Wanting, Being Able, and Needing
Key words and rules for asking, needing, and softening requests in Egyptian Arabic.
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Questions Covered in This Set
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3ayez / 3ayza
Wanting — a participle that agrees with the speaker's gender: 3ayez (m), 3ayza (f), 3ayzeen (pl). Also heard as 3awez.
What is the golden rule after 3ayez, laazim, and mumkin?
The following verb is bare — it drops the bi- prefix: ana 3ayez ashrab shaay (not bashrab).
laazim
Must / have to / need to. Never changes form; goes before a bare present verb: laazim amshi delwa'ti (I have to go now).
What does mish laazim mean?
'You don't have to' (no obligation) — NOT 'you mustn't.' For prohibition use mamnoo3 or a negative command like matdakhkhansh.
mumkin / momken
May / can / possible — the politeness word for permission and requests: mumkin tesaa3edni? (Could you help me?). Alone it means 'maybe'; mish mumkin = impossible.
When do you use a'dar instead of mumkin?
For physical ability: ana a'dar a3oom (I can swim), ma'darsh asma3ak (I can't hear you). Mumkin is for permission and requests.
me7taag / me7taaga / me7tageen
To need — agrees with the speaker like 3ayez, but stronger/more necessity-flavored: ana me7taag mosa3da (I need help).
How do you negate 3ayez, me7taag, laazim, and mumkin?
Put mish in front: mish 3ayez, mish me7taag, mish laazim, mish mumkin. Only real conjugated verbs use the ma—sh sandwich (ma'darsh).
How would a woman say 'I want the bill'?
ana 3ayza el-7esaab.
Order a medium-sweet coffee politely.
mumkin ahwa mazboot, law sama7t.
