," the most useful filler word in Egypt.
ashufak ba3dein / ashufik ba3dein
"See you later" (to a man / woman). With bukra (tomorrow): ashufak bukra = "see you tomorrow."
mutashakkir / mutashakkira
"I'm grateful" — a warmer upgrade of shukran, gendered to the speaker.
