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PRINTED INU.S.A.
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Egyptian colloquial Arabic:
3 1924 026 886 600
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Library
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EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
IN PREPARATION.
AEABIC PRONTJNCIATION : A Practical Phonetic Handbook.
EGYPTIAN
COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
A CONVERSATION GRAMMAR
AND READER
BY
W. H. T. GAIRDNER
B.A. Oxon. ; Church Missionary Society, Egypt;
Superintendent of Arabic Studies at
the Cairo Study Centre
ASSISTED BY
SHEIKH KURAYYIM SALLAM
(ij Je:x kurejjim sallaim)
CAMBRIDGE
W. HEFFER & SONS Ltd.
1917
ALUMNIS
SCHOL^ CAHIRENSIS UBI REBUS ARABICIS STUDETUR,
QUORUM IN CORPORIBUS MINIME VILIBUS
FACTUM EST EXPERIMENTUM.
"/S^SU^
CONTENTS
CONVERSATION— GRAMMAR.
Table of Egyptian-Arabic Sounds
The Consonants, Vowels, Diphthongs . .
Exercises in the Vowels and Consonants : I — Syllables
■ Words
PAGE
I
2
6-7
II
Ex.
I.
II.
The Masculine Noun
The Demonstrative
Feminine Noun
Pronoun. The Directions. The
III. Form of the Comparative. Prepositions. Dual . .
IV. The Genitive. The Possessed and the Possessor . .
V. The Possessive with Feminine Noun. . .with [bita:'']
INTERMEZZO. Elision ; Addition of Vowels ; Change of
Accent ; Loss of Length ; Quantity
VI. The Pronoun. Pronouns of the Genitive (Conjunctive)
Pronouns of the Nominative (Disjunctive)
VII. " Have." The Disjunctive Pronouns with Negative
VIII. For General Conversation. The Five Senses and their
Organs.
Polite Address. The Active Participle
Table of Active and Passive Participles . .
IX. For General Conversation. Common Actions.
" Have " with negative. " Had," " Shall have "
X. For General Conversation. The Dimensions.
The Sound Triliteral Verb — Aorist and Imperative . .
Appendix. The Verb " Was "
Paradigms for Practising Imperative and Aorist
XI. For General Conversation. What one does every Day.
Aorist with Pronouns of the Object attached ; with " Was
with Pronouns of the Dative . .
For Conversational Verb-Drill
XII. f'FoR General Conversation. Wh.4.t one did Yesterday.
(i) The Past Tense Verb ; (2) The Aorist with Negative
(3) Some Indefinite Pronouns
Transition to the Arabic Reader . .
14
18
22
28 <
32 ■
36
40 I
46
50
56-7
58
56
70
72-4
76
80-1
84
89
CONTENTS
XIII. (i) The Past Verb, with Negative, and with the Conjunctive
Pronouns . . . . . . . . . . • • • • 9°
(2) The Indefinite Singular ; the Dual ; the Plural . . . . 90
(3) Exercise on Members of the Body . . . . . . . . 96-7
For Conversational Verb-Drill . . . . . . . . . . 98-9
XIV. For General Conversation. A Visit to the Pyramids.
The Numerals from I to I o .. .. .. .. .. 100
XV. For General Conversation. The Duties of the Cook.
Moods (" can," " must," etc.)
Dialogue between Master and Servant . . . . . . . . 108
For Conversational Verb-Drill .. .. .. .. .. 11 2-3
XVI. For General Conversation. The Duties of the Table-
Servant.
Ordinals. Colours. Deformities .. .. .. .. 114
XVII. The Numerals above 10 .. .. .. .. .. 118
XVIII. For General Conversation. The Duties of the [bawwaib].
(i) Frequentative ; (2) Future Perfect ; (3) Pluperfect ;
(4) Continuative . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
XIX. Verbs with 2nd and 3RD Radicals the Same.
Dialogue between a Lady and her Servant .. .. .. 128
For Conversational Verb-Drill and Analysis . . . . . . 130
XX. Verbs whose ist Radical is [w] or ['].
A Dervish-Zikr at the Fair .. .. .. .. .. 132
For Verb-Drill. Verbs with ist Radical hamzated . . . . 138
Verbs with ist Radical [w] . . . . . . 139
XXI. Verbs with 2nd Radical [w] or [j].
The 1002nd Night — " Ye Ladye and ye Portere " . . . . 140
For Conversational Verb-Drill . . . . . . . . . . 144
XXII. Verbs with 3RD Radical [w] or [j].
Conclusion of " Ye Ladye and ye Portere " . . . . . . 146
For Conversational Verb-Drill . . . . . . . . ..152-3
XXIII. The " Increased " Verb. — Form II.
Scenes on a Journey : A Dialogue . . . . . . . . 154
For Conversational Verb-Drill . . . . . . . . . . 160-1
XXIV. Verbs of " Form V."
A Proposal for a Holiday . . .. .. .. .. .. 164
For Conversational Verb-Drill . . . . . . . . . . 166-7
XXV. Verbs of " Form VII " and " Form VIII."
(a) The Appointment. (6) The Barrister 1 70
(c) The Closed Bridge, (d) An Odd Incident 172
For Conversational Verb-Drill . . . . . . . . . . 174-5
CONTENTS
Vll
XXVI. Veres of " Form IV."
The Messenger
For Conversational Verb-Drill . .
XXVII. Verbs of " Form X."
Dialogue Between a Doctor and a Patient
For Conversational Verb-Drill . .
XXVIII. Verbs of " Forms III. and VI."
Dialogue on the Courtesies of Debate . .
For Conversational Verb-Drill . .
XXIX. Verbs wtth two Objects. The Verb [idda]
XXX. The Relative Pronoun.
Story of the Clever Detective
Additional Exercise in the Relative
XXXI. Conditional Sentences.
Dialogue about a Return from a Travel . .
XXXII. Concessive Clauses. Indirect Questions.
A Letter of Congratulation
178
180
l»2
188-9, 190
192
196-7, 198
201
204
206
SKELETON CONVERSATIONS.
I . Summer H olidays . .
. . 224
2. Conversation with a Child
■ ■ 225
3. Sights of Cairo
226
4. Training of Children
.. 227
5. A House
. . 228
6. A Book
229
EGYPTIAN ARABIC READER.
PART I.— ANECDOTES, DIALOGUES, AND STORIES.
I — 10. Anecdotes.
(i) The Green Policeman [Specimen Conversation Lesson, 230] ;
(2) The Donkey-Defenders ; (3) I-e Paysan et le Gendarme ; (4)
The Donkey whose Works Stopped ; (5) Thfe Grim Lion, the
Indiscreet Wolf, and the Accommodating Fox ; (6) The Un-
lettered Pohceman ; (7) The Runaway Meat ; (8) Minaret or
Well ? ; (9) The Mild Fellaha's Rebuke ; (10) The Too-Sanguine
Peasant -3o-7
II — 21. Dialogues and Stories
11. The Cabby and his Fare
1 1 (fl) . The Bookseller and the Berberine
12. A Model Lesson to a Class of Boys
^37-54
237
239
239
CONTENTS
13
14
15
16,
17
18
19
20.
21
The Man who tried to please Everybody
The Flat and the Sharp
An Odd Incident ; Egypt, 19 15
The Khalifa and Abu n Nawwas
Bargaining between Shopman and Customer
Egypt and the Egyptians
Debate : " How can a young Egyptian best serve
Some bad Coptic Customs
Some bad Moslem Customs : the 7Av
his Country ?
PART II.— BIBLE AND OTHER PIECES.
(A). Pieces from the Life of Christ.
1 . The Birth of Christ, Luke 2:1
2. Jesus and the Young Children, Lu. 18 : 15
3. Jesus and Bartimaeus, Lu. 18 : 35 ..
4. Jesus and the Son of the Widow of Nain, Lu. 7
5. Jesus and Zacchaeus, Lu. 19:1
6. Story of the Samaritan Woman
(B). Some Parables of Christ.
7. The Sower, Lu. 8:4..
The Good Samaritan, Lu. 10 : 30
The Barren Fig-Tree, Lu. 13:6
The Mustard-Seed, Lu. 13 : 18
The Prodigal Son, Lu. 15:11
12. Humility, Lu. 14 : 7 . .
13. The Great Feast, Lu. 14 : 16 . .
14. The Lost Sheep and the Lost Shilling, Lu. i
15. The Prudent Steward, Lu. i5 : i
16. The Unjust Judge, Lu. 18 : i . .
17. The Sheikh and the Sinner, Lu. i
The Evil Vinedressers, Lu. 10:9
(C). Some Christian Beliefs.
19. The Supposed Corruption of the Bible
20. Repentance
21. Forgiveness and Atonement . .
22. The Holy Trinity
VOCABULARY
INSETS.
Illustration. Home of Khalil, the Merchant
The Genealogy of Ali and Fatima . .
Verb Summaries . . . . . . -, .
18 : 9
PAGE
240
241
242
243
243
245
247
251
252
25+
255
255
255
256
256.
257
258
258
258
258
259
259
260
260
261
261
261
262
263
263
265
267
facing page
29
83
200
ANALYTIC-GRAMMAR INDEX
WITH CHIEF ARABIC TECHNICAL TERMS.
The Noun
Lism {j>. asma)
Masculine
il muzakkdr
14
Feminine
il mu' annas
18
Genitive, or Possessive
il 'idsifa . .
. 28, 32
" The Construct State "
il mudaif wi 1 mudaif
?ile:h
. 28, 32
Singular
il mufrad
90
Plural
U gam'' . .
90
Dual
it tasnija
. 22, 90
Indefinite — Definite
in nakird wi 1 ma'^rifa
90
Numerals
. il?a^da:d ..
lOI
The Adjective
issifa (orinna'^t) . .
. 14, 18
Comparative
ism it tafdiil
22
Ordinal Numerals
a'^daid it tartiib . .
115
Colours
alwa:n
115
Deformities
'^ujuib
'I5
The Pronoun
id dami:r {p. damaijir)
Pronouns of Nom., disjunctive .
damaijirirraf^ilmunfasila 40
of Object., conjunctive .
„ in nasb il muttasila 76
of Possessive,
,, il gdrr ,,
40
of Dative,
„ il magruird bi la:
m 76
The Demonstrative
ism il -"ijaird
18
Some Indefinite Pronouns
86
The Relative
l_ismilmawsu:l. .
224, 226
The Verb
. il fiq (p. af'ail)
The Sound Triliteral Verb
il fi'^l is sulaisi s sa:lim
Past Tense
il ma:di
. 84
Aorist
il mudairi''
. 66, 86
Imperative
fiq il ?amr . .
. 66, 90
Active Paticiple
ism il fai'^il
51
Passive Participle
,, il ma5u:l . .
56
The verb " Was " (for
fiq* ka:n
70
Imperf., Plupf., Fut. Pf.)
78.
124, 126
Frequentative.Continuative .
124, 126
Moods
.
108
The " Weak Verbs "
ilJaf^ailUmu^alla
Vbs.with2nd&3rdRad.aUke .
il fi'^l il mudai'^af
128
with ist Rad. p] or [w] .
fi'^l il misail . .
132
with 2nd Rad. [w] or [j] .
il fiq il ?agwaf
140
with 3rd Rad. [w] or [j] .
,, in naiqis
146
IX
ANALYTIC-GRAMMAR INDEX
The Verb {ctd.)
PAGE
The " Increased " Verb
il fi"^! il maziid
Form II. (fa«al)
is si:(ja 1 'awwalamijj
1 1.54
III. (fa:";!!)
t tanja
192
IV. (?af<;al)
„ ttalta
. 178
V. (itfa«al)
1 xamsa
. 164
VI. (itfa:";!!)
s satta
192
VII. (infa'^al)
s sab'-a
170
VIII. (ifta'^al)
t tamna
170
X. (istaf^al)
., I'^ajra
182
The Weak-Increased Verb
il fi"^! il maziid il mu'^tal]
Verbs governing two objects
af^ail tansib ma5ule:n .
201
Adverbs (and
Adverbial Expressions) .
zumif {sing, zarf) .
46, 58
Prepositions
huruif {sing, harf) .
22
Conjunctions
huruif "^atf
passim
Conditional
ijjart..
2X2
Concessive
220
1 fi'^l wi fa:''il
subject and predicate
1 mubtada wi xabdr
passim
object
maf'Uil . .
negative
nafj
.
prohibition
nahj
nom., put into the nom.
raf^, mdrfu:"^
ace, put into the ace.
nasb, mansuib .
,,
gen., put into the gen.
gdrr, magruir
i<
active
ma'^luim . .
passive
maghud . .
II
transitive
mit''addi . .
,,
intransitive
la:zim
„
sentence
gumla {p. gumar
>>
PREFACE
Of all Arabic colloquial dialects, the best work, and the most
work, has probably been done on Egyptian Arabic. What has
been accomplished in this field by Spitta, Willmore, S. Spiro, and
others, will certainly not be superseded. This being so, it is in-
cumbent on the newcomer to justify his entrance into that field,
by indicating the special need which he is attempting to meet.
That need in the present case can be summed up by the word
presentation. It seemed to the writer that an efiort should be made
to apply to Egyptian Arabic some of the modern methods now used
in teaching living languages ; that a book needed to be compiled
which should have constantly in view the ensemble of teacher-and-
pupil, and the oral conversational work in which they are supposed
to be engaged.
This, then, is what I have steadily held in view in writing the
present book, with what success remains to be seen. I can at
least say that it is the result of practical experience as least as
much as linguistic theory. It embodies work done during the past
four years with class after class of keen language students, during
which time it was possible to see what was, and what was not,
important in teaching Arabic to adults. No pains were spared to
adapt the means to the end. A first draft, which represented a
year's work, and which was far from having proved a failure, was
cheerfully consigned to the waste-paper basket. An entirely new
draft was prepared, which in turn has been so greatly supplemented,
altered, and improved, that the present book represents in reality
a, third improved and practically new version.
Among the special features which have been included, the
following may be mentioned : —
(i). The abohtion of disconnected sentences, which are
destitute of context, and whose reason for existence is to illustrate
some grammar rule. With very few exceptions all the sentences
in this book have a context, consisting either of objects, pictures,
or actions which are immediately intelligible ; or of a definite
subject-matter, the elements of which are intelKgibly connected
inter se.
Xll PREFACE
(2). The abolition of the drj'-bone verb conjugations and
paradigms. Each verb-unit is clothed in an appropriate sentence,
and these sentences are arranged in dialogue form, thus giving
living practice in the use of the various persons and attached
pronouns.
(3). The abolition of grammar rules preceding each exercise,
and the substitution of leading questions which enable the student
himself to deduce the grammar illustrated by the subject-matter
of each section. Thus each student compiles an Arabic grammar
for himself.
(4). In dealing with so grammatical a language as Arabic,
and in writing for students in whose minds grammatical categories
are already formed,- 1 have not hesitated to make the main frame-
work of the first part of the book a grammar frame-work. At the
same time, I have (in the Reader and pieces " for general conver-
sation ") crossed this method by another which turns on subject,
and which therefore cuts right across grammar and grammar rules.
The result is, to some extent, a compromise between two methods,
which are often contrasted by their representatives in a hostile way.
It remains to be seen whether this proceeding will earn the bene-
diction or the wrath of both parties.
(5). The medium of instruction is Arabic from the very outset,
English being dispensed with. Even the insertion of the English
parallel pages, for which I apprehend the censure of Reform Method
enthusiasts (to whom I owe so much), is intended to accord with
this aim ; for a glance at the English in print will save having to
drag English into the conversation. (Moreover the English section
will be useful for retranslation, which is so valuable a way of con-
serving the results of each lesson). It must not be forgotten that
in the east good language teachers are rare, not common ; and it
would not therefore be safe to argue that, because trained language-
teachers 'of the direct methods in the west can throughout and
entirely refrain from calling in the aid of English, this will be the
case when so difficult a language as Arabic is being taught b\
eastern teachers to Europeans.
It remains to add a few words about the notation which has
been used in this book.
In regard to the use of a Romic rather than the Arabic system
no apology at this time of day is needed. It is sufficient to saj'
that all who have worked seriously at any Arabic Colloquial have
PREFACE XIU
found Arabic s3nnbo]s for it not only inconvenient, but utterly
impracticable. So little does the use of Romic symbols interfere
with the study of the Classical in the Arabic notation that the
parallel use of the two has been found an advantage, in helping
to keep the two forms ocularly, and mentally, distinct. But
what kind of Romic ? It is unfortunate that all who have written
on Arabic have employed systems more or less different from each
other ; so that the introduction of yet another system — and so
different a one — needs an apology, especially seeing that the Egyp-
tian Government's recent adoption of one of the others (Willmore's)
for the place-names in its maps and plans might seem to have
gone some way to standardizing that system.
The following considerations, however, determined the writer
to abandon Willmore's system (followed in the first draft), and adopt
that of the International Phonetic Association (with the necessary
modifications).
(i). The multiplicity of the diacritic points below the letters
and the length-marks above ; the unsoundness, scientifically, of
having so many marks above and below the eye's line of travel ;
and the proved insufficiency of those marks to arrest the attention ;
and to ensure correct habits of pronunciation. In the present
book the diacritic marks have been introduced into the body of
each letter, and the length-mark is now in the same line as the
letters themselves.
(2). The unsoundness of using two letters to indicate one
sound, as Willmore's [sh] for [J], [gh] for [9]. This defect was still
more apparent when the letters had to be doubled, and the clumsy
groups [shsh], etc., were produced. S. Spiro correctly avoids this,
but only at the cost of employing yet more diacritic signs.
(3). The advisability of adopting a scientific phonetic notation
which would be internationally valid, because internationally
recognised.
Only the International Phonetic Alphabet appeared to satisfy
the necessary conditions ; and in consequence it was finally adopted
for this work. Experience has shewn that there is no need whatso-
ever to be alarmed by its apparent novelties. Students have
experienced no difficulty in slipping into it from the very first
lesson.
My hearty thanks are due to my wife and to Miss H. M. Harrison
for much help in the laborious work of copying in the formative
XIV PREFACE
stages of the book ; to MiJad Effendi Saleeb, AtoUa Effendi
Athanasms, and Sheikh Ali Niih (all teachers of Arabic in the
Cairo Study Centre), for pieces contributed to the Reader ; to
Miss .fanet Lewis for the effective illustration which she so kindly
executed at my request ; and most of all to my Arabic assistant.
Sheikh Kurayyim Sallam, whose carefulness, patience and inven-
tiveness were never found wanting.
If this book aids any student to a surer and speedier acquisi-
tion of a grammatical and idiomatic Arabic, I shall feel greatly
rewarded.
Cairo,
Nov. 9, 1916.
03
Q
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pq
I — I
H
>H
o
w
o
w
1-1
pq
H
rv.
A
1
cr
X
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05
'S
*
Front. Back.
i u
ego
a ci Q
a
15
1
1
i+H
*^
rt
>
a
s
'-^
"rt
>
■0
HI
-J
is
^3
s
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13
i
s-t
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53
-3
a!
1
1
1
oi
•c
c
•SXNVNOSNOO
•SiaAVOA
2 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
CONSONANTS.
Plosives.
b Fully voiced, i.e. voice present from the beginning of the plosion,
t Dental, W02! alveolar as the English [t]. Tongue-point consider-
ably further forward. Aspirated. Lips away from teeth,
d Fully voiced. Position, as [t].
t As [t] but with velarization.' Unaspirated. Lips conceal teeth.
a As [t], voiced.
k As English [k]. Well aspirated.
g As English [g] in " gold."^
q Pronounce key, kah, koo, and [q] is one degree further back.^
? The sound made in a slight, hardly audible, cough.
Nasals.
IWith good nasal sonority.*
Laterals.
1 The whole of the front of tongue high and well forward, point
and edges against upper front teeth ; and that, whatever
vowel precedes or follows. Back of tongue down.'
i Back of tongue raised.^ Point slightly retracted.
Rolled.
r Trilled more than an English, less than a Scottish [r].' Tongue
forward, not retroverted and turned up as in American [r].
' Velarising is the raising of the back of the tongue towards the gu
position. What one feels is as if the whole tongue was raised, and also ex-
panded, in the mouth.
^ In upper Egypt EngUsh g in gaol [dj] is substituted.
3 Only in the word for koran (qur'am) in the colloquial. Otherwise
? is substituted in and near Cairo, and g in most of the provinces.
^ g (ng in EngUsh " king ") may occur, accidentally, when n is followed
by unvowelled k or g: e.g. bar|k (" counting-house "), birjg ("chloroform ").
5 Voiceless 1 is heard when unvowelled after a closed syllable, e.g.
figl ("radish ").
6 See Note i . Nominally only in the Arabic word for God (siiQih) ;
but occurs also when 1 is influenced by a neighbouring velarised consonant :
e.g. taiab ("request") for tslab. Scotch, American, and even English
speakers must take great care to keep 1 and i quite distinct.
7 Voiceless r is heard when unvowelled after a closed syllable, e.g.
mitr (metre).
egyptian colloquial arabic 3
Fricatives.
w Lips considerably more rounded and protruded than with
Enghsh [w].
f As English [f].
s Point a little above the lower front teeth. Lips right away
from teeth, which show. Stronger, more ringing hiss than
in England,
z Same, voiced,
s Tongue-point as in [s] ; velarised.^ Lips nearly conceal teeth.
Hiss duller than that of [s].
z Same, voiced.'
J As Enghsh [sh], but with front part of tongue somewhat more
raised. Lips slightly protruded,
i As Enghsh [y].
9 As [ch] in Scotch " loch," voiced. Without uvular scrape.
(As [g] in German "wagen".)
X With uvular scrape. As [ch] in German " ach ! "
h Passage just behind uvular narrowed. Hold thus while breath
is puffed through. No uvular scrape must he heard. Unvoiced.
'^ Voiced. Constriction of muscles still stronger than with [h],
owing to the difficulty of voicing in this position. Tone
of voice is as when one attempts to sing a note below one's
lowest compass.
h As English [h] ; but the voiced correlative [fi] is often heard.'
' See p. 2, note i.
^ E.g. dufin (" oil "), or duhn.
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
VOWELS.
[International Phonetic symbols are enclosed in square
brackets. The sign : denotes the lengthening of the
previous vowel. When this sign is placed in brackets
it denotes an original long syllable which through
position loses some or all of its length.]
Narrow when lengthened, as in English " mj'en." When short,
somewhat wider [i], as in Enghsh "hit".
A pure vowel, not diphthongised as in English " detour." As
French e.
Almost exactly as English a in man, but with more open mouth.
[ae]. In prolonging a:, be careful to hold tongue very steady,
and not to diphthongise as in English "air," nor to get to the
position of English " err," [a:].
As in English " father." Almost exclusively a long vowel
in Arabic.
An " obscure " variety of the above as the Enghsh u in bud,
somewhere between a and the vowel in " err ". Almost
exclusively a short vowel in Arabic, [a].
As a in English what, and o in lot. In prolonging, be careful
not to tighten anything, nor to increase the rounding, as
is done in English (contrast " wan " and " worn," — wan,
wain), [o].
A pure vowel, not diphthongised as o is in English, e.g. "lo!".
As Scotch " no," French " tdt." Lips well rounded.
Narrow when long, as in English " rwde." Somewhat wider
when short, as in English " iull " [u]. Lips well rounded.
A very rapid "obscure" vowel, in short unaccented syllables,
e.g. m'hammad ("Mohammed").
a to i.
a to i.
a to u.
Q to u.
DIPHTHONGS,
i and u very narrow. Indeed j and w are often reached.
ACCENT.
The accent is denoted (when required) by the sign ' placed
immediately before the accented syllable.
cd cd 03
•d
CO
TJ
3
%
^
^
^
«
$
^
^
2
S
1
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ai
CD
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'«■
3)
Id
a^
'c3
X2
'c7
¥
C7>
s
^
5
X) Id
3
3
cr' r..
3
s
3
3
3
2
J3
s
3
3
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EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
EXERCISES IN THE VOWELS AND CONSONANTS. II.
[For sound-driU and practice in reading only. Not for vocabulary
or memorizing.]
The kasra or i and e group.
d
di:'
distress
t
tifp
dregs
fi:d
overflow !
fitna
seduction
1
U:f
palm-fibre
t
tifp
infant
fid
elephant
fitna
wisdom
r
ri:f
country-side
d
diU
guide!
kiti:r
much
d
dill
shade
s
sim
the letter S
1
liff
go round !
tdxsiis
^ making-worse
r
sirr
secret
s
sim
China
s
sidr'
lote-tree
tdxsiis
specializing
giss
feel!
z
zi:d
increase
s
sidr^
chest
bari:z
Paris
liss
thief
z
(2i:d)
z
zikr'
dervish-prayer
jigiiz
he irritates
z
jiginn
he supposes
S
him
a time
h
jisigg
he goes on pilgrimage
riih'^i
smell
h
jihigg
he emigrates
masiili
Christ
X
xiem
rival
h
tanbi:h
notice
9
giJJ
guile
<;
iid
feast
<;
•Jibb
breast-pocket
wadi:''
meek
"^inab
grapes
e: e
li'^b
play
t
te:s
goat
dir";
breast-plate
tesna
our goat
i:
belt
house
t
tim
figs
betna
our house
milt
a hundred
t
te:r
bird
t
tim
mud
tema
our bird
jihiit
surrounds
he:t
wall
d
di:k
cock
hetna
our wall
fi:d
inform 1
d
de:l
tail
^ Notice the unvoiced 1. ] Thes
e will not be
distinguished by a sign
2 Notice the unvoiced r. f h
ereafter.
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
d
de:f
guest
s
self
summer
defna
our guest
z
ze:t
oU
be:d
eggs
z
(ge:t)
bedha
her eggs
X
xe:r
well-being
r
de:r
monastery
<;
■^em
eye
dema
our monastery
•^enha
her ey^e
s
se:f
sword
The fatha
or
1 group.
b
bajbij
ct
he soaked
b,t ba:t
a:
he passed the night
Jabb
a youth
ta:b
he repented
t
taff
he spat
d,k da:k
fatt^
he broke small
ka:d
he nearly. . .
d
damm
blood
g
ga:d
he was generous
madd^
he stretched
?
da:'
he tasted
k
kalb
dog
ja:?a
collar
fakk
he undid
m
mail
he inclined
?
'aJJ
straw
daim
it continued
Ja"
he spHt
n
na:s
people
m
lamm
he picked up
bam
it appeared
n
fann
art
1
la:
no
bank {or
bagk) office
Ja:l
he Ufted
banga {or bagga) beetroot
r
ra:kib
riding
1
laff
he went round
gairi
running
talg
ice
s
sa:b
he left
ball
he wetted
ba:s
he kissed
nagl
offspring
z
za:d
he increased
r
kafr
village
fa:z
he succeeded
s
sabb
he abused
h
ha:n
it was time
bass
only
la:h
it exhaled
z
zall
he humbled
?
"^a:!
fine!
lazz
it pleased
ba:';
he sold
h
hadd
anyone
sa:'^a
watch, hour
fahm
coal
h
ha:n
it was easy
lahh
he insisted
fa:h
he uttered
<;
"^add
naq
he added
sandal
h
hadd
fahm
he pulled down
understanding
' Carefully notice the forward position of the tongue-point.
10
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
With
a:
With
t following, natt he jumped
r following,
ta:r
vengeance
manti' logic
t
bait
armpit
basiit^ simple
ba:til
vain
d preceding, damm he gathered
a
ba-^a
some
dall he was astray
faidil
excellent
d following, fadd he dispersed
ha:dir
ready [ered
s preceding, sabr patience
s
la:s he
was bewild-
sala prayer
z
ba:z he was ruined
s following, bass he glanced
d
z preceding, ssann he supposed
r
mdrr
he passed
zaiat pebbles
gdrd
stock-taking
z following, hazz good fortune
9
bdgl
mule
hafaz he kept
ddgddg
he crushed
g preceding, gaJJ* he cheated
X
bdxt
luck
X ,, xaff* he got better
?dx
brother
a:
fdxx
snare
r ,, raid 5 he willed
fdxr
boast
raigil man
w
wdgh'
face
i „ aiiaih'^ Allah, God
Q
t „ tail it was long
r preceding
rabb
Lord
d ,, dairib striking
rattil
he sang
s „ sair he became
rati
lb.
saifi clear
t
te??
it burst
z ,, zaihir apparent
tard
parcel
X ,. xais'' special
telab^
request
g ,, gaib' he was absent
" Exceptionally. Usually w takes a. In wa't (time) and wajja
(with) w exceptionally takes a. Also Juwajja (Uttle).
^ With a tendency to be velarised throughout, into taiab.
3 Etymologically this s is s.
♦ In the colloquial x and g are often followed by a sound that is
nearer d than a: e.g. xdll (vinegar), gdda (lunch). Exceptionally x
is succeeded by a in xamsa (five) .
5 In the colloquial rai is heard sometimes, if the succeeding consonants
are forward ones, e.g. raikib (riding).
^ With accent on final. But the h is hardly audible in colloquial.
Frequently the accent is shifted to the first syllable, in which case the
second loses its length ; thus, 'alia.
5' In the colloquial x does not by itself take ai. For this the next
consonant must be a velarised one, as here. If the next but one be
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
II
The damma or
and u group.
o:,
d
duhr
noon
t
to:b
garment
"^udd
bite!
tobha
her garment
q'
■qur'am
Koran
i
to:'
neck-ring
1
kul, kull
eat!, all
to'ha
her ring
r
durr
peals
d
do:l
these
s
summ
poison
'^oid
return
dust
I trampled
■^odha
her return
9
summ
deaf people
a
anadoil
AnatoUa
nuss
half
hold
tank
z
zuU
humiliation
r
do:r
turn
z
2ulm
injustice
dorna
our turn
9
gutt or gutt
plunge !
s
so:t
lash
lugd
gullet
sotna
our lash
h
hurr
free
a
so:t
sound
ruht
I went
sotna
our sound
?
"^ugb
conceit
?o:s
smearing
gu^t
I was hungry
z
zo:?
good taste
h
fuht
I uttered
gozha
her husband
u:
B
(5o:')
t
tu:t
mulberry
9
go:s
plunging
tu:l
gauze
X
xo:x
peaches
t
tu:l
length
h
loih
slab
k
ku:k T
Cook & Sons
loftna
our slab
r
nu:r
light
c
no:";
species
s
su:r
city-wall
u
s
su:r
tyre
t
tumn
police-station
h
hu:r
Houris
mutt
thou didn't die
ruiS
Noah
i
tuzz
pshaw !
h
hu:r
Hur
nutt
iump !
jifuih
he utters
d
duhn
oil
<;
■^uid
lute
rudd
give back !
ku:*^
jasu:'!
elbow
Jesus
velarised we get a:, e.g. xa:li&. If both are forward we get a:, e.g.
xa:tim (ring).
8 Similarly ga: is sometimes heard if the succeeding consonants are
forward ones, e.g. ga:sil (washing).
' Only in this word is this consonant pronounced true in the colloquial.
12
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
Diphthongs ' ai, m.
majja
water
taiha
wandering
au, aw.
taija
silly
aw
or
daixa
giddy
taww
just this moment
dejj
gleam
daww
gleam
saiha
travelling
lau
if
sailla
crying oat
kakaw
cocoa
Ja:j
tea
Words {a) mith doubled consonants,
[h) without.
Stop Consonants.
[a]
{h)
t fattah
be open !
... fatah
open
t gatta
cover up
gata
cover
d maddid
extend
madad
supply
h ftaadarit
she prepared
hadarit
be present
k hakkim
cause to rule
hakim
it so happens
g nagga
save
nag a
he was saved
-> .fa"a
suite of rooms
Ja'a
misery
Continuative
Consonants.
[shine
m lainma'^it
she caused to
lama'^it
she shone
n hanna
congratulate
hana
joy
1 kallim
speak to
kalima
a word
i 'aiia
God
taiab"
a request
r darrabit
she mixed
darabit
she struck
s fassahit
she made room
fasahit
she made room
s fassah
make correct
fasah
be correct
z gazzQir
butcher
gaza:ra
butchery
K nazzam
organize
nazam
make verses
I bajjdr
evangelize
bajdr
mortals
9 ndggaz
prick often
ndgaz
prick
X ddxxolit
introduced
ddxdlit
entered
h bahhar
go north
bahr
sea
<; ?a«ad
seat (act.)
'a-^ad
sat
h gahhiz
prepare
gahiz
ready
w sawwa
smooth
sawa
together
i hajja
greet
haja
shame
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC I3
SUMMARY OF RULES FOR THE A-VOWELS.
Without going into all the details, which would lead to too
great intricacy, the following guiding principles for determining
the character of the A-vowels may be mentioned.
1. [q, q:] occur when [t, d, s, z, r, x, g] precede. The first four
without any exception. The last three lose some or all
of their modifying force when the succeeding consonants
are non-modifying and are vowelled with [i]. At the
end of words the vowel that succeeds [r, x] and [g] is
nearer [a] than [a].
2. [a] occurs when [t, d, s, z] succeed.
3. [a:] occurs when [t, d, s, z] and [r] succeed.'
4. [d] occurs when [i,x, g] succeed. But when these consonants
are vowelled with [i] then [a] will precede, unmodified.
5. [a] occurs when none of the above seven modifying conson-
ants are found in the positions mentioned above. Thus,
twenty-one consonants do not modify at all.
N.B. — In the succeeding pages we have decided to treat ['']
as a non-modifying consonant. It is true that very often the ear
seems clearly to hear ['■a, a'-, '■a:] rather than ['■a, a''] and ['■a:].
But if one listens intently or asks the teacher to pronounce the
vowel very distinctly, one hears the [a] vowel clearly emerge at
the last. This shows that the apparent [a] character of the vowel
associated with "^ is really due to the passing from the [a] -timbre
which is inherent in the consonant itself.
^ a: when X and g succeed.
14 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
EXERCISE No. I.
The First Exercise.
The Masculine Noun.
1. What (is) this ?— A book ! That (is) a book.
2. Say (it) again [lit. " from a second (time) ").
3. Once again [lit. " also a time ").
4. Still not perfect ( = " not yet perfect ").
5. Now (it's) better.
6. And what is this ? — This is a book also.
And this ? — This is a handkerchief.
And this, what is it ? — This is paper.
See now, this is a white handkerchief. Do you know (the word)
" white." ? . . See, this (is) paper, (is it) not so ? — -Yes, this
is paper.
10. Well, this is white. This is a handkerchief, eh ? Well, this
is white too. This is a shirt, it is white too. The handker-
chief is white ; the shirt is white ; the paper is white.
Understood ?
Understood perfectly [or not yet . . .).
11. Well then, white means what ? — White means not black.
12. This is a book. — This is a big book and this is a small book.
Say that !
13. That is big; that is small: understood? Yes, understood:
that is big, that small.
14. (Is) that a big book ? — Yes, it is big.
15. Correct! (Is) that a small book ? — Yes, it is small.
16. (Is) that a small book ? — No, it is big.
17. Correct ! Is that a big book ? — No, it is small.
18. Look. That is a door : that is an open door. That is a shut
door : understood ? — Understood ! That is, etc.
19. That is a window. That is an open window and that is a shut
window. Yes, that is, etc.
20. Is the door (the window) open now ? — Yes, the door is open
now.
' i of kita:b elided, being unaccented and followed by a long accented
syllable.
- u loses its length before two consonants (Im). Orig. qu:l.
3 Assimilated from kaman.
•* The a loses its length, see note 2.
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 15
tamriin nimrit wa:hid.
awwil tamrim. (it tamrim Lawwil.)
l_ism_il m'zakkar.
?eh da ?— kita;b ! da_kta:b/
''ul'' min tami [fem. 'uili, pi. 'uiluV
kamain^ mdrra. ■? '
lissa muj tamam.
dilwe't ahsan.
wi ?eh da ? — da ktab'* kaman.
wi da ? — da mandid.
wi da 'eh huiwa ? — da wara'.
Juf5 ba'a (/. Ju:fi, p. Ju:fu), da mandi:l_abjad. ti'^raf
abjad ? * . . Ju:f, da wara', muJ kida ? — aiwa da wara?.
10. aho d_abjad. da mandid, muJ kida ? aho d_abjad kaman.
da 'amiis, hu:w(a)_abjaa kaman. il mandid 'abjad ; il
-•amiis 'abjad ; il wara' 'abjad ; mafhu:m ? — ^mafhuim
tamaim [or lissa muJ mafhu:m).
11. ba'a, 'abjad ja'^ni e: ? — abjad ja'^ni mujjswid.
12. da_kta:b. da kta:b kibiir, wi da kta:b sugajjdr. 'ul kida!
13. da kbi:r, de_sg.ajjdr.'' mafhuim? — aiwa, mafhuim: da_kbi:r,
da_sgajjdr.
14. da_kta:b kibi:r ? — aiwa, hu:wa_kbi:r.
15. tamam ! ; da_kta:b sugajjar ? — aiwa hu:wa_sgajjctr.
16. da_ktab sugajjdr ? — la:, hu:wa_kbi:r.
17. tamam ! ; da ktab kibi:r ? — la, hu:wa_sgajjdr.
18. Juif ! da ba:b. da bab® maftuih. da bab ma'fud. maf-
hu:m ? — mafhuim ! da ba:b, etc.
19. da Jibbaik. da Jibbak' maftuih, wi da Jibbak ma'fud. —
aiwa, da Jibbadc, etc.
20. il bab da (ij Jibbak) maftu(:)h dilwa't ? — aiwajl bab (_J
Jibbak) maftu(:)h dilwa't.
5 Similarly the u loses length (orig. Ju:f).
* 'abjad usually loses ' after a. consonant, but may retain it for
emphasis.
7 u elided. See note i.
8 See note 2.
l6 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
21. It is open now ? — No, not open now. Now it is shut.
22. That is a big open book.
That is a big shut book.
That is a small open book.
That is a small shut book.
23. What is that ? — That is ink.
24. Is it white ? — No, black.
25. (Is) that a white book ? — No, it is a black book.
26. Correct ! We say, it is black, it is not white. It is big, it is
not small : it is open, it is not shut.
27. What are these ? These (are) a book, and paper, and a hand-
kerchief, and a window, and a door, {or) These are the book,
and the paper, and the handkerchief, and the window, and
the door.
28. Very good. Say now, " These are a big book, and white
paper, and a white handkerchief, and an open window, and
a shut door, and a long pen."
29. " Long," means what ? This is a long lesson, n'est-ce
pas ? — Yes, it is very long.
For Systematic Grammar. I.
1. Deduce the rule for copulas " is " and " are, " etc,
2. Deduce the rule for indefinite " a," " an."
3. Deduce rule for attribution of adjective to an mdefinite noun.
4. Deduce rule for attribution of two adjectives to an indefinite
noun.
5. Observe absence of interrogative particle : how then was in-
terrogation denoted in above sentences ?
^ 1 passing vowel to separate the three consonants 'th.
^ mahuj = it (is) not ; shortened into muj, not. ma = ne; hu = il ;
J hke pas.
3 'il loses its hamza after the final consonant of the preceding word
(unless it is separated from it by a stop.
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 17
21. huiwa maftuh dilws't ? — ^la:, muj maftuh dilwa't. dilwa't' '
huiwa ma'fu:!.
22. da ktab kibi(:)r maftu*.
da ktab kibi(:)r ma'fuil.
da ktab sugajjdr maftuih.
da ktab sugsjjar ma'fuil.
23 . ? eh da ? — da hibr.
24. hu:wa_bJQa ? —la:, da 'iswid.
25. da kta:b_abjad ? — la:, hu:wajcta:bjswid.
26. tama:m! bLn'u:l, hu:wa_swid, mahuj^_abjad. hu:wa kbi:r.
mahuj" sugajjdr. hu:wa maftu:h, mahuj ma'fu:l.
27. ?eh do:l ? — do:l kita:b, wi wara', wi mandi:l, wi Jibba:k, wi
ba:b {or do:LiP kita:b, wi_l'* wara', wi_l mandi:I, wLJ'
Jibba:k, wij ba:b).
28. tajjib xa:lis! ?ul dilwa't "do:l kitab kibi:r, wi wara'_abjad,
wi mandi:l_abjad, wi Jibbak maftu:h, wi bab ma'fu:l, wi
''alam tawi:I.
29. " tawi:l " ja'^ni 'eh ? da ddrs tawi:l, muJ kida ? — aiwa
tawi:l 'awi !
4 If preceded by a final vowel, 'il loses its vowel also.
5 If the preceding final consonant is J the 1 is assimilated to it. About
half the consonants assimilate thus : viz. stops, t, t, d, d ; continuaiives,
n, r, S, S, Z, Z, J, (Also, occasionally g, and, rarely, k.)
l8 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
II.
The Second Exercise.
The Demonstrative Pronoun. The Directions. The Feminine Noun.
I. Where is the pen ? — Void the pen !
[The handkerchief, the door, etc., etc.]
Where is the window ? — Voici the window !
Where is the sky ? — Voila the sky above ! = *And where is the
ceiHng ? — The ceihng is above too.
4. Where is the sun ? — The sun is above too, Hke the rooif.
5. And the earth, where is it ? — The earth is below.
(^ Listen ! Where is the big book ? — Here is the big book !
And this, what is it ? — That is the small book.
And this ? — It is the black ink.
And this ? — It is the white paper.
This envelope is open, n'est-ce pas ? — -Yes, this envelope is
open.
Is this window shut ? — No, this window is not shut, it is open.
This big book is open, n'est-ce pas ? —
Certainly,' this big book is open, it is not shut.
9
10
II
12
13. Is this small book shut ? — Yes, this small book is shut, it is
not open.
14. This ink is black, not so ? — Yes, this ink is black ; it is black.
15. Is not this white handkerchief clean ? — ■ Yes, that white
handkerchief is very clean ; it is not dirty.
16. Is this lesson nice ? — Yes, it is very nice.
17. What is this ? — This is a pen-nib.
18. Is this nib good ? — Yes, this nib is good.
19. Is it very good ? — Yes, it is very good.
20. Where is the good nib ? — Here is the good nib !
21. This pretty thing, what is it ? — This pretty thing is a picture.
* This sign denotes a resumption by the first speaker.
^ Lit. "known I" cp. German gewiss.
^ Very short passing vowel to separate the three consonants 'ff.
3 Lit. "she," for ?Qrd is feminine, though without the characteristic [a]
of the feminine, see No. 17.
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC IQ
tamriin nimrit_itne:n.
taini tamrim. (it tamriin it ta:ni.)
ism il 'ijaira. il gihait. il ism il mu'annas.
1. il 'alam fe:n ?— ?ahoJ ?alam ! (il ^aIam_aho(h) !)
[il mandiil, il ba:b, etc., etc.]
2. ij Jibbak fe:n ?— ?aho_J Jibbaik ! (ij Jibbaik aho(h) !)
3. is sama fe:n ? — ?ahe s sama fo:' ! =*wjs sa'f fe:h ?— is
sa'fi^ fo(:)' kaman.
4. iJ Jams' fem ? — ijjams fo(:)? kaman, zejji_s_sa'f.
5. wij ?erff fe(:)n hiija^ ?— il ?ardi taht.
6. isma"; ! il kita:b_il kibi(:)r fem? — ?adij kita:b_il kibi:r !
{or il kita:b il kibiir aho !)
7. wi da 'eh_hu:wa ? — da_l_kita:b_i9_sugajjdr.
8. wi da ? — hu:wa_l hibr' Ijswid.
9. wi da ? — hu:wa 1 ware' Labjsd.
10. iz zarfi da maftuih, muj kida ? — 'aiwa, iz zarf da maftuih.
(?aiwa_z_zarf. ..)
11. iJ Jibbak da ma'fuil ? — la:, iJ Jibba(:)k da muJ ma'fuil,
hu:wa maftu:h. {or la_J Jibbaik...)
12. il kitaib il kibi(:)r da {or il kitab da 1 kibiir) maftuih, muJ
kida ? — ma'^ lumi, il kita:b il kibiir da {or il kitaib da 1 kibiir)
maftuih, mahuj ma''fuil.
13. il kitaib_i9_eu9ajjdr da ma-'fuil ? — aiwa_l kitaib da s sugajjdr
ma? full, mahuJ maftiiih.
14. il hibr' da_swid,* muJ kida — aiwa 1 hibr' da_swid. huiwa_swid.
15. il mandiil da Labjad nidiif ? — aiwa 1 mandiil da l_abjad
nidiif kitiir, mahuJ wisix.
16. id dars' da_kwajjis' ? — aiwa hiiiwa_kwaijis kitiir.
17. 'eh dii ? — di riija.
18. ir riiJa di naf^a ? — aiwa r riiJa di naf^a.
19. hiija naf''a_kti:r ? — aiwa hiija naf''a_ktiir.
20. ir riija_n naf-a fem ? — aidi_r_riija_n naf'^(a)_ahe !
21. il haigaj gamiila di 'eh_hiija ? — il haiga 1 gamiila di suira.
■* For iswid.
5 Full form kuwajjis (which, hke sugajjdr, is in the diminutive
formation). Only women give this word its fuU articulation. Men usually
pronounce it kwaijis, or even kwais.
20 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
22. This long thing, what is it ? — This long thing is a table.
23. Is this long table wide too ? — Yes, this long table is wide too.
24. Is this long, wide table high too ? — Yes, this long, wide table
is high too.
25. Where are the books ? — Here are the books !
26. Are these books nice ? — ^Yes, they are very nice.
27. Are these nice books open ? — Yes, these nice books are open.
28. Is this a book or a nib ? — Neither (is) this a book nor a
nib, but this is a pencil (or pen).
29. Is this colour black or white ? — This colour is neither black,
nor white, but red.
30. Are these books big or small, — ^They are neither big nor small,
but medium.
31. Is this lesson medium or short ? — It is neither medium nor
short, it is very long indeed.
For Systematic Grammar.
1. Deduce from the above the general rule for forming the fern.
from masc. adjective.
2. Deduce the regular masc. plural termination. (See No. 26.)
3. Decline, from the above, the word for " this," in masc, fem.
and plural. Also the more vivid [aho].
4. Deduce the rule for the adjective in agreement with a definite
noun. And what if there is more than one adjective ?
5. Notice that neuter plural nouns may be accompanied by
feminine singular adjectives, etc.
' Neuter plurals may be accompanied by feminine singular pronouns,
adjectives, and verbs. Or alternatively, as here, by plural ditto.
' humma kwajjisa would be also correct ; but not hi:ja kwajjisiin.
3 Or la 'hu:wa_swid.
^ Or il kutub do:l la hi_kbi:rQ, etc., or la humma_kbi:ra.
5 For 'usajjar, also a diminutive formation. Compare the build of
sugajjdr, kuwajjis, 'usajjdr.
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 21
22. il ha:ga dLt_tQwi:la 'eh_hi:ja ? — il ha:ga di_t_tewi:la
terebe:za.
23. it tersbeiza dLt_tQwi:la "^driida kaman ?— aiwa t tarebeizect
tswiila di '^ariids kaman.
24. it terabeiza di_t_tfewi:laj '^dn&et "^alja kaman ? — aiwa_t
tarQbe:za_t tawiilaj "^ariida di hi:ja "^alja kaman ?
25. il kutub fe:n ?— ?ahi ('ahumma)'J kutub (or il kutub ahum !).
26. il kutub do:l kuwaj'jisa? (kuwajjisiin ?)* — aiwa hi:ja_kwajjisa
(humma_kwajjisim)- xailis.
27. il kutub do:l il kuwajjisa maftuiha? (kuwajjisim, maftu:hi:n).
— 'aiwa_l kutub do:l, etc.
28. da_ktaib walla ri:Ja ? — la da_kta:b wala ri:Ja, la:kin da
'alam.
29. il lo:n da_swid walla_bjed ? — il loin da la 'hu_swid3 wala_
bjad, laikin hu:wa_(a)hmar.
30. il kutub do:l kibiira walla_sgajjarQ? — la hi_kbi:ra* wala_
sgajjdra, la:kin hiija mitwassata.
31. id ddrs' da mitwassat walla_'sajjdr'? — la hu:wa^ mitwa&sat
wala''_''sajjar, huiwa tawid 'awi xa:lis.
6. Deduce the rule for " neither — nor — but " sentences. How
does the Arabic for " nor " differ from "or." ?
7. In clauses with " this " plus an adjective phis a noun (e.g.
" this big door ") show that " this " [da] can be fitted in
in two ways.
N.B. — [da] may be translated "this" or "that." The
special word for " that " [dukha], [dikha], [dukham], may only
be used when the object has to be distinctly emphasised in
comparison with a nearer one.
« Or la hu.
7 Notice that in all these " neither — nor " sentences, the second may
be given the pronoun with J, e.g. wala huj ''usajjdr, " nor is it short."
So in No. 28, wala hij rilja = "nor is it (/.) a nib." But in this case it is
better to give the first clause J also, e.g. huiwa muj mitwassat (or ma
huJ).
22 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
III.
The Third Exercise.
Form of the Comparative. Prepositions. The Dual.
1. Here are two books, one, two ! ; this book is bigger than
that. And this book is smaller than that. Understood ?
Good ! say (it) you
2. This book is bigger than that one. This book is smaller than
that one.
3. This book is long and broad. It is longer and wider than that
one : (this) means, it is long and broad beside' that.
4. Here also are two books : three, four ! These two are bigger
than those, and these two smaller than those.
5. Which book is the biggest of (among) these two? This one
or that ? — This is the biggest, or This is bigger than that.
6. Which chair is the small(est) among these two ? — ^This is
the smallest.
7. Is this book the biggest of these three, or this one here ? —
Neither (is) this one bigger, nor this one, but that one
(there).
8. Are these two books the biggest of these six, or these two ? —
Neither these, nor these, but those two.
9. Which two ? — This one and this.
10. Is this table bigger than this, or smaller ? — This table is much
bigger than that.
11. This book is bigger than this, and this one is bigger than this,
and this one is biggest of all. [And so, shortest, smallest,
broadest.]
12. Or we say, this is (the) big(gest) of all [and so, short(est),
broad(est), small(est), etc.]
13. The chair is high, the table is higher, and the cupboard is
higher than them all {or highest of all).
14. Which chair is the highest of these two ? — This chair is the
higher.
' Lit. " off," " away from." The two ways of expressing the comparative
•will be observed ; the positive adjective with "^an, and the comparative with
min.
^ The suffixing of the dual termination em robs the previous syllable
of accent, and so of length also.
3 In da_kbi:r, da tewid, da '■arild, note that a resists elision more
successfully than i (or u).
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 23
taniriai nimrit talaita.
ta:lit tamrim. (it tamrim it tailit.)
si:gitJt_tQfdi:l. huru:f. it tasnija.
1. hinajcta'bem/ wa:hid, itne:n ! il kitaib da^kbiir^ "^an
dukha. wi 1 kitaib da_S9ajjdr "^an dukha. mafhu:m ?
tajjib, qu:l inta.
2. il kita:b d_akbar'* min dukha. il kitaib d_Qsgar min dukha.
3. il kita:b da tawiiP wi "^ariid.^ hu:w_atwal w_a'^rQa min
dukha, ja'^ni, hu:wa tawi:l wi "^arird "^an dukha.
4. hina kaman kitabem ; talarta, arba'^a ! IJtnem doiLalkbcir
min dukham, wi IJtnem doiLasgar min dukham. (a'^rad).
5. anho_kta(:)b kibiir [akbar] fi IJtnem do:l, da walla da ?—
da Lakbdr, d_akbdr min da. Or dajcbi:r "^an da.
6. anho kursi sugajjar fi Litnem do:l ? — da Lasgar.
7. il kitaib da Lakbdr fi t talaita doil, walla dahd?— la 'd_
akbar wala 'da, laikin dukha.
8. il kita'bein do(:)l Lakbdr fi s sitta do:l, walla 1 itnein doil?
— la doil wala doil, laikin 1 itnein dukham.
9. 1 itnein_anhum ? — da wi da. ( = dawda).
10. itjarabeiza di 'akbdr min dikha, walLasgar ? — ^it tarabeiza
di 'akbdr min dikha_ktiir.
11. il kitab d_akbdr min da, wi d_akbdr min da, wi d_akbdr il
kulP [and so a'sar,^ Qsgar, a'^rad, etc.]
12. walla_n''uil ; da_kbiir "^an il kuU [and so 'usajjar, '^drird,
sugajjar, etc.]
13. il kursi da "^aili, wi t tarabeiza ?a''la,'' wi d dulaib 'a'-la mil
kuU {or 'a-^laj kuU).
14. anho kursi La'^la fi IJtnem doil ? — il kursi daho La'^la.
+ Full form 'akbdr ; but these comparatives usually lose their hamza.
5 We might also have here akbar mil kuU, " bigger than all " (mil for
minjl).
* Comparative of qusajjdr (short). See II., note 9.
' "^aili is for '^ailij. The length in ?a''lai represents this third radical.
It is not sounded here because of loss of accent.
24 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
15. Listen ! There is a book. And this is a book too, bigger than
it. Well, where is the big book ? — The big book is under-
neath.
16. And the small one, where is it ? — The small one is above the
big, meaning, the big one is beneath the small one. = Do
you understand " above and beneath " ? — Yes, I understand
fine.
17. Where is the big one now ? — Now it is above.
18. There are two chairs ; where is this one now ? — ^This is in
front, and this behind.
19. Here is a chair and a sofa : the chair is where ? and the sofa
where ? — The chair is in front of the sofa, and the sofa
behind the chair.
20. Here is a sofa : these are chairs, one, two, three ; now,
where are the chairs ? — -The chairs are now round the sofa.
21. And where is the sofa now ? — It is between the two chairs
(or in the midst of the chairs).
22. Where is the biggest book of those books ? — The biggest
book of those books is underneath all. And the smallest
book of these books is on top of all.
23. Show me the biggest one of those books. — There is the biggest
one of those books, under the little books.
24. Now these two books are on the table ; and now where is the
big one ? — The big one is upon the small one.
25. Good ! now where is it ? — Now the big one is by the side of
the small one.
26. Look ! the books are now beside one another. . . And now on
top of one another, or below each other. . . And now behind,
or in front of, each other.
27. Where is the pen now ? — Now it is inside the book.
28. Where is this house ? — In Cairo.
29. Are we in the house or outside ? — ^We are in the house.
30. And is the house in a street or in a native quarter ? — The
house is in a street, not in a native quarter.
31. Is this lesson hard ? — No, it is not very hard.
I Fern, fahma p. fahmi:n (for faihima, faihimim). Lit. a participle,
" understanding."
^ Like aho, but less vivacious.
3 Or il kita:b_iLakbar, il kita:b_il esgar. Similarly, ■• the highest
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 25
35. isma"; ! ?adLkta:b. wa da_ktab kaman, akbdr minnu.
ba'aj kita:b il kibi(:)r fern ?— il kita:b il kibi(:)r taht.
16. wi s sugajjar fe(:)n hu:wa?— is sugajjar fo:?_il kibi:r, ja<^ni,
il kibi:r tahtjs sugajjar. =fa:him' fo(:)' wi taht? — aiwa
faihim 'awi !
17. il kibi:r fe:n hu:wa dilwa?t ?— dilwa'tjl kibi:r fo:'.
18. adi kursijem ; da fe:n dilwa't ? — da 'uddaim, wi dukha
wdra.
19. 'adi'' kursi wi kanaba ; il kursi fe:n ? wi 1 kanaba fe:n ? —
il kursi 'udda:m il kanaba, wi 1 kanaba wdra_l kursi.
20. ?adi kanaba; do:l kara:si, wa:hid, itnem, talaita; dilwa'tjl
karaisi fe:n ? — il kara:si dilwa'ti hawalem il kanaba.
21. wi 1 kanaba fe:n dilwa't. hiija be:n_il kursijem {or fi wust
il karaisi).
22. akbdr kita(:)b3 fil kutub do:l fe(:)n hu:wa? — akbdr kita:b
fil kutub do:l taht il kull. wi ?asgar kitaib' fil kutub
do:l fo:' il kuU.
23. wdrrimi 'akbdr waihid fi 1 kutub do:l ! — 'adi 'akbdr waihid
fi 1 kutub do:l, tafit il kutub is sugajjdra.
24. dilwa'ti_l kitabem dol '^at* tarabeiza wi dilwa'tjl kibiir
fe:n ? — il kibiir '■as* sugajjdr.
25. tajjib, dilwa'ti fern ? — dilwa'tij kibiir gamb is sugajjdr.'
26. Juif, il kutub dilwa't' gamb' ba'^d. . .wi dilwa't' fo{i)' ba'^d,
'au, taht' ba''d, ...wi dilwa't' wara ba''d, au, 'udda(i)m
ba'Jrt.
27. il 'alam fein dilwa't ? — dilwa't' huiwa guiwa 1 kitaib.
28. il belt da fein ? — fi masr.
29. ihna fi 1 beit walla bdrrd? — ihna fi 1 beit.
30. wi 1 belt fi Jairi'' walla_f haira? — il beit fi Jairi'^ muj fi haira.
31. id ddrs' da sa'^b ? — ^lai, huiwa muJ sa'^b'_ktiir.
house," = 'a''la(l) belt or il beit_iLa''la(l). Compare, quite similarly,
" the third exercise " = tailit tamriin or it tamriin it tailit.
4 Contracted from '^ala_t, ''ala_S and so '^al for '^ala_l, cp. mil for
min_il.
26 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
32
33
34
35
36
37
Is it harder to-day or yesterday ? — Yes, to-day (is) a little
harder than yesterday.
Is it colder to-day or yesterday ? — To-day is colder (less cold)
than yesterday.
Are these less, or those ? — Naturally three is less than five,
and five more than three !
Is there a lesson to-morrow ? — Yes, I hope so (lit. " if God
will ") there is a lesson to-morrow.
The lesson yesterday was good, the lesson to-day was better,
and the lesson to-morrow wiU be best of all.
Many thanks' ! — Not at all.^ Many thanks to you !
For Systematic Grammar. III.
1. What is the form of the comparative adjective? — Show how,
though the positive may differ in formation, that of every
comparative is the same, provided that the three radicals
are all different, and do not end in [i] or [u].
2. If the third radical is [i], how is the comparative formed?^
3. If the second and third radicals of the positive are the same,
how is the comparative formed ? (See No. 33.)
4. Decline the remoter ' that ' in Arabic.
5. What are the ways of putting the expression " best of aU "
in Arabic ?
' Lit. " (May) God increase (kattdr) your welfare."
2 Lit. "pardon ! "
3 As already said, an adjective like '■aili (liigh) is for "^ailij, the
three radicals being ''Ij. — An example of an adjective ending in u is hilu,
for hilw, the three radicals being hlw, and the comparative being atlla(:) .
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC Zf
32. hu:wa sa'^bjnnaharda walla_mba:rill ? — 'innahard_Qs'^ab
JuwQJja* min„imba:rih.
33- innahdrda bdrd' walla_inba;rili ?_— innahdrda bdrd'_kti:r
Pali:l) '^anjmbairih, ja'^ni ?aktdr ('a'all') min imba:rill.
34. do;l_a'all' walla do:l ? — tab'^an tala:t(a)_a'all' min xamsa,
wi xamsa 'aktdr min tala:ta !
35. fi(:)h5 ddrsi bukra ?— ?aiwa, ?in Ja 'oiiah, fih ddrs' bukra.
36. id ddrsjmbairih ka:n kuwajjis®, w id ddrs_innahdrda ka:n
ahsan, wi d ddrs' bukra jikum ahsan il kull.
37. kattdr xe:rak kiti:r ! — il "^afw ! kattdr xeirakjnta.
6. What are the two ways of expressing phrases like " the biggest
man " in Arabic ? Notice carefully the articles and the orcier.
7. Give Arabic for " what ? " used alone. Ditto for " what ? "
used as adjective. Decline the latter (m. f. p.).
8. What are the two ways of expressing a comparative sentence ?
Note difference of preposition.
9. How is the dual formed from the sing, in Arabic ? {e.g. kita:b,
kursi for [kursij].
10. Tabulate the prepositions of place exemplified in this exercise.
+ Another diminutive, like kuwajjis. Exactly what was said about the
latter in II., note 4, applies to this word.
5 fi(:)h, lit. "in it." The h ("it") is often dropped. The expression
= "il y a."
^ It will be noted that kuwajjis has no comparative form ; its place
is taken by ahsan, the positive of which (hasan) is not a colloquial word.
28 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
IV.
The Fourth Exercise.
The Genitive.^ The Possessed^ and the Possessor.^
1. Here are two books. One and one make two, do they not ? —
Yes, true, one and one make two.
2. Exactly. And one plus two make how many ? — One plus
two make three.
3. And one and three are how much ? — One and three are four.
4. And three and two are how much ? — Three and two are five.
5 . And two by three (make) how much ? — Two times three make six.
6. Good. Now look (at) this nice picture. It is a picture of a
house. It is a picture of a house, not big, rather small. It
is the house of a merchant : the name of that merchant is
Khalil, he is not very rich, nor is he very poor, medium
like! And here is a garden round that house. And in the
house is a door, and several windows : here is the door of the
house ! here are the windows of the house ! in every room
of the house is a window, and in every window a pane of
glass. The door of the house is high — here it is ! and the
windows (are) high (also). Here is the description of the
house, the description of the house of the merchant, the
description of the house of Khalil. So say to me now :
7. Whose is that house ? — That is the merchant's house.
8. What is the name of that merchant ? — The name of the
merchant is Khalil.
q. That Khalil, is he rich {lit. " a rich one ") ? — No, he is not
very rich.
10. Well, then, he is poor ? — Neither is he poor, nor is he very
rich [or he is not poor nor is he rich).
11. Is the house of that Khalil big ? — No, it is not big, it is small.
12. Shew me the door of Khalil's house. — Here is the door of
Khalil's house.
13. Show me the windows of the house. — Here are the windows of
the house.
'^ Lit. "annexation," "the thing annexed," "the thing annexed-to,"
because to the Arabs a phrase like " the book of the man " was simply the
" annexing " of the first noun to the second, to form a single expression.
^ Another form of this is ma huiwaj.
/'
/w
f^J
''^m'^\
yy s
.^-^t»iL:
\)
:? 'site
O
-.^'^
£^=^ ^r^r^
••^•-■: fr- I
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 29
tamriin nimrit drba'^a. rsibi'^ tamriin.
il 'idaifa. il mudeif wi 1 mudaif luh
1. hina ktabe:n itnem. wa:hid wi waihid jib?u_tne:n, muj
kida ? — aiwa sshiih, waihid wi waihid jib'u_tnein.
2. tamaim. wi waihid wi_tnein jib'u kam ? — ^waihid wi_tneiii
jib'u talaita.
3. wi wahid wi talaita jib'u kam? — waihid wi talaita jib'u
"di-ba'^a.
4. wi talaita wi^tnein jib'u kam? — talaita wi_tnein jib'u xamsa.
5. wi_tnein fi talaita3(i) kam ? — itnein fi talaita^b sitta.
6. tejjib. dilwa't^ Juif_is suire dij kuwajjisa ! hiija suirit
belt, hiija suirit beit muJ kibiir, sugsjjdr Juwajja. huiwa
belt waihid taigir ; ism_it_ta:gir da xaliil, mahuj^ 9cini_
ktiir, wala huj fa'iir 'awi, mitwassat' kida. wi di_
g(i)neina hawalein_il beit da. wi fi 1 beit baib, wi gumlit
Jababiik. 'aho baib il beit ! 'ahi Jababiik il beit ! fi
kuU' ?oida mil beit fih Jibbaik, wi_f kull' Jibbaik loih 'izaiz.
baib el beit "^aili 'aho, wi J Jababiik "^alja*. 'aho wasf il belt,
wQsf belt it taigir, wasf beit xdliil. fa 'ul li ba'a :
7. bita"- miin il beit da ? — da beit it taigir.
8. ism it taigir da ?eh huiwa ? — 'ism_it taigir xdliil.
9. xaliil da waihid gdni ? — ^lai, mahuj gdni_ktiir.
10. ba'a huiwa fa'iir ? — la hu fa'iir wa'la hu gdni 'awi {or
mahuJ fa'iir wala huJ gdni).
11. belt xdliil da_kbiir ? — lai, mahuJ kibiir, huiwa_sgajjdr.
12. wdrriini bab beit xdliil. — 'aho da bab beit xdliil.
13. wdrriini Jababiik il beit. — Jababiik il beit ahe !
3 Etymologically the second radical of this word is s, not s. But the
reflex influence of the t causes a preparatory velarising, which turns the s
into s.
+ Or "^aljiin.
30 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
14. Is there any garden in this picture ? — Yes, there is, here it is !
15. Is there any stable ? — No, there is none in that house.
16. Every window in Khahl's house, (is there) in it a glass ? — Yes,
of course, every window in Khalil's house has a glass.
17. Is the glass of that window broken ? — No, the glass of that
window is not broken.
18. Is the ceiling of the sitting-room' in Khalil's house high or
low ? — The ceiling of the sitting-room in Khalil's house is
high, not low.
19. Is the description of the house finished ? — No, still much
remains : but no more talk about it now ! Enough surely !
20. Good ! Listen ! (Is it) understood the difference between
" that is the house of the big (man) " ; " that house is
big " ; and " that is the big house" ?
21. Or thus : " the house is big," the house of the big (man) " ;
" the big house."
For Systematic Grammar.
I. How is the genitive case expressed in Arabic as above ? {a)
When the possessor is indefinite, as " the . . of a man,"
[b] when it is definite, as, " the . . of the man." Notice
that in Arabic it is the thing possessed that is modified in a
genitive construction.^
' Lit. " (the) room of the sitting.''
^ Western Arabists usually call this " the construct state,"' and say that
the nouns are " in the construct state."
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 3 1
14. fi:h ginema fLs suire di ? — aiwa, fi:h, 'ahe.
15. fiihjstabl ?— la, ma fi:J3 fi 1 be(:)t da.
i6. kull* Jibba:k fi be:t xoliil fih 'iza:z ? — aiwa_mma:l, kuU'
Jibba:k fi be:t xdli:l fih ?iza:z.
17. 'izaiz il Jibbaik da maksuir ? — la:, ''iza:z ij Jibbaik da muj
maksu:r.
18. sa'f 'odt_il gulu:s fi be:t xdliil "^aili walla wa:ti ? — sa'P
'odt il guluis fi be:t xdli:l hu:wa "^aili muJ wa:ti.
19. xelais WQsf il be:t ? — la:, lissa fa:dil kiti:r, laikin balash
kala:m fih dilwa't. bass' ba'a.
20. tajjib. isma'' ; mafhu:m il far? be:n " da be:t il kibi:r,"
wi be:n "il be:t dajcbi:r," wi be:n "da_l be:t il kibi:r"?
21. walla kida, "il be:t kibi:r," " be:t il kibi:r,"... ; " il be:t
il kibi:r. . . "
2. Supposing you prefixed [il] to the expression [be:t il kibiir],
what change of sense would result ?
3. Supposing from the clause [il be:t il kibi:r] you removed the
second [il], what change of sense results ?
4. How are a string of nouns m the possessive managed ? {" the —
of the — of the — " ?)
3 Or ma fihj. (ma = not, fi(:)=in, h = it, J is like the French pas,
being shortened from Je: (thing)). It has been observed that the h in fi:h
is often inaudible ; hence mafi: j as variant for ma fihJ.
32 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
V.
The Possessive with Feminine Noun. The Possessive with bita:*^.
Is not that a picture of a house with a garden ? — Yes, tru(ly),
that is a picture of a house in the midst of a garden.
Good ! this is the garden of whom ? — This is the garden of
the merchant [or of the owner of the house).
3. Whose house is it ? — It is also the house of Khalil the merchant.
4. And is not that the picture of a tree ? — Yes, of course, that is
the picture of a tree.
Whose tree is it ? — It is also Khalil's tree [or the merchant's
tree).
And is not this the picture of a woman, I mean, a certain
lady ? Whose wife is she ? — She is the wife of Khalil.
Tell me about that lady's name. — The name of the lady is
Galila.
And what is the name of Galila's husband ? — The name of
Galila's husband is Khalil.
We said just now, " that is the house of the man."
Now we say again, " that is the house belonging to the man,"
and the garden belongs to whom ? — If ( = so long as) the
house belongs to the man, the garden also belongs to the man.
10. And whose are the things which are in the garden ? — The
things which are in the garden are the man's also.
11. Whose is the sunshade which is in the picture ? — It is the
wife of Khalil's.
12. We say, This is the tree of the man, Khalil's tree ; this is
the man's garden, Khalil's garden.
13. We also say, That is the man's house, that is Khalil's house;
that is the man's property ; that is Khalil's property.
14. Look at the big difference between "the garden (is) great";
and between " the great garden " ; and between " the
garden of the great one." (/.)
' For sQihib.
^ Jagarit it demands elision of first i for euphony.
3 For ism.
♦ Or tawwina 'ulna.
5 bita:'' originally meant " property," but now means no more than the
genitive " of."
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 33
tamrim nimrit xamsa. xa:mis tamriin.
il 'idaifa bi IJsmJl mu'annas. il ?ida:fa bi "^bita:";.
1. muj di su:rit be:t bi g(i)ne:na? — ?aiwa, saWih, di su:rit be:t
fi wustLgneina.
2. tajjib ! dLgnemit mim ? — dLgnent it ta:gir {or di gne:nit
sahb' il be:t).
3. wi da be:t miin ? — ^huiwa ra:xar be:t xdlid it taigir.
4. wi muJ di su:rit Jagdrd ? — 'aiwa_mma:l di su:rit Jagdrd.
5. hi:ja Jagdrit mi:n ? — ^hi:ja ruxra Jagdrit xdliil {or Jagdrt
it^ taigir).
6. wi muJ di suirit hurma, jd'ni wahda sitt ? hi:ja zo:git mim ? {or
hi:ja mara:t mi:n?) — hiija zo:git xdliil {or hiija marait xdliil).
7. 'ul li '^dla_sm3_is_sitt' di ? — ism is sitt' di galiila.
8. w_ism' goizjs sitt' galiila ?eih ? — ism' goiz is sitt* xdliil.
9. ihna 'ulna min taww''* " da beit ir raigil (belt xdliil) ". ni'uil
dilwa'ti kaman " da J beit bitai*^' {j- raigil (bita'^ xdliil)."
wi g gineina bitai'^it miin? — ^ma daim il.beit bitai'^ ir raigil
(bita"^* xdliil,) ig gineina ruxra bita''t° ir raigil (bitai'^it
xdliil.
10. wil hagait_illi fLg_gineina_b(i)tu''* miin ? — il hagait illi
fi_g_gineina_btui'^_ir raigil ruxriin'' {or bitu"^ xdliil).
11. ij J"amsijja_(i)lli fi_s suira di_btai'^it miin ? — bita'^t is sitti_
btai'^it xdliil.
12. bi n'uil, di J" Jagdra bta'^t ir raigil. di J Jagdra bta'^it xdliil ;
di g gineina_bta'^t ir raigil: di g gineina_btai''it xdliil.
13. bi n'uil kaman, da 1 beit bitai''_ir raigil; da 1 beit bita*^
xdliil ; da 1 milk' btai'^jrjaigil ; da 1 milk' bta"^ xdliil.
14. Juif n fdr"Jl kibiir bein " il gineina_kbiird " :
wi bein, " il gineina J kibiird " ;
wi bein, " ginent_il kibiird."
^ bitai'', bitai'^it, bitui'' are all shortened when their position brings
the long vowel before two consonants.
7 See sentences 3 and 5, whence it appears that this word for " also "
is declined {m.f. p.), as it means properly " the other."
34 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
15. What is the name of that boy ? — His name is Ali, Khalil's son.
16. What is the name of that girl 1- — Her name is Fatima, (the)
daughter of Galila.
17. Whose sister is Fatima then ? — She also is the daughter of
Khalil, and so All's sister.
18. And whose brother is Ali ? — Naturally (= of course), brother
of Fatima.
19. Who is Ah's father ? — AH's father is Khalil.
20. And Ali's mother, who is she ? — ^Ali's mother is Galila.
For Systematic Grammar. V.
1. When the first of two nouns " in construct state " (see p. 30,
n. 2) is a feminine, what does the [a] of the feminine termi-
nation invariably become ? This is most important.
2. Notice that when [bita:'' bitu:"^] are succeeded by a vowel, their
long vowel is preserved ; when they are succeeded by a
consonant it is shortened. Now observe the effect in the
case of the feminine [bitai'^it]. Tabulate examples for these
six possible cases.
3. Notice the important difference in the two alternative ways
of expressing the genitive : —
belt ir raigil.
il be:t bita:'' ir reigil.
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 35
15. il walad da_smu 'e:h ? {or ism il walad da 'e:h ?) — ismu
■^alubni^ xali:l.
16. wjsm il bint* di 'c.h ? (or il bint' di_smaha 'eih ?) — ^ismaha
fatma^ bint' gali:la.
17. ba'a fatma 'uxt' mi:n ? — hiija ruxra bint' xoliil, ja'^ni 'uxt'
•^ali.
18. wi "^ali 'axu^ mi:n ? — teb'-an, 'axu fatma !
19. ?abu "-ali mi:n hu:wa ? — 'abu^ '^ali hu:wa xoIiil.
20. w_umm' '■ali mi:n hi:ja ? — 'umm' '■ali hi:ja gali:la.
^ 'ibn invariably loses 'i after a vowel.
2 For faitima. Pronounce between fa:tma and fatma.
3 Originally axu: abu:.
36 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
INTERMEZZO
On the effect of words on each other in elision or addition of vowels ;
change of accent ; loss of length.
At this stage it will be well to explain the principle of certain
phenomena which will already have been noticed.
1. A long vowel loses length before two consonants : e.g.
[kita:b], but [kitab kibi:r].
[bita:";], „ [bita'^na].
([a:] shortened before [bk, '■n]).'
2. Short unaccented [i] (and also short [u]) is eUded between two
more important syllables : e.g.
[kita:b] but [da_kta:b].
[bita:<;] but [da.btai'^i].
3. As three consonants cannot stand together, a passing vowel
is inserted after the second : e.g.
[il hibr' fern ?] (to avoid [brf] ; the ['] is very short).
[ibnuhum] (to avoid [bnh]).
4. The very short passing vowel ['] may occasion the elision of a
short vowel in the next word in the way described above (2).
In this case it receives stress and becomes an ordinary short
voweP : e.g.
[hibri_kti:r] (for [hibr' kiti:r]).
[il hibri_bta:';i].
5. If the elision of a short vowel causes a long vowel to be suc-
ceeded by two consonants, the vowel loses length as described
above (i) : e.g.
[bitai'^iti] becomes [bitai'^ti], and so [Inta'^ti].
[tainija] becomes [tamja], and so [tanja].
6. Long vowels tend to lose their length when the syllable occurs
in unstressed positions : e.g.
[bita:'''itna] becomes [bita'''itna]
owmg to the transference of accent from the [ta:] syllable
to the one after.
' It is sometimes left to the student to do this shortening when for
etymological reasons it was preferable to give the word in its original form.
Sometimes it depends on the speed of the speech, whether the shortening is
partial or entire.
' For etymological reasons ' is nevertheless left in the text.
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 37
7. Conversely length is restored when accent falls on the shortened
syllable : e.g.
['abu] (for ['abu:]) ; but [a'buihumj.
['tami] (for ['ta:nii]) ; but [ta'ni:hum].
8. Initial [?] is usually omitted in the middle of a sentence. When
this brings two vowels together (the final of one word and
the first of the next) one of the vowels is eUded : e.g.
['amji] but [b_amji], for [bi ^amji].
N.B. — Even the supplied passing vowel sometimes prevails
over the vowel which loses initial [?] : e.g.
[?anfa:r] " persons," but [drba';ti_nfa:r], for [arba'^t* ?anfa:r].
In [l_iswid] " the black," we have two elisions, for ['il 'iswid].
Note on " Accent."
To give rules for the position of accent would be of doubtful
utility. More important is it to note the following : It is doubtful
whether accent in Egyptian Arabic is a matter of " stress " at all
{i.e. increase of breath-pressure from the lungs). It is rather a
matter of raised musical tone. Obviously, therefore, short syllables
can be " accented " (toned) just as well as long. And in fact,
so great is the partiality of Egyptian Arabic for accenting the
penultimate, that it is constantly receiving the tone even when the
vowel is intrinsically very unimportant (a mere passing vowel) and
when the syllable before it is long' and prominent : e.g.
[ib'nukum] " your son."
[rsb'bina] " our Lord."
Both these words have the following intonation curve :
A very similar phenomena may be noticed in French, where a
toned penultimate is exceedingly frequent : e.g. a word like " con-
j«?ture," where ^ is very short and much raised in tone.
The student must carefully practice this accentuation, re-
' A long syllable need not necessarily contain a long vowel ; see next
section.
38 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
sisting the temptation to lengthen the accented syllable if it is a short
one ; which may be difficult at first/
{Emotional " stressing " is quite a different question. Being
occasional and exceptional it does not affect the above question,
which is one of the normal accentuation of words.)
In general it may be said that the intonation of Egyptian talk
is a level one, much more so than Syrian talk for example. The
general effect is monotonic.
Note on " Quantity."
It has already been indicated that a short-vowel syllable closed
by a consonant equals in respect of length a syllable with open long-
vowel. Let these two types of syllable = J ; e.g. [bak, ba:], then
open short-vowel syllables will = P*" , e.g. ['^ali] |
and passing vowels at the end of words = ^K , e.g.
[il hibri fe:nj
J J ."^ J .^
Final syllables are prolonged beyond the J length, e.g.
rabb \
ba:b |
hibr
I ^
We may give the following examples to show both the length -
values and the accentuation (toning) :
' Though obviously in music the voice can and does rise on a short
" up-beat " note just as easily as on a long " down-beat " one : e.g. on " shall "
-s-l,
p=
3=^
-&^ (where the second note is short and on the
'He shall come,'' etc.
weak up-beat) just as easily as on " know " in
m
p=
TJO
^
" I know that my," etc.
where the second note is long and on the strong down-beat.
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
39
^
:^^
^1
3r
3S3;
^
ib-nu-kum
rab-bi-na
X
'as-sim-tu-ha
(" I have divided it ")
makain
(" place ")
3=
m M m ^ ^
il tiaiga di_t tawiila tarabeiza. (See II, 22.)
(It should be observed that the divisions between words are a
conventional guide to the eye, but not a phonetic fact. There
is no more division between words in fluent speech than there is
between syllables.)
Lastly, if the above phrases were monotoned, toning, and con-
sequently accentuation, would disappear, and, if we are correct
in our belief that stress is either non-existent or weak in Arabic,
the only prominent syllables would then be the long ones. Probably
this quantitative prominence is often mistaken for stress.
40 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
VI.
The Sixth Exercise.
The Pronoun. Pronouns of the Genitive {Conjunctive).^
Pronouns of the Nominative {Disjunctive).'^
I. Four and two make {lit. " become ") how much ? — Four and
two are six.
What is four times two ? — Four times two is eight.
What do four and three make ? — Four and three are seven.
How much do four and five make ? — Four and five are nine.
What is twice five ? — Twice five is ten.
Now look at the picture again ( = of a second (time)). This
is the picture of Khahl and his children, n'est-ce pas ?
Well then ! whose son is that boy ? — He is his son, and
the girl is his girl (daughter) also.
And who is that girl ? — She is his daughter.
And whose (wife) is that lady ? — She is his wife.
9
10
II
12
Whose is that house ? — It is his house.
Whose is the garden which is round his house ? — It is his
garden.
And whose property are these things ?— They are his property.
Has the lady, the wife of Khalil (any) children ? — Yes, of
course, Khalil's children (are) her children, I mean Khalil's
son is her son, and his daughter is her daughter.
13. And is Khalil's house her house ? — Of course, Khalil's house
is her house, and his garden is her garden, and his property
is her property.
14. Is his watch her's ? — No, his watch is not her's.
15. And are his clothes her's ? — No, his clothes are not her's.
16. And is his handkerchief her's? — No, his handkerchief is
not her's.
' i.e. Possessive pronouns. ^ i.e. Personal pronouns.
3 For mdrait, zo:gitu.
4 But not sittu, which means " his grandmother," or (if he is a servant)
" his mistress." N.B. — All the otlier relationships must not be given this
construction with bitai"^.
5 The preposition li becomes la before ha (her) and lu before hum
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 4I
tamriin nimrit sitta. sa:tit tamri:n.
ad domiir. damai'ir il gdrr (il muttasila).
damai'ir ir rsf^ (il munfasila).
i.. arba'^a wi_tne:n jib'-'u kam ? — arba'^a wi tne:n jib?u sitta.
2. arba'^a fi_tne:ii bi kam ? — drba'^a fi_tne:n bi tamanja.
3. arba'^a wi tala:ta jib'u kam? — arba'^a wi tala:ta jib'u sab'^a.
4. drba'^a wi xamsa jib'u kam ? — drba'^a wi xamsa jib?u tis'^a.
5. itne:n fi xamsa_b kam ? — itnem fi xamsa3 '■ajdrd.
6. dilwa't' bussi li_s su:ra min tami. di suirit xdliil w_iwla:du,
muj kida ? ba'a_l walad da_bn' raim ? — hu:wa_bnu, wi 1
bint' bintu kaman.
7. wi 1 bint' di mi:n ? — hi:ja bintu.
8. wi s sitt' di_bta:'^it mim? — hi;ja_mra:tu {or zogtu,^ or is sitt'
bta'^tu).*
9. il be:t da.bta'^ mim ? — hu:wa btai'^u {or hu:wa be:tu).
10. il ginema Hi hawalem be:tu bitai'^it mim? — hi:ja gnentu {or
hiija g ginema_bta'^fu).
11. wil haga:t do:l milk' mim? — humma milku {or humma_btu:'^u).
12. is sitti_nira(:)t xdlid laha5_wla:d ? — aiwa_mma:l, wila:d
xdli:l wila(:)dha, ja'^ni^bn' xdli:l_ibnaha,^ wi bintu bintaha.
13. wi be;t xdli:l betha ? — ma'^luim be:t xdliil betha, wi_gnent{i_
gne'nitha, wi milku milkaha.
14. is sai'^a bta''tu_bta''^itha ? '' — la:, is sa:''a_bta''tu mij^
bita";itha.
15. wi_hdu:mu hudumha ? — la: hudu:mu mij bitu'-ha {or mij"
hudumha).
16. wil mandiil bita:''U_bta'^lia ? — la: mandi:lu muJ mandilha
{or muJ bita'^ha).
(them) and ku(m) (you, p.). But liha is also heard.
* Similarly the passing vowel is a before ha '(i is also heard), u before
hum and ku(m), and i before na (us).
7 N.B. — Now that the pronoun throws accent on the syllable '■it, the
a: loses both accent and length.
8 Feminine of muJ ; for ma hi J.
42 egyptian colloquial arabic
Conversation between Khalil, his Wife, and his Children.
Kh. I am Khalil, and that is my house, and my garden, and
my wife.
Gal. Certainly you are Khalil, my husband, and I am your
wife, and the house is your's, and the garden is your's, and the
children are your's.
Kh. I am pleased with you, oh lady ! You are very good.
And my house is your's, and my garden is your's, and my chil-
dren are your children.
[E'nter{ed) a Guest at this moment.]
Guest. Good day to you ! '
All. A good day and blessed ! ^
Guest. What Allah willed ! ^ The garden which is in your
house, is it your's ? You are happy !
Ali. The merit is to God ! we are happy. Yes, this is our
garden, this is the garden belonging to us.
Guest (to Kh.). Ah says, " this is our's," does it belong to
him ?
Kh. Of course, he is my son, and our things are his things.
Guest. So long as (he is) your son, then your house is his
house, and your things are his, without any (further) word.
[Fatima gets vexed.]
Gal. Fatima is vexed ! Forsooth, the house of Ali is not her's
too!
Kh. No, away with vexation ! for all our things are her
things.
Gtiest. I am pleased with your visiting,* and wish to ask leave
(to go).
Kh. Oh wait a little : it is still early.
Guest. Allow me ! I am not at leisure.
' Lit. "Your day (be) fortunate ! "
^ Lit. "Your day (be) fortunate and blessed." Or simply, nahairak
mubairsk, " Your day be blessed."
3 An expression of admiration which does not involve " the evil eye "
because it represents the blessing (house, fine baby, etc., etc.) as willed by
Allah.
4 i.e. (My) visiting (of) you.
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 43
m^hawrct be:n xali:l wi_mra:tu wi_wla:du.
xal. ?ana xdli:l wi da be:ti wLgnenti, wi s sitt' bta'^ti.
gal. ma'^luim, ?inta xdli:l goizi, w_ana zogtak w il be:t
bitai'^ak, w ig gineina^bta'^tak, w il wila:d bitui'^ak.
xal. ana mabsuit minnik, ja sitt ! inti tajjiba 'awi. fa 1
belt bita:''i_bta:'^ik. wi g gine:na_bta''ti_bta'^tik, wi_wla:di_wla:dik,
[ddxal de:f fi I Sad.]
de:f. nahdrku sa'^iid ja gamai'^a !
il kull. nahairak sa'^iid mubairalc.
de:f. ma: Ja 'siia: ! ig gine:na_lli_f betkum, bita:''itkum ?
intu mabsutiin !
"•ali. il fadU li_lla:h ! ihna mabsutim, ?aiwa, di gne'nitna !
di 9 gine:na_bta'^itna !
de:f (li xdliil). "^ali ji?u:l " di^btai^itna " ; hiija^bta'^tu ?
xdlid. 'ummad hu:wa_bni, wi }iaga(:)tna hagaitu {or il
hagait bitu'^na_btu:''u).
de:f. ma da:m_ibnak, faj be:t bita'^kum bita:''ii. wi 1 ha(:)'ga:t
bitu'ikum bitui'^u, min ge(:)r kala:m.
[fatma zi'^ilit.]
gal. fatma za'^lama ! (i)Jmi'^na'_l be:t bita'^ '^ali muj betha
{or bita''ha) ?
xdlid. la, balaj za'^al, '■alajan kull' hagatna hagatha !
{or bita''ha, or bita''^itha).
de:f. ana mabsu:t min zija(:)ritkum, wi bidd_asta'zin.
xdlid. ma^ tistanna Jwajja, lissa badri !
de:f. ismahu: li, maniij'' faidi.
5 For e:J " what thing, mi'^na (is the) meaning of . . . " An expression for
" why ? " which is used when the thing done or said is considered unfair,
or inconsistent with something else.
6 We have had ma = " not," and ma = "that which." Here it is a
particle of vivacity, " why ! "
7 For ma ana J (see p. 49).
44 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
Kh. Well, if you must ! [lit. deign (to go), without (being)
ejected], (go) with peace {i.e. good-bye).
Guest. God give you peace !
Exercise. — Go over this dialogue, substituting the construction
with [bita:''] for the " construct state " and vice versa.
17. Teacher. Now the conversation is finished. Let us speak a
little together. Please ( = deign), say on.
18. Is that my book ? — Yes, that is your (sing.) book.
19. And is that my book ? — No, that is my book.
20. Well, is that your (sing.) book ? — Yes, that is my book.
21. And is that your (sing.) book ? — No, that is your book
22. Is that your (pl.))book ? — Yes, that is our book.
23. Is that your (pi.) book ? — No, that is your book.
24. Is that our book ? — Yes, that is your book.
25. Is that your (pi.) book ? — No, that is our book.
26. Is that his book ? — No, that is his book.
27. Is that her book ? — No, that is her book.
28. Is that their book ? — No, that is their book.
For Systematic Grammar. VI.
1. Write out all the disjunctive personal pronouns of the nomi-
native, i.e. "I," "thou," etc.
2. Write out all the conjunctive pronouns of the possessive,
i.e. " my," " thy," etc., not using bita:*^.
[a) with [be:t], e.g. [be:ti, betna], etc.,
(6) with [sai'^a] (" watch "), e.g. [sa'^ti, sa"^itna], etc.
3. Write out (a) and (6), using [bita:''].
4. How is emphasis on possessive pronouns managed ? (e.g.
my book). Go through the possessives thus.
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 45
x<ili:l. itfeddol min geir mstruid. ma'^a_s sala:ma !
de:f. 'eiia jisal'limkuni ! {or ai'iah).
17. il m^'^allim. dilwa't il m'hawra xilsit. nitkallim Juwejja
ma"^ ba'^dina. — itfaddsl 'u:!.
18. da_kta:bi ? — aiwa da_kta:bak.
19. wi da_kta:bi ? — la: da_kta:bi 'ana.
20. ba'a da_kta:bak ? — aiwa da_kta:bi.
21. wi da_kta:bak ? — la:, da_kta:bak_inta.
22. da_ktabkum ? — aiwa da_ktabna.
23. da Jctabkum ? — la: da ktabkum_intu(m).
24. dajitabna ? — 'aiwa da ktabku(m).
25. da_ktabku{m) ? — la: da ktabnajina.
26. da kta:bu ? — la: da kta:bu huiwa.
27. da ktabha ? — la: da ktabha hi:ja.
28. da ktabhum ? — la: da ktabhum humma.
46 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
VII.
" Have." The Disjunctive Pronouns^ with the Negative.
1. Now there are before us three words, [lak] and ['■andak], and
[ma''ak].^ (Is it) understood ? — Yes, I understand.
2. Good ! hsten and take care, [lak] is for big possessions (s),
and ['^andak] is for a medium tiling in the house, or in the
room, or in the shop for example. As for [ma''ak] it is
for a small thing, in the pocket, or in the hand ; understood ?
— I understand ; only give me an example of them.
3. On my eye and head ! [i.e. gladly !). You have a house,
Khalil, in this town ? — Kh. Yes, I have, and I have also
a shop of merchandise.
4. And have you English cloth in your shop ? — Kh. Naturally !
and we have French too.
5. Have you (on you) a match (that) I may light my cigarette ? —
Kh. Yes, I have ; I have also tobacco (on me).
6. Do you understand these examples ? — Of course ; I hear
and understand.
7. We understand now that Khalil has a house ; I mean, he
possesses a house ; and that Khalil has English cloth in
(the) shop, I mean, he has cloth, and that he has matches,
I mean, he has on him matches.
8. I know that ; and I know that the Sitt GalUa has possessions,
and she has much furniture in her house, and she has a silk
sunshade opened in her hand. [Have you, oh lady ! etc. ?]
9. And Khalil's children and wife have money in the savings
bank, and have expensive toys coming from abroad, and
they have now the (some) of them (in their hands).
10. You, family of Khalil, have you any lands in Egypt ? — Yes,
we have. ^= And have you Egyptian servants ? — -Yes,
we have. = And have you (on you) correct watches ? —
Yes, we have
' i.e. The Personal Pronouns.
^ Meaning respectively "to you," " chez-vous, " and "on your person.
All are translatable by " you have," lit. " (there is) to you," etc.
3 g, etymologically.
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 47
tamrim nimrit sab'^a. saibi"; tamri:n.
■^and. li. ma'^(ai). id damai'ir il minfasila bi n nafj.
1. 'uddamna dilwsH' talat kilmait, " lak," wi " "^andak,"
wi " ma'^aik " ; mafhuim ? — aiwa_ana fa:him.
2. tejjibjsma'^ wi xud ba:lak ! " lak " <;alaja:n_il milk il
kibi:r; wi "andak" '^alajain ha:ga mitwassata^ fil be:t
walla fil 'o:da, walla fid dukkain, masalan. ?amma " ma'^ak"
fa di "^alajain liaga_s9ajiara fi g ge:b, walla fi 1 ?i;d; maf-
hu:m? — ana faihim, bass_iddi:ni masal '■anhum.
3. '^ala '^eini wi raisi ! lak be:t, ja xdliil fil ba'lad di ?^xal.
'aiwa li:, wi li:ja dukkam tiga:rd kaman.
4. wi "^andak ?uma:J_inkili:zi fi_d dukkam bitai'^ak ?— xal.
teb'^an, wi '^andina firansa:wi kamam.
5. ma''^ak kibriit awalla"; sigarti ? — aiwa_m(a)';a:ja,* wi_m(a)'^a:ja
duxxam^ kamam.
6. faihim il ?amsail di ? — ummail, saimi"^ wi faihim.
7. ihna fahmiin dilwa't inn' li xctliil beit, ja'^ni luh beit, wjnn'
'^andi xdliil ?umaij_inkihizi fi d dukkam, ja'^ni "^andu
'umaijjnkihizii, w_inn' ma"^ xdliil kabriit, ja'^ni m'';a(i)h
kabriit.
8. ana '^airif kida, wi '^airif inn._is sitt' galiila laha ?amla:k, wi
••andaha fdrj'_kti:r fi betha, wi_m'^'a:ha Jamsiija hdriir*
mafruida f Jdha. [liik ja sitt ? . . . "^andik . . . ? ma'^aiki . . . ?]
9. w_iwla:d xdliil wi mreitu, luhum filuis fi bank it tawfiir, wi
■^anduhum li'^ab^ gslja gajjiin min bdrrd, wi_m'^aihum
dilwa't' Jwajja minhum.
10. intu ja gamai'^it xdliil lukum _atjam fi masr ? — aiwa, lina.
= wi '■andukum xdddamim masrijjiin ?■ — aiwa, "^andina.
==wi_m''^aiku sa'^ait mazbuita ? — aiwa^m'^aina.
■* 'mi''i is also heard. 5 Almost duxxdin.
6 Not " a sunshade of silk," which would be Jamsiljit hdriir ; bu
a sunshade, silk " — in apposition.
■? Plural of h'^ba.
48 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
11. Right ! We have finished with [lak], and ["^andak], and
[ma'^ak] ; now we shall say a little on the negative.
12. I am an Egyptian ; are you an Egyptian too ? — No, I am not
an Egyptian : I am just (an) English(man).
13. Am I now English, since the Protectorate ? — No, you are not
English, (you are) as before, Egyptian.
14. So then, we are not the same since the Protectorate ! — No,
we are not the same in race, only in things poUtical.
15. Even so ! we are not English in race. — Yes, you are not
(anything) but Egyptian in race.
16. Say, are Khalil and his family Turks ? — They are not Turks,
they are (in) their origin Egyptian.
For Systematic Grammar. VII.
1. Write out [li], [''and], [ma*-] with all the pronouns.
2. What is the difference in meaning between [ma*-] and [li]
and ["-and] with pronouns ?
3. Write out " I am not, you are not," etc.
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 49
11. tsjjib xulusna min " lik," wi_'^andak," wi " ma'^ak," ni'uil
dilwa'tLJwejja fi n nafj.
12. ana mssri; tiddritak masrOita raixar ? — ^la ma'nish' masri,
innama 'ana (i)ngili:zi.^
13. ana dilwa't_ingili:zi ba'^d il himaija ? — ^la 'mantashjngiliizi,
bdrdak' masri.
14. ba'ajina 'mahnash wailiid ba'^d il himaija ? — ^la, mahnash
waihid fi 1 gins, bass' fil 'umu:r is sijasijja.
15. bdrdu kida! ihna mahnash ingiliiz fi 1 gins?— aiwa, 'mantush
ilia masrijjim fi 1 gins.
i6. alia'* xctli:! wi '^eltu 'atraik ? — mahummaj atraik, humma
'aeluhum mQsrijjim.^
' N.B. — mani]' = ma ana J", and = ?ana muj.
'' Or amrikami, firansa:wi, almami, nimsaiwi. Fem. ingili(:)-
zijja, etc.
3 bdrdak, originally bi 'ardak, " on your ground," i.e. " still " or
" also " ; cp. sentence 15.
■<• An interrogative particle used to introduce a new subject, or aspect
of subject.
5 Add to this series mahuj, mahij, which have already frequently
occurred.
50 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
VIII.
For General Conversation.
[To Teacher and Pupil.
These paragraphs "for general conversation " should be worked
through without the help of any English whatever, The pupil should
not even refer to the Arabic {for the most part) during the lesson, but
should rely on hearing and watching only. The teacher will find that
with the aid of objects and dumb-show it will be perfectly possible to
demonstrate these lessons without any recourse to English {a remark
which equally applies to what has preceded).
These paragraphs are wholly independent of the grammatical
lines of division which otherwise govern the sequence of the successive
chapters.]
Polite Address.
The Present Partici-ple. {Lit. Noun of the Agent.)
1. Goodday to you (pi.) {lit. may your day be happy !) May
your (sing.) day be happy and blessed ! — How are you ?
{lit. How is your Presence ?)
2. God give you peace ! {or protect you). How are you ? —
Praise (be) to God !
3. Mr. Khalil is in his writing-room.. .Enter to him a (certain)
friend of his. . . Is (that) understood thus ? — Certainly it is
understood.
4. Well then, I am Khalil, and you are the friend. Then say
to me : —
Friend. Good morning, O Mr. Khalil.
' This sign indicates the resumption of the conversation by the first
speaker.
^ Lit. "your Presence" (hddrd) : a very ordinary expression of polite
address.
3 Or jihfazak, " keep you."
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 5 1
tamrim nimrit tamanja. ta:min tamriin.
li 1 m'hadsa I ''umumijja.
di '^emi. ana b_aju:f bi '^emi. inta lik ';e(:)ne:n? — aiwa,
ana lijja '^eneni, w_ana b_aj"u:f bi "^enajja. = " di manaxiiri,
ana b^aJimmLb manaxi:ri, inta lik manaxi:r ? — aiwa, ana lijja
manaxiir, w_ana b_ajimmi biiha. = da hanaki, ana b_aftatl (a'fil)
hanaki 'aho, etc. da lisa:ni, Ju:f ! ana b_adu:? bijsaini, muj inta
bi_tdu:' bi Isanak ?
di widni, do:l widaini, w_ana b^.asma"^ bLwdami, etc
b,.aju:f, b_ajimm, b_aftah, b_adu:' il fatha "^alajan "ana";
il be: alajan dilwa't_aho, au, tamalli. bukrd. . .h_aju:f, h ajimm,
h aftah, h_adu:'
di 'i:di, do:l 'idajja, muJ kida ? ba?a, ana b_almis bi
'i:di, mafhuim? di rigli wi do:l riglajja, w ana b_amji_b riglajja,
muf kida ? laikin il ?uttLb jimji_b rigleih w ide:h. niujjnta_b
timj"i_b rigle:k ? aiwa etc. = ma'^luim bi timji_b rigleik wi_b
tilmis b ide:k, wi bi_tju:f bi "^eneik, wi bi_tJimniLb manaxiirek,
wi_b tiftah hanakak wi_b ti'filu, wi_b tisma'^ bi_wda:nak, wi
bi_tdu:? bijsainak. it te: "^alajan " inta." fa 'ul li ba'a, " bi
timji bi rigleik ? " etc., etc.
ism il fai'^il.
1. naharkum sa'^iid ! — nahairak sa'^iid mubairak, iz zejj'
hddritak?^
2. 'tii'lah jisallimak,^ iz zejj' hddritak_inta ? — il hamdu* li
lla:h !
3. hddrit xdliiLafandi f il maktab bitai'^u. . . .ga: lu waihid
habi:bu. . . .mafhuim kida ? — ma''lu:m mafhuim.
4. tejjib, 'ana xdlid, w_inta_l habiib, fa ?ul_li ba'a : —
hab. sabaih il xe:r "^aleik,^ ja: si^ xdlid !
+ This U is the passing vowel of the nominative, adopted from the
classical in this expression.
5 Lit. "The morning of good (be) upon you ! "
* Short for sajjid (lord), which is worn down to sild, sid (= Spanish
" 9id "), and so si.
52 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
Kh. Good morning, welcome !
Friend. Welcome to you ! — How is Ali, your son ? Where
is his honour ?
Kh. Thanks to God ! He greets you. He is in the garden.
Friend. And his sister, where is her honour ?
Kh. With her brother in the garden.
Friend. When will they come here ?
Kh. They will come at 6 o'clock, I mean, at sunset.
[At this moment enters Galila.]
Friend. How is your honour ?
Gal. In God's protection ! how are you ?
Friend. We thank God in any case. And now, I desire to
ask leave (to go).
Kh. If you must !
Friend. I hope (lit. if God will) we shall see you another day.
Kh. Greet for me the Messrs. children.
Friend. May God keep your honour. [Exeunt.]
5. Look, sir : I am now standing. — Yes, you are now standing.
6. And you are now sitting. — Yes, I am now sitting.
7. And the lady who is in this picture, is sitting. — True, she is
sitting.
8. I mean she is not standing ? — Yes, she is not standing.
9. And we are now sitting ? — Yes, we are now sitting.
10. Get up ! if you please. Now we are standing. True, now
we are standing.
11. Good ! Now, what am I holding ? — You are now holding
the book and walking.
12. Then I am holding it ? — Yes, you are holding it.. .Now you
[Jem.) are holding it. — Yes, I [fern.) am holding it. . .So then,
we are holding it. — Yes, we are holding it.
13. What is the lady who is in this picture holding ? — She is
holding a sunshade and spreading it, i.e. opening it.
14. And I am spreading it, i.e. opening it.
15. And they are spreading it, i.e. opening it.
I Lit. light.
^ These terminations are classical (accusative) : ahl, W. = " worthy" ;
sahl = " easy."
3 From the words '■ala kuU' hail, especially if uttered in a somewhat
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 53
xdl. SQba:h in nu:r' "^aleik, ?ahlan wi sahlan.^
hab. 'ahlan wi sahlan bi:k ! iz zejj' '^ali.bnak, hadritu fe:n ?
xal. il hamdu li lla:h, jibuss_ide:k, huiwa fi g gine:na.
hab. w_uxtu_z_zejjaha ? — hddritha fern ?
xdl. WQJj_axu:ha fi g gineina.
hab. hddrithum jiigu hina 'emta ?
xdl. jiigu_s sa'^a xamsa_w nuss, ja'^ni 1 mdgrib.
[fil ha:l ddxdlit is sitt' gali.'la.J
hab. iz zejji hddritik ?
gal. fi ?ama:n illaih, iz zejj' hddritakjnta ?
hab. nihmid qHq: "^ala kulli hail.^ w_ahibb_asta?zin.
xdl. itfaddel min ge:r matruid !*
hab. in Ja 'atie: nijuif hddritkum fi jo:m taini.
xdl. sal'lim li "^ala hddrait Langail.
hab. "alia jihfaz hddritkum ! [xaragu fi 1 hail].
5. Ju:f hddritak, ana dilwa't' wa:'if. — aiwa hddritak wai'if
dilwa't.
6. w.inta dilwa't' 'a:'^id. — aiw_ana 'ai'^id dilwa't.
7. wi s sitt_illi fi s su:ra di ?a'^da. — sahi:h hiija ?a'^da.
8. ja'^ni mahij wa'fa ? — aiwa mahij wa'fa.
9. w_ihna dilwa't' ?a'^di:n. — aiwa_hna dilwa't* 'a'^dim.
10. ?u:m min fadlak ; dilwa't_ihna wa'fiin. — sahi:h ihna
dilwa^t' wa'fim.
11. tajjib, 'ana dilwa't' ma:sik_'e:h ? — 'inta dilwa't' ma:sik_il
kita:b wi maiji.
12. ba'_ana masku ? — aiw_inta masku. . . .dilwa't_inti maska:(h)!
— aiw_ana maska:(h).. . .ba'a_hna maskimu. — aiwajina
maskimu.
13. is sitt_illi fis suira di maska 'e:h? — hi:ja maska Jamsiija wi
fdr'da:ha, ja'^ni fat'ha:ha.
14. w_ana fa'ridha^ ja'^ni fa'tihha.
15. wi humma fdr'dinhum ja'^ni fa'thinhum.
resigned voire, it would be inferred that the friend was not very well.
4 See p. 45.
5 For ma(:)s(i)k. The verb means to seize or to retain.
* For fa(:)'ridha, the loss of accent involving loss of length.
54 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
i6. Is the lady who is in this picture walking (on her feet) ? —
No, she is not walking, but she (is) sitting.
17. When we say, " I am holding the pen, what are we saying of
the pen ? — We say that the pen (is) " held."
18. And when we say " the Sitt Galila is ' holding ' (' opening,'
' spreading ') the sunshade," what do we say of the sunshade ?
—We say that it is " held " (" opened," " spread ").
19. In the same way we say that the things in my hand are held. . ,
and that the door is open(ed) . . , and that the window is shut.
20. Do you understand the lesson well? — Yes, of course, I (we)
understand it {lit. am (are) understanding it).
21. Is all understood ?... Is every sentence in it understood?...
Are all the points in it understood ?
For Systematic Grammar. VIII.
1. Given any three consonants, e.g. [t, r, k], show the arrangement
of the vowels to form the active participle, masc, fem., plural.
2. Show how the suffixing of the vowel and consonant pronouns
affects the simple forms of this participle.
3. Take the same three consonants and show what consonant
and vowels are added to form the passive participle.
4. Write out the polite [hddrit] with all the pronouns. Also with
noun in sing, and plural, as, for example, [LL xdwaiga] ( =
gentleman,) [is sitt] (= lady), [sittait] (= ladies).
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 55
i6. is sitt illi fis su:ra di majja "^ala rigleiha ? — h., mahij majja
"^ala rigleiha, laikinnaha 'a'^da.
17. lammaji'u:! " 'ana maisik il ?alam," nPuil "^al ?alam ?e:h ? —
nPu:l inn il 'alam " mamsu:k."
18. wi lamma_n?u:l " is sitt* gali:la maska (fatha, fdrda) J Jamsiija
ni'u:l "^aj' J"amsi:ja 'e:h ? — ni'u:l innaha mamsuika (maf-
tu:ha, mafruida).
19. "^ala kida ni?u:l inn il liagait iUi f_i:di mamsuikiin w_
inni 1 ba:b maftu:h w_inni J Jibbaik ma'fuil.
20. inta faihim (/. fahma, p. fahmi:n) is darsi_kwaijis ? — aiwa_
mma:l ana fahmu (fahmaih. . .ihna fahmiinu).
21. kuUu mafhu:m ? kulli gumla fi:h mafhuima ? kulli n
nu'et"* iUi fiih mafhumiin ?
' For ?ala ij.
2 Plural of nu?ta.
ACTIVE PARTICIPLE, Separately
(Fill in the other triUteral verbs, according to
Masc. Sing.
Do. with Vowel'^
Pronouns.
Do with Consonant Prons.'
! Fem. Sing.
Do. with Vowe\
Pronoun.
'ma:sik
'masku
ma'sikha ma'sikna
J 'maska
mas'kaih
( = seizing).
for maisiku.
for ma:sikha
for ma:sika
deirib
seizing him.
seizing her. seizing us.
seizing (/.)
seizing him.
( = beating).
te:hb
( = asking for).!
fa:him
( = understanding) .
ha:tit
( = putting).
Passive Participle. — mamsuik (= seized), /. mamsuika, pi. mamsu(:)kim ; madruib
(= beaten); matluib (= asked for) ; mafhuim (= understood) ; mahtuTt
Note. — These objective suffix-pronouns divide into two groups, according to;
whether they begin with vowel or consonant. They may therefore be called the'
vowel-pronouns : [-ak] you, m. ; [-ik] you, f. ; [-u(h)] him ; and the consonant-
pronouns: [-ni(:)] me; [-na(:)] us; [ku(m)] you, ^. ; [hum] they. But after a vowd
the three vowel-pronouns assume consonantal forms, viz. [-k, ki] and [-h] respec-
tively. (The possessive pronouns are exactly the same, except that the consonant-
pronoun [-ni(:)] (= me) is replaced by [i(:)] (= my) : [beiti] "my house," but
[ma'sikni] "seizing me.") The important point is that members of same group are
always combined exactly similarly. It is only necessary to observe how one
' For explanation of these terms see the note.
56
AND WITH Pronouns.
scheme. (See below, note.)
Do. with Consonant Pronoun.
Plural.
Do. with Vowel
Pronoun.
Do. with Cons.
Pronoun.
mas'kaiki mas'ka:hum
seizing you (/.) seizing them.
mas'kim
for ma:siki:n
seizing {pi.)
mas'kimik
seizing you (/.)
mas'kinha.
seizing her.
member of each group is treated, e.g. : Vowel pronouns, ['masku,
'maskik] ; consonant pronouns, [ma'sikha, ma'sikni, ma'sikki, ma'sikku,
ma'sikhum].
Points to notice in the two groups. The vowel-pronouns do not change
the accent of the simple form of the active participle, e.g. ['maisik, 'masku]
(but observe the elimination of [:] and of [i] in [ma:sik]). But the
consonant-pronouns compel the accent to fall on the preceding syllable
{i.e. are " enclitic "), which sometimes necessitates the shifting of the accent,
e.g. ['ma:sik, ma'sikni]. The alterations of form observable in the above
instances take place owing to the disappearance of length {a) before two
consonants, and (6) when the long syllable has had the accent shifted from it :
See p. 36.
57
58 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
IX.
For General Conversation.
" Have " with negative. " Had," " Shall have."
1. Have you not any English coinage ? — No, I have none (of it).
2. Have you not any in the house ? — No, I have none.
3. Nor have you money, either, in the bank ? — I have not much
in the bank.
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 59
tamiiin nimrit taisi"^. taisi"^ tamriin.
li 1 m^hadsa 1 ■^umumijja.
Ju:f il kitab da. Jimm il mandi{:)l da. du:' is sukkdr
da. imji fi 1 ?o:da Jwejja. adi:ni b_amji wajjaik. xdllima nigri
sawa. bass ! nu?'^ud ba'a. Ju:f ana b_Qareb bj:di ! — aiwa,
inta_b tidrab = taijib iflrabni! muj "^awuz tidrabni ? — la
muj '^awuz_ad'rabak.
la:kin "^ali bi jidrab_uxtu, wi fa^ma b tidrab_axu:ha. wi
•^ali bi_jju:f bi "^eneih wi bi jjimm, etc., etc.
wi fatma bi tju:f, etc., etc.
il je: "^alajan " hu:wa." it te: "^alajan " hi:ja " ; wi_t te: di
ger it te: illi bi ma'^na "inta".
ana ll_a:gi hina bukrd ? — -aiwa, inta ha ti:gi. . . .
ba''a_lina l_itnem ha ni:gi. il mistir ha ji:gi ? il mis
ha ti:gi? ba'a kuUina niigi. wi kuUina bi_nju:f bi '^eneina wi_b
nilmis, etc., etc. in num ''alajan " ihna."
ha_tru:h il kiniisa 'emta ? — ^h_aru:h jo:m il hadd.
bi tru:h il kiniisa kull' jo(:)ni hadd ? wi xdliil, bi jniih il
kini:sa walla g gaimi"^ ? — ma bi_jruhj il kiniisa "-alajan hu:wa
muslim. bi_jru:h il gaimi*^.
tihibb tiru:h il ga:mi'^ '^alajan tiju:f is sala^bta'^t il mus-
limi:n ? — ma'^lu:m_ahibb_aru:h . . . ajuif . . .
bi^thibb ij |a:j bi sukkdr walla min ge:r sukkdr? bi_thibb,
etc., etc.
Juif ! ana h dxrug mil ?o:da. — tajjib_uxrug.
wi ba'^dim(a)_dxrug dxujji tami? — aiwa ba'^dima tuxrug,
xuJJ. = Ju:f, ana h_atla'^ fo:' il kursi. ti'ddr titla*^ "^al kursi^
btai'^ak ? — ^ma'^luim a'ddr atla"^. = itla*^ ba'a.
adi_hna IJtnem tili'^na "^al kara:si_btu'^na. xdllima ninzil
ba'a. an_anzil min fo:' il kursi.
tiMdr tinzil zajji: ? inzil ba'a. adihna Litnem nizilna.
" li " wi " "^and " wi " ma"^ " bi n nafj, wi^b " kam " " jiku:n."
1. ma.m'^akj' '^umla_ngilizi:ja ? — la, ma^m'^iij minha.
2. ma "^andakji fj i ^eit ? — la ma '^andiij.
3. wala lakj' filu:s kamam fi 1 bank? — ma li:J ?add' kida fi 1
bank. (fern, wala likj, or walajki:j.)
60 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
4. I also am like you, I have no English coin here, nor have I
any in the house ; nor have I much (money) in the bank. —
True, you have not, etc., etc.
5. Then we are like each other, we have none here, nor have
we any in the house, nor have we much in the bank. — True,
we have not, etc., etc...
6. The lady who is in the picture, has she no book in her hand ? —
No, she has none.
7. Has she none in the house ? — How should she have none !
8. Does she not own any at all ? — How could she be an educated
woman and have none ?
9. Has our friend Khalil got money (on him) ? — Perhaps he
has, perhaps he has not. =^ Has he none in (his) cabinet ? —
None in his cabinet, how so! He must have some. ^ Has
he none in the bank ? — Of course ! How could he be a
merchant, sir, if he had none !
\Enter{ed) guests.]
ID. Khalil. I see that you have no tobacco on you.
Guests. True, we have none.
Kh. Have you none in the house either ? — No, we have none.
Kh. A strange thing ! Have you no pleasure in it ? — No,
we do not like smoking.
[Exeunt guests.]
Galila. Those guests had no tobacco on them ?
Kh. No, they have none on them, nor have they any in the
house, nor have they any pleasure in it whatever.
Gal. Strange ! Would that you were like those folk, Khalil !
Kh. Yes, madam, would that I were like them ! It is a
useless custom.
All. No, it is a simple custom with no harm in it.
Kh. And whose are these boxes of tobacco, you rascal ?
All. Mine. But there is no tobacco in them.
' Fern. ma_m''aki:J,(from ma raa''a:ki:J) wala "^andikj' wala
likj (or wala lki:J).
2 Contracted from wala_lna:J.
3 When " how " is an expression of astonishment it is pronounced izzaij
rather than izzejj.
■t Or ma m'^uij.
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 6l
4. ana rsixar zejjak, ma m'^i:J hina '^umla_ngilizi:ja, wala
■^andiij minha fi 1 be:t, wala li:J ?addi kida fi 1 bank.— sahi.'il,
ma_m'^akji hina wala "^andakj' fi 1 be:t wala lakj' fi 1 bank/
5. ba?a hna zejji ba'^dina, ma_m'^ana:J hina, wala "^andinaj fi 1
be:t, wala_nna:J- fil bankLkti:r sahiih, ma_m';ana:J. . .
ma "^andinaij. . .ma_nna:J (= majnaij).
6. is sitt illi fi s- su:ra di ma_m'^a'ha:J kita:b -f Jdha ? — ^la, ma_
m'^ahaij.
7. ma "^andahaij fi 1 be:t ? — ma '^andahaij izzaij ! '
8. majha(:)j bi 1 mdrra? — tib'a sitt' mitrabbijja wi ma_lha:|_
izzaij ?
9. s-ahibna xdliil ma"^a(:)h filu:s ? — jimkin ma'^aih wi jimkin
ma.jn'^ahj,*- = ma "^anduij fi 1 xdzna ? — ^ma '^anduij fi 1
xdzna_zza:j ! daruiri^ "^andu. = ma luij fi 1 bank ? —
'urama:! jib'a taigir izza(i)j ja sidna, iza kan ma lu:J!
[ddxolu duju:f.]
10. xdlid. ana Ja(:)jif intu ma_m'^aku:J duxxam
duju:f. sahiih, ma_m'^ana:J.
xdl. alla_ntu ma "^andukuij" fi 1 be:t ? — la ma "^andinaij.
xdl. Je gdri:b ! ma lku:J ke:f minnu ? — la:, ma_nna:J ke:f
mid duxxam.
[xaragu_d duju:f.]
gali.'la. id dujuif dod ma kanj ma''a:hum duxxam ?
xdl. la:, ma_m'^ahumj, wala '■anduhumj kaman fi 1 be:t
wala IhumJ' ke:f minnu bi 1 mdrrd.
gal. Je 9dri:b ! ja re:tak'' zejj in na(:)s do:l, ja xdli:l !
xdl. ?aiwa, ja sitti ! ja re:ti'' zejjuhum ! di '^a:da ma fiha(:)J
fajda !'
■^ali. la: ! di ''a:da basi:ta ma fihaj ha:ga.
xdl. wi^btu*^ mi:n "^ilab id duxxa:n di, ja Ja'i ?
•^ali. bitu:'^i, la:kin ma fihumj' duxxa:n.
5 Or la:zim.
^ re:t is an optative particle which is combined with nouns and pronouns
{fern. re:tik, pi. re(:)tku.
7 PL re(:)tna.
8 Lit. "(there is) not in it use " ; i.e. " in which there is no use."
62 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
Gal. May Ali not become like you, Khalil !
Kh. May he not indeed ! And Fatima, may she not become
the fashionable young lady [lit. the fashion) !
11. Was Khalil pleased with Ali in the matter of the drinking of
tobacco {i.e. smoking) ? — No, he was not pleased with him.
12. But was there tobacco in the boy's boxes ? — No, there was not.
13. Had those guests unmade-up {lit. loose) tobacco ? — No, they
had not.
14. No cigarettes ? — No, they had no cigarettes.
15. Had they at home ? — No, they had not at home.
16. Perhaps they will have (some) later ? — Since they have no
pleasure in it at all, they will never have it.
17. We have finished the lesson. Will there be a lesson to-morrow?
— To-morrow is Thursday. . . yes, there wiU be a lesson.
18. On Sunday wiU there be a lesson ? — No, there won't be.
That is a rest day, not a work-day.
For Systematic Grammar.
1. Write out complete tables of the negatives of [li, "^and] and
[ma*^] with all the pronouns (equivalent to the present tense
of " have not.")
2. How are the past and future of "have" expressed, positive
and negative ?
3. Write out [fi(:)] with all the pronouns, positive and negative
{e.g. ist person ['fi:ja, ma fi'jaij].
4. How are " il y a," " il y avait," " il y aura " expressed in
Arabic, positively and negatively ?
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 63
gal. ja re:t '^ali ma jib'aj zejjak ja xoli:! !
xal. ja re:tu ! wi fstma, ja retha ma tib'aj moida !
11. il m^'^allim. ka(:)n xoli:! mabsuit min '^ali fi "^ibairit Jurb id
duxxam ? — ^la ma kanji mabsuit minnu.
12. wa la:kin kan fih duxxa:n fi 1 "^ilab bitu:"; il walad ? — ^la:, ma
kanji fi:h.
13. kan ma'^a 6. dujuif do:l duxxain sa(:)jib ? — la:, ma kanJL
m'^aihum.
14. wala sigaijir ? — la ma kanj'jn'^aihum siga:jir.
15. ka:n "^anduhum duxxam fi 1 be:t ? — la ma kanJi '^anduhum
fi 1 be:t.
16. jimkin jikum' ma'^aihum ba'^dem? — mada:m majhumj* ke:f
minnu bi 1 mcirre, ma_jkunji ma'^aihum abadan.
17. xilisna mid ddrs. jikum fih ddrs' bukra ? — bukra 1 xcimi:s,
aiwa, jikum fih ddrs.
18 fi jo:m il hadd' j (i)kum fih ddrs ? — ^la ma_jkunji fi:h. da jo:m
raiha, mahuj jo:m Jugl.
Future of kain " it was'
64 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
X.
For General Conversation.
[To Pupil and Teacher.
In most of the succeeding chapters it will suffice to treat the main
exercise as a reading one, the object of which is to show how verbs
illustrating the form under discussion occur in ordinary talk* Much
more work should be put into the conversational verb-drills,
which form an essential part of each chapter. On these the changes
should be rung incessantly, in order to break the stiffness which
all Europeans feel in using Arabic verbs, and using them correctly
and readily.]
* If the time available is insufficient, these exercises (headed " For
Reading") may be omitted.
EGYPTIAN .COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
65
tamriin nimrit "^ajara.
li 1 m'hadsa 1 '^umumijja.
•^aijir tamriin.
g
•^andina hina m'rsbba'^, a-b-g-d. il m'-
rabba"^ luh drba"^ wujuij" (hina wiJJ...).
rn'rabba"^ w drba'^tLrkain (hina rukn...). il kitab
da wi 1 'o:da di luhum wujuij" w drka:n. id
d dajrd di mrabba'^a ? la:, hiija mdawwdrd,
wi ma IhaJ wuju:j wal(a) drkam. laha mdrkaz wi muhi:t. il
m'rebba'^ lu tu:l wi '^ard, wi kida kaman id
dajrd. il kitab da lu tu:l wi '^ard wi kaman
sumk (tuxn). hu:wa tewid wi "^ariid wi taxiin.
il m'ka'-'^ab hu:w_illi lu tu:l wi "^ard wi tuxn.
, il xatt' lu tu:l laikin ma
lu:J "^ard wala tuxn.
in nu'ta la_lha tu:l wala "^ard wala sumk.
il xatt' [a — b) mista'iim. il xatt' da muj mista'iim,
ba'a huiwa ma''wu:g (a'' wag m"^awwig).
kull' xatt' lu tarfem {a — -b) .
il wara? da msattah. it tarabeiza msattaha. w is sutu:h
m^sattaha kaman.
il wara' da dilwa't* muJ m^sattah, ba'a huiwa minhani
(matni) .
il wara'' kaman nai''im, muJ" xijin. il gild' nai''im. il hasiira
xijna.
il ''umaij" tari, muJ gaimid zejj_il xdjab.
kuU il haga:t do:l najfim. il wara' da na:Jif. lamm ahuttu
fi majja kidaho jib' a tari (mablud).
is sukkdr abjad wi hilu. il lamuin mahuj abjad wala hilu
la:kin asfdr wi haidi''. id dawa muJ hilu laikin murr ; masalan
il kima murrd.
fa I hittit is sukkdr di mka'^'^aba, ja'^ni laha tu:l wi '^ard wi
tuxn. wi hiija hilwa wi beida wi gamda. wi laha wuju:]" w
drkam. wi kull' wiJJ' fiiha mrabba*^ muJ m'dawwdr. wi kull'
1 xutuit fi:ha mista'iima.
66 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
FOR READING.
The Sound Triliteral Verb — the Aovist and Imperative in [u].
A Visit of Ali and Fatima to their Grandparents.
[First Scene.]
A li and Fatima (together) . Good-day to you, (our) grandparents !
The Grandparents. Good-day to you, (our) grandchildren !
How is the health of your parents ?
The Children. Praise to God ! Their health is fine ; they
salute you.
The Grandparents. God salute you ! Come ! Sit down !
Muhammed. Sit by me, my grandson !
Ali. I am sitting, sir. See !
Ayesha. Come, sit down by my side, my grand-daughter !
Fatima. Here I am sitting by you, madam.
The Children. We are pleased when we sit by 5'ou [or are
sitting).
The Grandparents. And we are pleased when you sit beside us.
Ali. I am very pleased when I sit by you, my grandfather !
Muh. And I am very happy when you sit by me, my grand-
son.
Ayesha. I am very happy when you sit by me, my grand-
daughter.
Fatima. And I am the happier when I sit by you, my grand-
mother.
Ali (to Muh.) Look ! how they are sitting side by side, so
happily !
Fatima (to Ayesha). Look how they are sitting beside each
other, happy !
^ From same root as talaita, the literary having passed over to t in
some words and s in others (mostly those of a literary flavour) .
^ i.e. With radicals free from the " weak " consonants w and j, which
undergo transformation and omission.
3 We consistently use " aorist " for this term, in spite of the fact that the
word became associated with the preterite tense in Greek. On the contrary,
the word means " undefined," which very well describes this mudairi'^
verb, for it is by itself quite vague, requiring the prefixing of particles
before it is determined as present or future (tense), and cooperating
with other verbs to express possibility, obligation etc. (mood). It is therefore
little more than a vehicle for this cooperation of various particles and verbs
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 67
li 1 'irsija.
il fi4 is sula:si' s sahiih."— il mudairi" wi I 'amr bi 3 demima.
zija:rit "^ali wi fatma Lagda(:)dhum.
[awwil fasl.]
"^ali wi fstma (ma'^an). naharku sa'^iid j_agdadna !
1 agdaid. naharku mubairak ja_wlad wila'dna. izzejji sillhit_
abbahatkum ? *
il wila:d. il hamdu li llaih, sihhithum "^ail, bi_jsallimu '^aleikum.
1 agda:d. aiiah jisal'limkum ! ta'^a:l(u)_u?'^udu ! '
muh. u'-^^ud gambi, ja_bn_ibni.
•^ali. ana b_a''^ud^ ja si:d(i)_aho.
"^eija. ta'^aili, u''^udi_f ri:hi ja bintjbni.
fatma. adimi b_a''^ud fi riihik, ja sitti.
il wilaid. ihna mabsutiin lamma nu^'^ud gambukum {or
lamma_b nu'"^ud).
1 agda:d. wjhna mabsutiin lamma tu^'^udu gambina (or
lamma_b tu''^udu).
■^ali. ana mabsuit ?awi '^andim(a)_a''^ud gambak ja giddi
(or b_a'"'ud_).
muh. w ana mabsu:t ?awi wa'tima tu^'^ud gambi, ja_ibn_
ibni. (or _b tu^'^ud.)
•■eija. 'ana mabsu:te 'awi lamma tu^'^udi gambi ja bint_
ibni. (or _b tu?'^udi.)
fat. w_ana mabsuite ktdr lamm a'"'ud gambik ja gidditi.
(or b_a''^ud.)
•^ali (li muh). Juf izzaj bi ju^'^udu gamb' ba'^d mabsutim !
fatma (li '■eija). Ju:fLzzaj bi ju''^udu_f ri:h ba'^d wi humma
mabsutim !
to express all moods and tenses of the finite verbs except the preterite and
the imperative. We therefore call it the " aorist," i.e. undefined.
4 Or waldeiku (two) parents, for wailideiku.
5 The imperative and the aorist are formed similarly. N.B. — The
particular feature of the verbs which are illustrated in this section is this
second u. The third one is merely the sign of the plural. The first may
be alternatively i, e.g. here i'"'udu and in the next sentence i'"'ud, etc.
6 In the first-singular alone a is obligatory (a worn-down ana).
Neither i nor u would be permissible here. The b is for bi, the particle
that makes the aorist definitely present-tense. It will be observed that par-
ticiples {e.g. 'ai'^id) are very often substitutable for these aorists.
68 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
[The Second Scene]. — Aorist and Imperative in [a].
Muh. You, Ahmad, come here !
Ah. (I am) ready sir. (Are you) wanting something ?
Muh. Give the children milk that they may drink.
Children. We are not wanting to drink milk.
Muh. Well then, what will you drink ?
Children. We would drink coloured-drinks preferably.
Muh. Ahmad ! Listen while I speak to you.
Ah. [returning) . Yes !
Muh. They are wishing to drink coloured drinks. Bring them
to them. You, mother-of-Khalil, are you wishing to drink the
same as them ?
Ayesha. No, I don't wish to drink the same as them ; I
will drink milk preferably.
Muh. Well, Ahmad, bring her (with you) a glass of milk to drink.
[Exit A. Re-enter A.]
Muh. Let each one take his glass, and drink !
Fat. Take your glass AH, and drink first.
Ali. No, you drink.
Muh. The point is, drink, and no ceremony.
Fat. Look, ma'am ! Ali is drinking without any manners.
Ali. Don't say so, Fatima ! Shame on you !
[The Third Scene]. — Aorist and Imperative in [i].
Muh. Ahmad, come here ! Take away the tumblers, and
bring the ball for the children, that they may play with it.
Children. Delightful ! We love to play.
Muh. Show them how to catch it, and how to throw it
Ahmad [to the girl). Catch thus, girl, and throw this way.
Fat. Look at me, Ali ! How I am catching and how I am
throwing !
Ah. You are catching not badly, but you are throwing very
badly.
Fat. And you, Ali, are just catching and throwing worse than
me.
Ali. No, the truth is we catch and throw like one another.
Ah. Yes, indeed, you are catching and throwing just alike.
Muh. Ayesha ! I am pleased that they are catching and
throwing it.
' Lit. "the intended thing." ^ Or jil'^a'bu^bha.
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 69
[il fsel it ta:ni.] — il muasiri"; wil ?amr bi 1 fatha.
muh. inta j_ahmad ta'^aila.
ah. haidir, ja si:di. '^a(:)wuz fiaga ?
muh. ?iddLl wilaid laban "^alajan jijrabu.
awla:d. ma_hnaj "^awziin nijrab laban.
muh. 'ummad tij'rabu 'e:h ?
awtaid. nijrab Jarb'a:t_ahsan.
muh. jajimad, isma''_amm_a'ul lak.
ah (jirga'^). na'^am !
muh. humma '^awzin jij'rabu Jdrbait; hat'haj hum. ja_,
(u)mmu xali:l, "^awza tij'rabi zejjuhum ?
"^e.'Ja. la: manij" ''awza_(a)Jrab zejjuhum, ajrab laban_ahsan.
muh. tajjib j ahmad,hatlahawajja:kkubba(:)jitlabantijrabha.
[ahmad xarag. ahmad dax61 fi 1 ha:l.]
muh. kuUi waihid jaixud kubbajtu jijrabha.
fat. xud kubbajtak ja "^ali wjjrab il 'awwil.
■■ali. la:, ijrabi_nti.
muh. il ma'su:d'_ijrabu, wi balaj takli:f.
fat. Ju:fi ja sitti, "^ali bi jijrab min 9e:r 'adab izza:j !
'^ali. ma t?uli:J kida ja fatma, '^e:b '^ale:ki !
[il fasl ii ta:lit.] il muda:ri'^ wi 1 ?amr bi 1 kasrd.
muh. ta'^a:la j_ahmad ! Ji:l il kubbaja:t wi ha:t il ko:rci
lil wila:d ''alajan jiFabu bi:ha.-
wila:d. Je lati:f ! ihna_nhibb' niFab.
muh. wdrri:hum jimsiku z zejj, wi jihdifu_zzejj.
ah. (lil bint), im'siki kida ja bint, w_ih'difi kidaho.
fat. Jufni ja '■ali, ana b_amsik izzejj, wi b_ahdif izzejj!
^ali. inti_b timsiki muj batta:l, la:kin bi tihdifi wihij 'awi.
fat. w_inta ja "^ali ma^^btimsik wi_b tihdif awhaj minni.
•^ali. la:, il ha?', bi nimsik wi_b nihdif zejj' ba'-dina.
ah. aiwa sahi:h bi timsiku wi_b tihdifu zejj' ba''dukum.
muh. ja '^e:J"a ana mabsu:t innuhum bi jimsiku wLb jihdifu
bi san''a.
3 This is the vivacious ma of interest.
70 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
Ayesha. Yes, I see they are, for AH catches and throws
to perfection, and Fatima catches and throws exactly Uke him.
[Appendix]. For Conversation. The verb "was."
1. Were you in Egypt last month ? — Yes, I was in Egypt.
[you (f.) ... — I, you (p.) ... — ^we.J
2. So then you were not in your own country ? — Of course I
was not in my own country.
[you (f.) ... — I, you (p.) ... — we.]
3. How long then have you been in our country ? — I have been
. . .in your country.
4. How long will it he before you travel ? — It will be . . . before
I travel.
5. How long have you been here (lit. " from when did you come
here ") ?■ — I have been here for about 10 minutes (25 minutes,
a quarter of an hour, three-quarters of an hour, twenty
minutes, forty minutes, forty-five minutes, forty minutes).
(Lit. " I am here since an amount .... "); (or "There has
become to me here something like. . .")
6. How many months ago did you come to Egypt ? (How long
have you been in Egypt ?) — I have been in Egypt for ...
months past.
7. Is this the first time you have been here ? — Yes, this is the first
time I have been here (or no, I have been here once before) .
8. When was that ? — It was two years ago (lit. before two years)
. . . three years . . . eleven years ?
9. Were you glad or sorry (on) the day that you came to Egypt
for the first time ? — I was glad the day I came to Egypt for
the first time, not sorry.
ID. Was Fatima pleased or displeased (on) the day of the visit ? — -
She was pleased, she was not displeased.
II. So then all of them were pleased not displeased ? — Yes, they
were all pleased, they were not displeased.
' For kunt', kunti(:), kuntu.
^ Lit. There has been to you how much ? If the word kam is used then
the time-division must be specified, e.g. kam joim . . . gum'^a . . . Jahr,
"how many days. . .weeks. . .months." See sentence.
3 Participle of the same verb as in sentence 3 : lit. "(there is) remaining
to you how much," (or '' kam jo:m," etc. These two sentences show the
invariable way of rendering " how long," past and future.
■• Lit. "And you travel." This wi is a subordinating not a coordinating
particle.
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 7I
■^eija. aiwa, ana Jajfa:hum gid'^ain 'awi, "^alajan '^ali bi jimsik
wi_b jihdif mazbu:*, wi fstma^b timsik wLb tihdif zejju tamaim.
[tazjiil.] li 1 m^hadsa.— fi-;!! " ka:n."
1. kutti'_f masr fi J Jahr Uli fa:t ?— aiwa kuttLf masr.
[fem. kutti(:)'. .?— aiwa kutt'. ., plu. kuttu(:)'. .?— aiwa kunna. ..]
2. ba'a ma 'kuttij fi_bladku ?— tab'^an ma 'kuttij fi_bladna.
[fem. ma kut'ti:]" ?— ma 'kuttij
plu. ma kut'tuij" ?— ma kun'na(:)J ]
3. "^ala kida ba'?a: lak ?add_e:^ fi bladna ?— ba'?a li fi_
bladku.
4. ba''i:3 lak ?add_e: wi_tsa:fir ? ■* — ba'i: li w_asa:fir.
5. min_emta5 ge:t hina ? — ana hina min 'i:mit "^djdr da^'aiji'.
(xamsa_w "^ijrim di'i:?a,® rub" sai'^a, talattjrba(:)'; sai'^a,
tilt* sai'^a, tiltem sai'^a, sai'^a ilia mb'^, sai'^a iUa tilt.)
Or ba'?a: li hina zejj' "^cijdr da'aiji', etc.
6. ge:t masr' min muddif kam Jahr? — ge:t masr' min
_ujhur fa:tit.
7. wi di 'awwil mdrra lak hina? — aiwa di 'awwil mdrra lijja
hina {or la, ge:t hina mdrra 'abl' di).
8. ka:nit emta ? — ka:nit 'abl' sanatem . . . . 'talat sini:n. . . .
hidaijar sana.
9. kutt' fdrhain walla za'^lam jo:m ma^ ge:t biladna 'awwil'
mdrrd? — kutt' fdrham jo:m ma ge:t biladku ?awwil mdrrd,
ma kuttij za''lam.
10. ka:nit fatma fdrhama walla za'^lama jo:m iz zija:ra? — kamit
fdrhama ma ka(:VnitJi za'^lama.
11. ba'a kuUuhum ka:n" fdrhaniin ma ka'nuij' za'-lanim ?^
aiwa kamu kulluhum fdrhanim ma ka'nuj za'^lanim.
5 The phrase for " how long ? " if the interval is quite a brief one. But
ba'i'a: lak (sentence 3) could also be u?ed.
* Numerals above 10 take a singular noun.
7 Lit. " You came to Cairo from an interval of . . . ? "
^ This ma is exactly like the English " that," which combines with pre-
positions to make conjunctions (and is often omitted) ; e.g. 'abl' ma ge:t,
before (that) I came.
9 For li ?awwil.
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bi 'juxrug
1
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rd ^
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ah 'juxrug, «
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tuxrugi ,,
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in
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72
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 73
How TO USE THESE CONVERSATIONAL VeRB-DRILL EXERCISES.
The framework shows how any verb may be arranged for the
purpose of practice. It is always best to add at least one word
before or after the verb. The little sentence forms a natural
matrix for the verb. It will probably be well for the first speaker
always to put in vocatives like those in (2) and (4).
The paradigm in the conventional order "I go," " Thou
goest," etc., may be readily now deduced by those who are dependent
on this.
The paradigms should be practiced orally by three students
(if possible), who should constantly change parts.
Notes.
(a). Throughout these [u-] aorists and imperatives, the
first vowel may be [i] alternatively (always except the ist singular) ;
e.g. [ixrug, itlub, tixrug, titlub], etc.
(b). It will be found necessary to practice both the unelided
and elided forms of [bi].
(c). The future p£(,rticle (= "going") has yet another form,
namely, the full one from which those given in (5) have been worn
down, viz. masc. [rajih], fern, [rejha], plu. [r«jSi:n].
{d). No. (i) shows how this [mudairi''] is sometimes more an
infinitive than a finite tense : " (it is) necessary for you to go." It
is by this means that moods are expressed in Arabic : e.g. [la:zim
tutlub], " you must (or should) summon ; [ana '^a(:)wuz atlub],
" I wish to summon " ; [jiguiz tutlub], " you may summon " ;
[jimkin tutlub] (or [ti'dar tutlub]), " you can summon " ; [il
waiqib tutlub], " you ought to summon " ; [jilzamak tutlub],
" you must or shall summon." And so the imperfect tenses
[kutf tutlub or [kuttLb tutlub], " you were summoning." Similarly
the moods in past tense: e.g. [ka:n la:zim tutlub], "you must or
should have summoned." ^See Ch. XV. and paradigms thereon.)
—
^—
—
^■"^
v—^
(L)
^ :
U "-
4-'
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tj
ni
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3
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a 5
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^. ^, ^.
oi .J 3
•S .s .s
•1
s
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4-J
6
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XI
3
03 ::
H
N
CO
'i-
in
3"
74
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 75
For Systematic Grammar. X.
1. Examine exhaustively the verbs conjugated in this chapter
and observe that the second vowel in the aorist and im-
perative is [u, a] or [i]. All "sound" triliteral aorists corre-
spond to these three types, and are classified according to
these vowels.
2. Deduce the first vowel, in the ist person sing., and in the
other persons.
3. Conjugate the tense " was," position and negative.
yb EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
XL
For Reading.
Aorist with Pronouns of the object attached ; with " was " [Imperfect
Tense) ; with Pronouns of the Dative.
And when the children had finished the game of ball. Ah said
to his sister : " Let us play another game. Now I will hold you
by your hand, and you hold me by my hand, and we'll run together.
Hold me, girl ! "
Fatima. I'll hold you, and Ahmad'll hold us by our hand(s).
Hold on, Ahmad !
Ahmad. Yes, Fll catch hold of you.
Grandparents (from the window). Ali, catch hold of him by
his hand ! Catch hold of him by his hand, children.
Ali. Why are you calling me names, Fatima ?
Fat. I call you names, because you were running (so) fast.
Ali. And I too will call you names, too, for tuppence [lit.
" nor is there anything in it ").
Ayesha (to Moh.). Do you see Ali ? He's always calling
her names, I don't know why.
Moh. And she calls him names too. [Moh. raises his voice.]
Do be quiet, you wretches, or Fll call you names.
' xdlli(:), "let" is in the second singular. When the verb, as here, is used
like a mere imperative particle, it remains in the singular even when plural
persons are addressed.
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 77
it tamriin 1 ihdaijdr.
li 1 m'hadsa 1 "^umumijja.
'ul li bi ti'^mil e: kull' jo:m ? — an_ana:m zejj js sar'^a
•^ajara walla_fe(i)da:Jar, w_asha_s sai'^a sitta walla sab'^a. w_
a?u:m mis siri:r. wi ba'^d il hamma:m albis hudinmi wi gazmiti;
w_is sai'^a sab';a_w nuss_QftQr, wi ba'^d il futuir abtidi fi d dars
li hadd^id duhr, ja'^ni e subhijja kuUaha. wi ba'^di kid(a)_atgddda
wi ba'^d il gdda astctrajjah Jwsjja, u ba'^dein ajrab Ja:j wi jimkin
aikul Jwajjit baskawiit wejja J J'a:j. ba<;di kida ?a:xud fusha, aFab
fiiha 1 koira wall(a)_drkab it trorawa:] li matreh ^alajan ajimm il
hawa tajjib. u ba<;d il fus}i(a)_ajtigil [ajtdgdlj fi d ddrs li hadd
il "^aja. wi ba''dim(a)_at'^ajja, a'ra Jwajja wall_atkallim wajj_
ashaibi, wi ba'^d' kid(a)_ana:m. [Do also with bi.]
ba'a 'ul li, ana b_a'^miLeh kuU' jo:m? — bi tnaim zejji s sa'^a
'^ajdrd, etc., etc.
li 1 'ira:ja.
il mudairi'^ bi damai'ir in nasb il muttasila ; wi b " kam " ;
wi bi_d damai'ir il magru:ra bi 1 la:m.
wi lamma xallasu I wila:d li'^b il koira ?a:l '^ali Luxtu, xdllima'
nil'^ab li'^bi ge(:)r da. . .dilwa't_am'sikik min_i:dik, w inti timsi-
'ki:ni minjidi, wi nigri sawa. imsikiini ja bint !
fatma. am'sikak, w ahmad jim'sikna min_idna; im'sikna
j_ahmad !
ahmad. aiw_am'sikkum.
agda.'d. (mi J Jibbaik). im'siku min i:du ja "-ali ! imsi-
'ku:(h) min i:du ja_wla:d !
'^ali. bi tijtimimi le:h ja fatma ?
fat. 'af'timak '■alajan kutt' tigri ?awi.
?ali. w ana raxar^ajtimik wala fiha(:)J llaiga.
■^eija (li muh). inta Ja(:)jif "^ali? — daiman bi^ jij'timha manij"
■^drfa le:h ?
muh. wi hi:ja ruxra ma_b^ tij'timu! [ji'^alli soitu*.] us'kutu
ja Ju'aj wall (a) ajtimkum.
^ Or tamallLb...
3 ma, the vivacious particle (— "see").
+ SO:t. A very colloquial word for "voice" is hiss.
78 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
Ayesha. Yes, we'll call you names.
Children. No ! We'll be quiet ! There's no need (that) you
call us names.
Muh. Why were you calling each other names?
[On the Road.]
Fat. When we were taking each other's hands, why were
you calling me names, boy ? Shame on you !
AU. Well, then, why were you calling me names ? You are
the first to blame {lit. in the wrong).
Zaid. You are both to blame ! Why, you were playing
together just now ! Why are you now calling each other names ?
[Next day.]
Now it chanced that one of the friends of the children's grand-
father, called Zaki, saw them, when they were playing together,
and catching the ball, and throwing it to each other. So Zaki
Effendi said to his brother next day : —
It was so pretty ! I saw Khahl's girl yesterday, catching
the ball, and throwing it just Uke an expert (" one taught ").
His Brother. And her brother Ali, wasn't he catching and
throwing it like her ?
Zaki. Yes, he was catching it well, but not throwing it
properly (lit. like people).
His Brother. Did not their grandparents catch it and throw it ?
Zaki. No, how should they, grown-up people, play with it !
His Brother. Did you not hear Ali say anything to his sister ?
Zaki. He said to her, " Show me how you catch it, and throw
it...." Excuse me now {lit. permit to me), my dear fellow, I
have an appointment.
His Brother. I'll excuse you, but you (must) come again.
Zaki's Wife (to his brother's wife). Excuse me, my dear !
Wife. We'll excuse you, but you must come again.
Both (to their relations). Excuse us, for the time has gone.
Servant. They'll excuse you, but you must come again.
Teacher. Excuse me ! — Certainly, but come to-morrow !
* Or with the participle, kamit maska.
' Notice the alternative way of rendering the negative-interrogative :
e.g. muj kan bi jimsik ("is it not (the case) that he was catching ? "), or
ma kanJLb jimsik ("was he not catching"). There is thus a shade of
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 79
"^eija. aiwa nijtimkum.
Uwla:d. la:! niskut ! wala fi:| luzu:m tijti'muma (tij-
'timna. ..tijti'mima).
muh. kutt^ub tijtimu ba'^d iz za:j !
[fi s sikka.]
fet. lamma kunna_b nimsik idem ba'^d, kuttLb tij'timni
leh ja walad ? "^eib '^ale:k !
■^ali. umma:l kutti_b tijtimimi leh? ?inti mah?u:'aj ?awwil.
ze:d. intu 1 itnem ma}l'u:?i:n. ma kuttu_b tiFabu ta.ww^ !
leh bi tij'timn ba'^d' dilwe't !
[fil jo:m it ta:ni.]
w_itsQ:dif inn' waihid min_ashaib gidd il wilaid ismu zaki
Ja(:)fhum lamma kamu_b jiFabu, wi humma_b jimsikuj ko:ra
wi b jihdifuiha li ba'^'duhum. fa ?a:l zak(i)_afandi l_axu:h fi
taini jo:m : —
'amma Je gami:l ! Juft bint^ xaliiljmbairill ; kamit bi
timsik' 1 koira wi_b tihdifha zejj^ wa:hid mif^allim taimam !
axu:h. w axu:ha '^ali muj kan^ bi jim'sikha^ wi_b jiS'difha
zejjaha ?
zaki. na'^am kan bi jimsikha_kwajjis xa:lis ; la:kin ma
kanJLb jihdifha zejj in na:s.
axu:h. w_agdadhum ma ka'nu(:)J bi jimsikuiha'^ wi_b
jihdifuiha ?
zaki. lai, humma_il kubair jil'^abu biiha z za:j !
axuih. ma_smi'^tij" "^ali 'al l_uxtu ha:ga ?
zaki. 'al laha " warri:ni_b timsikiiha wi_b tihdifiiha z zejj."
is'mah li dilwa't ja habiibi, ''alajan "^andi mi "^ aid (or is'mah
lina).
axu:h. as'maS lak, la:kin ti:gi taini (or as'mah luku).
mdrQ(:)t zaki (li_jnrQ:t_axu:h) . ismahi li ! (or ismaSLnna).
mara:t axuih. nis'mah lik la:kin ti:gi tami (or nis'maS luku).
1 itnein. (li 'ara'jibhum). ismahu(:)_nna, "^alajan il wa-'t' fait.
il xaddaim. jismahu(i)_lku laikin tiigu taini.
il m^'^allim. ' is'mah li ! — as'mah lak... laikin tiigi bukra !
difference in the sense. It follows that the muJ construction more distinctly
' expects an answer yes ' than the other.
3 Or ma'sikha.
+ Or muJ kainu^b jimsikuiha.
For Conversational
I
;t Speaker (AH's cousin or cousins).
2nc
Speaker (the cousins' friend).
I
bi tig'limni ja "^ali !
aiwa.
bi tiz'limu, ''eib '^ale:k.
(The same, with a girl-speaker)
"
bi tiz'hmha ,,
bi tizh'mimi ja fatma !
_^
bi tizli'mirh, "^eib "^aleiki.
(The same, with girl-speaker).
•'
bi tizli'miiha ,,
bi tizli'mumi ja_wla:d !
,,
bi tizli'muih [-'mu:ha].
bi tizli'muma ja_wla:d !
„
bi tizli'muihum
2.
kuttLb tid'rabni, ja "^ah !
kuttLb tidrabu
kutti_b tidra'bimi ja fatma !
„
kuttLb tidrabiiha.
kuttu_b tidra'bumi ja wla:d !
kuttu_b tidra'buih [-ha].
kuttu_b tidra'buina ja wla:d !
})
kuttu_b tidrabuihum.
3-
ma 'kuttij bi tij'timni, ja "^ali ?
?u:l!
ma kuttij bi tij'timu [-ha] ?
ma kut'ti: j bi tijti'mimi, j a fatma ?
?u:li !
ma kuttiij bi tijti'miih [-ha]?
ma kut'tuij bi tijtimumi, jawlaid ?
?u:lu
ma kuttuij bi tijti'muih [-ha]?
4-
kutt' raikib il fdras imbairih ?
—
kuttirakbal „ „ ?
— ■
kuttu rakbim il ,, ,, ?
—
5-
if'tah h ja "^ah !
inta
saimi"^ ? iftah lu hailan !
ifta'hi: U ja fatma !
inti sam'^a ? ifta'hiiTu [-hi_lha] !
if tah Hna ja "^ali.
inta saimi*^ ? iftah luhum hadan !
iita'hi_nna ja fatma.
inti sam'^a ? ifta'hijhum
ifta'hu_nna ja_wla:d.
intu sam'^iin ? ifta'hu Ihum „
:. Tense of present continuous (o»- momentary) action: " You are injuring
me, Ali." " Yes, you are injuring him, shame ! " " Well yes, I am injuring you
(him)." " In truth, he is injuring you (him)." [With negative, see on p. 107.]
2. " Imperfect " tense ; i.e. past continuous [or momentary) action : " You
were hitting me, Ali I " " Yes, you were hitting him." " Well yes, I was hitting
you." " In truth, he was hitting you."
80
Verb-Drill.
3rd speaker (Ali, Fatima).
4th Speaker (All's friend).
r b az'limak (to I.). ^. ^ (bi iiz'limak (to I.).
ai na'^am , ,.. ,; ^^'. sahuti ,.■!.,,. ,; .^ (
b az limu (to II.). bi ^iz limu (to II.).
b ag'limik
rbi jiz'limik.
\bi jiz'limha.
lb az'limha.
(h az'limak.
lb az'limu
rbi tiz'limak.
Ibi tiz'limu.
jb az'limik.
rbi tiz'limik.
Ibi tiz'limha.
lb az'limha.
("bi nig'limak [-ik].
rbi jizli'mu:k [-ki].
" Ibi jizli'muih [-ha].
1bi niz'limu [-ha].
bi niz'limku [-hum].
„ bi jizli'muiku [-hum].
kutt' b_QarQbak.
„ kam bi jidrabak.
kutt' b^adrabik.
„ ka:nit bi tidrabik.
kunna_b nid'rabak [-ik].
„ kamu_b jidrabu:k [-ki].
kunna_b nid'rabhum.
„ kanu_b jidrabuiku.
la: ! ma kuttij b_ajtimak [-ik]. sa
Siih ma kanJLb jij'timu [-ha].
„ ma kuttij b^ajtimak [-ik].
, ma ka'nitJLb tij'timu [-ha].
„ ma kun'naj bi nijtimak [-ik].
ma ka'nu: J bi j ijti'mu:h [-ha] .
la ma kuttij ra(:)'kibha.
, ma kanji ra'kibha.
,, ,, ,, rakbaiha.
, ma ka'nitji rak'ba:ha.
„ ,, kunnaj rak'binha.
, ma kanuij rak'binha.
muj mumkin af'tah lak ! [lik].
, muJ mumkin j if 'tah lu ? [laha] .
aftah lak ! [lik].
tif'tah lu? [laha].
„ ,, af'tah luku !
j if tah luku?
af'tah luhum !
tif'tah luhum ?
„ „ nif'tah luhum!
„ jifta'hujhum ?
3. " Were you not abusing me, Ali ?
' " Say, were you not," etc.
4. " Open to me, Ali ! " " Do you he
ar ? open to him at once ! " " Why
should I open to you ? " " Certainly, why should he open to him ? "
5. " Were you riding the mare yesterday ? " " No, I was not riding her."
(With masc. object rakbu, rak'baih, rakbimu.)
81
82 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
For Systematic Grammar. XI.
1. Notice that the accent of the aorist falls on the penultimate.
But the suffixing of the pronouns causes the shifting of the
accent forward.
2. Notice that the dative pronouns are treated exactly like
suffix pronouns, so that they cause the same shifting of the
accent as the objective pronouns.
3. The difference between [inta raikib il fdras] {partic.) and
[inta_b tirkab il fdras] is very slight. The participle describes
more the upshot of the action, the indicative more its move-
ment'. The aorist without [bi] is too vague^. But note that
not all verbs sound well with the participle construction :
for this no rule can be given.
4. The same difference comes out in the imperfect : (i) [kam
ra:kib ij husam], (2) [ka:n bi jirkab il husam]. But here
[ka:n jirkab] is admissible, and gives the same meaning as (2).
5. Use or disuse of [bi] with the aorist and negative.
(i) In prohibitions [bi] is not used.
(2) In denials and negative questions which refer to
present or habitual action [bi] should be used.
(3) In denials and negative questions which refer to the
future [bi] is not used.
' In addition to this, the latter may also denote continuous or habitual
actions.
" The reason for this is that when used alone it more naturally suggests
a future.
APPENDIX TO CHAPTER XL
#
nasab ';ali wi fotma. THE GENEALOGY OF ALI AND FATIMA.
fahmi
m^ammad
1
=
fahi:ma 1 = <;e:Ja
ibu:b
1 1
fari:d labi:ba
I 1 1 1
[galnla] = [xoli:!] ?asma <;abd il "^aziiz maJ
= fariida
1
- labi:b = mazluim = kari:ma
1 1
= mahbuiba
1
ahmad
II II 1
xddi:ga ['■ali] [fstma] sa'^iid sa'^iida
L [il 'ara:jib] [The blood-relations).
I
Father [ab. ]
I.
m^hammad ['abu] xali:! wi 'asma wi mahbuib. hu:w_a'bu:h . . . . abu:ha . . .
xdlirl ji?u:l lijnhammad " j_abu:ja ! "
. abuihum. wi
2
Mother
2.
''e:Ja hi:ja [umm'] xdli:l wi_(a)xwa:tu. hi:ja_mmu. . . ._mmaha. . . ._mmuhuni. wi xali:l |
ji'u:! laha " ja_mmi ! "
3
4. Brother, Sister
3-
4. "^ali fax] li fatma. hu:wa ['axu] f«tma, a'xuiha. hi:ja t'u:l " j_axu:ja,
Luxtu " ja_xti.'"
"wi hu:wa j'uil
5-
Grandfather
5-
m^ammad \ \'^^^']y ^ali wi fatma. hu:wa | g^ddu. . . .giddaha.
( [si(:)dj ) ( si:du sidha
. . .gidduhum )
sidhum J
*^ali ii'u:l lu "ia ^.' ,.*'
1 si:di.
6.
Grandmother
6.
, , 1 [gidda] ],..,..., ... f gid'ditu qidditha )
■■eija - "-r .^^t"* r li ^ali wi fetma. hi:ia - ^. ., ,
( [sitt] J J 1 sittu ....sit'taha f
7-
Grandson
7-
<^ali ['ibn_ibni]_mhammad, w_[ibni bint'] fahmi. hu:wa bnjbnu (bintu).
ji'ul lu " ja_bn_ibni. wi fahmi, " ja bn' binti."
wi_nihamniad
8.
Granddaughter
8.
fatma [bint ibn'] mhammad, wi [bint' bint'] fahmi. hi:ja bint_ibnu (bintu).
ji'ui lu " ja bint ibni." wi fahmi " ja bint' binti."
wi mhammad
9-
Uncle (paternal)
9-
•^abd il "^azi.'z ["^amm] li ^bXy wi fatma. '^ah ji'ul lu ja "^ammi.
10.
Aunt
10.
'asma ["^amma] H "^ali wi fatma ; hiija"^ <^ammitu, ?ammitha.
II.
Uncle (maternal)
II.
fari:d [xa:l] li "^ali wi fatma. hu:wa xd:lu, xdlha.
12.
Aunt
12.
labiiba [xd:la] li "^ah wi fatma. hi:ja xdltu, xd'litha. "^ah ji'ul laha " ja xdlti." 1
13-
Nephew
Niece
13-
■^ali 'ibn axu "^abd il ^aziz, wi fatma bint axu:h. bi ]>n\ luhum "ja_bn axu:ja,
(ibn uxt "^abd il "^aziiz, etc., etc.)
ja bint axu:ja.
14.
Cousins
14-
sa'^ixl wi sa'^i:da [wila:d '^ammit] "^ali wi fatma. humma wilaid <^am'mitu
^ali wi fatma [wila:d xd:lit] ahmad wi xddi:ga.
"^ah ji'^ud h sa'^iid " ja [bn' "^ammiti] ; wi li sa'^iida, " ja [binf "^ammiti]."
sa'^i.-d ji'u:l U "^ali " ja [bn' xd:li] ; wi h fatma " ja [binf xd:li]."
'^ali ji'ud 1 ahmad " ja [bn' xdlti] " ; wi h xddiiga " ja [bint' xdlti]."
"■ammitha. wi
(Plurals)
(i) [abbahait], (2) [ummaha:t], (3) [dxwa:t], (4) [axdwa:t], (5) [agdaid],
(10) ["^ammait], (11) [dxwad], (12) [xala:t].
IL [in nasa:jib] [The relations by marriage).
(9) [ai^maim].
I.
Son and D.-in-law
I.
m^hammad "^an galida, " hi:ja_[mra:t ibni] " ; wi "^an mazlu:m " huiwa [goz binti (a)'\."
2.
Father-in-law
2.
m^hammad [hama] li galida ; huiwa hamaiha. wi fahmi hama xdli:l.
3-
Mother-in-law
3-
■^eija [hama:t] li gali:la ; hi:ja hama(:)tha. wi fahi:ma hama:t xdli:l.
4-
Father and Mother-
in-law [alternative)
4.
xalid ji'u:l h fahmi " j_[abu_mra:ti]," vfi mazlu:m ji'u:l li "^eija " [ja_min_imra:ti]."
5-
Husband's Brother
5-
mahbu:b jib'a [silf] li galida ; hu:wa silfaha wi hi:ja t'ul lu " ja silfi."
6.
Wife of Do.
6.
gali:la tib'a [silfa] li mahbu:ba ; hiija silfitha, wi t'ul laha " ja sUfiti."
7-
Brother-in-law
7-
xalid "^an mazluim, " hu:wa [go:z_uxti]." (b)
8.
Sister
8.
xdlid "^an kariima, " hiija [mra:t axu:ja] {or [zoigit axu:ja]).
9-
Wife's Sister's
Husband
9-
mahbu:b wi maaluim jib?u kull' wa:hid minhum ["^adid] lit taini, wi i?u:l li.t ta
L:ni"ja';adi:li."
10.
Uncle by Marriage
10.
''ali ji'ud li mazlu:m " ja goz "^ammiti," wij labi:b " ja goz xolti."
II.
Aunt by Marriage
II.
*^ali ji'ud li kariima " ja_mrQ:t '^ammi," wiJ fariida " jajurait xd:li."
(a) Or
sihri
[sihr] (p. asha:r) is also used for sister's-husband.
(i) Or
sihri
But only a brother uses this appellation ; not a sister for her sister's husband.
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84 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
XII.
(i.) The Past Tense Verb. (2). The Aorist with Negative. (3). Some
Indefinite Pronouns.
For Reading. (i).
To-day I am Abdul Aziz, the uncle of the children, and you
are Ali for instance. Now, then, say to me : —
Abdul. What did you do when you were at your grandfather's
to-day ?
Ali. At first when (or as soon as) we went, I sat with my
grandfather and my grandmother.
Abdul. Did your sister sit with them ?
Ali. Of course, she sat beside her grandmother, and I sat
beside my grandfather.
A bdul (to Fatima) . While you were sitting by your grandmother
what did you do ?
Fat. A little after we had sat, the drinks came, and we drank.
Abdul. And you too, Ali, did you drink with them ?
Ali. Of course ! As my sister drank, I drank too.
Abdul. And after you drank, what did you do ?
Ali. We went down from upstairs, and went into the garden,
and took the ball. We went on throwing it to one another, and
after we finished we were very tired.
Abdul. Did you play alone, or did anybody play with you ?
Ali. No, nobody played with us, only I played, and Fatima
played, and, yes, the servant played with us too.
' For ?a''adt. ' Only past tenses in i are thus elided.
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 85
it tamriin l_itna:Jdr.
li 1 m^hadsa 1 '^umumijja.
'ul li, inta '^amalt e:h imbaiiih ? — nimt wi_she:t
wi 'umt. . .wi ruht il hamma:m. . .wijbist. . .wi ftirt. . .w ibtadeit
fi d ddrs. . .w itgdddeit. . .vv istdrajjaht. . .wi Jribt. . .wi kalt. . .
wi xdtt...wi Wbt (rikibt). . .wi Jammeit il hawa i tQJiib...w
ijtdgdlt. . .wi ?are:t. . .w itkallimt. . .wi nimt.
"^amalt^eh jo:m il hadd illi fa:t? — 'umt' min in no:m wi Ibist^
hudu:mi zejj il "^aida, wi ba'^dem ruht il kiniisa illi Ji Ja:ri'^. . .
bi tibtidu s sa:<^a ka:m ? — bi nibtidi s sai'^a kaza,
wi mi:n bi jsolli hinaik ? — il 'assiis. . .bi jsalli hina:k.
hu:wa wa'^az kaman il hadd illi fait ? — ma'^luim wa'^az.
wi ka:n bi jui'^iz bi_xsu:g e:h ? — wa"^2u kam "^an. . .
it tamriin iLdrba'^taiJdr.
(i). il fi'^l il maidi. (2). il mudGiri'^ bi n nafj. (3). ge:r, 'ajj,
nafs, za:t, ba'-d.
li 1 'iraija. (i).
innahdrd_ana "^abd il "^aziiz "^amm' l_iwla:d, w inta "^ali masa-
lan walla fatma, fa ?ul li ba'a : —
''abd. "^amaltu ?e:h lamma kuttu "^and' giddukum_innahdrda?
'^ali. awwilma ruhna 'a''^att*' wajja giddi wa sitti.
'■abd. w uxtak '?a''adit wejja:kum ?
"^ali. ummad di ''a'^adit gamb' sittaha, w_ana 'a'^att' gamb^
si:di.
"^abd (li fatma). lamma 'a'''tti(:) gamb* sittik '^a'malti(:)
?e:h?
fat. ba'^dima ?a''^adna bi Jwaj ja hadarit ij Jdrbait wi_J(i)ribna.'^
•-abd. w inta raixar ja "^ali, Jiribt' wajjaihum ?
"^ali. bi t tab"^ ma da:m_uxti 'jir(i)bit^ ana raixar Jiribt.
'^abd. wi ba'^dima Jiribtu "^amaltu ?e: ?
■^ali. ni'zilna min fo:' wi dd'xdlna 1 ginema wi_msikna 1 koira.
fidilna nih'difha li ba'-dina, wi ba'^dima xilisna^ ti'^ibna 'awi.
•^abd. li''ibtu_l wah'duku walla hadd' 'li''ib wajjaiku ?
'^ali. la ma iladdij li''ib wajjama, bass_an'a_llijl'^ibt, wi
fatma_lli li''bit. aiwa, wi 1 xadda(:)m li''ib wajjama kaman.
3 Or xulusna.
86 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
Khalil {enters). Seeing that you have played so much to-day,
Ali, don't play to-morrow.
All. All right, father, I won't play to-morrow.
Zeid. Of course he won't play, sir.
Abdul. And you too, Fatima, don't play.
Fat. All right, father, we'll neither of us play.
Zeid. Don't be afraid, sir, they won't play.
(2). [The next.]
Khalil (looking from the window) . What are you doing there, you
imps ? aren't you playing? Why I told you yesterday not to play to-day.
Alt. No, father, we aren't playing.
Abdul. And you, Fatima, are you not playing ?
Fat. No, father, Fm not playing.
Khalil. Very well. Mind you don't play or else (lest) I beat you.
Just open your books and look sharp [" ma "], and don't sit there idle.
(3).
1. The Teacher. Do me a favour (and) hand me a book. — Here,
please you, is a book.
2. Please give me another book (= a book other than this). —
Here you are, take another.
3. Give me yet another. — Which one of these ?
4. Any one of these, it doesn't matter. Thank you. Are all
the books in this room your's ? — No, some of them are
mine, some your's, and the rest belong to others.
5. The person who steals what belongs to others, what do we
call him ? — The person who steals what belongs to others
we call him a thief.
6. Does the thief love himself or others ? — Of course he loves
others. The person who loves others is not a thief.
7. Ought we not to love others as ourselves ? — Why yes, Christ
Himself said so. '
8. I think the philosopher of China commanded the same com-
mand {or this same command) ? — No, not the same, it is
only like it {lit. resembles).
g. And what is the difference between them ? — The Word of
Christ was by way of (positive) command ; but the other,
by way of (negative) prohibition.
10. You mean, the meaning is not the same ? — No, the meaning
is not the same.
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 87
xaliil (daxal). ma da:m li'^ibt'jitiirjnnahcirda ja "^ali ma
til";abji bukra.
"^ali. ma'^lehj j_abu:ja m^ar'^abj' bukra.
ze:d. teb'^an ja si:di ma jil'^abj.
xal. wjnti kaman ja fatma ma til'^a'biij.
fet. ma'^lehji ma nil'^abjjhna IJtnem.
ze:d. ma_txafj' ja siidi ma jiFabuiJ.
(2). [tami jo:m.]
xal. (jibusfii mij Jibba:k). bi' ti'^milu ?e ja '^afariit ? ma_b
til'^abuij ? ma ?ult*Jkum imbairili ma tiFabu:J innaharda.
■^ali. la: j_abu:ja ma_b niFabJ."^
xdl. w_inti ma_b til'^abiij ja fatma ?
fat. la: j_abu:ja ma b_aFabJ.
xal. tejjib. u:';u til'^abu l(a)3_QdrQbku. ma' tiftafeu kitab-
ku wala tu'''udu:J kaslaniin !
(3). li 1 m'^hadsa.
1. ilmu'^allim. i'^mil ma'^rmf, na'wilni kta:b. — 'itfQadQLa:dikta:b.
2. min fadlak iddiini kta:b ge(:)r da.^xud; alio da_kta:b geiru.
3. iddimi kaman wa:hid. — ajji wa:llid fi do:l? {or ?anho_f do:l).
4. ajji wa:liid min do:l wi s sala:m. kattdr xe:rQk. alia
kull il kutub illi fi 1 'o:da btu:'^ak? — la:, minhum JuwQJja_
btu:''i wi Jwajja btu'^ hddritak wi 1 ba:?! btu'' gema.
5. illi jisra? bita'' ge:ru ni'ii:! '^ale:h_e:h ? — 'illi jisra' bita*^
ge:ru nisammiih }iara:mi.
6. il hara:mi bi_jhibbi nafsu walla ge:ru ? — tab'^an jihibb*
nafsu. illijhibbi ge:ru mahuj hara:mi.
7. muj jilzamna_nhibb' gerna zejj* nafsina ? — 'umma:l nafs il
masi:h ?al kida {or za:t il masi:Ii, .-or il masi:ll nafsu, or il
masi:h za:tu).
8. aftikir failasu:f is si:n talab nafs it talab {or za:t or '^e:n;
or it talab da za:tu, or nafsu, or bi ''e:nu) ? — la muJ za:tu,
bass* jij'bih lu.
9. wi 1 far" benhum e:h ? — ka:n kala:m il masi:h bi tari:' il
?amr, la:kin dukha_b tari:? in nahj.
10. ja'^ni 1 ma'^na muJ wa:hid ? — la:, 'il ma'^na muJ zejji ba'^du.
^ Not the negative ma, but the particle signifying livehness or peremp-
toriness. ^ Contrast the meaning here (witli bi) witli m_aFabJ above.
3 A particle meaning " for fear lest."
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EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 89
For Systematic Grammar. XII.
1. Analysing this past tense of the verb, what are the two
vowels that characterise the tense ?
N.B. — Practically all " sound " triliterals conform to one of
those two types. (Only a very few in [u - u] are found.)
2. Note the difference in the 3rd feminine singular and the 3rd
plural between the [i] -verbs and the [a] -verbs,
3. The accent in both tenses is uniformly penultimate,' so long
as no pronoun or negative is attached. Except only in
the 3rd s. f. and 3rd p., when it is pro-penultimate, ['darabit,
'dsrabu — 'mis(i)kit, 'mis(i)ku].
4. Notice the shifting of the accent on to the last syllable, caused
by the suffixing of the enclitic J.
5. Distinguish carefully :
['fatahu], "they opened," or "he opened it."
[fata'hu:(h)], "they opened it."
[ma fata'huij], "they did not open," 0;' "he did not open it."
[ma fata'huhj], "they did not open it."
6. Negative questions have a neat alternative construction :
instead of [ma_b jihdarj?] (pres.), and [ma jihdarj ?] (fut.),
we may say [muj bi jihdar ?] and [muj ha jihdar] {or [muj rah
jihdar]) — " n'est-ce qu'il arrive, arrivera."
Transition to the Arabic Reader.
At this point the student should begin a parallel series of lessons in the
Reader, alternating them with the present series, which is systematised according
to grammar, while in the Reader the grammatical forms occur indiscriminately .
Naturally verb-forms will be occurring in the Reader which have not yet been
arrived at in this systematised series. But H is only an advantage, not a dis-
advantage, to have come across these forms naturally, and to have imbibed them
unconsciously , before studying them analytically . In general it may be said
that such forms are characterised either by apparent omissions [e.g. Ja:f, Juft,
where one of the three radicals seems to have disappeared), or by additions, such
as it- or ist-. All these modifications are studied analytically and in detail in
Chs. XX. to XXVII
The " Reader " should not only be " read," but studied conversationally.
A model lesson is given on p. 230, wherein it is shown that even at this early
stage it is possible for such lessons to be given in Arabic without any use of English.
The student must keep the teacher up to this. Great use must be made of short
questions and answers based on the text. Later on, of course, the pace may and
should be quickened.
Section II. of the Reader {Bible and other pieces) should not be thought of as
SUCCEEDING Section I, but as parallel to it. The Gospel extracts are as good
to begin on as the Anecdotes, because of their simplicity and the familiarity of
their subject-matter. The two sections may well be alternated.
' Except da'rabt, which, however, is hardly an exception, as it is so
often found with a terminal euphonic vowel da'rabt'.
go EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
XIII.
(i). The Past Verb, with Negative, and with the Conjunctive Pronouns.
[On the Third Day.]
For Reading.
Khalil. Tell me, All, did you play yesterday or not ?
Ali. Father, I neither threw the ball nor caught it, nor did
I play at all : but the lesson, I learned it.
Khalil. But I saw you throw up your book and catch it
just like ball !
Ali. That was not yesterday. Yesterday I neither threw up
nor caught my book, and I didn't play at all.
Kh. And you, you female-imp, did you neither throw up
nor catch the ball (book) ?
Fatima. No, father, we — my brother and I — neither threw
nor caught the ball (book), and we didn't play at all. We just
did our lessons.
Kh. Angels truly ! You neither threw up the ball, nor caught
it, nor played at all !
[Enter Zaid.]
Kh. Is that true, Zaid? Did Ali not throw nor catch the
ball nor play at all ? And the female-imp too, did she not throw
the ball nor catch it nor play the whole day long ?
Zaid. It's quite true, sir. They neither threw nor caught
the ball nor played at all.
Kh. Glorious ! The imps became angels in a single day.
(2). The Indefinite Singular; the Dual; the Phiral.
For Conversation.
Teacher. Enough of these verbs to-day. Let us talk a
little on some other topic. Let's talk on the word " one."
Pupil. Why the word one (of all others).
' hafadt.
' Notice a delicate distinction between Juftak hadaft, " I saw you
throw " (the completed action as such), and Juftak bi tihdif (maisik).
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 91
it tamriin it talatta:Jar.
(i). il fi*^! il maidi bi n nafj wi bi_d dama:?ir il muttasila.
[fi 1 joim illi ba'^du.]
11 1 'iraija.
xal. ?ul li ja "^all, 114bt lmba:rih walla la ?
■^ali. j abuija la hadaft il ko:ra wala^msik'taha, wala_
l''^ibtij bi 1 mdrrd ; amma d ddrs hsfattu."
xdl. walaikin Juftak hadaft^ il kita:b wi_msiktu zejjjl
ko:ra !
"^ali. da ma kanj imbairih. imba:rih la hadaft il kita:b
\vala_msiktu walaj'^ibtij bi 1 mdrrd.
xdl. wjnti ja '^afriita ma hadaftiij
il ko:ra y j msik'tiiha ?
il kita:b / '^^ ^ (^ msik'ti:h ?
fst. la j_abuija, 'ana w_axu:ja ma hadaf'naij il ko:ra (il
kita:b) wala msik'naiha (msikna:h), walaj'^ibnaj bi 1 mdrrd,
bass' d ddrs' hafsdnaih.
xdl. ba?a ntu malajka! la hadaftu 1 koira wala msiktu:ha
wala Fibtuiji bi 1 mdrrd ! ( il kita:b msik'tuih).
[ddxdl ze:d fi 1 hail.]
xdl. sahi:ll kida ja ze:d? la hadaf *^ali 1 koira wala ra'sikha
walaj'^ibji bi 1 mdrrd ? wi 1 "^afriita kaman, la 'hadafit il koira
wala mis'kitha wala li'^'bitj' tu:l in nahair ?
[il kita:b . . . . 'misku . . . . mis'kitu ('hadafu. . . .hada'fitu).]
ze:d. tamam ja si:di la 'hadafu 1 koira wala mis'kuiha wala
li'^buij' bil mdrra.
[il kitaib, mis'kui(h) .... (llada'fui(h)).]
xdliil. subhain aliaih! il '^afariit ba'u malajka fi joim
waihid !
(2). in nakira bi 1 mufrad ; it tasnija ; il gam'^.
li 1 m'^hadsa.
il mu'^allim. bi_zjaida_l 'af^ail doil! innahdrda xallima
nitkallipi Juwajja fi mawdui'^ ger kida. nitkallim fi lafzit'
" waihid."
it tilmiiz. ijmi''na'* Isfzit waihid ?
" I saw you throwing (catching) " (the action going on).
3 Or lafz, or kilmit.
■^ See p. 43.
92 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
2. So that you may know (how to) talk with it.
3. I now give you a book. . .kindly take it ! — Now, how many
books have you ? — I have just one book.
4. And how many watches have you on you ? — I have one watch.
5. That is, not two or three books ; nor two or three watches.
6. When you want a cab, for example, what do you say to the
servant ? — I say to the servant, " Fetch an arabiya."
7. And when you want a plate ? — I say, " Fetch a plate."
8. Just so, we don't say, " fetch one plate, one carriage, " because
your request is (for) any carriage, i.e. a carriage not specified
nor known : any plate, i.e. not specified, not known.
9. Please look at the picture ; who is (the one) who is standing
there? — That is a (certain)' gardener.
10. Why have we used the word " one " here ? — Because he is
specified.
11. And we say too : " I saw a (certain) lady," i.e. a specific one.
12. Well then, when I want a cab or a porter or a plate or a spoon
what do I say ? — You say, " Fetch a cab. ..."
13. Well, and when I want a cab, not two, a plate, not two, what
do I say ? — You say, " Fetch one cab, one plate."
14. We have finished the talk about the singular; let us talk
about the dual. — Say on, please.
15. Khalil in this picture, has he an eye ? — He has two eyes in his
face.
16. And where are my eyes ? — Your eyes are in your face.
17. Yes, and your eyes are in your face and the eyes of the lady
Galila are in her face, and the eyes of the little girl are also
in her face, so that the eyes of us all are in our face(s). {And
so, hands, feet.)
18. How many are walking on their feet in the picture ? — There
are two walking on their feet.
19. Are the lady and the girl walking on their feet ? — No, the lady
is not walking on her feet.
20. Now let us say something about the plural. — Please do. = Here
are four books, two of them big books, and two little books.
' ginajni is, in fact, in apposition to wa:hid, which is here more a
substantive than a numeral ; "I saw a (certain) one, a gardener." The
word itself is for gina:jini, " A man of or belonging to gardens " (gina:jin).
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 93
2. "^alajan inta ti'^raf titkallim bi:h kuwajjis.
3. dilwQ't_addi: lak kita:b; 'itfaddaUmsik. ma"^ak dilwa^t^
kam kitaib ? — ma'^aija^^ktaib waihid bass.
4. wi_ni";ak kam sai'^a ? — ma'^aija^ sai'^a waMa.
5. ja'^ni mahuj kitabem wala talat kutub, wala sa'^tem wala
talat sa'^a:t.
6. lamma^f^uiz '^arabijja masalan, tPu:Le:h li 1 xdddaim? —
a'u:l li 1 x6dda:m " hat "^arsbijja."
7. wi lamma_t'^ii:z sahn ' — a'uil "hat sahn.''
8. sahiili, ma_n'ulj' " hat wa:hid sahn," "hat wahda "^arabijja,"
■^alajan talabak 'ajji "^arabiija, ja'^ni arabi:ja muj mdxsuisa
wala ma'^luima ; 'aj ji sahn, ja'^ni muJ mdxsuis wala ma'^luim.
9. min fadlak, buss' fis su:ra ; mi:n ill* wa:'if da ? — da waihid
ginajni.
10. 'ulna " waihid " leih ? — "^alajan huiwa mdxsuis.
11. wi_n?uil kamain " Juft wahda sitt," ja'^ni wahda mdxsuisa.
12. ba'a lamm_a'^uiz '^arabiija ?au Jajjail, 'au sahn, ?au ma'^la'a,
a'uil eih ?— ti'uil " hat '^arabiija, hat Jajjail, hat sahn,
hat ma'^la'a."
13. wi lamm_a'^u:z ''arabijja, muJ "^arabijtein, sahn muJ sahnein,
a?uil eih?— ti'uil "hat "^arabijja wahda, sahn waihid.
14. xilisna mil kalaim fi 1 mufrad. ni'uil Juwajja fi t tasnija. —
itfaddal 'uil.
15. xdliil illi fis suira di luh "^ein ? — luh '^e(i)'nein fi wijju {or
''"enein_itnein).
16. w_ana ''enajja^ fein ? — "^eneik fi wijjak.
17. sahiih w_inta '■eneik fi wiJJak, wi "^enein is sitt' gah:la_f
wijjaha, w_il bint_is sugajjdra '^eneiha ruxra_f wijjaha,
'■ala kida tib'a '■enema kuUina f wijjina. (wi kida, 'iid,
idem, ideik, rigl, riglem, rigleik.)
18. kam waihid fis suira maiji "^ala rigleih ?— fiiha_rba'^a majjiin
■^ala rigleihum.
19. is sitt' w_il bint maJjiin "^ala rigleihum? — ^lai, is sitt' mij
majja '^ala rigleiha.
20. ni'uil dilwa'^tLJwajja fil gam"^. — itfaddal 'uil. =hin(a) drba''
kutub, minhum kitabem kubair, wi_ktabein sugajjariin.
^ Or 'mi'^ii.
3 And so riglajja, "my feet (legs)," idajja, "my hands."
^4 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
21. Show me the big ones from the small ones. — These here are
the two big books, and these are the two little ones.
22. Now one of us is Khalil and the other is one of his servants[:
Kh. Fetch two spoons. — Here are the spoons.
Kh. No, we want two spoons only. — Here are two spoons.
Kh. Bring two big spoons, not little ones. — Here are two
big spoons.
Kh. Now take away these spoons, and fetch three little tea-
spoons. — Here are three little tea-spoons.
[And so : — plate, plates ;
knive, knives ;
fork, forks, ;
chair, chairs ;
porter, porters ;
cook, cooks.]
Kh. Fetch two hefty porters . . no, three hefty porters. —
Right, sir.
For Systematic Grammar. XUI.
1. When is [wa:hid] placed before the substantive ? and when
after ? and when is it a mistake to use it with an indefinite
noun ?
2. [itnem] may be used after a dual to emphasise the exact
number.
3. The adjective agreeing with the dual noun is plural, never dual.
4. The adjective agreeing with plural may be plural or feminine
singular (the latter provided that the substantive is not
human).
5. Pick out the sound plurals in the above sentences.
6. Notice where sound plural occurs : (a) Names of trades :
[Jajjad, Jajja(:)lim], cp. [xabba:z] baker, [llammair] donkey-
boy, etc. Generalise this form, (b) Participles : e.g. [maisik,
maskim]. (c) Some adjectives : cp. the diminutives : e.g.
[sugGJjdrim].
7. N.B. — The [n] of the dual, e.g. in [riglein] is suppressed when
constructed with pronouns. Write out [rigle:(n), '^ene:(n),
ide(in)] {a) with a noun, and (b) with all the pronouns.
8. N.B. — Parts of body, and near relations, never construct
with [bita:';].
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 95
21. warriini 1 kubair mis sugejjcirim. — ahum doil il kitabe:n
il kuba:r, wi do:l il kitabem is sugajjarim.
22. dilwQ^t' waihid minna xdli:I w it ta:ni waiftid min x6dda(:)-
mi:nu.
xal. hat ma'^la'tein. — ahumma_l ma'-aili'.
xal. la: '^awzin ma'^la'tern_itne:n bass. — 'ahum ma'Jla'te:!!.
xal. hat ma''la?tein kuba:r muj sugajjarim. — ahum
ma'^la'tem kuba:r.
xal. dilwa't' Ji:l_il ma'^aih? do:l il kuba:r, wi hat talat ma"^a:li?
sugajjarim li J Ja:j'. — ahumma talat ma'^aili' sugajjarim li J Ja:j.
[wi kida sahn, sahnem, suhum ;
sikkima, sikkintem, sakakim ;
Jo:ka, Joktem, Jiwak ;
kursi, kursijem, karaisi ;
Jajjail, Jajjalem, Jajjalim ;"
tabbaix, tabbaxem, tabbaxim.]
xal. hat Jajjalem itnem gamdim ; la:... hat talat Jajjali:n
gamdi:n. — ^ha:air ja si:di.
' This is called "the sound plural," gam*^ is sihha, because it merely
adds to the singular, and does not change its form. Compare the English
plural in -s. The plural that changes the form of the singular is called " the
broken plural," gam'' it taksi:r. Compare English " man, men."
(3). Exercise on the Members of the Body.
1. ra:s ir ra:gil bi tiw'ga'^u.
ra:si_b tiwga''ni.
rasha b tiwga'^ha.
ru(:)sna b tiwga'^na.
2. Ja'^rak tewi:l, la:zim a'ussu.
3. widami fiiha 'utn.
widanna fi:ha ?utn.
widni 1 jamim bi tiwga'^ni.
1. The man's head pains him.
I have headache.
She has ,,
We have ,,
2 . Your hair is (too) long, I must cut it.
3. My ears have cotton in them.
Our „ „ „ „ „
My right ear aches.
4-
manaxi:ri fi:ha zuka:m.
4-
My nose has catarrh.
manaxirhum fi:ha zukaim.
Their
5-
iftah 'hanakak wi talla"^ Usamak.
5-
Open your mouth and put out
fatahit ha'nakha wi talla'^it
your tongue.
[U'sanha.
She opened, etc.
6.
ruh li haki:m is sinam ji^'la*^
6.
Go to the teeth-doctor, he will
lak id dirs (is sinna).
puU out the molar {tooth) for you.
7-
il jai'a tustur ir ra'aba.
7-
The collar covers the neck.
'ra'abit ir ra:gil fi:ha ja:'a.
The man's neck has a collar.
ra'a'bitha,, ,,
Her neck
ra'?abti ,, „
My „
8.
zo:ri madbuih. — laizim jindi'^ik.
8.
My throat is sore. — It must be
zorha
Her throat, etc. [rubbed.
9-
Ji:l is sandu:' "^ala kitfak.
9-
Carry the box on your shoulder.
ID. ma tittakkaij bi kui'^ak.
10. Don't lean on your elhow.
i:
:. dira:''i matni.
i:
:. My arm is bent.
dird'^ha mafru:d.
Her arm is not bent.
di'ri'^ti^ matniija.
My arms are bent.
diri''^itha mafruda.
Her arms are not bent.
96
(3). tamrim fi 'a'^doj gasad.
13.
subai'^i fiiha xaitim.
su'ba'^ha „
II.
My finger has a ring.
Her „
SQwa'bi'^ha ma%bu:?a.
sa'wab'^ak^
Ker fingers are clenched.
Your „
subar'^u 1 kibi:r maksuir.
His thumb is broken.
13-
dufri tewiil la:zim a'ussu.
da'wafri \ tewiila laizim
dQwa'firhaJ a'ussaha.
13-
My fingernail is long, I must cut it.
My fingernails are long, I must
cut them.
14.
Ji:! il kita:b taht' bditak.
14-
Carry the book under your arm-
,15-
''andi bctrd fi eidri.
13-
I have a cold on the chest. [ pit.
16.
■^andi rndgas fi 1 mi'^da.
16.
I have stomach-a.che.
mi'^'diti fi:ha rndgas.
mi'^'ditha „
do.
She has, etc.
17-
'albi^ ta'^bam.
17-
I feel ill in my inside.
18.
a'^saibi'* sajba (Jidiida).
18.
My nerves are unstrung (strong).
19.
'^urui'i^ mafihaj damm.
19.
My veins are bloodless.
20.
inkasarit rigli* bi rusaisa.
20.
My /(?!■ has been broken by a bullet
21.
darabni fi r rukba.
21.
He struck me in the knee.
ruk'biti wdrma (rukbitha).
'rukabi zejj illi fi:ha rami.
My knee is swollen (her knee).
My knees are tired (" are like
those in which is sand ").
ru'kabna raitldxlaxa.
Our knees are shaky.
22.
sawaibi*^ rigle:h fiiha "^aiha.
22.
His toes are deformed.
I Original form adrija, p. of dirai'^
^ For sawa:bi''ak.
3 ?alb (heart) generally means the
4 Sing, "^asab, " a nerve." '^asab
5 Sing. "^ir?.
^ Same word as for " foot." The spe
' inside " vaguely.
, " nervous."
cial word sa:' is hardly used in colloquial.
97
For Conversational
I.
I. ma fa'taStiJ il ba:b ja zp:d ?
Past Tense
—
ma fatah'tiij „ „ ze:nab ?
—
ma fatah'tuij ,, „ gid'^am.
—
2. ma^rkibtij i% tdre:m ja ze:d ?
—
ma_rkibti:J „ ,, ze:nab?
—
ma_rkibtu:J „ „ gid'^am ?
—
Past Tense with
3. I. Ali's Cousins.
II. Their friends.
zalam'tini ja "^ali !
sahiift ja waJad za'lamtu !
{The same, female speaker.)
„ ,, „ zalam'taha !
zedam'timi jafatma!
,, j a bint zolam'tiih !
[The same, female speaker.)
,j , „ zolam'tiiha !
zolam'tumi ja wlaid !
„ ja gid'am zolam'tuih [-ha] !
galam'tuina „ „
„ „ „ zalam'tuihum !
Past Tense with
A [to C).
B [to C).
4. '^amal'ti li(:) ?ahawa, ja ze:d ?
?u:l ! '^amal'ti lu ?ahawa ?
[The same, female speaker.)
„ "^amal'tijha „ ?
^^amal'ti: li 'ahawa, ja zemab ?
?uili, "^amal'ti: lu „ ?
(The same, female speaker.)
„ "Jamal'tijha „ ?
"^amal'tu: li 'ahawa ja na:s ?
'u:lu, "^amal'tu: lu (Jha) „ ?
'^amal't\i_nna 'ahawa „ „ ?
,, '■amal'tuj.hum „ ?
* With negative, see on p. 107.
1. " Have you not opened the door ? "
2. " Did you not ride in the tram ? "
98
. . ." I have not yet,'' etc.
Verb-Drill.
WITH Negative.
II.
III.
lissa ma fa'tahtij il ba:b.
sahiili ma fa'tahj il ba:b.
>> >• J) ), ,,
„ „ fata'hitj „
lissa ma fatah'naij il ba:b.
„ „ fata'huij „
la ma_rkibtij il tctraim.
sahiih ma_rkibj it taraim.
*t f t> }j
„ ma rikbitj
„ ma rkibinaij „ '„
„ ma rikbuij
Suffix Pronouns.*
III. Ali and Fatima.
IV. Their Friends.
r rza'lamtak {to I.)
ai na'^am { ; (
Uq lamtu [to II.)
^, ^ ,. f'zalamak {to I.)
ma'^luim '^ah J., , ,, tt \
I zalamu {to II.).
fza'lamtik.
(■'zalamik.
Iza'lamtaha.
Iza'lamha.
rza'lamtak.
Iza'lamtu.
^ , fzetla'mitak.
latma ^
Uala'mitu.
fza'lamtik.
jzala'mitik.
Izala'mitha.
Iza'lamtu.
rzalam'naik [-Id].
" lzalam'na:h [-ha].
fzala'muik [-ki].
„ humma-^ , , , n. n
Uala mu:h [-ha].
,, zalam'na:ku [-hum].
zala'muikum [-hum].
Dative Pronouns (li..).
C.
D.
r'^amal'ti lak 'ahawa {to A).
^^^ I'^amal'ti lu „ {toB).
f'^a'mal lak ?ahawa {to A).
»a"^*« Va'mal lu „ {to B).
r'^amal'ti lik
" Vamal'tijha „
I'^a'mal lik
" Ua'mal laha
/'^amal'ti lak „
" Vamal'ti lu
r'^ama'lit lak
" Vama'lit lu
(■^amal'ti lik
" t'Jamal'tiJha „
(-"^ama'lit lik
Uama'ht laha
f'^a.ma.l'na. lak (lik).
" ["Jamal'na lu (-Iha).
r<;ama'lu: lak (lik) „
t'^ama'lu: lu (Jha) „
"^amal'najku (_lhum).
„ "^ama'lujku ( Ihum) „
3. " You have been unfair to me, AU."
4. (To illustrate that the dative pronoun is as enclitic as the objective):
you made coffee for me, Zaid ?
99
' Have
100 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
XIV.
10
For Conversation.
The Numerals from i to lo.
Days of Week. Seasons. Months.
The prayer of the Christians, on which day of the week is it ? —
The Christians' prayer is on Sunday.
And the day which is after Sunday, what is its name ? —
What a question ! After Sunday is Monday.
And after Monday, what ? — After Monday comes Tuesday.
How many days are there from Sunday to Tuesday ? — From
Sunday to Tuesday there are three days.
How much do two piastres and one make ? — Two piastres and
one make three piastres.
How many Khalifas are there after Mohammed ? — ^Three
"good" Khahfas, they being Abu Bakr, Omar, and Osman.
What is this ! Is Ah not among them ? — Yes, true ! I am
wrong. So, then, they become four Khahfas.
How many piastres are there to the franc ? — There are four
piastres to the franc.
How many seasons are there in the year ? — (There are) in it
four seasons.
And every season of them, (there are) in it how many months ?
— . ..three months.
' Or aw ; but not walla.
^ This word for prayer means properly liturgic prayer, whether public
or private.
3 Lit. " It happens you annoy."
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC lOI
it tamrim 1 drba'^taijdr.
li 1 m'hadsa 1 "^umumijja.
il waiRid lamma_jru:ll fusSa li 1 hdram bi ji'^mil e:, bidd
afham, "^alajan ana kaman "^awuz aru:li. — Juif ja si:di. lamina
tuxrug min be:tak taixud [tirkab] tramwaij il hdram, ja: mil i^ataba
J xddra, ja:' min Ja:ri'; bula:?. wi ba'^d talattjrba:"; sa:';a tiwsal
hina:k, wi Lahsan tina"i wa:liid mil "^drab illi wa?fi:n hina:k
'alajan jiwdrri:k kulli ha:ga wi jliu:J "^annak il ba?ji:n. wi
lamma_thibbi titla"^ fo:? il hdram walla_txujji gu:wa, la:zim
ta:xud wajja:k tala:ta mil "^drab, muj a'all^ min tala:ta, bi 'amr
il lluku:ma. u ba'^de:n ma tinsa:f titfdrrag '^al(a)_abu 1 ho:l wi 1
biba:n illi gambu.
li 1 m^hadsa.
1 a''da:d min wa:hid li '■djdrd.
ijja:m il gum'^a. il fusu:l. l_ujhur.
1. is sala^ '^and il masi:hijji:n fLnhe jo:m mil gum'^a? — is sala
■^and il masi:hijji:n tiku:n jo:m il hadd.
2. w il jo:m illi ba'^d il haddjsmu ?e:h? — ha(:)kim inta_
mda:ji' ! ^ ba''d il hadd jo:mLitne:n.
3. wi ba'^d' Litne:n_e:h ? — ba'^d' Litne:n jo:m it tala:t.
4. mil hadd' Ht tala:t kam jo:m ? — mil hadd li_t_tala:t ta'latt
ijja:m.*
5. 'irje:n wi 'irj jib?u kam ? — 'irje:n wi 'irj jib'u ta'lat 'uru:J.
6. kam xdli:fa ba''di_mhammad ? — ta'lat xulafa rajdi:n, wi^
hum 'abu bakr, wi "^umdr, wi '^usma:n.
7. d_eh da ! wi "lali muJ wQJja:hum? — 'aiwa sahiih ana 9alta;n !
"■ala kida jib'u drba*- xulafa.
8. Lafrank kam 'irj ? — 1 afrank drba'' ''uru:J.
9. is Sana fi:ha kam fasl ? — fih(a) dr'ba'' fusu:l.
10. wi kull' fasl' minhum kam Jahr? — kulli fasl' minhum talatt_
ujhur.
'^ Or, one j is dropped and the word becomes i:ja:m, the i: being however
only half-long.
5 The translation shows that this wi is not the coordinating conjunc-
tion " and," but a subordinating particle which maybe rendered variously
by a participle, a, relative, or some conjunction like " while."
102 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
II
12
13
14
15
16,
18
19
How many days are there between Sunday and Wednesday ? —
. . .four days.
How many persons wrote the gospels which (are) in the New
Testament ? — They who wrote the gospels (are) four persons.
How many piastres are there to the shilling ? — Five piastres
go to the shilling.
Between Monday and Friday how many days are there ? —
. . . five days.
How many months are there between January and May ? —
. . . iive months.
How many months are there in the half-year ? — . . . six months.
Tell me their name(s), of your favour (= if you please). —
Their name(s) are January, etc., and May, etc.
How many piastres go to ij francs ? — Six piastres.
Howmanydaj'scomebetweenSundayand Friday? — ...six days.
20. How many days are there in the week ? — . . . seven days.
21. Which is the last day of the seven ? — The last day of the
week is Saturday.
22. Four piastres plus three make how many ? — Seven piastres.
23. How many piastres go to two francs ? — Eight piastres to
two francs.
24. How many months are there from January to ( = as far as)
August ? — . . . eight months.
25. TeU me about the last two of them. — The last two are July
and August.
26. Tell me the name(s) of the seasons of the year. — The first
season of them is called spring, and the second of them is
summer, etc., etc.
27. How many people {or individuals) were there in the Ark ? —
Eight people {or individuals).
28. How many piastres are there in a shilling and a franc ? — In
one shilhng and one franc there are nine piastres.
29. And how many months are there from January to September ?
— From January to September there are nine months.
' This relative, which is indeclinable, may have an expressed or (as
here) an unexpressed antecedent.
* This plural, which is a common type, has a for its first vowel, ?anfair.
But ' being lost in continuous speech, the previous passing vowel i prevEiils
over the a. 3 ijhur may also be heard. ■♦ Unelided, ?uru:J".
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC I03
11. be:n il hadd' wi Ldrba"^ kam jo:m? — ^be:n il hadd' wi l_drba'^_
dr'ba'^tjjjaim.
12. kam nafdr katabuj bijaijir illi fi 1 "^ahd il gidi:d ? — illi'
katabu 1 bija:jir cir'ba'^t'jifair.''
13. ij Jillin kam ?irj" ? — ^ij Jillin xa'mas ?uru:J.
14. bem 1 itne:n wi 1 gum'^a kam jo:m ? — be:n l_itnem wil gum'-a
xa'mast_ijja:m.
15. kam Jahr be:n janaijir wi maiju ? — bem jana:jir wi maiju
xa'mast_ujhur.3
16. nuss' s Sana kam Jahr ?: — nuss' sana sitt_ujhur.
17. 'uLli '^ala_smuhum min fadlak. — janaijir, wi fibraijir, wi
mdrs, wi'abri:!, wi ma:ju, wi junju.
18. l_afrank wi nuss kam ?irj ? — 1 afronk wi nuss sitt'_''ru:J.'*
19. wi bem il hadd wi 1 gum'^a kam jo:m ? — ^bem il hadd wi 1
gum'^a sitt_ijja:m.
20. il gum'^a fi:ha' kam jo:m ? — il gum'-a sa'ba'^t_ijja:m.
21. a:xir jo:m fi:ha 'eh hu:wa ? — aixir jomi^ f il usbu:'' joim is
sabt.
22. cirba'' 'uruij wi talaita jib'u kam 'irj ? — saba'' 'uruij.
23. Lafrankem kam 'irj ? — ^1 afrenkem taman 'uruij.
24. kam Jahr min janaijir li tiadd_dgostus ? — min janaijir li
lladd_dgostus taman't_ujhur.
23. 'ul li "^ala litnein Ldxra'nijjiin' minhum. — litnein l_dxranijji:n
julju w dgostus.
26. ?ulj.i '^ala_sm' fusuil is_sana. — 'awwil fasl' minhum_lsmii_r
rabii'', wi ta'niihum is seif, wi ta'lithum il xariif, wi
ra'bi'-hum'' iJ Jita.
27. kam fih kam Jdxs' fi 1 fulk ? — ta'mantLJxais.'"
28. fih kam ?irj fi JiUin wi_frQnk ? — fi Jillin wi frank ti'sa"^
?uruij.
29. wi kam Jahr min janaijir li_stimbir ? — min janaijir ILstimbir
tisa'^t_ujhur.
5 Or 1 usbui'^ fih. ^ Or il joim_il 'dxraini.
7 Or ?a'xirhum, or il ?aixir minhum, or il 'dxraini minhum
' the last of them."
8 m. ^dx'rami, /. 'dxra'niija, p. 'dxrani'jiin.
9 Or nafdr. " For ajxais or nfair (for anfair).
104
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
30.
31-
32.
33-
34-
35-
36.
Zl-
Half a dollar (makes) how many piastres ? — Half a dollar
ten piastres.
From March to the end of the year is how many months? —
From March to the end of the year is ten months.
Please {lit. of your goodness) tell me the names of the four
last of them. — The names of the four last of them are Septem-
ber, and October, and November, and December.
How long have you been in Egypt ? {or how many months,
weeks, days). — I have been .... in Egypt.
How long is it till your summer hohday ?— It is .... till my
summer hohday.
Tell me the names of the days of the week, all of them. —
Sunday, and Monday, and Tuesday, and Wednesday, and
Thursday, and Friday, and Saturday.
How do we say the fraction ( = part) of each number ? —
The (one) part of 10 we call a tenth.
9 .. .
, „ ninth.
8 „ ,
an eighth.
7 .. .
a seventh.
6 „ ,
„ sixth.
5 ,. ,
„ fifth.
4 ..
„ fourth.
3 .. ,
„ third.
many
half-sovereigns ?-
-Three
Three pounds make how many
sovereigns make six halves.
(And so, every (one) fraction of the fractions.)
loths
gths
8ths
7ths
9-
tisa'^t
J'^Joir'
8.
ta'mant
— i)
Jtsa:*;
7-
sa'ba'^t
~ „
_ „
_itma:n
6.
sitt
•~' }}
_ „
_ „
^isba:''
5.
xa'mast
~ „
- „
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— j>
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_ ,.
_ „
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ta'latt
_ „
- „ •
„
„
2.
''ujrein
tus'^ein
tumnem
sub'' em
' The proper form of all these plurals is a'-Jair, atsa:'', etc. The a is
elided after the passing vowel i, which properly belongs to the preceding
word: thus, tamantLtsa:'!. ^ Or mdrs.
3 Lit. " There has been to you how much {or how many months, etc) in
Egypt ? "
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
30. nuss> rija:l kam 'irj ?— nuss' rijail "^ajar ?uru:J.
105
31. min ma:ris^ li 'aixir is sana kam Jahr? — ^min mams li'aixir
is sana '^cij"dr't_ujhur.
32. min fadlak '''ul li '^ala_sm_il_arba'^aj 'dxrenijja minhum? —
ism_il_drba'^aj[ 'dxranijja minhum_istimbir, wi akto:bdr wi
nuifimbir wi disimbir.
33. ba''a: lak 'add_e: fi mesr P {or kam Jahr, kam gum'^a, kam
jo:m). — ^ba'?a: li fi mesr.
34. ba'?i: lak ?add_e ?abli fushit is se:f ? ♦— ba'?i:_ li 'aW
fushit is se:f.
35. ?ul li "Jala^smjjjaim Lusbu:'' kuUuhum. — U hadd, wi 1 itnein,
wi t talait, wi Ldrba"^, wi_l xdmi:s, wi 1 gum'^a, wi s sabt.
36. il guz' min kuU' "^adad ni'u:l '^aleih 'e:h ? —
il guz min '■djdrd ni'uil '■aleih ''ujr.
w il „ ,, tis''a ,, ,, tus"^.
tamanja „ „ tumn.
sab'^a „ ,, sub'',
sitta ,, „ suds,
xamsa „ „ xums.
drba''a „ ,, rub'^.
talaita „ „ tilt.
37. ta'lat gineha.'t kam nuesLgneih ? — ta'lat gineha:t sittL
nsQis.
(wi kaza kull' kasr mil kusuir)
6ths
5ths
4ths
3rds
halves
_insQ:s
isda:s
"
-* tt
ixmais
,,
— ft
— ,,
irba:<:
,,
suttem
xumsein
rub'^ein
tiltem
nussein
■t Lit. "There is remaining (bai^i) to you how much before. . .."
5 Or, more technically, kasr.
^ See preceding note : anSQiS is the original form.
7 Or kull* wa:liid mil kusuir.
I06 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
For Systematic Grammar. XIV.
Observe the difference in the form of the numerals i to lo
under three different circumstances :
1. When alone, without a noun following. Collect these from
heads of exercises.
2. When followed by a (plural) noun beginning with a vowd :
tabulate the numerals 3 to 10 with [ujhur] (= months).
3. When followed by a (plural) noun beginning with a consonant :
tabulate the numerals 3 — 10 with [rigga:la] (= men).
Examples. —
tis'-a ■ — ti'sa''t_infa:r — tisa'' riggaila.
4. What is the " measure " of the Arabic fractions, singular and
plural ?
5. How is " how long " rendered in Arabic ?
Note on i. — Sometimes this form is used, even when a noun
does foUow. See Willmore's Colloquial Grammar, §35.
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I08 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUJAI. ARABIC
XV.
Moods. {"Can," "Musi," etc.)
(i). In the present tense.
A Master of the House asks his Servant on the Subject
OF A Party.
FOR READING.
1. Marcus. We want to have a party to-morrow, Girgis (George).
2. Girgis. Why not ! There's no objection.
3. M. Good ! can you wait at it alone ?
4. G. No, it isn't possible for me to wait alone.
5. M. Then we must get another one.
6. G. Yes, we need another.
7. M. Can you get him ?
8. G. No, I can't get him, because I am not from here. When
are the guests coming ?
9. M. They will be here at noon exactly.
10. G. Then we can't be finished with the cooking.
11. M. If you get up early, why ever can't you finish ?
12. G. Would it not be better to sweep the house to-day ?
13. M. Very well, you shall sweep it to-day, because to-morrow
you will not have time.
14. G. All right, certainly, I am going to sweep right now. Is
not the maid going to sweep with me ?
15. M. No, the maid is going to sweep the ladies' room.
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC lOQ
it tamrimjs xamastaijdr.
li 1 m'hadsa 1 "Jumumijja.
[Jugl it tabbaix.] it tebbaix is subh' badri jirsttib il
matbax wi ba'^d' kida jihaddsril 'akl, wi jxdddira "^aleih WQ'tima_
jkuin is sufragi bi jsallah 'uwad in no:m. wi ba'-d il futuir jarxud
filu:s mil xdwaiga walla s sitt, jiruih is su:' "^alajan jijtiri lawaizim
il gdda wi 1 "^aja. wi ba'^dima jijtiriihum jijidhum bi nafsu, 'aw
jifajjilhum li Jajjad. u ba'^dima jirga'^ il be:t jibtidi jihsdaar
il xudair wil haga:t it tanja, wi s sa:'^a_hda:J"ar jutbux, ''alajan il
'akl jikuin mistiwi fi 1 mi'^aid. wi ba'^d il gdda jinaddaf is suhuin
wi 1 hagait it tanja 1 wisxd, wi ba'^dem jitla'- fusRa, wala jirga"^!
ta:ni 'ilia "^alajan jigahhiz il "^aja. u ba'^d il "^aja jihaisib il
xdwaiga walla s sitt "^an illi sarafu, ja'^ni ji'ud lu "-al hisa:b
'add^e:. [Do also with bi.]
il 'af^a:! ji'ddr, jilzam, wi gerha.
(i). fi 1 ha:].
saihib belt bi jis'al xddda'^mu fi mawdu:'^ '^uzuima.
li 1 'iraija.
1. mur'us. ''awzim ni'^mil '^uzuima bukrd ja girgis.
2. girgis. wi 'ma: lu ! ma fij ma:ni'^.
3. mur'us. tajjib, jimkin tixdim fi:haj wahdak ?
4. girgis. la:, ma jimkinni:J dxdim li wahdi.
5. mur'us. ba'a jilzamna_ngi:b wahid ta:ni.
6. girgis. aiwa, jilzamna wahid ta:ni.
7. mur'us. ti'ddr tigi:bu ?
8. girgis. la m_aMdrJ agi:bu '^alajan manij min hina. id
duju;f rahi:n ji:gu ?emta ?
9. mur'us. jihdaru hina_d duhr tama:m.
10. girgis. "^ala kida ma jimkinnaij nixlas mit tabi:x.
11. mur'us. ma daim ti?u:mu badri, ma jimkinku:J tixlasu_zza:j ?
12. girgis. muj rQhi:n niknis il be:t innarhdrdajisan ? [or
muj" ha niknis ?)
13. mur?us. bdrdu tiknis'u:h_innahdrda, "^alajan bukrd muJ
ha_jku:n <;andukum waH.
14. girgis. tajjib umma:l, h_aknis dilwQ?t_aho ! il xddda:ma
mi J raj ha tiknis wajja:ja ?
15. mur'us. la:, il xddda:ma ha tiknis odt il hariim.
no EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
i6. G. Then I am to sweep, myself alone ?
17. M. Just wait till she is done, and then she will sweep with
you!
(2) The same, past tense [or conditional].
(The numbers refer to those in the above Exercise.)
[A. Indicative. B. Conditional.y
i.jA. We wanted to have a party yesterday.
[B. We should have liked to have a party yesterday.
2. There was no objection.
3- (A. Were you able to wait by yourself?
\B. Would you have been able to wait by yourself?
4. (A. No, I could not wait by myself.
Is. No, I could not have waited by myself.
5- (A. We had to bring another.
\B. We should have had to bring another (or we ought to
have brought another^).
7-1 A. Were you able to bring him ?
\b. Could you have brought him ?
8. (A. No, I couldn't bring him.
\B. No, I couldn't have brought him.
g. They were to arrive, or were about to arrive,
lo.y^. We could not get finished.
\b. We should not have been able to finish.
12. Were we not going to sweep (i.e. intending to sweep, or about
to sweep) ?
14. I was just about to sweep.
' Nota bene, the Arabic is the same whether for A or B. Context decides
■which meaning is intended.
^ The double possibility in this case is due to the act in the colloquial
there is only one verb for the " must " of compulsion, and the " must " of
duty {= ought to) ; i.e. jilzam.
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC III
i6. girgis. 'ummal_ana reli_aknis li wahdi ?
17. mur?us. ma^ tisbur lamma tuxlus, wi hi:ja tiknis wajja:k !
(2). il 'af^ail do:l nafsuhum bi 1 ma:di.
T. kunna "^awzi:!! nimil ''uzuima mbairill.
2. ma kanj fiji mami*^.
3. kan jimkin tixdim fi:ha 1 wahdak ? {or kutti ti'dcir tixdim?
or kan jimkinak. . . . ?)
4. la: ma kan J* jimkinn(i) axdim li wahdi {or ma 'amkanniij).
5. kan jilzamna nigiib waihid tami {or ka:n la:zim, kam jilzam)."*
7. kutt' ti''ddr tigi:bu ? (or kutt' ti'^ref tigiibu ? or kam jimkinak
tigiibu ?).
8. la ma kuttij a'ddr agiibu {or dSi%.i) {or ma kanJ' jimkinni).
9. kamu ha jihdaru {or rellim).
10. ma kanji jimkinna nixlas.
12. muj kunna rahim niknis ?
14. kutti rafi^aknis fi sa'^itha.
3 The ma introducing peremptory or lively command.
4 These two alternatives are much better if " ought " is intended rather
than " had to.'' N.B. — la:zim gibt means " I must have brought".
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114 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
XVI.
Ordinals. Colours. Deformities.
1. To-day I have ten questions on the subject of defects and
colours. — If you please, say to us the questions, and the
answers (wiU be) on us.
2. The first question is on the colour of the Berberi, what is it ? —
The first answer to this question (is) that the colour of the
Berberi is brown, the Berberi woman is brown, and their
children are aU brown.
3. The second question is on the colour red ; namely, who is
red ? — Among the Indians of America is the red man, and
the red woman, and the red children.
4. And, likewise, the third question is on the people of China,
about yellow people. . . The fourth question (is) on the people
of England (of) long ago, about blue people. . . The fifth
question is on the people of Europe, about white people. . .
The sixth question is on the people of the Soudan, about
black people.
5. A parenthetic question. Why did they call the "Ataba el
Khadra " (" the Green Threshold ") by that name ? — It
would seem that (it was) because there is nothing green there
of any kind whatever !
6. Eighth question ; is the blue of the sky paler than the blue
of the water of the salt sea, or darker ( = deeper) than it ? —
No, the blue of the water of the salt sea is far deeper than
the blue of the colour of the sky.
' Or il kitaib Lawwilami, il gawa:b Lawwilami. And so we
have the alternatives throughout, tami kitaib or il kitaib it ta:ni, etc., etc.
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC II5
it tamrim is sitta:J"dr.
li 1 m'hadsa 1 '^umumijja.
[Jugl is sufragi.] is sufragi awwilma ji:gi fis subh jinaffad
il 'uwad, wi mdrra fi 1 gum'^a jigsil il balait wi jnaddaf ij
Jababiik wi jimsall il 'izaiz. u ba'-d' kida jifiij is sufrd li 1 futu:r.
wi_jhut*' lawaizim is sufrd. wi f wa't il futu:r ma jxdddimj,
la:kin jirattib 'uwad in no:m, ja'^ni jijiil il majja 1 wisxd, wi jimsah
il lawomainu, wi jhutt majja ndiifa, wi jsallah il fdrj (saraijir),
wi_jji:l in namusijja, wi jiftah iJ Jababiik "^alajan jihawwi 1 'o:da.
wi mdrrd fi 1 gum'^a jigajjdr il bajddait kuUaha. wi f wa't il
gdda wi 1 'aja wi J J"a:j jilbis gallabijja_ndi:Ja wi jxdddim '^ala ■'akl
il be:t. wi s sufragi_jxdlli ba:lu mil gdras wi jddxxdl id dujuif
lamma jizu:ru 'ahl il be:t. [Do also with bi.]
a'^daid it tdrtiib. 1 alwain. il '^uju:b.
1. ''andi_nnahdrda ''ajdr 'as'ila fi maudu:'^_il "^ujuib wi l_alwa:n.
— itfaddal 'u:l il ?as'ila, wi 1 'agwiba "^aleina.
2. awwil su'a:r fi lo:n il bdrbari huiwa e:h? — awwil gawa:b'
■^an is su'ail da 'inn' lo:n il bdrbari 'asmdr, wil bdrbarijja
samrd, wi_wladhum kuUuhum sumr.
3. tami su'a:l fi 1 lorn 1 ahmdr, wi hu:wa, mi:n ahmdr wi Samrd
wi humr ? — -il hunuid Ijmrikam fi:hum ir raigU Lahmdr
wi s sitt il hamrd, wi ljwla:d il humr.
4. wi ha:kaza ta:lit su'ail '■an 'ahl is sim, fi: ?asfdr wi safrd
wi sufr. . . .ra:bi''_su''a:l '■an aha:li_(i)ngilterra zamam, fi:
'azra' wi zdr'a wi zur'. . . .xa:mis su''a:l '^an 'ahl' 'urubba,
fi: 'abjad, wi be:da, wi bi:d. . . .sa:tit su'a:l "^an ?ahlLs
su(:)da:n, fi: iswid wi so:da wi su:d.
5. su'a:! mu'^tarad. '^alajan e: sammu 1 "^ataba 1 xadrd bi
Lism' di ? — jizharjnnu ''alajan ma fihaj ha:ga xadrd wala
Je: ?dxdar wala liaga:t xudr bi 1 mdrrd !
6. ta:min su'a:l, zara:' is sama fa:tih "^an zara:? majjit^ il bahr
il ma:liR, walla ga:mi? "^annu ? — la:, zara:? majjit il bahr
il ma:li}i ga:mi' "^an zara:' lo:n is sama -"awi.
" majja (water) is contracted from the diminutive of the non-colloquial
ma:?, i.e. muwajja (cp. the exx. of the diminutive form already given).
ii6
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
10.
II.
12.
And, thus, we say " the green of the grass; the red of this
paint ; the brown of the hair ; the white and black of the
(two) eyes."
Ninth question is, (are) the deaf man, the deaf woman, the
deaf people slighter (in) affliction, or the dumb man (woman,
people) ?— I think that the deaf man (woman, people)
is (are) much less afflicted than the dumb man.
Is the blind man more afflicted, or the blind woman ? are the
blind aU one degree ? — I think that blindness, deafness,
dumbness, and lameness are more (in) affliction in the case
of women.
Here are ten books, hand me, please,
the first book \ , rthe first book,
the first of them /' I the first of them.
And, thus, the second book . . the 2nd of them . . the 2nd book,
the third book, .the 3rd of them, .the 3rd book.
the tenth book, .the lothof them, .the lothbook.
Here are ten papers, hand me, please,
the first paper 'i rthe first paper,
the first of them /' Ithe first of them.
13. And thus, hand me please.
/
the /
paper.
For Systematic Grammar
I
XVI.
second
third
fourth
fifth
sixth
seventh
eighth
ninth
tenth
and pi. of the chief colours
Make tables of the masc, fern,
and their corresponding abstracts {e.g. redness), and generalise
the " measure " or grammatical form of the forms thus
arrived at.
2. Treat similarly the deformities.
3. Write out the masc, and fem. of the ordinals.
4. What are the two ways of translating " the fourth man " ? —
What difference does the substitution of " woman " make ?
5. What difference does the suffixing of [hum] make on the
accent and form of (say) [ta:lit] ?
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
117
9-
10.
wi kaza ni'uil " xadair il hajiij " ; " hamair il buija di ;
sama:r if Ja'^r ; bajaid il "^enem wi sawa(:)dhum.
ta:si'^ su'a:l ; ir raigil LatraJ, is sitt it terja, in na:s it turf,
'axaffi balwa, walla Laxras (xarsa,xurs) ? — fikri inni Latraf
(t tarfa, t turf) axdffi' balwa mil cixras (xcirsa, xurs) ?awi.
1 a''ma (a)fadd''' balwa wallaj "^amja? walla 1 "^umj^ kulluhum
daraga wahda ? — fikri 'inn il "^ama wi t taraf wi 1 xaras
wi 1 "^drag afadd^ balwa fi s sittait.
hina '■afdr kutub nawilni, min fadlak
'awwil kita:b
aw'wilhum
il kita:b l_awwila:ni
1 awwilami minhum
11. wi kaza, 'ta:ni kita:b.
'tadit kita:b.
'•^aifir kita:b.
12. hina '■afdr wdra'ait ; nawilni min fadlak
_'awwil wdra'a* ^ /'awwil wdra'a.
k — itfaddalxud
.ta'ni:hum. ,
.ta'lithum. .
.''a'firhum.
awwil kita:b.
awwilhum.
il kita:b l_awwila:ni
1 awwilami minhum.
.il kitaib it tami.
.il kitaib it tadit.
.il kita:b il '■aifir.
_awwilhum
11 wdra'aj 'awwila'nijja
il 'awwila'nijja'minhum.
13. wi kaza.
-itfaddal xud
'awwilhum.
[nijja.
il wdra'aj 'awwila-
il 'awwilanijja minhum.
jt tanja {for tamija)*
t talta {for tadita)
r rab'^a {for raibi'^a)
1 xamsa {for xaimisa)
min fadlak nawilni il wara'a,.-^ s satta {for sa:tita)
s sab'^a {for sa:bi''a)
t tamna {for ta:mina)
t tas'-a {for taisi'^a)
1 '■afra {for "^aifira).
' Comparative of xafilf.
2 Comparative of fidild. Adjectives which cannot be given the com-
parative form in Arabic are compared by placing af add (aktdr) " more,"
or axdff (a'all) "less," before the abstract noun, e.g. here, " severer (in)
affliction," i.e. " more afflicted." But a positive with '^an may always be used.
3 Alternative plural "^umjam.
+ Note that when the ordinal precedes, it is the same for a masculine or
a feminine noun, and that the noun is invariably anarthrous (without article) .
5 PI. 'awwilanij'jiin.
6 It has already been remarked that the ordinal that precedes the feminine
noun is masculine invariably.
Il8 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
XVII.
The Numerals above lo.
For Conversation.
We want to talk a little to-day about the numerals above ten ;
so then tell me,
1. How many do eleven piastres and one make? . . . .12 piastres.
2. A piece of land whose length is three metres and breadth
four, how many square metres will it be in extent ? — Its ex-
tent will be 12 sq. metres.
3. Eight parcels plus five make how many parcels? — -...13
parcels.
4. Seven miles by two make how much ? — . . . .14 miles.
5. How many days are there in half April?.... 15 days.
6. When we increase them (by) one how many do they make ? —
16 days.
7. Nineteen less two, how much is the remainder ?^I9 less
two, leaves 17.
8. A box the length and breadth of which are three metres and
the height two, contains how many cubic metres ? — 18
cubic metres.
9. To-day is what (date) in the Arabic month ? — To-day is the
2ist day of Rabi' Awwil (for example).
10. What year is this of the Higra ? — This year is 1335 a.h.
n. That corresponds to what year a.d. ? — It corresponds with
the year 1917 a.d.
12. Well then, the first year of the Higra corresponds with what
year A.D. ? — The first year of the Higra corresponds to the
year 622 a.d.
13. How many years has the century ? — The century has 100
years.
14. How many years are there in two centuries ? — In two
centuries, 200 years.
' '•'ilu (for ''iluiw), the usual word for " depth."
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC II9
it tamriin is saba'^ta:J(!ir.
La'^daid fo:' il '^ajdra.
11 1 m'hadsa.
biddina nitkallim Juwajja nnahirda fil a'^daid fo:? il '■ajdrci,
fa 'ul li ba'a :
1. "^ajdr 'uru:]" wi waiWd jib'u ka:m? — . . .jib'u h(i)da:J"dr 'irj.
2. 'it'^it ?eard tudha talattjmta:r wi '^QrdQhd_rba'^a, tikuin
misa(:)hitha kam mitr' mrabba'^ ? — misahitha_tku:n itnaijdr
mitr' mrabba'^.
3. taman tururd wi xamsa jib'u kam ietrd ?— jib'u tilat-
taijdr tard.
4. saba'^tjmja:! fi tne:n bi ka:m ? — b_arba'^ta:Jdr mi:l.
5. nuss' Jdhr abrid kam jo:m ? — nuss' Jdhr abrid xamastaijdr
jo:m.
6. lamma_nzawwidhum wa:hid jib'u ka:m ? — jib'u sittaijdr
jo:m.
7. tisa'^tarjdr nai'is itnein il ba:?i ka:m ? — tisa'^taifar naiHs
itnem il ba:'i saba'^taijar.
8. sondu:? tudu wi "^ardu talattjmtar wi "^i'luiwu' mitrein
kam mitr' mka'^'^ab ? — jiku:n tamantaijar mitr'jnka'^'^ab.
9. innahcirda kam fi J Jahr il "^drabi ? — innahdrda jo:m wa:llid
wi ''ijriin rabi:"^ 'awwil (masalan).
10. is sa'na: di sanat' ka:m hagriija ? — is sa'na: di sanat' 'alf',.
w tultimijja xamsa_w talatiin hagriija.
11. tiwa:fi' sanat ka:m masi(:)hijja ?— tiwa:fi' sanat 'alfLw
tus'^imi:ja_w saba''ta:Jar.
12. ba'a, awwil sana hagriija tiwaifi' sanat ka:m masihijja ?
— awwil sana hagri:ja tiwaifi? sanat suttimi:ja_tne:n
wi '^ijrim masihiija.
13. il gid fih kam sana ? — il gid fih mi:t sana.
14. jib'a fil gilein kam sana ?— fil gilein mi(:)te:n sana.
^ sana changes its feminine termination here because the succeeding
expression is in the possessive case.
120 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
15. And (in) 4 centuries
? — There are 400 years.
., „ 5 : ?— ,. .. 500 „
., 7 " ?— " .- 700 „
„ „ 8 „ ?— „ „ 800 „
„ „ 10 ,, ? — „ „ 1000 „
16. Now we must do a sum in multiplication. — What does multi-
phcation mean ? I wish to know.
17. Multiplication is the increasing of a number up to the number
of times which (are) in another number, e.g. 5 times 6 is
30; so the number 5 here has increased 6 times; i.e. 30 is
more than 5 by 6-fold.
18. Good. We want to multiply 3148 by 5. — We say thus :
5 times 8 is 40, put down o and we have in hand {i.e. carry)
4 ; 5 times 4 is 20, and we carry 4, which makes 24, put down
4, and we carry 2 ; 5 times i is 5, and we carry 2, which
makes 7, put down the 7 ; 5 times i is 5, put down the 5.
19. Here what is the lower figure called ? — It is called the re-
sultant of the multiplication.
20. And how much is the resultant of the multiphcation in this
sum ? — 5740.
21. Now we must do another sum, this time subtraction. — ^And
what is the definition of subtraction ?
22. Subtraction is the taking away of a small number from a
higher number than itself, e.g. we say 492 from 1500. We
say thus : 2 from 10 is 8.
9 „ 9 .. o.
4 .. 4 .. o.
o ,, I ,, I.
23. Here the lowest number is called what ? — It is called the
remainder.
24. How much is the remainder of the subtraction in this sum ? —
It is 1008.
25. There remains for us to do a sum in division ; we'll do it
and be done !— And what does division mean ?
26. Dividing (or partitioning) a big number by a small one.
For example, 10 by 5 is 2. The number 10 is the dividend
and the 2 is the quotient of the division
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 121
13. w iLArba'^tJgja:! ? — fiihum rub'^imiit sana.
w il xamast_igia:l ? — fi:hum xumsimiit sana.
w is saba'^t_igja:l ? — fiihum sub'^imiit sana.
w it tamantjgjail ? — fiihum tumnimiit sana.
w il '^ajartjgjail ? — fiihum 'alf sana.
16. dilws'ti '^aleina ni'^mil hisba fi d darb. — id darb ja'^ni ?eih,
bidd_a'^raf.
17. id darb huiwa zijaidit "^adad 'add' 1 mdrrait illi_f "^adad
taini. masalan, xamsa_f sitta_b talatiin, fa '^adad xamsa
zaid hina sitt' mdrrait ; ja'^ni, talatin tiziid '^an xamsa
sitta te(:)'ait {or it ta:' sitta).
i8. tajjib, '^awziin nidrab talatt_ala:f wi miija tamanja w_drbi'^iin
fi xamsa. ni'uil kida ; xamsa f tamanja b_drba'^i:n,
1148 fiiha sifr wi_m'^ain(a)_drba'^a ; xamsa f_drba''a
5 bi "^ijriin, wi_m'^ain(a)_cirba'^a, jib'_drba'^a wi '^ijriin,
fiiha_rba''a wi_m'^aina_tnein ; xamsa_f waihid bi
5740 xamsa wi m'^aina tnein, jib^u sab''a, fiiha s sab''a ;
xamsa_f waihid bi xamsa, fiihaj xamsa.
19. hinajl '^adad illi taht_ismu 'eih ? — ismu haisil id darb.
20. wi haisil id darb illi fil hisba di kaim ? — il haisil xa'mast_alaif
wi sub'^imijja w_drba'^i:n.
21. dUwa'ti jilzamna ni'^mal hisba tanja fi t tarh_il mdr'rai di. —
wi t tarh' ta'^riifu 'eih ?
22. it tarh tanziil "^adad sugaj jdr min "^adad kibiir foi-'u ; masalan
ni'uil, rub''imijja_tnein wi tis''iin min 'alfLw xumsi-
mijja. ni'uil kida, itnein min '^ajdra tamanja; tis'-a
"*" min tis'^a sifr; ^drba'^a min_drba'^a sifr; eifr' min
1008 waihid waihid.
23. hina 1 "^adad illi taht_ismu -'eih ? — ismu 1 bai'i.
24. bai'i it tarh kaim fi 1 hisba di ? — huiwa 'alf'„w tamanja.
25. faidil "^aleina hisba fi 1 ?isma ni'^milha wis salaim. — ^wil 'isma
ja'^ni 'eih ?
26. ta?siim' '^adad kibiir "^ala "^adad sugajjdr; masalan, '^ajdrd
•^ala xamsa fiiha tnein. fa "^adad "^ajdra 'ismuj ma'suim
''aleih, w itnein xairig il 'isma.
' Or tagzii' .
122 egyptian colloquial arabic
Dialogue at the Post Office.
Customer. I want eleven stamps at a '" white piastre " each
( = small piastre) ; and 17 at a nikla ( = two milliemes) ; and 15
at 3 miUifemes. That's enough now. What is your account ?
Post-Agent. You have 11 stamps at a small piastre each,
equals 5| piastres, I mean (= that is) 55 milliemes. And you have,
too, 17 at a nikla, equal 34 milliemes, i.e. three piastres and four
milliemes. That is 89 milliemes, i.e. 9 piastres less one milli^me.
And you have 15 at three milliemes, = 45 milliemes,' i.e. 4 piastres
and a half, and 4I plus the nine piastres less one mUlieme, makes
the total price of the stamps 13 piastres and 4 milliemes, i.e. 134
milUfemes.
Customer. All right, take those 20 piastres and give me the
change.
Post-Agent. The 20 is 200 milliemes. Of those 134 are mine.
Four from ten, six. Three from nine, six. One from one, nought.
The change is 66 milliemes. Please take them.
For Systematic Grammar. XVII.
1. Tabulate the numerals from 11 upwards.
2. What difference is noticeable between the number of the noun
after numerals 3 — 10 and that after numerals 11 upwards ?
3. Observe that to make a numeral positive you have simply
to prefix [il] to the numeral: e.g. [il ''ajartjjjaim] "the ten
days " ; [it tultimiija w_itne:n sana] " the 102 years."
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 123
m'hawra '^and il busta.
zibu:n. 'ana "^aiwuz hidaijar wara'a min_abu 'irj"_abjad ;
wi saba"^ta:J(!ir min_abu nikla, ia''ni itne:n malliim ; wi xamaste:Jdr
mm_abu tala:ta malli:m. bi_zja:da ba'a. hisaibak kam ?
waki:l il busta. inta ''andak ftidaijar wara'a min_abu 'irj^
abjad, bi xamsa sa:g wi nuss, ia''ni xamsa_w xamsiin malliim. —
wi '^andak kamain saba'^taijdr fi nikla, b_drba'^a_w talati:n malliim,
isL'^ni ta'lat 'uruij w_drba'^a malliim. jib'u tis'^a^w tamanim
malliim, ja'^ni tisa"^ 'uruij 'ilia malliim. — wi "^andak xamastaijdr,
fijjit talaita malliim, bi xamsa w^drba'^iin malliim, ia''ni 'ctrba*^
'uruij wi nuss. — w_drba'^a_w nuss "^at tis'^a 'ilia malliim, jikuin
taman il wars' kuUu talattaijdr 'irj w_drba''a malliim, ja'^ni
mijjd_rba''a_w talatiin malliim.
zibuin. tajjib xud il ijriin 'irji doil, w iddiini 1 bai'i.
wakiil. il "^iJriin bi mijtein malliim. lijja minhum mijjd_
rba''a_w talatiin. drba'^a min '^ajdru sitta. talaita min tis'^a
sitta, waihid min waihid sifr, il bai'i sitta_w sittiin malliim, itfaddal.
124 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
XVIII.
(i). Frequentative. (2). Future Perfect. (3). Pluperfect.
(4) . Continuative.
(I).
1. Tell me, what do you do every day ? — I keep on working at
Arabic.
2. And what do / do ? — -You keep on working at these Arabic
lessons.
3. So then we both keep on working in the same subject.
4. What does Miss X. do ? — She keeps on working at studjdng.
5. What were you doing yesterday ? — I was keeping on at Arabic
just the same.
(2).
6. Our lesson ends at — o'clock ; suppose one comes here after
that time by half an hour, will he find me stiU here ? —
No, you will have gone out.
7. You mean he won't find me : will he find you ? — Perhaps he
will, but it may be that I too will have gone out.
8. Will one find Khalil the merchant in his office after working
hours ? — Why no, he will have gone out.
9. Can I meet anyone of those belonging to the Government
Offices at 2 p.m. ? — Why no, at that hour they will have
quite gone off.
(3).
10. That's why I went to the Finance, once, at a little before two,
to see a friend of mine, and found he had gone. — Why he
had gone off half an hour previously !
' Lit. : " doing much."
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC I25
id ddrs it tamantaijar.
li 1 m^hadsa.
amma 1 bawwaib fa JuglituJ ba:b, wi muj laizim jisi:b
il ba:b ilia "^alajan jim:h miJwa.T bi 'amr' mdxsu:s, masalan
jigi:b lla:ga, waUa jwaddi gawabait il busta (1 kibiird) aw jirmiihum
fi s sondu:?. wi muJ laizim jiddxxdl ajj' waihid wi s salaim,
laikin jis'al kulli waihid "^an illi "^awzu, wi jutlub il kdrt milli
ma jirafhumj, wi jSuiJ in nais illi ma IhumJ* Jugl. wi 1 bawwaib
jiknis il hoij wi jimsah is salailim.
(i). il mudairi'; bi " '^ammail." (2). il maidi bi " jikuin."
(3). il maidi bi " kain." (4). il fiq bi " tann."
(I)-
1. 'ul li, bi ti'^mil eh kuU' joim ?— ana "^ammaiP ajtigil fi 1 "^arabi
[fern, '^ammaila).
2. w ana b_a'^mil eih ?— inta "^ammail tijtigil fi_d duruis il
'^arabiija.
3. ba'a_hna Litnein '^ammaliin nijtigil fLl madda zatha.
4. wi 1 mis fulaina_b ti'^'mil eih ?— hiija '^ammaila tijtigil fi 1
m^zakra kaman.
5. kuttLb ti'^mil eih Jmbairih ?— kutt' '^ammaiLaJtigil fi 1
•■arabi bardu.
(2).
6. ddrsina jintihi s sai'^a ; nifrid inn' waihid jiigi hina ba'^d'
kida_b nuss' sai'^a, jila'iini lissa mawguid? — lai, tikuin
xaragt {or rawwaht).
7. ba?a ma_jla(i)?iniij ; jila(i)'iikjnta ? — gajiz jila'iini, laikin
jimkin akuin ana kaman xaragt (rawwaht).
8. il waihid jilai?i xdliil it taigir fi 1 bankLbtai'^u ba'^d mi'^aid
ij Jugl ? — ^la, da_jkuin xarag.
9. a'^raf a'aibiLajji waihid min bitui"^ id dawawiin is sai'^a tnein
ba'^d id duhr ? — lai ! doil fi_l wa?t' da_jkuinu xaragu
'awi !
(3).
10. atariini^ ruht il malijja mdrra s sai'^a_tnein iUa Jwajj_ajuif
waihid sahbi, la'eitu kain miji. — da kain miji 'abl' kida bi
nuss' sai^a.
^ Or igranni. The particles atairi and igrann express el discovered
reason : " So of course. ...!"; " now we see why. . . . " ; " that's why. ..."
126 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
11. Then why had the ushers not yet gone off? — ^They had not
gone because the ushers are not like the employes.
12. I passed by a mosque last Friday at 12.40 ; do you think
the Moslems were still inside, or had departed ? — No, I
think that the service had quite finished and they (had) all
gone off.
(4).
I.
13. tanneitak majgu:l_imba:rih li hadd' 'emta, ja "-ali ?'
tanneitik majgu:la_mba:rih ,, „ ,, „ fatma ?
tannetku majg.uli:n_imba:rih,, ,, „ „ na:s ?
14. titannak tidrsb '■ali kida ja xoliil ?^
titannik tidrabi '■ali kida ja galida ? . .
titannuku tidrsbu Uwla:d kida ja na:s ?
15. tannak ma:Ji fi hadak ja walad ja "^afriit l^
tannik majja fi hailak ja bint ja '■afriita !
tannuku majjim fi hadak ja wla:d ja "^afariit !
FOR VERB-DRILL.
Future Perfect.
ijja:k tikum kanast il 'oida 'ablima ji:gu l''^
,, tikuini kanasti_l ,, „ „ !
„ tikuinu kanastuj „ „ „ !
Pluperfect.
kutt' '■amalt' Juglak 'abl wusud id de:f P^
kutti '■amalti „ ,, ,, „ „ ?
kuttu '■amaltu ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ?
' " You continued busy yesterday till when, Ali ? "
2 " Do you go on beating Ali so, Khalil ? "
3 " Be right off with you, you little imp you I "
4 " I hope you'll have swept the room before they come."
5 " Had you finished your work before the arrival of the guest ? '
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC I27
11. ijini"^na 1 hugga:b lissa ma kanuij xsrsgu ? — ma kanu:J
xeragu "^alajan il huggaib muj zejji 1 mistaxdimi:n.
12. ana futt* ''ala gaimi'^ il gum'^a Hi fa:tit is sai'^a wahda ?illa
tilt, tiftikir kam il muslimiin lissa guiwa walla tiKu ? —
la:, aftikir inn' s sala kamit xilsit 'awi, wi humma kuUuhum
tiFu.
(4).
II. III.
tannetni majguil li hadd id duhr sahi:h tannu (etc.)
,, ,, ,, ,, ,, tannaha „
tannetna majguliin ,, „ „ tannuhum „
aiw atann{i) edrabu mada:m jil'^ab ma'^luim jitannu {etc.)
„ „ ,, ,, ,, „ titannaha ,,
aiwa n(i)tanni nidrabhum madaim ,, jitannuhum „
[jiFabu
FOR VERB-DRILL.
Future. Perfect.
in Ja 'aiia:h_aku:n kanas'taha la, ma jkunj' ka'nasha.
,, ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, tkunj' kana'sitha.
,, ,, ,, nikuin kanas'na:ha ,, ,, jkunuij kanasuiha.
Pluperfect.
aiwa kutti '^amaltu kadda:b ! ma kanj' '■amalu.
,, ,, ,, kaddaiba! ma kanitji ''ama'litu.
aiwa kunna '■amalnaih kaddabim! makanuij '^amaluih.
For Systematic Grammar. XVIII.
1. Decline ['^ammad] : what tense is it always succeeded by ?
(Note absence of [bi].)
2 . How are the future perfect and pluperfect expressed in Arabic ?
Notice in No. 12 above that a distant auxiliary may turn a
past into a pluperfect ([til''u], twice).
To which verb does the negacive attach itself ? (See Verb-Drill.)
J. The continuative [tann] is conjugated in a quite anomalous
fashion. (The suffix pronoun appears to be a reflexive.)
Observe that it is always followed by a participle or an
aorist, one sounding best in some verbs, and in some the
other. Occasionally conjugation is dropped, and [tann]
with the suffixes alone will stand for a past, or a present.
128 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
XIX.
Verbs with Second and Third Radicals the same.
for reading.
Dialogue Between a Lady and her Servant.
Lady. Mahmoud, I want you to take up the whole of the
furniture, and to wash down [lit. sprinkle) the house too.
Mah. Well, let Mary take the furniture up with me.
Lady. Certainly, take up the things with him, Mary, and
wash down too.
Mary. Here I am taking them up with him.
Lady. Where are you putting the (moved) furniture, Mary.
Mary. I am putting it in the guest-room.
Lady. And where is Mahmoud putting it ?
Mah. I am putting the furniture below.
Lady. Are the cupboard and the table downstairs too ?
Mah. No, the cupboard I am putting (it) in the passage and
the table in the drawing-room.
Lady. Have you taken up the mat, Mary ? (the knives —
forks — spoons).
Mary. Why I have taken it (them) up long ago.
Lady. Did anybody take up the furniture with you last week ?
Mah. Our neighbour's servant moved it with us and the
maid also moved it : I mean both moved it together with us.
Lady. And our other neighbours' servant and maid, didn't
they take up too ?
Mary. No they did not. Their masters are cross (stingy).
Mah. Come along, let's put back the furniture into its place,
Mary.
Mary. No, I won't do so now, for the bell is near sormding
for lunch.
Lady. Have you put the furniture back into its place, Mahmoud ?
Mah. No, I have not, for Mary has gone to ring the bell for
lunch.
Lady. Well then, when is the putting back of the furniture to be ?
Mah. Its putting back (will be) before the sounding of the
bell for supper.
Lady. At any rate, I am pleased with your taking-up (of)
the furniture in such good order.
Mah. I hope that our putting it (back) will be (even) better
than our taking it up !
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC I29
it tamri:n it tisa'^taij'cir.
il 'af^ail illij "^ein wi 1 ]a:m bitu'^hum wa:llid/
li 1 'irsija.
m'hawra bem wahda sitt wi 1 xdddaim bita'^ha.
sitt. ja mahmuid, ?ana '^awza_t(i)limm il '^afj' kuUu, wi,
truJJ il belt kaman.
mah. tejjib xalli mfirjim tilimmi wajjaij.
sitt. ummail limmi(:) WQJja:h ja mdrjim, wi rujji kaman.
mar. ana b_alimm wQJja:h_aho.
sitt. inti bi thutti_l "^izad fe:n ja mcirjim ?
mdr. ana b^ahuttu fi s salamlik.
sitt. wi mahmuid bi^jftuttu fe:n ?
mah. ana haitit il "^izad taht.
sitt. wi d dula:b wi t tarabeiza ruxrim taht ?
mah. la:, id dula:b_ana hsttu fi 1 majjaija, wi t tarabe:za
ha'titha fi s sada.
sitt. lamme:ti 1 busait^ ja mdrjim (. . .is sakakim wi J Jiwak).
mdr. d_ana lam'maih min badri ! ( lam'maihum) (or
da hna lammimu, lammi(:)nhum ).
sitt. hadd' lamm_il "^izad wajjaiku ]_usbu:'^_illi fa:t ?
mah. xdddaim gd(:)rna lamm' wajjaina, wi 1 xdddaima
ruxra lammit, ja'^ni Litnem lammu wajjama sawa.
sitt. wi 1 xddda:m bita'' gdrna_t_ta:ni wi xdddamtu ma
lammuij ruxriin ?
mdr. la:, ma lammuij wajja:na. do:l asjadhum^ najfin (buxala).
mah. jaiia_nrudd il ''iza:l mat'rahu ja mdrjim.
mdr. la:, m_aruddu:J dilwa't, "ialajan il gdras 'drrab jidu??i
li 1 gdda.
sitt. radde:t il '^iza:l matrahu ja mahmuid ?
mah. la ma raddetj'*_''alajan mdrjim ra:hit tidu?' il gdras
li 1 gdda.
sitt. umma:l rah jiku:n redd^ il ''iza:l da ?emta ?
mah. raddu jikuin 'abl' da" il gdras li 1 '■aja.
sitt. '^ala. kull' ha:l ana mabsuita min lammukum^ il '■afj'
bi t tdrtiib da.
mah. in Ja 'aiia: jikuin hattina fi:h5_ahsan min lammina fi:h5 !
I Technically called il fi'^l il muda:'^af, " the doubled verb."
"p. busat (mats). A carpet is sigga:da (p. sagagi:d).
3 asja:d, ^^ of si:d (lord, master, grandfather). 4 e shortened before tj.
5 This is the regular form of the infinitive of verbs of this class : cp.
lamm, hatt, etc. For construction see Systematic Grammar 5.
For Conversational Verb-Drill, and Analysis.
rt
1
rt
"
,a
«
-
3
rt
^
O)
n)
rrt
oJ
■C
.^3
^
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(Tt
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Fi
s
e
a
B
g
fa
Fi
Fi
W
rt
CD
rt
ni
""^
^ rt ni
a)
3 s s a
s I 6 §
g J ^ -^
£^ oi rt c^
see
it!
6
=^'§^
TT g 1-.
ni -ti, ■*-;
^ te S
§ 6 6
^ S 6
Co 'l-H 1^
; CO ;
ja
■ ni 2 §
-f^ S 6 S
^ a s 6
'o -Ih ;jij ^
nd r^l, -t-» ■'"^
S 5 S e
:"^^-^
y tu - "
§ 3 S 2
III
-■ a3 nJ cd
6 6 6
_. ni :=!
— ^ o- ^i,
^^^^
? rg /2 ^
a
. oi
en ^
£? ni
^^
ni ^ .
^ -^ "^
a 2 "6
6 .^ a
P -rH N H
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y oj ^ ni CO
ni
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53
■ 6
6
cd
ni
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cij
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: 6
6
3 ;=!
13 ni
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: 6^
ni
ni
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rt a
, 13
TT tn
pi ui
a -r-
a s ,? ^
;fi 3 ov T3
' si
t3
;3
T3
ni C
■ -^ -^ ;fl
ZZ^ CD Co ri-t
a) T3 n3 ~
Id T3
^ ii k4
ni
:; cd ri-
C
nJ r^ — el
fi ^
ni
6
= a
ni ^3 JS
^ a
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= 6
., ni
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■3T1JE(J SAI^OV
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fi
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CD fa
p
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ro
o-. n-. n-.
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a
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ni
fi
fi
rfi
3
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T3 -a -^
Tl 'TJ Tj i^ •~
+j -1-1 -i-> " — ^ ~:
en S J5 -f^
ni g ^ ^ f^.
Jfi -^-^r
-^- -t-» -t-*
.J .J J
^ ^ »
-fi fi -d
-fi fi
a a a
^ ,is - - - 3 ^ a
■:isiiov
td '6 .S CO :5.
a cd' g 3 :s
a a s J J
3 -^ 5 -^ -^
0-.
rv.
J3
.fi
CI)
<L1
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fi
ni
rri
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4=;
.fi
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B
fi
-^ r-H r^
J fi c
CD •'-' ■'-^
6 ^
ni ^
^ .s .s
-^ fi
.3 ^
oi — .
ni -S
"d 3
Td -d
B^
cd t — ,
cd ni
a a
, _ ., a a
■' ni ^_,
Th cd ni
- ■« -
rfirfi^
6 6
13
CD
ni
Jfi
fi
a
6
•^AT:^l;J^dmI
130
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 131
as'ila "^al m^hawrct. — li 1 m'hadsa.
"^alajan e:h is sitt' "^awza ?inn_alimad jilimm il "^afj ?
talab mi:n jilimmi wijjaih ?
marjim kamit bLthutt il "^iza:! fe:n ?
wi mahmuid ?
kam fih hadd' lammi wajjaihum, walla lammuj wah'duhum ?
leh xdddamim gdrhum it ta:ni ma sa'^duhumj ?
leh ma radduij il "^izad matrahu fi 1 ha:l ?
tejjib ?emta raddu:h ?
For Systematic Grammar. XIX.
1. Notice that the vowelling of the past' tense is absolutely
constant [a].
2. Notice that the aorist has [i] and [u] forms.
3. To these add a rare [a] form : e.g. [sahh jisahh]," be correct " ;
[ma j(i)sahhij], "it won't do."
4. Notice that in this verb the first syllable of the aorist is an
open one, contrary to that of the aorist of simple triliteral
verb : [ti-limm, tid-rab]. Compare the different ways
in which the particles combine with each :
tilimm^ bi_tlimm~> inta bi_tlimm | ma_tlimmij'\ mab_alunmij)
tidrab / bi tidrabj inta_b tidrab I ma tidrabj / ma b_adTabJ J
The a:orists of all the forms still to be studied wiU be found to
be classifiable under one or other head : and so the above
ways of combining the particles will be found to be every-
where typical.
5. Notice how Arabic constructs the infinitive. If the object is a
pronoun it is introduced by the preposition [fi], which has
no meaning in itself. (The preposition [li] is similarly used,
but is not so coUgquial.) If the object is a substantive,
the preposition may or may not be used.
132 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
XX.
The Verbs whose ist Radical is ['J or [w].
For Reading.
One day the boy Ali said to his (paternal) uncle, Abdul Aziz,
" Uncle, you promised me to take us to see the Dervishes at the
fair (Birthday)." Then his uncle said to him, "I promised you,
and I am going to take you too." Then said Ali to him, " Good,
(do) promise us to go with you to the Birthday of the Sultan Abu
Tla." Then his uncle said to him, " I promise you, if we are
free." And when the appointed evening came, they started off, and
walked, and went to the fair. And before they arrived, Fatima
said to her uncle, " I am tired, have we not yet arrived ? "
He said to her, " Never mind ! there's not much more ; only a
little, and we'll be there."
And after a little they got there, and went straight, making
for the Dervishes, and stood behind the people. Then Ali said to
his uncle, " I want to stand in front, so that I may see nicely."
So his uncle said to him, " All right, you may stand in front ;
go and stand, but look out that you don't stand crowded among
the people." Then the girl said, " Then where am I to stand,
uncle ? " Her uncle said, " What, are you a boy ! You shall
not stand (anywhere) but behind ; stand by me here ! "
And after the zikr was done, Ali went off and looked for his
uncle and sister ; and after he had (some) trouble, he foimd them
standing behind all the people. Then his sister began to ask him
of what he had seen. So he said to them, " As soon as I went in,
I found the Dervishes making a big circle, and performing the
zikr."
Uncle. Good ; (were) they sitting or standing ?
Ali. They were standing, and some taking in their hands
a piece of (an) iron like a sword, and hitting their neighbours with
it ! And some were taking an iron chain, and hitting, hkewise,
each other.
' For wa''adtini. The verb means " to promise a person " or " to
make an appointment with a person."
2 A phrase. So xddt ba'^fli, " I went off," xdd ba'^du, " he. .," etc.
3 Lit. " A grain."
4 The verb has both the A and I forms,
5 i.e. the suifi orders.
^ Or u:'^a. And so, above, niwsal or nu:sal. 7 For li nafsak.
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC I33
it tamrim il "^ijii:!!.
il 'af^a:! illi 1 fe: bita(:)'^itliuni hamza walla waw.
li 1 'irsija.
fi jo:m mil 'ajjaim, il walad "^ali ?al li "^ammu '^abd il "^aziiz
" ja "^ammi, 'inta wa'^attini' 'innak ta(:)'xudna tifdrragna ''ad
ddr€twi:J fi 1 muilid." ?am '^ammu 'al lu, " ana wa'''attuku, wi
rall_a(i)'xudku bdrdu." ?am '^ali ?al lu, " tejjib iw''idna_nra:h
WQJjaik mudid is sultain abu 1 ''ila." 'am ?al lu '^ammu, " aw'^idak
iza kunna fadjiin."
wi lamma gat il ledaj maw'^uida, xddu ba'^duhum^ wi mijju
■■dla rigleihum wi ra:hu ''al mudid. wi 'ablima jiwsalu 'adit
fatma li ''ammaha, " ana ti'^ibt, 'ihna lissa ma wasalnaij ? " 'al
laha " ma''lehj 1 ma fa(:)dilji kti:r, kullahajwajja wi niwsal."
wi ba''di habba^ sgajjdrd, wislu* wi ''ala tud ra:liu 'asdi:n id
ddrawiij,' wi wi'fu wdra n na:s. 'am '■ali 'al li ""ammu, "''aiwuz
a'af 'uddaim, ''alajan aju:f kuwajjis." 'am '■ammu 'al lu, " ma'-lehj,
inta ti'ddr tu'af 'uddaim; ruihj'af, bass_iw''a^_n nafsak^ ma
tu''afj' mahju:r fi n na:s .
'a:mit il bint' 'adit, "ummad an_a'af fem ja '■ammi." 'am
•iammaha 'al laha "hu:wa_nti sabi ! 'inti ma tu'afiij ilia wdrd,
'u'afi gambi hina."
wi ba''dima xilis iz zikr^ till'' ''ali dawwdr ''ala ''ammu w_uxtu,
wi ba''dima ti'-ib wa'gadhum wa'fim wdra n na:s kuUuhum. 'a:mit_
uxtu sa'a'litu ''an_illi Jaifu. 'am -'al luhum, " awwilma ddxdlt,
wagatt id darawiij ''amlim hala'a_kbi:rd, wi_b juzkuru."'
''amm. kwajis ! wi humma 'a''dim walla wa'fim ?
''ali. dol wa'fim wi ba''duhum'° wa:xid f_i:du hittit lladiida
zejji self wi_b jidrab bi:ha_lli_f riillu". wi fiihum wdxdim silsila"
hadi:d, bdrdu jidrabu bi:ha ba''d.
8 Lit. : "mentioning " (i.e. the Name of Allah) : the word is used for the
ecstatic devotions of the suifi Orders.
9 Lit. " making mention," and so " performing the zikr " (see note 3).
1° This, even when followed by the singular, might refer to one or several
persons.
I' Lit. " the one who (is) in his wind (windward of him)."
" Not silsilit, because in apposition to fiadild.
134 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
Uncle. And when they do hke that, do the blows not hurt
them.
All. No; why, more cunning than that (is) the one who takes
fire in his hand and eats at it.
Uncle. Do they not in that way get fever ?
All. No ; they say (that they are) used to that.
Uncle. Say, didn't any of them fall ?
Ali. Why yes, one of them when he is spent, falls, and the
others fall on the top of him ; and the one(s) who don't get spent
don't fall.
At this point Fatima got hungry, and said to her Uncle, "I'm
hungry; I want (something) to eat."
Uncle. And you too, Ali, will you eat ?
A li. Just command me. Uncle, to get something ! What'U
you take, Fatima ?
Fat. Whatever you eat of, I'll eat of.
And after (that) Ali brought the food, said his uncle to him,
"Hullo, did I commission you to bring all that\ "
Ali. You did not. But I brought it.
Uncle. Well, eat, my girl, until you're satisfied.
Fat. And you too, eat, Ali, until you fill your belly.
Uncle. Eat and enjoy yourselves, with joy and health !
You aren't eating with appetite, why, Ali ? I guess you have eaten.
Ali. I have already eaten.
Uncle. Well, but Fatima has eaten just like you ; why then
should she be eating with appetite ?
Ali. I think we didn't eat as much as each other.
Uncle. Apparently so, you didn't eat as much as each other.
Now there still remained a little food over, so their uncle said,
" Take care of what is over and take it with you."
Ali. Take it, Fatima, for I am tired.
Fat. No ! am I the one who isn't tired ? Take it yourself.
Uncle. Give it me, / will take it, never mind. — Who has
taken my handkerchief from here ?
' Or iiwga''humj'.
" A lively particle introducing a question.
3 Or " commission " : so, ma'muir (a commissioner), ma''mu(:)rijja
(a commission).
4 A particle meaning, according to context, " I think," or " I hope,"
" I fear."
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 135
"Jam. wi lamma ji'^milu kida, ma juiga'^humj' id darb ?
■•ali. la: da_l 'adha min kida illi wa:xid in na:r fi:du wi_b
jatkul fi:ha !
'^am. "^ala kida ma jaxduij humma ?
•^ali. la:, bi_j?u:lu wdxdi:n '^ala kida.
■^amm. alla^ tiaddij minhum wi'l'^ ?
•^ali. aho_l wa:}iid minhum lamma jibtel ji'a'^, wi t tanji:n
ji-a<;u fo:?u ; w illi ma jibtelj (jibtalu:]") ma ji'a'JJ (ji?a'^u:J).
wi hina fatma ga:''it wi 'a:lit li "^ammaha, "'ana gi(:)'^a:na,
'^awz(a)_a:kul.
•■amm. w mta ra:xQr ja "^ali ta:kul ?
''ali. ma tu'murna^ ja ''ammi nigi:b ha:ga! takli 'e:h ja
fetma ?
fat. illi taklu minnu^ntu ?a:kul minnu.
wi ba'^d ''ali ma ga:b il ?akl, "^amma 'al lu " hu:w ana
'amdrtak tigi:b da kuUu ? "
•^ali. ma 'amdrtini:f la:kin gibtu.
•^am. tajjib, kuli(:) ja bint lamma tifba"^!.
fat. w_inta ra:xar kul ja "^ali lamma timla batnak.
"^amm. kulu "^ala ke(:)fkum bi 1 hana wi J fifa! inta ma_b
ta'kulj bi nifs' le:li ja "^ali ? ijjak'* inta wa:kil.'
"Jali. ana kalt' 'abl' dilwa't.^
•^amm. wi fatma ma'' kalit zejjak! umma:l bi ta:kul bi nafs'
le:h?
"^ali. aftikir ma kalna:J 'add' ba'-dina !
•^amm. iz ga:hir kida, ma kaltu:J 'add' ba'^duku.
wi fidil mil 'aklLJwajja, 'am ''ammuhum 'al luhum, " xudu
ba(:)lku^ milli' fa:dil wi xu'du:h wajja:ku.
''ali. xu'di:h ja fatma, ikminn'°_ana ta'^ba:n.
fat. la: ! anajli manij ta'^ba:na ! — xudu_nta !
■^amm. iddih li, 'an_axdu ma'-lehj. — mi:n xdd il mandi:l
bita:''i min hina ?
5 An isolated example of an active participle with past sense.
S " Before now," the only expression for " already."
7 A lively particle, " look you ! "
^ Lit. " Your mind."
9 =min illi.
'° Or ahsan ana.
136 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
Alt. I didn't take it. Fatima is the one who took it.
Fat. I took it ! ! I didn't even see it.
Uncle. Ah ! then neither of you took it !
Both. No, we didn't take it.
Uncle. Ah ! perhaps some imp took it— or a she-imp took it,
eh. Fatima ?
For Systematic Grammar.
1. The verbs with first radical hamza are not very frequent, and
present no irregularity (e.g. Pamar], " to command,"
[ju'mur, 'aimir, ma'muir]) : except the two verbs [kal] and
[xad], for ['akal] and ['axad], which are apocopated in their
past, and take on a [w] in the participle active.
2. The verbs with first radical [w] present no irregularity [e.g.
[waga"^] " to pain," [jiwga'^] with alternative form [juiga"^]) ;
except the two verbs [wi'i''] and [wi^if], which are apocopated
in their aorist,
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 137
'■ali. ana ma xdttu:J. fQtma_lli xaditu.
fat. ana_lli xdttu ! ! wala Juftu hatta !
'■amm. ba'a ma xdttuhjjntu litne:n.
litnem. la: ma xddnahj.
'■amm. eh! jimkin xddu "^afriit! walla xdditu "^afriita,
w I J kida ja fatma ?
as'ila.
(i.) 'al 'e(:)h '■ali li '■ammu ? (2.) gawbu '■ammu bi 'e:h ?
(3.) humma raihu fe:n? (4.) raihu rakbim walla zza:j ? (5.)
mi:n ti'^ib 'ablima jiwsolu 1 muilid ? (6.) lamma wislu 1 mu:lid
'asadu mim ? (7.) 'eh talab ' "^ali min <^ammu ? wi fatma
talabit eih ? (8.) 'e:h kain gawa(i)b l_itne:n ? (9.) 'e:h illi
Ja:fu "^ali ? (10.) id ddrawiij ka:nu_b ji''milu 'eh li bd'-d ? (11.)
wi ba'^d* kida 'a:lit eh fatma? (12.) mi:n Ja:l il 'akl illi fidil?
(13.) xabbama "^an iUi hisil fi '^iba:rit il mandiil. (14.) id darawiij
ginsuhum eh, w_eh huiwa z zikr' bta'^hum ?
The Verbs [pa)kal] and [('a)xad (ist Radical Hamzated).
I.
II.
III.
I. kalt, ja '^ali ?
aiwa kalt.
ma''lu:m kal.
1 - kalti, ja bint ?
t> tt
kalit.
Ikaltu, ja wla:d ?
,, kalna.
kalu.
la. xdtt, etc.
„ xdtt.
xdd.
2.^ |ta:kul emta ?
aikul ba'^dem.
ja:kul ha:lan aRsan.
1 takli „ ?
„
ta:kul „
^ Itaklu „ ?
naikul ,,
jaklu
2a. taixud, etc.
a:xud, etc.
ja:xud, etc.
3.^ /kul ja "^ali !
la:, ana wa:kil. 1
[This active participle
• has, quite uniquely, a
a, kuli ja bint !
£ 1
,, „ wakla. -1
" (kulu ja wla:d !
,, , ihna wakli:n.
past sense, see below.]
^a. xud ja "^ali.
adi:ni wa:xid.
4. jbi 'taklu le:h.
j'b aklu kida !
rma'^lu:m bi jaklu.
\ „ bi j a'kulha.
Ibi ta'kulha le:h.
lb a'kulha „ !
fbi tak'lu:h le:h.
rbi 'naklu ,, !
ibi na'kulha „ !
/ „ bi jak'lu:h.
I ,, bijak'lu:ha.
Ibi tak'lu:ha le:h.
5. ma taklu: J !
m aklu(:)J le:h ?
ma jaklu: J le:h ?
ma taklihj !
?
ma taklu:J le:h ?
ma takul'ha:]" !
ma akulha:J ,, ?
ma jakulha:Jle:h ?
ma takluha:J !
ma nakulha:J „ ?
ma jakluha:J le:h ?
6. xdttu, ja '^ali ?
la: ma xdttu:J.
salli:h ma xddu:J.
xdttiih, ja bint ?
}> It 1'
ma xdditu:J.
xdttuih ja wla:d ?
,, ma xddnahj.
ma xdduhj.
6a. kaltu, etc.
,, ma kaltu: J, etc.
ma kal J, etc.
7. xdt'taha ja "^ali?
,, ma xdttalia:J.
ma xddhaij.
xdttiihum ja bint ?
,, ma xdttuhumj.
maxddithumj.
xdttuiha ja wlaid ?
,, ma xddnaha:J.
ma xdduha:J.
ya. kal'taha, etc.
,, ma kaltaha:J, etc.
ma kalhaij, etc.
Have you eaten " ? la
" When will you eat ? "
" Eat." — " No, I have eaten.'
" Why are you eating it ? " — '
" Don't eat it."
Have you taken ? " (for xadt).
3a. " Take." — " Here, I am taking.''
Because I am ! "
6, 7. " Have you taken it then."
138
The Verbs [wi?if] and [wi'i'^] — with First Radical [w].
I.
II.
III.
From wPif.
l.||Paf ja "^ali!
a?af leih ?
la:zim tu'af !
3^i?afi ja bint !
t) }i
„ tu'afi.
1 Pafu ja waild.
nu'af ,,
tu'afu.
2. ma ti'afji ja '^ali.
m a'afji le:h ?
ma ju'afji le:h !
,, ti?afi:J, jafatma.
„
„ tu?afji „ !
„ tPafu:J, ja wla:d.
ma nu'afj' le:h ?
,, ju'afu:J„ !
From wi?!";.
S.^l'iw'^atPa'^ !
a'a'^_iz za:j !
ju'a'^jz za:j !
•8 H
iw'^i tPa";! !
I
tu'a"; „
1
iw'^u tPa'^u !
nu'a"; „ !
ji'a'^u z zaij !
4. ma tPa'^^ ja wa:d.
la:, m_a'a'^J !
ma'^luim ma ju'a'^J !
„ tPa^iJ ja bitt.
}t t)
„ tu?a';j !
„ tPa'^uiJ ja na:s.
,, ma nu''a''J !
,. „ ji'a^uij!
From wisil {or wasal).
5. awsaLemta ? etc.
tiwsal bukra.
sahiih jiwsal bukra,
or tuisal, etc.
or ju:sal, etc.
" stand up, Ali."
" Don't stand up, AH."
" Take care (lest) you fall " (iw'' a or wSs) .
" Don't fall, boy."
" When shall I arrive ? " — " You'll arrive to-morrow."
t39
140 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
XXI.
Verbs with Second Radical [w] or []].
For Reading.
From " The Thousand and Two Nights."
The 1002nd night. — Story of ye Ladye and ye Portere.
It is said there happened a story in the town of Bagdad,
(which) I want to tell you to-day. Once upon a time, a certain
lady went to a fruit-seller, and said to him, " I told your man to
keep for me a few bananas." Then the seller answered her, " Yes,
he told me, and we are keeping what you want."
Lady. Good ; and what do you sell the oke at ? "
Seller. We sell them as we sold them yesterday.
Lady. Do / know how much you sold them at ?
Seller. Just as everybody sells them.
Lady. Everyone else sells them cheap.
Seller. Do you mean, we seU. it dear ? Say, madam, just
what you please [i.e. to pay).
Lady. Is it / who sell ! You say !
Then they agreed, and the lady took her demand.
Lady. I want you to get me a porter ; who wUl go and get
me one ?
Seller. Go, Omar, fetch her a porter.
[Omar goes and gets one.]
Omar. Here, we've got you a porter and brought him.
Lady. Can you carry (for me) all those things ?
Porter. I (can) carry more than them.
{Porter carried them.]
Lady. AU right ! Here he is carrying them, nor is he tired.
Go along with you to the house, and look out that the string does
not give way while you are on the way. Set off, good fellow !
Porter. Are you going to leave me to go alone. Don't leave me!
Lady. Why should not I leave you ? Are you afraid ?
Don't be afraid !
' The Arabic name for the middle letter of the triliteral, the first letter
being fe: and the third la:m, because the verb fa''al (f^l), " to do," is
taken as the norm.
' For faikiha, p. fawa:kih.
3 Lit. " That which you desire it." illi being an indeclinable article
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC I41
it tamriin il '-ijrim.
il 'af^a:! illi_l '^e:n' bita'';ithum waw walla je:.
li 1 'irs:ja.
min kita:b 'alf le:la_w leltem.
il leilaj ?alf'_w IJtnem.— hikaijit is sitt' wi J Jajjail.
ji'u:lu, hasalit hikaija fi raadimit bugdaid, "^awzin ni?iilha_
n nahdrda. fi jo:m min do:l raihit wahda sitt' li wa:hid jibi:"^
fakha,^ 'a'lit lu, " ana hilt' 1 illi wajjaik jihu(:)J li Jwajjit mo:z."
'am il bajja:"; ga'wibha, " aiwa hu:wa ?al li, w_ihna hajjim illi_nti
"■awz'aih.''^
sitt. tejjib, bi_tbi:'^uj wi'?a_b ka:m ?
bajja:"^. bi_nbi(:)';ha zejjima bi'^na_mba:rih.
sitt. ana "^drfa bi'^'tuiha^ ka:m ?
bajja:"^. zejjima bi_jbi''^u:ha_nna:s.
sitt. gerku bi _jbi''u:ha_rxi:s.
bajja:"^. ja'^ni hna bi_nbi'^ha gaili ? ■'uili ja sitt' zejjima_nti
•■awza 'uili.
sitt. hu:wa_ana b_abi:'^ ? ?ul inta !
wi ba''dem_ittafa'u wi xddit is sitt' tolabha. *
sitt. '^awza_tju'fu: li Jajja:l. mi:n jiruili jigi(:)b li wa:hid ?
bajja:*^. ruh ja "^umar Juf laha Jajjail.
["■umar rah gab.]
■^um. adi hna Juf'na: lik ij Jajjail wi gib'na.'h.
sitt. ti'dar tiji:l {or ti'JiUi) il haga:t do:l kuUuhum ?
Jajjail. ana JajLaktdr minhum.
[J"a(:)lhum iJ Jajjail.]
sitt. sahiili, ?aho Ja'jilhum wala huj ta'^bain. jsiid ruh "^al '
belt, wj[w'^a_r rubait jisiib minnak w_inta* ra(:)jih. 'uim ja gad'^a!
Jajjail. rQha_tsi(i)'biini aruih li wahdi ? ma_tsibi'niij !
sitt. m asibakj' leih ? inta xa(:)jif ? ma^txafj !
(rather than a " relative pronoun ") is supplemented by a personal pro-
noun, the case of which corresponds to that of the relative in the English.
(See Ch. XXVIII.)
4 This w(i) is not the conjunctive participle, but rather a subordinating
particle to be translated " as," " while," or by participle.
142 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
Porter. I'm not afraid of anything for myself, only lest I
lose my way, for formerly I did lose it.
Lady. How should you lose your way ? Lots of porters have
gone to our house, and none lost their way. It seems you are
a bit of an idiot ; perhaps it will be better not to leave you. Off
with you, go before me !
Then they went towards the house ; while they were going, the
lady increased her pace ("stretched") and passed him.
Then the porter said to her, " Are you going to leave me to
walk alone. Don't leave me ! "
Lady. Are you afraid of anything or are you such a coward ?
Porter. I'm not afraid of anything in the world. So long as
Allah is, why should I fear ?
Lady. So long as you have repeated towards AUah, you are
right not to fear.
Porter. Was I doing anything (wrong) ? What should I be
sorry for ? I've been sorry over everything wrong long ago, but
just now I was hungry.
Lady. AU right, when we get to the house, we'll give you
tomething to eat.
Porter. (ShaU I) have survived as far as the house ?
Sitt. Get away with you, you wretch ! do you mean to tell
me you're dying of hunger. This is no plea of a man who is (just)
hungry.
Porter. You mean, then, that you'U be glad when I die on the
road ?
Sitt. You won't die ; here's the house in front of us — here !
\To he continued, [lit. "the remainder is coming").]
' Notice government of " fear " verbs ; min for the thing feared, "iala
for the thing feared-for.
^ A verb here used (without conjugation) for an adverb.
3 Lit. " I ask Allah's help against you." A term of abhorrence. The
termination is taken from the literary language.
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC I43
Jaj. ana muj" xajif "^ala nafsi min Raga, bass_atu:h ; '^alajan
saba'^ tuht.
sitt. tituih izzaij ? fih Jajjali:n kitiir raihu betna wala
haddij taih. — il bajjin innak '^dbiit Juwajja ! iLahsan bardu
m_asibakf'. tejjib jaiia ruh ?uddami.
wi ba'^dem re:hu "^al beit. wi humma rajhiiti 'a:mit is sitt
maddit wi faititu.
'am 'al lahaj Jajja:! : bi tfuti:n(i)_amji_l wahdi ? ma_
tfutiniij !
sitt. inta xuft' min haiga walla_nta kida xawwaif !
Jaj. ana ma b^axsfj' min ha:ga fi d dunja. ma da:m
rabbuna mawguid, axa:f le:h ?
sitt. ma dami tubt li_lla:h lik ha??' ma_txafj.
Jaj. hu:w_ana kutt' b_a'^mil ha:g(a) atu:b "^anha ? ana
ta(:)jib "^an kuU' Iia:ga battalia min zamam, bass' dilwa't' gu'''t.
sitt. tajjib lamma_nru:h il be:t, ha_ngib lak haiga ta-
'kulha.
Jaj. ana "^iJtUli) haddjl be:t !
sitt. a'^uizu^ bi_lla:h minnak, ba'a_nta mutt' mil gu:"^ xa:lis ?
mij higgit wa:hid gi'^ain !
Jaj. ja'^ni lamm_amu:t fi s sikka ji'^gibik !
sitt. ma_tmutj, il be:t aho ?uddamna ho !
[il ba:'i ga:j.]
as'ila.
(i.) hislit fern il hikaija di ? (2.) 'adit e:h is sitt' li 1 faka-
ha:ni ? (3.) 'eh kam gawa:bu laha ? (4.) talabit e:h is silt'
ba'^dima ttafa'u ? (5.) talabit e:h ba'^d' kida mil bajjai'^ ? (6.)
'ailit e:h is sitt' h J Jaj jail wi 'eh ka:n gawaibu ? (7.) 'eh 'al ij
Jajjad H s sitt ? wi 'eh kan gawabha ? (8.) kam xdjif le:h iJ
Jajjad ? (9.) kamit is sitt' mabsuta min talab iJ Jajjad innalia
ma tfutuij ? (10.) 'eh kan raddu '^ala kalamha ? (11.) 'eh
kamit "^uzuimit is sitt' lu lamma wislu 1 be:t ?
For Conversational Verb-Drill, and Analysis.
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EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC I45
Fny Systematic Grammar.
1. It should be remembered that the roots of all these verbs
have either [j] or [w] for their middle radical. The vowels
[i] and [u], or the length [:], correspond to these weak
letters.
2. The [a, i] and [u] forms come out most clearly in the aorist.
The [a] is found in very few verbs, but those ones common.
3. The [i] and [u] forms come out clearly also in the past. But
[a] -verbs sometimes make their past in [i] (e.g. [bitt] from
[jiba:t]), sometimes in [u] [e.g. [xuft] from [jixaif]).
4. The first syllable of the aorist being open, its vowel is hable
to elision : e.g. [bi_thu:f, wi_tba:t].
5. The characteristic long vowel (into which the weak letter is
transformed so often) is shortened before two consonants
([Jilt] for [Jiilt], [tijilha] for [tijidha]). And also when it
loses accent : jji'bii'^u] " they sell," but [jibi'''u:ha].
6. The true passive participle is (e.g) [mabi:'^] " sold " (for [j]
verbs), and [mahud] "frightful" (for [w] verbs). But these
forms are very rare, and other forms are requisitioned to re-
place them. For example, the weak letter is restored and
the participle becomes like an ordinary triliteral, e.g.
[madjuin] (for [madim]) "indebted," [ma''wu:g] (for
[ma''u:g]), "crooked."
146 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
XXII.
Verbs with Third Radical [w] or [j].
For Reading.
[Conclusion of Story of ye Ladye and ye Portere.]
And when they arrived at the house, tliey knocked at the door
and the concierge opened to them, and the porter put down his
load in the house. And the lady said to him, " What would happen
if you stop the night chez-nous ?
Porter. Nothing whatsoever, if I were disengaged. But
people like me are never disengaged.
Lady. Of course, all who are kings like you are not free.
Porter. What has happened that you speak to me thus. Am
I a king ?
Lady. Yes, I have decided that you are to be a king. Take
care lest you forget it later.
Porter. If that be true I must comply and not disobey you.
Lady. But then I'm afraid lest [la] you forget my kindness
to you : for how many a one has forgotten my kindness to him,
and how many a woman has forgotten !
Concierge. Exactly. Verily they aU forget.
Porter. At first you called me a porter : did you find any
harm in me ?
Con. She found everything about you good, and therefore
now has called you a king.
Porter. Then we have fixed up that I am a king ? [Raising
his voice and speaking with haughtiness.'] AU right, fill me a cup,
Murgan !
Lady. How should he fill (it) for you ! What ! Before you
put on your boots, would you begin (to walk) !
Porter. Seeing that you are a slave-girl, you'd better not get
into a temper, lest I say to you, fill for me !
Lady. I beg your pardon, your majesty, the king! Murgan,
give him to drink.
I From Je:la, " a single) carrying," verbal noun of Ja:l. The termina-
tion is the regular one to distinguish the infinitive Je:l (" carrying ") from the
single act (Jeila, " a carrying," " a load ").
'Distinguish giri, jigri, "run" from; g6rQ, jigra, "happen"
(generally "inconveniently").
3 Or axaif.
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC I47
it tamrim IJtnein wi "^ijriin.
il 'af^ail illi 1 laim bitai'^ithum w walla j.
li 1 'irsija.
titimmit hikaijit is sitt' wi J" Jajja:l.
wi lamma wislu 1 be:t xsbbatu '^al ba:b wi fa'tah luhum il
bawwa:b, wi J Jaj jail nazzil Jeltu' fi 1 be:t, wi s sitt' ?alit lu," jigra''
?e:h iza bitt' "^andina 1 leila ?
Jajj. ma jigraij ha:ga, lau kutti faidi. laikin illi zejji: ma
jifdaij.
sitt. bi i tab"; kull' 1 muluik illi zejjak ma jifduij.
Jajj. gdra^ ?eh lamma bi_t?u'li: li kida ? hu:w_ana malik ?
sitt. aiw(a)_ana hakamt innak tikum malik. iw''a ba'^dem
ti'^sami.
Jajj. iza kan sahi:li laizim drda wal(a)_a'^saki:J.
sitt. laikin ba'^dem dxja' la tinsa fadli '^aleik, "^alajain kam
wa:hid nisi fadlina "^aleih, wi kam wahda nisjit.
il bawwaib. tamam ! ha'^a'* kulluhum nisju.
Jajj . da'^e(:)timi fi 1 ?awwil Jajjail, la'eiti minni haiga battalia ?
baw. la'at minnak kuUi Je: tajjib, wi '■alajain kida da''^atak
dilwa'ti malik.
Jajj. ba'a risima '^ala 'inni malik ? tajjib im'la: li ka:s
ja murgain ! [rafa'' hissu w_itkallim mitkabbdr.]
sitt. jim'la: lak izzaij ! ba'a 'ablima tihdi tibdi ?
Jajj. mada:m inti mamluika' ma tiz'^aliij, ahsan a?ul lik^im'li:
li_nti.
sitt. arguik is simaih ja galadit il malik. is'?i:h, ja murgain.^
♦ The termination is a relic of the classical accusative, as is the termination
-an in hailan and many other adverbs.
5 Orgdrja. LJi. " possessed as property." The " Mameluks" (mamluik,
p. mamalilk) were the nobles of Egypt with a slave origin which is recalled
by their names. (N.B. — "^abd, a " black slave," mamluik, a " white slave."
^ The word means " Coral " : fern, murgaina (Morgana) : a common
name for male and female slaves.
148 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
And when she had thus said to him, Murgan got up and walked
away, to fetch a gold cup, and fill it with sherbet for him. Then
the porter said to him, " Murgan, why have you walked away ?
Who told you to go ?
Lady. He is going to fill a cup with sherbet, and give it you
to drink [or give you to drink).
Porter. Do not go, nor fill (it), nor give me to drink until I
tell you something before I forget.
Lady. Your Majesty has forgotten something. What have
you forgotten ?
Porter. No, I have forgotten nothing important, it's only
that he should bring with him a match-stick.
And immediately he brought him the sherbet and gave him to
drink, and after that the lady clapped her hands, and they knew
nothing (more) ere there opened a panel of the wall, and (lo)
coming down from it black slave-girls who run up and aU of them
throw a salaam to the king.
Porter. What has happened that these should come in front
of me, and throw me a salaam ?
Lady. Of course, everyone knowing you are a king will throw
you a salaam.
Porter. Well I never ! the world is verily not lacking in
marvels ! The slaves know and I know not !
Lady. What ! You've forgotten, and do not know ! Your
Majesty is forgetful. Here Morgana, give him to drink again, that
he may be conscious of himself.
And at once the eldest of the girls arose and gave him some
water in which was a drug that puts to sleep And the porter
forgot to look into the water before drinking it. And as soon as
he had swallowed it Morgana put out the light, without anybody
seeing her. And the porter slept the sleep as of the dead.
Lady. Watch (him) ! let's hope the Lord guide him right,
and he'll go to sleep.
' Notice shifting of accent : 'jimla ; jim'laiha ; jimla'ha: lu.
== jurb, " act of drinking " ; Jctrba, " a drink,'' p. Jdrbait (or, " a
draught of medicine." p Jurab) ; Jdra:b, " syrup," " coloured drink,"
■• sherbet," p. (as here) Jdrbait ; Jurba, " soup."
3 For nisiitj.
4 An interjection to be variously translated.
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC I49
wi lamma 'alit lu kida, 'am murga:n miji, "^alajan jigi:b
kubbaija min dahab wi jimla'ha: lu' Jdrbait.^ ?am ?al lu_J
Jajjail, " ja murgam inta mjiit le:h ? mi:n 'al lak timji ? "
sitt. rail jimla kubba:jit Jarba:t wi jis'i'ha: lak (or "^alajain
jis'iik).
Jajj. ma timjiij wala timlaij wala tis'iniij amm^a'ul lak
•"ala ha:ga 'ablim(a)_ansa.
sitt. galaltak na:si ha:ga ? e:hjlli_n(i)si:tu ?
Jajj. la ma_nsitJ3 ha:ga_mhimma, bassi "^alajan jib?a_jgib li
•^uid kabriit wajjaih.
wi fil ha:l gab lu_J Jdrbait wi sa'?a:h. wi ba^^d' kida sa'^afit
is sitt, wi ma dirju 'ilia w_infatahit tai'a mil he:ta, wi nazliin
minha guwa:r su:d, bi jigru wi kuUuhum bi jinnu sala:m li 1 malik.
Jajj . gare 'e:h '■alajan do:l gum 'udda:mi wi ra'mu: li salaim ?
sitt. bi t tab"" kull' min jidra innak malik jir'mi: lak salaim.
Jajj. amma'* d dunja ma tixlaij^ min garajib! il guwa:r
jidru, w ana m adra:J ! *
sitt. ba'a_nta nsi:t wala tidraij! galaltak nassaij!^ ja
murgama is'i(:)h tami, "^alajam jiw'^a_n^ nafsu.
wi fi 1 had 'a:mit il kibiird fi 1 guwair wi sa'atu majja fiiha
dawa jinawwim. wi sihi J Jajjad jibuss' fi 1 majja 'ablima jijrabha
wi masa:fit ma bala'^ha, murgama tafat in nu:r min ge:r ma hadd'
_jjufha. wi na:m ij Jajjad no:m zejjij 'amwait.
is sitt. bussu, 'ijjak rabbina jihdi(:)h* wi jina:m.
5 xala, jixla, "to be destitute of."
6 The lorm expresses habituation ; cp. makkair, " habitual in deceit "
(makr) ; or a trade, cp Jajjad (porter).
7 For jiw''a li. wa'^a, jiw'^a, or ju:''a, " to look out," " to be ware " ;
cp. the street-cry u:''a, " ware ! "
^ hada, jihdi, " to lead aright " (always of God).
150 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
Mor. See there, the Lord has guided him right, and he has
gone to sleep.
Lady. All right, carry him away, but quietly, lest he wake.
Mor. Don't be afraid. He will not wake.
Sitt. Take him to his house, so that he may find himself in
the morning in his lair.
:{c :{: 9[c :{: :^ :):
And when the porter woke, he found himself in his house ;
he got up and went late to the vendor, bemused.
Vendor. Abraham, why have you deserted us all this time ?
Pray for us a prayer of good !
Porter. If you please, stand off from me ! Why, am I awake
that I should pray for you ? Look you, I need someone to pray
for me ! •
Vendor. Abraham, what's the matter with you ? TeU me
what happened to you ?
Porter. Tell you, say to you, what? I am like one whose
money got lost at market and he departed minus the beans.
For Systematic Grammar. XXIL
1. Notice the four possible vowel combinations as between past
and aorist, viz.: [a a, i i, a i, ia]. No rule can be given;
each verb must be noted as it occurs.
2. Notice carefully the way the pasts in [i] differ from those in
[a] ; namely
(i) their third person feminine and plural ;
(2) the liability of their first vowel to be elided.
3. Notice the reduction of length wherever two consonants
succeed a naturally long vowel.
' Lit. " Why have you forgotten in our disinterest ? " Seeing the porter
come so late and also so bemused, the vendor thinks he has had some super-
natural experience, and so asks him to " pray a prayer of good" to secure
some of the blessing.
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 151
murgama. 'aho rabbina ha'da(:)h wi na:m.
sitt. tejjib Jiluih ba?a, bass' bijweij ahsan jisha.
murgama. ma_txdfi:J ma jishaij.
sitt. joiia wadduih "^ala beitu ''alajam jisbah jiPa nafsu_f
mctr'adu.
i|! * * * « He
wi lamma sihi J Jajja:l la?a nafsu f be:tu. 'am ra:h badri 11 1
bajja:'^ wi huiwa madhuij.
il bajja:"^. inta_shi:t "^aleina le:h' ja^brahiim? id''^i_jina^
da'^wit xe:r !
Jajj. min fadlakjb'^id "^anni. hu:w(a)_ana SQ:Ii(i) ad'''i:
lak ? d ana "^awuzjlli jid''^!: li.
bajja:'^. ma: lak ja^brahiim ? ih'ki:li "^alli ga'ra: lak.
Jajj. all'ki: lak a'ul lak e: ? aho ana zejj_illi da'^it fuluisu
fi s su:' wi tili"^ minnu min ge:r fiummus.
as'ila.
(i.) "^alajan eh ?a:lit is sitt muj manzu:r jifSa ? (2.) 'eh
kam garadha min tasmijjitu malik. (3.) 'e:h illi ?a:lu J Jajjad
lamma risju '■ala ?innu malik ? (4.) le:h is sitt' samahit lu jikal-
limha bi takabbur ? (5.) fassdr kala:m is sitt " 'ablima tihdi
tibdi ? " (6.) murgam wi murgama mim humma wi 'ailit is
sitt 'eh li murgam? (7.) iftakdr ij Jajjail '■ala tu:l innu maUk?
(8.) hasal eh lamma sa"afit is sitt ? (9.) sa'atu 'e:h il kibiird
fi 1 guwa:r ? (10.) is sitt' kamit xajfa min e:h ? (11.) 'ul lina
•^an Uli hasal min ba''d iJ Jajjail ma Jirib id dawa li gaijit ma 'a:bil
il bajja:'' tami jo:m? (12.) fassdr lina 1 masal illi darabu J Jajjail.
(13.) ijmi''na 1 bajja:*^ sa'alu innu jid'^i: lu ?
^ For id''i lina. The verb da'^a, jid''i [inf. du'^a) is the regular word
for intercessory prayer, petition. The word sala (vb. salla, jisalli) is
properly only for public or prescribed prayer.
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154 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
XXIII.
The " Increased " Verb.
Note. — These " increased " forms (II. to X.) (which are not
taken in their usual order of numbering for expository reasons),
are all applicable to both (a) the " sound " triliteral verb, (6) the
" surd verb " (p. 130), and (c) the verbs weak in the ist, 2nd, or 3rd
radicals. In the following pieces examples of all these applications
will be given more or less indiscriminately. In the paradigms
for verb-drill the strong form (a) is treated first, and (b) and (c)
thereafter.
[fa"al] AND [fa«il].
Scenes on a Journey A Dialogue.
Verbs of Form II.
FOR READING.
[Packing.]
1. I told you Mahmoud, to pack (make ready) the luggage,
have you done so ? — No, ! haven't packed it yet.
2. What has kept you from packing it till now ? Off and pack it,
and look sharp ! — Patience, sir, I'll pack it immediately.
3. Patience (is for) when we have plenty of time. — Well then,
do get (me) somebody to arrange (things) with me ?
4. There is no arranging that needs one to be with you. — All
right, I'll do it as best may be.
5. All right, only do finish it off, and take care not to forget any-
thing ! — It's done, I've finished it off, nor forgotten anything.
6. Here, you, Mahmoud, bring me a cab. — Please let someone
else than me bring it.
7. And why trouble someone else than you since j'om are here ? —
Only that I have not yet got ready my own luggage, and
I'm doing it now.
8. And why were you not getting your luggage ready even (from)
yesterday ? — Yesterda)- 1 was busy packing the house-things.
9. All right, finish your luggage, and then fetch the carriage for us.
' From waddab with the second radical doubled. Inf. tawdilb. Notice
this form carefully ; it is the invariable and exceedingly common infinitive
of the 2nd derived form of the verb. N.B. — All these derived forms have
regular invariable infinitives, the infiniti^'es of the simple verb being on the
contrary numerous and entirely without rule. The infinitives of the derived
forms should therefore be mastered thoroughly.
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC I55
il fi'^1 il maziid.
is siige t tanja — fa'^'^al aw fa"^"^!!.
muhawra fi?ahwa:l is safdr.
li I 'ireija.
[tawdiib' il "^afj.]
1. ana 'ult' lak tiwaddab il "^afji ja mahmu:d, waddabtu ? —
la lissa ma waddabtuij.
2. e:h illi liaijak "^an tawdiibu li hadd' dilwa't ? — jaiid waddabu
?awa:m ! — tawwil ba:lak ja xawa:ga an_awaddabu ha:lan.
3. tatwid il ba:l lamma_jku:n '^andina wa''t' tewi:l. — tajjib,
ma'*_t'gi(:)b li hadd' jirattib wijjaij !
4. ma fi:J tdrtiib ji'^uiz lu wa:hid wajjaik. — tajjib, drattibu
zejjima_jkum.
5. tajjib bass' tammim "^aleih, w_iw'^a tinsa ha:ga. — xala:s
tammimt '■aleih wala_nsi(:)tji haiga.
6. ja mahmu:d, had'dar li '^drabiija ! — i'^mil ma''ru:f xdlli Sadd*
ge:ri jihad'darha.
7. wi ''ala 'e takli:f geirak ma da:m_inta mawguid ?— bass'
lissa ma gahhiztij '^izaili ?ana, wi b_agahhiz fi:h.
8. wi le:h ma_tgali'liizs' ^ "^af Jak min imba:rili hatta ? — -ana
majgud bi taghiiz "^afj il be:t min_imba:rih.
9. tejib xallas '■afjak wi ba'^dem had'dar linaj. "^drabiqa.
^ Not negative nor interrogative, but introducing a vivacious command.
3 Verbs ending in a sibilant (s, z, s, z) and suffixed by J of the negative,
greatly weaken the J so that it sounds hardly more than s. Make your
teacher pronounce the following : ma tibhasj (" don't inquire ") ; ma_
tgahhizj (" don't prepare ") ; ma tixlasj (" you don't finish ") ; ma
tihfazj {" don't keep ").
156 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
[Bringing the cab.]
10. Bridle the horses, cabman ! — I'll bridle them, (but just a
minute) till I sort the harness on them.
11. All right, I'll do the bridling, and you do the sorting of the
harness.
12. I've finished bridling ; have you done the sorting ? — I've
done, get in please.
13. Did you speak to him, Mahmoud, about the pay ?^No, I
did not speak to him, I left the speaking to you, ma'am.
14. How much will you drive us for, from here to the station,
cabby ? — The drive from here to the station is a dollar ;
get in please.
15. No, that's too much ; if you make the fare so much we won't
drive. — I can't make it less than that, because it's a long way.
16. All right, get on and let the servant drive by your side.
[To the station : at the station.]
17. Cabby, think of a near(er) road by which to make a short cut ! —
No, there's no shorter cut other than the one we are going by.
18. I'm afraid we shan't catch (the train), touch up [lit. advise)
the cattle a bit, and drive (hard) !
19. They are going without any touching up.
20. Mahmoud, have you made the necessary arrangements for
the expediting of the luggage ? — Yes, I did, but till now
my arranging has failed.
21. All right, get someone to help you in the weighing (-room)
and in putting it into the luggage-van in the train.
22. Here, Effendi ! give me a ticket to Port Said, first class,
return (= going, coming). — No hurry.
23. I've waited long, and the train is close on starting ; no hurry
indeed !
24. Why, there are still two minutes till its starting, and there's
the ticket.
25. And give me too a second class one, (same) description as the
previous.
' For ja USta (any master workman).
^ Sing, bahiima, " a beast of burden."
3 The regular plural of all infinitives is the fern. pi. termination -a:t,
as here. But some infinitives have a broken plural, e.g. tadbiir, tadabiir ;
ta'^liim (teaching), ta'^aliim. From these two examples the form of the
broken plural of the infinitive of Form II. may be deduced.
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 157
[m'giibit il '^arebiija.]
10. laggim il xe:l ja_ste ! ' — alag'gimhum, bass' lamm_dsQllah
it tQ?m "^aleih.
11. teijib xdlli talgi(:)mhum "^alajja, wi tasliili it te'm "^aleik.
12. ana xalais laggimt, inta SQllahtu xalais ? — xallast, jaiia_
rkab.
13. kallimtu ja mahrauid "^ala 'ugra ? — ^la, ma kallimtuij, xalle:t
il kalaim li hadritak.
14. bi_trakkib min hina li 1 mdhatta_bka:m ja_ste ? — tdrki:bi
min hina li 1 mdhatta bi rija:l, itfad:aalu_rkabu.
15. la:, da_kti:r ; madaim bi_tkattdr fi 1 'ugra kida, nia_b nirkabj.
— ma jimkinniij a'allil '■an kida '■alajan il masa:fa tawi:la.
16. tajib jaiid, rakkib il xddda:m fi riiSak.
{■^al mdhatta ; fi 1 mdhatta.]
17. ja_sta fakkdr fi sikka 'urajjiba tixarram minha. — ma fi:J
tdxriima ge:r illi_hna majjiin fiiha.
18. ana xajif ma nilha'J, Jawwdr Juwajja '■al baha(:)jim/ wi
su:? !
19. humma majjim min ge:r tajwiir.
20. ja mahmuid "^amalt it tadbi(:)ra:t3 il lazma li Jahn il "^afj ? —
ana dabbdrt, la:kin li haddi dilwa'ti tadbiiri xa:b.
21. taijib Juf hadd' jisa'^dak fi 1 miza:n wi tanziilu fi 'odtj
buda:''a fi 1 wabuir/
22. j_afandi, iddimi tazkdra li hadd' bur sa'^iid biriimo' rajih
ga(:)j !* — tawwil badak Jwaija !
23. ana_stanne(:)t kiti:r wi 1 babu:r ?drrab ji?u:m! w_atawwil
ba:li_zza:j !
24. da lissa faidil "^ala 'ijaimu di'i'tein.'' w_a:di t tazkdra.
25. w iddimi kaman wahda sikundo* Jdrh illi faitit {or Jdrhu).
+ P. waburait ; or ?atr, p. ?utura:t.
5 Or ddraga ?u:la.
6 Or zihaib w_ija:b.
7 s. da?i:?a, p. da'a(:)ji?.
8 Or ddraga tami.
158 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
26. Here, porter, go before me, and look for an empty compartment.
— When I find a compartment shall I put the luggage in ? —
Yes, of course, and put up the big bag on the rack.
To Illustrate the Weak Verbs of this Form (II.)
A Conversation in the train.
27. How is your Sultan getting on ? — God be thanked, it is a
state of things which makes one quite happy.
28. Yes, he is a good (kind) man, and likes to make (people)
happy. Has he kept on the Khedive's people in the Abdeen ?
or has he not kept them on ? — He's keeping on the honest
people only.
29. His keeping of them on is just because his nature is patience
(because he is patient).
30. I hear that he wants the Egyptians to bring up the girls (with)
an education like that of Europe, because they do not bring
them up properly. — Why yes, he wants to make them like
the useful women of Europe, not Uke those who ignorantly
ape Europeans.
31. Well you have diverted me with this news ! — God keep you !
Is there remaining much till we reach Port Said ?
32. Why, my brother, the interest (sweetness) of your talk
has brought us there without our being sensible of the
journey.
' P. Junat.
^ P. rufu:f.
3 Lit. " In the name of God, that which God willed " ; formulae to mate
compliments acceptable.
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 159
26. ja Jajjail, ruill 'udda:mi, dawwar "^ala diwain fa:di ! — lamm_
al'a diwain, adaxxal il "^afji fi:h ? — 'aiwa_uinma:l, wi
talla'; ij Jenta" 1 kibiird '^sr mff/
tamsi:l li 1 'af^ail il mu'^talla min si:git fa"al.
[m^'hadsa fi 1 ?atr.]
27. izzej ji hail is sultem bita<^kum ?— bismil'laihi, ma: Ja 'aiiaih ^ !
di ?ahwa:l tisalli'* ?awi!
28. aiwa huiwa wailiid latiif wLjhibb il xe:r li n na:s. xdlla
na:s min bitu:<^ il xideiwi fi "^abdim, walla ma xdlla:J ? —
m^xdlli n na:s il ?umana bass.
29. taxliijitu fi:hum ikminn' tab'^u 1 hilm {or ikminnu tialirm).
30. ana b_asma'^ innu "^aiwuzjl masrijim jirabbu 1 bana:t tdrbiija
zejji tdrbi:jit_urubba, "^alajan ma hummaj m°rabbi:'jinhum
tamaim. — ^maho' "^aijiz jixdlliihum zejji_is sitta:t in naFim
fi 'urabba, muj zejj illi jitfarnagu^ bi gahluhum.
31. ?amma hddritak salle(:)tni bi 1 xabdr da 'awi.- — aiiah jih-
fazak''! fa:dil kitiir "^ala ma nu:sal bur sai'^id ?
32. ja ?axi, di hala:wit hikajtak wassalitna min ge:r ma_nhiss,
bi 1 mijwair.
as'ila.
(t.) e:h illi ?a:lu 1 xawaiga li mahmuid wi e:h kam il gawab ?
(2.) talab e:li il xdddaim min siidu ? (3.) tatwid il bad jinfa'^
fi kuU il ahwail ? (4.) lamma 'amdru 1 xawa:ga jihaddar '■drabijja
rah hadan ? . . .ummal ma rah J' le:h ? (5.) mahmuid ma gah'hizs'
'^afju le:h ? (6.) 'ul Una hasal e: be:n il xdddaim wi 1 '■drbagi.
(7.) 'eh keifijjit ittifa'hum '^al 'ugrd ? (8.) il "^drbagi '^agab
il xawaiga fi 1 mijwair li 1 mahatta ? (9.) tadbiir mahmuid
nigih bi xsuis Jahn il "^afj ? (10.) 'ul lina "^ala tdrtiib il "^afj il
kibiir wi s sugajjdr wi 'at'' it tazaikir. (11.) talab e: mij Jajjail ?
(12.) Idxxas lina madmum il m'hadsa Hi hislit fi 1 ?atr.
■< The "word means " to divert," " amuse," " console."
5 Short for ma huiwa.
f" From the quadriliteral root frng (Frangi, Feringi, Frank, foreign).
' The commonest reply to a compliment.
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l62 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
For Systematic Grammar. XXIII.
1. Notice that throughout this form, when the second vowel has
on either side of it one of the consonants which modify [a]
to [d] or [a], then that vowel is [a] [i.e. [fatha]). Other-
wise it is [i] ([kasra]). And whichever of the two the vowel
is, it persists throughout all the tenses. This is a very
important rule : e.g. [nQad(Q)f, naff(Q)a, hdrr(a)f, ?aJJ(d)r],
but [sabb(i)n]. The first vowel is [fatha] invariably.
2. Notice that the quadriliteral is constructed exactly in the
same measure, two different consonants merely replacing
the doubled one: cp. [Idxbat — naddaf, kdrkib — laggim].
And rule (i) holds good for all quadriliterals also.
3. Only in the infinitive is there divergence, e.g. [Idxbata —
tandiif].
4. In the weak verbs of this form, only those weak in ist radical
call for any remark. They are A I verbs, combining the
features of [bana jibni] with those of this form. Their
infinitives invariably take the feminine termination. (Con-
trast [tandiif — taswijja] [for [taswija]).
5. Significations for this form : e.g.
[wi'i''] " to fall," [wa^'a''] " to fell." — Making an intransitive
verb of first form transitive.
[nidi:f] "clean," [naddaf] "make clean." — Making a transitive
verb from an adjective.
[liga:m] "bridle," [laggim] "to bridle." — Making a transitive
verb from a substantive,
['ibli] " south," ['abbil] " go south." — Making verb of action
from an adjective,
[segiir] "smaU," [saggar] "to make out small," "to demean."
— Making out, considering, somebody something.
[kibi:r] " big," [kabbdr] " to make out big," " exaggerate." —
Making out, but wrongfully.
N.B. — [naggis] (from [nigis] "unclean") well illustrates the
difference between " making actually so " (No. 11) and " making
out so " (No. 12).
164 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
XXIV.
Verbs of " Form V." [itfa«al, itfa"U].
FOR READING.
A proposal for a holiday.
A . I want to make an arrangement for you to spend a holiday
at the Zoological Gardens.
B. Fine idea ! I have long had a desire to see over the Zoo.
By the way, will not somebody be necessary to show us all the
animals ?
A. No need : what, didn't you know the way about them
yet ? But I'll tell you one thing ; if it is not practicable for me
to go with you, take care that none of you get near to the cages
of the monkeys, lest they preoccupy you and get you off your guard,
and put out their paws suddenly and scratch you.
B. Gracious, why we'U keep right away from them, and give
up a visit-to-see them, even !
A. I don't tell you to avoid them altogether, only keep edged-
off a bit from them.
B. We know that you are looking to our good entirely, so,
in any case, thank you very much.
' Form II. fassah, " give (someone) a holiday."
2 Inf. of raih (alternative form, rawaih) ; lit. " the-going-to-them."
3 Form II., jassdr, "to make easy" (jasiir) : Form V., "to be made
easy."
■t Form II., 'drrab, " to make near."
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 1 65
it tamri:n il arba'^a_w "^ijiim.
il 'af^ail illi min siigit " itfa«al " (aw " itfa"il ").
li 1 'iraija.
[Ptirsih "^alajan fusha.]
A. ana "^awuz a'^mil lukum tdrtiib "^alajan titfas'sahu' fi
_gnent il hajawana:t.
B. fikr' gami:l ! "^alajan liija ke:f atfdrrag "^aleiha min
zaman. — alia ma jilzamna:J wa:hid jifdrragna '•ala 1 hajawana:t
kullaha ?
A. muj" duruiri, hu:wa_ntu ma "^riftuij mirwahha^ lissa?
walaikin an(a)_a'ul lak, in ma_tjassdr3 'li:J aruih wajjaikum,
iw'^a hadd' minkum jit'drrab* min 'ifisit^ il ?uru:d, ahsan jilah-
huiku wi jsahhu.'ku wi jtalla'^u 'ideihum "^ala gafla wi jxdrbijuiku.
B. deh da! w_ihna ma nitba'^'^ad "^anhum wi balaj furga
•■aleihum hatta !
A. ana muJ b_a'ul lukum titganni'bu:hum^ bi 1 mdrra,
bass' txdlliikum'' mittarrafim* "^anhum Jwaija.
B. ihna ni'^raf innak bi tunzur li salihna xa:lis, fa kattdr
xe:rak kitiir '^ala kull' ha:l.
as'ila.
(i.) e:h iUi nta "^awuz ti'-milujina ? (2.) jilzam wa:hid
jifdrregna '■al gineina waUa jgu:z niru:h li wah'dina ? (3.) inta
bi_thazzdma min e:h ? (4.) '^alajan e:li ma_n''drrabji min
'ifisit il 'uruid ? (5.) il xo:f da ji'tidi 'innina ma nruhj bi 1
mdrrd ? (6.) ?e:h iUi nifhamu min tahzi:rak lina ?
5 Sing. ?afes.
^ Lit. " to make-yourselves-aside-(ganb)-from."
7 Not tix€dlu:kum : the verb when combined with a reflexive pronoun
is always in singular.
8 Lit. " keep-yourselves-to-the-edge-(terf)-of."
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l68 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
For Systematic Grammar. XXIV.
1. " Sound " verb. Apart from the prefix [it] the rules given
on p. 162, Nos. I and 2, apply to this form, and its corre-
sponding quadriliteral, absolute^.
2. The infinitive form [ta''allum, tasawwur], etc., is scarcely a
colloquial form, the infinitive of Form II. [taf^iil] is usually
borrowed and substituted for it.
3. The only weak verb of this form calling for notice is the one
exemplified in No. 9. But whereas the corresponding verb
in Form II. is a A I verb (like [bana jibni]), in Form V. it
is A A (like ['are ji'^re]). Contrast
sawwa, jisaww[i].
itsawwa, jitsaww[a]. But partic. mitsaww[i].
4. Significations of form :
(«) To do the action expressed in Form II. to oneself or in
oneself : e.g. [it*^allim] " to teach oneself (have oneself
taught)," and so " learn." Middle, or reflexive, of II.
Apply this to [itfassah, issawwdr, ifaddim, it'oxxer,
itldxbat], etc.
(6) And so, " to make oneself out. ..." e.g. [itkabbdr] " to
make oneself out great," " to be proud."
(c) And so " to pretend to be. .," " to ape. .," e.g. [iddarwij]
" to pretend to be a dervish," [itfcimag] " to ape foreigners."
(d) Merely passive of II. [laggim] " to bridle," [itlaggim]
" to be bridled."
Notice the assimilation of the [tj m [issswwar, miggawwiz]
and other consonants.
lyo EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
XXV.
Verbs of " Form VII " and " Form VIII."
[infa^'al (it-) and ifta'^al.]
FOR READING.
[{a) The Appointment.]
A. If it's possible for you, you must wait for [or expect)
me to-morrow at your house, and I will be found there between
three and four o'clock.
B. Why I have an appointment with so-and-so at that time ;
but just (wait) until I excuse myself to him.
A . I think that however much you excuse yourself to him he
won't accept the excuse.
B. Oh come ! if he does not accept, that is his affair.
A . Now then ! you must be sure not to vex him, seeing that
you previously gave him an appointment.
B. No ; that man annoys me and hinders me from my work.
I only hope he will get vexed and give me up and have done with it.
A. Considering you have a meeting (of a Society) once a
week, where does this " giving up " come in ?
B. The best thing is for me to leave the Society, since my
inclination will not allow that he should meet with me, not even
once a week.
[(&) The barrister {advocate).]
C. What is your opinion of that barrister, my dear friend.
D. I think he's a man (who) works conscientiously.
C. Well then, shall I rely on your word and get him to plead
for me in my law-suit ?
D. Even though I do praise him to you. let your rehance
(leaning) nevertheless be on God (and then) youil succeed.
C. Of course everyone who is relying on Him will never fail ;
but you know what I mean ! . . . Hadn't we best direct ourselves to
him in order to make conditions with him for his labour ?
D. Do just wait, if only a moment, until I finish the thing
I have in hand.
^ The verb after a conditional tense is in the past tense, without the sense
being past (cp. our " if I knew him, I would, etc."
^ VIII., from nazar.
3 Or anwigid. Both forms are VII. from wagad.
+ Colloquial change of d into d ; root-word dajji' (narrow).
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC I7I
it tamrim il xamsa_w "^ijriin.
11 ?aFa:l illi min siigit " infa'^al" (aw " itfa'^al") wi " ifta'^al."
li 1 'iraija.
[{a) il mi'^aid.]
A. iza ka:n' mumkinak, laizim tinti'zirni^ bukra fi I be:t,
w_an(a)_at'wigid3 <^andak be:n is sai'^a talaita w_cirba'^a.
B. d_ana "^andi mi'^aid rai'^ fula:n fi 1 wa't' da, ummail
amm a'^ti'zir lu.
A. aftikir mahma_(i)'^ta'zdrt' lu ma ji'balj il "^uzr.
B. deh da ! w_in ma_'bilj ji'^raf Juglu !
A. iz zaij ! madaim iddet lu mi''a:d ma^tza'^'-aluij abadan!
B. la:..., da bi jda:ji?ni'* wi bi j'^attalni "^an 'ajgaili, ijjak
jiz'^al wi jirtigi*^ "^anni wi s salaim !
A. mata kam' "^anduku gtima:'^ fi kull' 'usbu:"^ mdrrci, 1
irtiga:'- ji:gi_mn_e:n ?
B. ahsan Je:' an_atruk il gam'^iija he:s nafsi muj ?abla
tigtimi'' wijja:j, wa law fi 1 gum'^a mdrrd.
[{b) il m'haimi (1 abuka:tu).]
C. fikrak fi 1 m''ha:mi da ?eh, ja habiibi ?
D. aftikir innu ra:gil jijtigil bi zimma.
C. ba'(a)_a'' 'timid '^ala kala:mak w axdlli:h jitra(:)'fi'^'' li
fi_l 'adi:ja_bta'^ti ? {or drtikin).
D. w in kutt' b_am'dah lak fi:h, la:kin xdll(i)_i'^tima:dak w
irtikamak '■al aiia:h ting ah !
C. ma''lu:m kull' min jiku:n mi'-timid wi mirtikin "^aleih
ma_jxibj_abadan. il ma''su:d'' ! . . . . muj ahsan Je nitwag'gih
lu hadan "^alajan nijtirit wijjaih '^ala ^if^aibu ?
D. ma tintizir wa law burha sgajjdra "-ala balma (a)xall95_
illi f i:di !
5 mata, " when " is treated like a conditional particle (cp. note (i).
6 The " VI th form " of the verb, see XXVI.
7 Lit. " the intended thing," used by itself like this to bring a discussion
back to the point, or to cut short irrelevant objections.
172 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
C. No, if we don't go to him now I fear he won't be found
in to-day, and that would be something (which) would be a loss to me.
D. My good man, don't be afraid, to-day or to-morrow are
all the same, and loss there is not.
C. If you please, either come with me now, or give it up, and
I'll go to him by myself.
D. Have it your own way ! Please yourself and go if you
must.
Weak Verbs of these Two Forms.
[(c). The closed bridge.]
A . The boats that were behind the bridge all passed through,
all except two which were held up.
B. Hard lines ! For that bridge only opens once a week,
and the boat that gets held up must wait for the whole of that
interval, and that is an interruption (in which) there is loss.
A . Well, and if they need food during that time ?
B. If there are villages all round them where does " need "
come in ? There is even a village right adjoining the bridge, in
which is everything.
A. True, the adjoining of that village to the bridge is very
useful to people like that.
[{d). An odd incident.]
I was awfully tired yesterday, and from my extreme weariness
lay stretched the whole night on my bed like a corpse, and the
paraffin of the lamp got exhausted and the lamp went out of itself.
While I was sleeping, after the light went out, I felt someone enter
the room and (heard him) groping in my desk. And in my fear of
him I was perplexed what to do in order that the thief might go
out of the room, and after a little I chose (made up my mind) to
attack him, and attack I did indeed, and caught hold of him ; and
in his fear of me he threw himself on to the ground, for he was
(only) a poor hungry man who wanted a loaf of bread to eat, not a
thief. And he was very advanced in age, a very old man. And
had I been aware that the case was so, I needn't have been perplexed.
^ Used in humorous expostulation, especially in objecting to over-
rigorousness.
^ Or ja ?imma. 3 Lit. " with your mind (or feeling)," xaitir.
+ Lit. " (if) you go, you do go."
5 So sikka nafda, " a thorough-fare" ; sikka muj nafda, " a bhnd
alley " ; naffiz, " put through," " accomplish."
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC I73
C. lai, iza ka:n ma nruh 'lu:J dilwa't, axa:f ma jinwigidj
innaharda, wi da Je: jiku:n darar '^alajja.
D. ja Jeix,' ma txafj", innahdrda wi bukrd zejji ba'^d, wala
fi:J" darar.
C. min fadlak, ja^ t'u:m wijjaija dilwa^t, ja balaj, w_an_aruh
lu_l wahdi.
D. bi xatrak^ ! <^ala keifak ; tiru:h, tiruih.*
il 'af-a:! il mu''talla mis si(:)g.te:n do:l.
[(c). il kubri 1 ma?fu:l.]
A. il mara:kib_illi kainu wdra_l kubri nafadu' kulluhum,
bassjltnein ill(i) inhaiju.
B. BoSh "^aleihum! '-alajan il kubri ma jinfitihj ilia kuU'
saba'''t,ijja:m mdrrct, wi 1 mdrkib illi tinha:J laizim tintizir il mudda
di kuUaha, wi di '^atala fiiha xusaird.
A. tejjib, w_in_ihta:gu fi 1 mud'dai di li 'akl ?
B. iza kam hawaleihum bilaid, jikum "^anduhum ihtijaig
izzarj ? hatta fih balad mittisla* bi 1 kubri tamam bi jinba:''
fi:ha kuUi haiga.
A. sahi:h, ittisad il balad di bi 1 kubri bi jinfa'' na:s zejj'
do:l kitiir.
[(li). nadrd gdriiba.J
amm_ana kutt' ta'^bam imbairih, wi min Jiddit ta*'abi_tmadde:t
il le:la di "-as siriir zejj il 'ati:l, wi g ga:z xilis mil lamba w intefat
li wahdaha. wi_f 'asna: ma kutt' na(:)jim ba''dima_ntafa n nu:r
hasseit inni waihid dnxdl il 'oida wi bi jda'^bis fi 1 bure:(h). wi min
xo:fi minnu 'umt^ihtdrt a'-mil izzejj, lagljl haraimi da jitla'^
mil ?o:da. wi ba'^d' Jwajja_xtdrt'' inn(i)_ahgim ''aleih, wi fi'^lan
hagamt '■aleili, wi min xoifu minn(i) Jtrama fi 1 'ard, "-ajan innu
kam ra:gil galba:n wi gi'^am, "^awuz ragiif jaklu, muj hdraimi.
wi kam kibiir fi s sinn' ?awi, ja''ni ra:gil ixtija:r.^ wi law kutt_a''raf
inn il ha:la kida, ma kanj' laizim afitair.
6 From ittasal for iwtasal, VIII. of wasal. So, ittahad for
iwtahad, ittafa' for iwtafa'-
7 VIII. from root X j r ; for ixta(:)rt where the weak letter is represented
by the length, which however is suppressed before the two consonants :
3rd sing, ixtair.
^ Inf. of the above, the weak letter reappearing. It is difficult to say-
why " choosing " should mean a very old man. Perhaps a man who is
allowed to do just what he likes.
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176 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
For Systematic Grammar. XXV.
1. Past vowels always [a]; aorist, regularly [i], but [a] is occa-
sionally heard, e.g. [jintazar] ("he expects"), alongside of
[jintizir].
2. Notice elision of unaccented [i] ([tin'bis(i)ti], just as in ['mis(i)-
kit]).
3. VIII., first radical [w], [ittahad] for [iwtaliad], etc. (Form
VII. no irregularity.)
4. VIII., second radical weak-; conjugated like [jinaim], e.g.
[ihtaig, jihtaig]. (Form VII. similarly : e.g. [inSaiJ], " to
be kept back," [jinha:J], but no infinitives.
5. VIII., third radical weak; conjugated like [bana(:), jibni(:)],
e.g. [ibtada, jibtidi]. Form VII. similarly, e.g. [intefa], "to
be extinguished," [jintifi], infinitive (if any) [intifa(:)].
6. N.B. — Second and third radicals the same, conjugated like
[sahh jisahh] {e.g. [imtadd jimtadd, indarr jindarr]).
Form VIII. is one of the few in which a passive participle ap-
pears in a few verbs : it is always in [a] : e.g. [muhtdram] ;
second radical weak, [muxtair] (same as the active).
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC ^L^^
as'jla.
(il mi'^aid.)
(i.) ma jimkinakJLt'aggil il mi'^aid wejja fula:n ? (2.)
haiga kbiird "^andak iza zi'^il ma'^aik ? (3.) ma tjufuij iz za:j,
ma da:m ma'^ ba'^d fi 1 gam'^ijja?
(il m'haimi.)
(i.) fikrak e:h fi zimmit fulam il m'haimi ? (2.) '^alajan
eh ti'aiwil waihid m'haimi ? (3.) '^ala mim laizim il 'insain
ji'^timid wi jirtikin ? Li'"tima:d '^ala z za:t battail ? (4.) "^alajan
e: bi tista''gil fi mirwaihak li 1 m'ha:mi ?
(il kubri 1 ma'fuil.)
(i.) gdra 'eh li 1 mara:kib illi wdra 1 kubri ? (2.) umma:l
fih kida darar kibiir ? (3.) tajjib jidabbdni "^e'Jithum z zejj
wa't' wu'uifhum ?
(nadra gdriiba.)
(i.) eh kamit ahwailak wa'tima ddxal "^aleik ir raigil?
(2.) wi lamma ddxdl "^amal e: ? (3.) 'e:h kam sabab ihtijairak.
(4.) 'axi:ran "^amalt e: wi Juft eh fi:h?
178 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
XXVI.
Verbs of " Form IV."
FOR READING.
[The Messenger.]
A. I sent you a letter yesterdaj^ with your servant, why did
you not inform me (about what I asked), though I said to you,
inform me and send the answer with the messenger ?
B. Is it my fault, if I order your messenger to wait a little
just while I should write the message for him, and it does not
please him to stop ?
A . Say, didn't you show him that the message was essential
(or your message to me) ?
B. My good sir, I did so, hard, but he made it appear to me
that he had no time. And it appears that you had not told him
to wait for the answer. Moreover, I saw him signify that he was
tired.
A. You are right in what you say, for I should have obHged
him to wait. My mind was occupied with an important affair,
and that is what caused me to forget.
B. But for (the fact that) you were careless, and if he had
stayed, it would have saved me coming to you all this way.
A. I do see that you have troubled yourself, and I beg you
to forgive me.
B. Don't mention it ! Just give me your " Arabic Com-
position " though, for there is someone with us who knows how to
write and wants to teach me how to do it.
A. Is he the man who teaches you dictation ?
•B. Yes, he is the one ; but he dictates to me very difficult
sentences.
A. Well, here's the book for you.
B. Grateful and obliged !
' Or ?afadt. IV. of root f j d from ?afa:d.
' IV., imperative of 'drsal.
3 II., synonymous with ?awrQ(:) above (IV. with 3rd rad. weak).
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC I79
it tamrim il xamsa wi 1 '-ijrim.
li 1 'iraija.
il 'af^ail min si:git 'aFal.
[il mirsa:l.]
A. 'arsalt' lak gawaib imbairih ma'^a 1 xdddaim ma fidtiniij'
leih, ma'^ inni ?ult' lak, fi(:)dni wJrsiP ir redd ma'^aj mirsail ?
B. a'^'mil lak ei, iza kutt' ?amart' mirsailak jistanna Jwejja
masaifit m„aktib lu 1 'ifaida, ma xallssuij jistanna ?
A. alia ma 'awre(:)tu:J inn' 1 'ifa:da darurijja ? (or inn'
'ifadtak liija).
B. ja siidi wdrreitu^ ?awi, la:kin 'ez'hsr li 'innu ma '^anduij
we't' 'abadan. wi ii?;har* iim' hadritak m_axbdrtu:J b innu
jintizir ir radd. wi zijaida '■ala kida Juftu bi jizhir innu ta''bam
A. lik ha?" f illi bi.t'udu, li'innu kam jilzamni 'al'zimu^
bi Lintiga:r...ka:n fikri majguil bi 'amr'_mhimm, hu:wa_lli 'ansami.
B. lau la_nta 'ahmalt, -"au hu:wa_(i)stanna, kam 'ag'nami
■■an* il migij li Iiaddi_hna.
A. '■ala kuUi had 'af'abt' nafsak w arguik il m^samfta.
B. il "^afw ! bass iddimi kta:b il ?inja_bta:'^ak. "^alajan
fih wa:liid "^andina ji'-raf jinji "^awuz ji'^allimni Jwajja "^alajan a'^raf
'anji.
A. huwa r raigil dajli bi_jddr'ris lak ?imla ?
B. aiwa hu:wa, laikin bi jimli "^alajja gumal sa'^bi ?awf.
A . itfaddal adi J kitaib.
B. mitjakkar wi mamnum.
4 1st Form, " appear " ; this IVth form aorist, " causes to appear,"
would be jizhir (as in next sentence).
5 These two words bear the same relation to each other as jizhar and
jizhir.
6 Lit. " made me rich from," i.e. " able to dispense with."
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EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC l8l
as'ila.
(i.) e:h illi ?arsaltu lak imbairih ? (2.) ma'' mi:n ? (3.)
leh ma 'afattiniij ? muj ana ?ult' lak tifiidni ? (4.) iza kutt
'awreitu 'inn il 'ifa:da darurijja ummail ma stannaj" leih? (5.)
saba' ana 'ult' lu jintizir ir radd? (6.) ijjak 'ihmaili fi 1 "^iba'ra:
di ma_jkunj sabbib lak 'atela! (7.) ge:t mcixsuis "^alajan tiwaddi:
li r radd walla "^andak Je ta:ni ? (8.) mi:n bi jddrris lak il 'inja ?
(9.) hu:wa_b jimli "^aleik gumal sahla ? (10.) biddak tisaimihni
•■an ta'xiiri iza kutt addi: lak tedabak ?
For Systematic Grammar.
1. The aorist is identical with that of I in [i]. But unhke I it
takes [i] invariably.
2. Distinguish [jilzam] (I.), "it is necessary," and [jilzim] (IV.),
"he compels"; [jizhar] (I.), "he appears," and [jizhir]
" he shows."
l82 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
XXVII.
Verbs of Form X.
FOR READING.
Dialogue between a Doctor and a Patient.
Doc. From what village are you ?
Pa. Bagur Menufiya.
Doc. What's wrong with you ?
Pa. I am ill in my inside.
Doc. Since when have you felt bad like this ?
Pa. I have felt ill like this for about two months.
Doc. Upon my word, I am astonished at you, you fellaheen !
(To think that) one of you can feel ill, and be so careless aliout
himself.
Pa. No, doctor, I was not careless about myself. . .only —
I was ill more than this, but felt the distance (to here) too far.
Doc. Such considering-too-far should be in anything but
health. No, the fact is you thought stopping at home did not
matter, and rather preferred it (thought it nicer).
Pa. No, I neither thought it did not matter nor preferred
it ; but after I had asked to be directed to your place here, I came,
as you see.
Doc. I am surprised at you. What, does our place here
need directing to ? Why, it's known to everybody. I'm afraid
you're trying to gammon me !
Pa. Oh, doctor, how can you say such a thing ! You
know everything, how could I try to gammon you !
Doc. Well, look out you don't. Tell me the real reason.
Pa. If I told you, you might think me either a simpleton
or an idiot even.
Doc. Oh no I won't ; only do say.
Pa. The reason that made me wait till now was the death
of the grandmother of the wife of my maternal cousin. Allah rest
her soul, she was a good woman [lit. saint).
' For jitsa:hil, inf. tasaihul ; to be easy-going, tolerant.
^ ru:h, a rather more intimate word for " self " than nafs or za:t ;
e.g. 'irham ru:hak, " have mercy on your poor self."
3 From hajjin (easy, light).
+ " To consider sweet" (hilw).
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 183
it tamriin is sab'^a wi "^ijriin.
il 'af^a:! illi min siigit " istaf^al " aw " istaf^il."
li 1 'irsija.
m^hawre be:n haki:m wi fallaih.
hak. inta_mn_inhi balad ?
fal. ana mil bagu:r minufijia.
h. "^ajaik 'eh hu:wa ?
f. il marad bitai'^i^f batni.
h. istaj'^art' bi 1 '^aja: da_mn_emta ?
t. ana_(i)stahasse:t bu min mudda tigi Jahrem.
S. ja sala:m, ana b^astagrab luku ja fallahim ! il wa:hid
minku jib?a '^ajjam wi jissaihiP fi ru:hu^ m_a'^rafj' le:h.
f. ja gana:b id dakto:r, ana ma_ssa(:)'hiltij fi ru:hi, bass'
kutt' '^ajjain aktdr min kida wjstab'^adtjl masa:fa.
h. Listib'^aid jiku:n fi lia:ga ge:r il mdrad. inta lli kutt*
mistahwin' wi mistahli* 1 'a'' da fi 1 balad.
f. la: ! la kutt' mistahwin il 'u'^aid fi 1 balad wala mistahliih ;
innama lamma_stadalle:t' '^ala mafialluku 'adimi geit.
h. ana b_asta''gib lak! huiwa mahallina ''a:wuz_iU-istidla:l ?
da ma''ru:f li kulli wa:hid ; inta ?ijja:k bi tistaghilni'' !
f. la, il "^afw ja sa'^att id doktoir, inta_b ti'^raf kulli haiga,
w_astaghilak izza:j !
h. tajjib, ma_b tistaghilniij. '?ul li "^ala ha?i:'it il 'amr.
f. in 'ult' lak "^ala Iia'i:'it il ?amr jimkin tistdgjimni'' wi
tista'^batni* kaman.
h. la:, la:, la:, ma b_asta'^batakj, — bass' 'u:!.
f. is sabab illi xdlla:n(i) astanna' li fiadd' dilwa't' mo:t
sitt mdrQ:t ibn' xdlti. aiiah jirhamha ka:nit wili:ja'°_kwaijisa!
5 1st Form dall, "to direct (a person) to C^ala)."
6 From ga:hil, " a fool."
7 From gdji:m, " an inexpert."
8 From '^dbi:t, '' an idiot."
9 For ista'anna. '° Lit. " saint " (Moslem).
184 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
Doc. Hullo ! why, according to that, you could claim (pre-
tend) that all the people in the world are your relations.
Pa. Now look here, do you want me to fetch you out a
reason from below the earth ?
Doc. No, but anyone who heard you teU that tale would
reject it and disbelieve you.
Pa. I can teU you the true causes, only please don't deride
them.
Doc. I call you to witness, you who are sitting, did we hear
from him anything rational, and called it strange ?
Bysitters. No, if he told us of anything rational, we should
not call it improbable : {to the patient) For we have heard many
stories from others and did not call them impossible.
Pa. Well, it's beyond my power! — Since you are so domineer-
ing, then, there's nothing in it more than the matter of Ramadan
and the Feast.
Doc. And why didn't you say so from the first, and it would
have avoided all this trouble and waste of time for nothing. Enough
of this. Used you to ask-to-be-given medicine at home ?
Pa. I used, but I did not obtain any benefit from it.
Doc. What ! didn't you ask advice of any doctor ?
Pa. No, why should I consult any doctor while the druggists
are to be found with us ? There is no need to consult (them).
Doc. No wonder you too did not profit at all from the medicine
you asked for.
Pa. To come to the point, here we've come to you to see
what you'll do to me.
[Here the Doctor submits the patient to a thorough examination.]
Doc. Off with you, strip off these dirty clothes, take a bath,
put on clean clothes, and go into hospital, and I trust you'll wake
in the morning feeling better.
'For jidti''i, VIII. of da''a, "to call oneself," "pretend," "make
claim" (da'^wa(:), p. da'^aiwi).
' From ?abi:h, " vile."
3 Or jikazzib, "belie," "deny," 'call false." sadda' is also pro-
nounced sadda'.
■* From gdrilb, "strange," "odd," "unlikely"; cp. istab''ad, with
same meaning."
5 Lit. " I ask for you as witness " (Jaihid).
* Or ma_b jaddilj' hi:la ; often means " I can't, or couldn't, help it."
7 " Making-yourselves-rulers " (haikim).
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 185
h. deh da ! da_nta "^ala kida tPdar tiddi'^i' 'inni n na:s
illi fi d dunja kullaha 'arejbak !
f. ummail inta '^aiwuz astax'rag lak sabab min taht il 'ard'
ba'a?
ti. la: bass' kull' min sim";ak tPuil il ka'lam da jista'bahu^
wala_jsQdda'J"3.
f. an_a?dar_a?ul lak "^al ?asba:b is sahiiha, bass* ma
tistdgrabhaij*.
h. ana b^astaj'hidku' ja_lli ?a'^dim ! alla_hna_s(i)mi'^na minnu
ha:ga ma'^'uda wjstctgrab'naiha ?
il ■'aidin. la: ! lau 'al lina "^ala ha:ga ma'^a''u:la ma
nistagrebha:J. (lil mari:^) '^alajan simi'^na min ge:rak liikaja:t
kiti:ra 'awi wala stagrebnaha:J.
f. ?eh! ma_b jaddi hiila!^ mada:m intu mit}iakkimi:n^ ?awi,
fa mafij ha:ga ilia mas'alit ramad:a:n wi I '^i:d.
h. wi leh ma 'ultij kida mil 'aw'wil, wi ka:n balaj it ta'^ab da
kuUu wi deja:*^ il wa?t "^ala '?alla Je:* ? . . .ma "^aleina min da kullu ! '
inta kuttLb tista'^ta dawa fi 1 balad ?
f. kutt' b_asta'^ta dawa,la:kin ma_stahsaltij minnu "^ala fajda.
h. hu:wa_nta ma_stajartij'° wa:hid llaki:m ?
f. la:, astaji:r wa:hid haki:m leh, mada:m il '^attari:n mawgu:-
din "^andina ? mafi:J luzu:m li I_istija:ra {or li_stija'rithum) .
h. atari:k" inta raxar ma_stafattij ha:ga mid dawa_ll_
ista'^te:tu !
f. il ma'suid^adiini getku 'amm_aju:f ha ti''milu: li e:.
[hina 1 haki:m wa"a^ 1 kajf ij" Ja:fi "^al mariid.]
h. jaiia ru:h_i?la'^ hudu:mak il wisxd di, w_istahamma,'^
w_ilbis hudu:m niai:fa, w_idxul il mistajfa, in Ja 'aiiah tisbah
mitna'^wij.
8 " The no-thing."
9 Lit. " What is on us in all this ? "
'° Ja:r, jiju:r C^ala) = " advise " ; Ja:wir or istaja:r, " ask advice,"
" consult " ; ij'ja:wir, " be consulted " ; Jo;ra or majwdrd, " advice " ;
istija:ra, "consultation"; mustaja:r, " consulted-one," "adviser."
" Or igrannak.
" Take-a-bath (hamma:m ; distinguish hama:m " pigeons "). This
is a variant of the Xth Form, combining its features with those of Form II. :
istahamma, istahamme:t, jistahamma, mistahammi (no inf.), cp.
istarajjah below.
l86 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
Pa. Why I hope to wake feehng well again, and with my
strength quite come back to me again.
Doc. Yes, I hope that after a week's time you will have quite
recovered from this illness, and return home as fit as anything.
Pa. I'm only afraid, Doctor, that when I go back home, this
illness will come back on me again, and I get as pale (yellow) as I
am to-day.
Doc. Don't be afraid ! why did you get pale, for any reason
except your having been ill so long? Come, my good fellow, in
you go, and rest ; come then !
Pa. Oh thank you, thank you. Doctor ! Allah bless you in
everything you set your hand to ! Allah keep to you your offspring,
and preserve to you your life !
Doc. Thanks very much ! Attendant, bring on the next case.
Only let it not be a chatterbox like this !
' rs:', lit. " be dear " ; fa:', '' recover," " get over (an illness)."
^ Lit. " taking spoil."
3 IXth Form, only for colours and deformities, e.g. ilimdrr, " blush,''
i''Wagg, " be crooked." The third radical is doubled. The aorist is jisjarr.
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 187
f. d_ana '^ajami inn_asbah m'farfij wi mailik heili 'awi !
h. aiwa, in Ja ?«iiiQh ba'^cLusbu:'^ tiru:' wi tfu:?' mil '■aja:
da bi 1 mdrrdi wi tirga'' baladak sa:lim gainim.^
f. bass' ja sa'^att il baj hakiim ana xajif, lamm(a)_arQwwah
jirtadd' '^alajja_l mdrsd tami, w_Qsfdrr' zejj' m_ana dilwa't.
h. la:, ma_txQfJ, liu:wa_nta_(i)sfdrre:t3 ilia min tu:l il marad
wajjaik ? itfaddal ja Rabi:bi_dxul gu:wa "^ajan tistdrajjahjtfaddal !
f. kattdr xeirak ja hddrit id doktoir. aiia jibai'rik lak fi
kuUi Je: hatteit 'i:dak fi:h, wi jxdlli: lak_anga:lak/ wi jih'faz lak
haja:tak !
h. rabbina jih'fazak!. . . .ja tamdrgi, ha:t illi ba'^du. bass'
ma_jkunj gdlabaiwi kida !
as'ila.
(i.) il mari:d hassLb ?e:h. . .min emta ? (2.) '^alajan e:h
istdgrab il hakiim mil fallaliim ? (3.) "^alajan e:h ma rahj lil
tiakiim awwil ma Ja''Qr bi 1 marad ? 'ul lina "^ala kulli_l 'a''za;r
illi 1 fallaih 'ad'dimha. (4.) 'ibil id daktoir il 'a'^zair do:l ?
\yalla gaiwib "^aleiha zzejj ? (5.) eh kam is sabab il fta'ii-'i fi
komu t'dxxar ? (6.) "^alajan e: ma kanj istajair waihid hakiim
fi baladu? (7.) 'al luj. hakiirn ji^'mil e: ba'^dima wa'^a'' 'aleih
il kajf ? (8.) e:h ka:n "^ajam il fallaili ? w_e: kam xo:fu ? (9.)
da'^a 1 falla:h li_l hakiim bi 'eih ? (10.) 'eh illi nif^allimu mil
hikaija di ?
Inf. isfirair. It has not been thought necessary to elaborate this very
simple form in a verb-drill section.
4 PI. of nagl, respectful word for " son."
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EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC IQI
For Systematic Grammar. (XXVII.)
1 . The penultimate vowel is [a] throughout and invariably. The
final vowel is [a] or [i] according to exactly the same rule as
was laid down for Forms II. and V. (See pp. 160-166).
2. In the verbs with second radical weak the infinitive takes on
the feminine termination [-a], as did the corresponding
verbs of Form IV. (cp. [ifa:da] with [istifaida]). And in
other respects the two are parallel.
3. The verbs with third radical weak are conjugated like ['ara
ji'ra], not [bana jibni].
4. Signification of this form : (a) To consider a thing or person
thus or thus (see above Nos. 8, 11). [b) To ask for the
doing of such and such an action (see Nos. 4, 6).
N.B. — -(2) may be reflexive : thus [ista'^gilt] may mean " I
asked myself to hurry," i.e. "I hurried " ; or "I asked so-and-so
to hurry," [ista'^gilt '^ali], " I hurried Ali up."
192 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
XXVIII.
FOR READING.
Dialogue on the Courtesies of Debate.
A. I want to have a discussion with you on the subject of
reUgion.
B. Please do ; only on the condition of our maintaining
each other's dignity.
A. I disputed with a man lately on a certain subject, and he
contradicted me and did not maintain my dignity.
B. He was wrong in contradicting you. Perhaps, though,
you disputed more than was necessary.
A . No. The man annoyed me much ; he would even inter-
rupt me at every sentence.
B. Well, truly, beyond all dispute, interruption of one's talk
disturbs one's thought and contravenes the courtesies of discussion.
A. Que voulez-vous ? Whoever mixes with fools merits this.
B. I'd like to say, though, even if he did cross you, you
must nevertheless condone him seeing he is ignorant.
A . Oh, come now ! I have compliance and condoning in more
(important things) than this !
B. I see that a man must observe the rules of debating, I
mean, not to be (too) lax on the one hand, nor (too) strict on the
other.
A. I agree with you on this idea; I don't want to make con-
cessions from truth on the one hand, nor to be dictatorial with
whoever disputes with me on the other.
B. Truly, when one of us controverts with another he shouldn't
quarrel with him ; one must bar quarrelling in controversy.
A. In that case the controversy should be conducted on
a recognised order.
' An elastic word (sing. ?adab), meaning " courtesies," " humanities,"
" ethiics."
2 Form III. is direct', ana(:)'(i)Jak. The reflexive VI. needs the pre-
position wajja.
3 hafaz, " keep" ; III., " study to keep."
t bahas "enquire," baihis, "discuss with."
5 From galst, " a mistake."
* The J is hardly more than a s : see p. 155, n.
'' Originally from root dj^ " narrow " (VI., ana midda:ji', " I am an-
noyed ").
8 Or m=naz''a. 9 From nazar, a view or opiniou.
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC I93
it tamriin it tamanja wi "^ijriin.
m'hawra fi ''a(:)da:b' U m'na'Ja.
li 1 'iraija.
A. ahibb_atna:'ij" wajja:k^ fi mawdu:'^ id dim.
B. itfaddol bass' taht' Jarti nhaifiz^ <;ala kdraimit ba'^dina.
A. ana ba(:)Ilisti* wa:hid min 'urajjib fi mawdu:"^, wi
gQ(:)'litni5 wala iia(:)fii5ji^ "^ala kdramti.
B. ma lu:J ha"' fi_mgaltitak ; jimkin, ja 'axi, na'iftu
zijaida '■an il luzu:m.
A. la:, da daji'ni^ 'awi, hatta ka:n ji?a(:)ti'^ni f kull'
gumla.
B. amma min ge:r nizai''* faj. m''''Qt''a fil kalaim tijawwij "^al
fikr wi_txa:lif ada:b il m'nazrd.'
A. ahoJ.li_jxa:lit il guhala jistaha'''' kida.
B. a'ul lak, w in kannu" ''^ardak," bdrdu jilzamak ti'samhu
he:s innu gaihil.
A. deh da, d ana "^andi tasaihul wi tasaimuh f_aktar min kida.
B. an_aju:f innij wa:iiid laizim jirai'-i 1 'usu:!^^ fi 1 m'naard,
ja'^ni ma jkunj missa:hil min giha wala mda"a?'* min giha.
A. ana mwaf'ak '-al fik'ra: di, waLatiibbiJ atnaizil'^ "^an
il ha?''' min giha waLathakkimJ'^ fi llLjga'dilni''' min giha.
B. bdrdu, lammajl waihid minna_jga:dil it ta:ni muj la:zim
jixdn^u'^; la:zim jimna"^ il m'xdn'a fi 1 m'gadla. {or xina:', gidail).
A. '■ala kida tikuin il m^gadla bi tdrtiib ma'^luim.
'° Also '■aijir, " to come into contact with."
'' The complement of kam is the objective case in Arabic. This queer
construction here appears to mean " If it be him (who) thwarted."
" And so mami'', "thwart," "try to prevent," (mana"^).
'3 Sing. ?asl, "root."
'+ So, tad'i:'. "accuracy," or " over particularity."
'5 And so in good sense, " to coBdescend."
'^ Lit. "to make oneself a ruler" (haiklm).
'7 The word means more distinctly "dispute" thaneithernai'ij, naiair,
or ba:his.
'8 Lit. " try to strangle " (xana').
194 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
B. Certainly ; namely, that everyone should wait for the
other, so that he may answer him just as he expressed his thoughts
without (the other) interrupting him.
A . I say, my dear man, you may announce this rule to others,
but not to Egyptians. Why, if you are in any gathering you find
them aU putting each other out, so that you can't tell the one who
is speaking from the one who is listening ; so that if you hailed
any of them he would not hear your call !
B. In that case, the first thing we have to learn, if we want
to get on, is forbearance, I mean that each should keep his temper
with the other, untU he gets his right (s) in fuU, and takes his turn
and finishes his speech.
A. Excellent ! So then, do we want to debate together with
a debate that conforms to these principles ?
B. With much satisfaction ; agreed ! But the present
moment does not enable us (to do) this.
A. Well, let us wait untU a not-distant day. Good-day.
B. Good-day to you.
' From abda (IV.).
^ Ile:s, " since " ; bi he:s, " in such a manner that " (the bi of
manner).
3 X., from root wfj, meaning " full," " complete.''
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC I95
B. tab'^an, bi he:s kull* wa:llid jintizir it ta:ni hatta_jgawbu
zejjima huwa_b jibdi' fikru min ge:r ma^j'at'^u.
A. amm_a?ul lak ja 'axi ; il hukm' da tiMar tPu:lu li
geir il masrijjiin ! da_nta, iza,nwagatti fi ?ajji galsa tila:'i
kulluhum bi_jjawwiju '^ala ba'^d, ma ti'^rafj illi bi jikkallim milli
_b jisma"; ; bi beis'' law nade:t "^ala 'ajji waittid ma jisma'^Ji nida:k.
B. "^ala kida 'awwil Je: la:zim nif^allimu, iza kunna "^awzim
nit'addim, hu:wa_t ta'anni, bi hes inni kull' wailiid jitawwil
ba:lu li ge:ru hatta jistawfa^ ha"u wi ja:xud doiru wi_jtammim
kalaimu.
A. kwaijis xadis! izan-* nihibb* nitnai'ij m^na?Ja_mteb'a=
li 1 maba:di<^ do:l ?
B. bi kulli_rtija:h, ana_mwa:fi', la:kin il wa't' da ma_
jsa'^idnaij'' "^ala kida.
A. tejib nintizir li jo:m ?urajjib. natiairak sa'^iid.
B. nahairak m'ba:rak.
as'ila.
(i.) e:h awwil Jart li_lli jhibbu jina'Ju ba'd ? (2.) lina
ha" fi mugaltit in na:s wi_mdaj^ithum ? (3.) ti'^mU e:h il
m^'at'^a fi 1 kalaim ? (4.) iza ka:n waihid ga:hil ji'^ardak ti'^mil
lu'e:h? (5.) nihfaz tari:'a mitwassata be:n e: wi ?e: fi 1 m'bahsa?
(6.) e:h it tcirtiib illi laizim m^'ra'^aitu wa't il m^gadla ? (7.)
eh wazi:fit saihib il kursi ? (8.) jimkin nitabba? il mabaidi
di:jahi:ja "^al maerijjim ? (9.) e:h illi laizim ddrsu fi masr hatta
tit'addim il balad it ta'addum il matluib wi 1 mdrgu:b?
•♦ Or fa ?izan : elegant for " therefore," " well, then."
5 The root means fold : cp. tabba' il mabaidi "^al "^amal, " he
applied his principles to action " ; it tatbi:', the application.
6 Sing, mabda. ' Lit. " help," the regular word for " enable.''
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EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC I99
For Systematic Grammar. (Forms III. and VI.)
1. Notice that the vowel scheme throughout these forms in all
three parts is [ai i], except with third radical weak, when
it is [a: a]. Form III. has two infinitives ; the one in [m]
is much the commoner. The other is more of a noun than
a verb. The infinitive of VI. can hardly be said to be a
colloquial form at all. That of III. is substituted. The
infinitive of III. with third radical weak is very rare, and
that of VI. non-existent.
2. The signification of III. is
(a) to perform on a person, directly and with intent, the action
suggested by a verb in Form I., by an adjective, or by a
noun, e.g.
[gaiwib], to perform on a person directly and with intent
the action in [gawa:b] (" an answer "), viz. " to answer
him."
[sai'^id], to perform on a person directly and with intent
the action in [sai'^ida] (" fore-arm "), viz. " to help him."
[naizi*^], to perform on a person directly and with intent
the action in [naza*^] (" to pull "), viz. " to strive with
him."
["^aimil], to perform on a person directly and with intent
the action in ["^amal] (" do "), viz. "to deal with hi.m"
and so {b) by an easy transition " to have intent to do an
action on a person," = " to try to do it."
['a:til], to try to do on a person the action of [''atal]
(" kiU "), viz. " to fight him."
[saibi'], to try to do on a person the action of [saba']
(" precede "), viz. " to race him."
3. The signification of VI. is [a) reflexive of III., e.g. [iddaira] "he
hid himself," [itsaibi'], " he raced himself with [wajja] ;
and so (6) in the third plural the reciprocal motion already
latent in III. is fully brought out ; e.g. [itsa(:)b{i)'u], " they
raced together"; (c) passive of III., [mitsa:'^id], "helped";
{d) the combination of the conative sense of III. with the
reflexive, produces the signification oi feigning : e.g. [itga:hil],
" he ignored " ; [if-aima], " he turned the blind eye to ";
[itnaisa], "he pretended to forget."
VERB SUMMARIES. II.— THE " DER
VERB-SUMMARIES. I.—" WEAK " VERBS.
Vowel.
Aorist
Participles.
Description of Verb.
Key.
Past Tense.
and
Pa. Aor.
Imperat.
Active.
Passive.
2nd and ^rd rads.
the same
A '.
rAdd, rAddeit
(ji)rudd
rraidid
Iradda
mdrduid
(" mudQi<^af ")
ll
lAmm, lAmmeit
(ji)liinm
I'laimim
\lamma
malmuim
With \
u-vbs
U U
ha:J huJt
(ji)hu:j
ha(:)jij
hajja
See note i
2nd rad.
Weak
("agwaf") ,
r i-vbs.
a-vbs.
I I
I A3
bai"; bi'^t
nairu nimt''
{ji)bi:^
(ji)nA:m
baioji-;
baj''a
na(:)jim
See note 2
None
najma
With
A A
'ArA, 'erat, 'arert
(j)i'rA
r'airi
I'arja
ma'ri
Srd radical
I I
risi, risjit, risi:t
(j)irsi
jTaisi
\rasja
Weak
A I
bAnA, banat, baneit
(i)ibni
rbami
Ibanja
mabni
'■ na:?is "
I A
fidi, fidjit, fidi:t
(j)ifdA
rfaidi
Ifadja
I. Usually borrows from the " 7th form " of the verb.
!.g. minhaij. The classical form
{e.g. mahu:l) very rare, (mulaim, "blamed," is by false
analogy.)
2. The classical form is found in mabi:'' ; but usua
lly the "7th form" is
borrowed.
minba:'^.
3. The original radical may be w or j in these A verbs.
But this does not appear in con- |
jugating.
4. U is sometimes found, e.g.
XUft, " I feared."
[For
the four
irregular
verbs of "first radical we
ik" (misad
see p. 1 39-]
Description
of
Verb.
2nd Rad. doubled
{similarly Quadriliteral)
No.
of
Form.
II.
Vowel Key.
Past. Aor.
Past Tense.
Same with it- V.
(similarly Quadriliteral)
With ista- prefixed \ X.
zst vowel prolonged
Same with it-
Ill.
VI.
With in- or it- prefixed VII.
With t after 1st Rad. VIII.
With ' prefixed
IV.
First vowel
always A.
Second
Vowel
A or I
throughout,
according as
2nd or yd
Rad. "heavy'
or " light "
saggAr (IdxbAt)
•^allim (kdrkib)
a: I
throughout
itsaggAr (itldxbAt)
if^allim (itkdrkib)
istasgAr
ista''lim
SAlbl'
Aorist
(similarly P
and Imper;
(Ji)5S99Ar, (ji
(ii)^aUim, (ji):
(j)itsacigAr, (j
(j)it^aUim, (j)
(j)istasgAr
(j) ista''lim
itsAibP
(ji)sA:bi?
(j)itsA:bi'
inkASAr {or it-
Past
A A
Aorist
1 1
ixtAbAr
'AxbAr
(j)inkisir {or j
(j)ixtibir
(j)ixblr
{partic. muxbi
NOTES.
1. The form denoting colours and deformities (IX.) is thus : ilimArr, jihmArr.
2. Passive participles are very few in these forms. III., V., VI., VII., none ; II., VIII., X
m^baliAt, " tiled," m^'gallAd, "bound"; mu'^tAbAr, "considered"; mustab?Ad, "cc
absurd " ; mustahsAn, " approved." IV. borrows the simple form, mat'uin, "finished," from
malzuim, " compelled," from ■'alzam.
-THE "DERIVED FORMS."
Aorist
(similarly Partic.)
and Imperative.
Significance.
(ji)sag9Ar, (ji)ldxbAt
(ii)'^allim, (ji)kdrkib
To make a thing (or to make it out) so-and-so.
Transitive of the simple verb. (The quadri-
hteral has not this special significance).
1
(j)itsaci9Ar, (j)itldxbAti To make oneself, or make oneself out, so-and-so.
(jjif^allim, (i)itkdrkib j Reflexive (" middle "), or sometimes simply
passive) of the foregoing.
(j)istQ&9Ar
(j)ista''lim
(i) To consider a thing so-and-so (or too
much so).
(2) To ask for so-and-so.
(ji)sA:bi'
To do the root-action directly on to a person
with intention. And so sometimes to intend, try
to do so-and-so to so-and-so (" conative ").
(i)itsA:bi?
" Middle " of the foregoing. In plural, re-
ciprocal of the foregoing.
(j)inkisir [or jit-)
Passive of the simple form.
(j)ixtibir
" Middle " (reflexive) of the simple form, adds
a subjective tinge. Sometimes simply pas-
sive.
(j)ixbir
[partic. muxbir)
Transitive of the simple form.
ihmArr.
one; II., VIII., X. in A as
TlUStab''Ad, " considered
"finished," from ^at'an;
Vowel-key
Form
III. \
IV.
VII. I a: as
VIII.
X.
V.
TA u as
II. TA i: as
for Infinitives.
sibA:' [alternative form
ixbAir m'sab'a)
inkisAir
ixtibAir
isti'^lAim
TA'addum
TAha:mul
TAsgnr, TA'^liim
VERB SUMMARIES. III.— THE " WEAK-DERIVED " VERBS.
The sign * signifies that the verb in question differs in no respect from a strong verb.
Form.
2nd & 3rd rads.
the same.
I St rad. [w].
2nd rad. [w] or [j].
3rd rad. [w] or [j].
II.
III.
*
[rads.
separated)
None
*
*
*
[except infin.
i(:)ga:b for
iwga:b)
*
xdlla, jixdlli
[like bana, jibni)
inf. tdxlijja
*
na:da, jinaidi
[like bana jibni), inf.
m'nadijja (nida(:))
IV.
None
'afa:d, 'afadt jifi:d
mufi:d, mufaid
(participles)
?ifa:da [inf)
fi:d [imper.)
'afta afte:ti/jfebana
jifti ) jibni
mufti
ifta
ifti
V.
VI.
*
[rads.
separated)
*
*
ithdrra ithdrreit
j ithdrra
[like ?ara, ji'ra)
mitharri
taharri [rare)
None
^ *
[rads joined)
*
*
it<;a:fa, it^a(:)fe:t
jif^aifa
[like 'ara, ji'ra)
mif-aifi
inf. wanting
VII.
*
inha:J inhajt
jinha:J
inf. wanting
intafa intafe:t
jintifi
[like bana jibni)
inf. wanting
VIII.
*
[rads. joined)
ittasal, etc.,
for iwtasal,
and so ittdxdz
for i'tdxdz
ihta:g ihtagt
jihta:g
inf ihtija:g
ibtada ibtade:t
jibtidi
[like bana jibni)
inf ib'tida(:)
X.
rads. joined
or separated
e.g. ista'all
(jista'aU, mis-
ta'all),ista?m
*
[except infin)
isti(:)ha:J
for istiwhaij
i(rare)
ista'a:m, ista'amt
jista'iim
inf. isti-'aima
istahla, istahle:t
jistahla
[like 'ara ji'ra
inf. wanting
X.a
None
None
ista'rajjah, istaraj'jaht
jistarajjah
no infin.
istdxdbba istdxdbbe:t
jistdxdbba
[like 'ara, ji'ra)
mistaxdbbi. No infin.
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 201
id ddrs it tis'^a wi 1 "Jijnin. — XXIX.
" idda " (timassil il 'af'a.'l illi luhum maf''u{i)le:n.
The verb [idda], representing verbs with two objects.
It would be tedious to exhaust the possible combinations of pro-
nouns in these verbs. The following specimens show sufficiently the
grouping and accentuation of the pronouns, accusative and dative :
1. Simple form (past). 'idda(:), 'iddat ; id'de:t ; etc., etc.
(aorist). 'addi(:), 'jiddi, 'jiddu, etc. (imperat.). 'iddi(:), 'iddu
(partic). 'middi(:), mid'dijja, middi'jim (No inf.).
2. With nouns as objects, 'idda 1 kita:b li 1 walad.
3. With direct pronominal object. id'da(:)h li 1 wala:d.
4. With indirect pronominal object, id'da: lu_l kitab.
5. With both objects pronominal. The indirect (with [1]) is placed
second and throws the accent on to the immediately pre-
ceding syllable : e.g. [iddat'ha: li]. The suf&xing of the
negative [J] again shifts the accent on to the indirect object ;
e.g. [ma ddafha 'liij].
6. Shifting of accent. Compare the following —
'iddat ; id'datha ; iddat'ha: li ; ma_ddatha 'liij.
id'de:t ; id'de(:)tha ; idde(:)t'ha: li ; ma_ddetha 'H:J
'J. {a) Third masculine pronoun {direct).
id'dah H ; ma_ddah'li:J" ; id'duh li ; ma_dduh 'U:J.
idde'tuh li'(you {p.) gave it me) ; ma_d'de:tuh 'h:J.'
idde'tu: li (you (s.) gave it me) ; ma_dde:tu li:J.
(5) Third feminine pronoun {direct) .
iddaha: li, ma ddaha 'U:J ; iddet'ha: li, ma dde:tha 'U:J.
8. Treatment of indirect pronoun when dissyllabic,
i.e. laha, Una, liki, lukum, luhum.
{a) The first vowel gets eliminated after a vowel : e.g.
iddat'hajkum, ma ddathaJ'ki:J ;
idde'tujkum (I gave it to them); ma_d'deituj'humj.
With [lina] the [n] then gets assimilated: e.g. [iddat'ha„nna],
cp. [id'dujma 1 kita:b] for [Jna].
(6) But after a consonant no elimination takes place : e.g. [id-
det'hum luhum, 'ma ddet'hum lu'humj].'
' Where more than one accent appears to fall on a single word-group,
it will be found that the last is the strongest, and the rest secondary.
202 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
The hook . . . The napkin . . .
I. Did I give it you (her), or not ? — No, you didn't give it me
(her).
2. Did he give it you, or not ? — No, he didn't give it me.
3. Did she give it her, or not ? — No, she didn't give it her.
4. Did we give it you, or not ? — No, you didn't give it me.
5. Did they give it him, or not ? — No, they didn't give it him.
6. Did they give it them, or not ? — No, they didn't give it them.
7. Did you (/.) give it us, or not? — No, I didn't give it you.
8. (a) Give it to me. Ah. — Why, I am giving it you (fn.f.).
(b) Give it to me, Fatima. — Why, I am giving it you.
(c) Give it to me, children. — Why, we are giving it you {m.f.).
9. Will you give it us, or no ? — No, I won't give it you.
10. Will you give them to him (her) ? — No, I won't give them him
(her).
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
203
1. idde'tu: lak
iddet'ha: lak
idde'tujha
iddet'hajha
2. id'dah lak
idda'ha: lak
3. idda'tujha
iddat'ha_lha
4. idde'nah lak
iddeina'ha: lak
5. id'duh lu
iddu'ha: lu
6. id'duh luhum
iddu'hajhum
7. idde'tih lina
id'de:tiha_nna
iddethum lina
walla la ? — la:,
la:.
la:, I
la:,
— la:.
ma_d'de:tu 'li:J
ma_d'detha li:J
ma_dde:tu_l'ha:J
ma_d'detha_l'ha:J.
ma_ddah 'li:J.
ma_ddaha 'li:J. .
'ma_ddatu_l'ha:J.
ma_d'datha_J'ha:J.
ma_dde:tuh li:J.
\ ma_d'de:tuha 'li:J.
r ma dduh lu:f.
{
— la:, {
la:.
(a)
j id'dih li, ja "^ali ! — m_ana
I iddi'ha: li „ „ ! —
. r iddi'ha li ja fatma !-
^' I iddi'ha: li „ „ !-
{o)[
idduh li ja wla:d !
10.
idduha li
tiddih lina
tiddi'ha_nna
tidduhum lu
tidduhum laha
'ma dduha 'lu:J.
ma d'duh lu'humj.
ma dduhajhumj.
ma dde:tu_lku:J.
ma ddethaJ.ku:J.
ma ddethum lukumj.
mid'dih lak.
middi'ha lak (middihajki) .
- ,, 'middi'jah lak. [_lki).
- , , mid'dij j a'ha: lak (middij j aha-
ma_hnamiddij'ji:nu lak. [Iki).
, , middij j in'ha: lak (middij j inha
walla la ? — la:, m ad'dih luku:J.
. 1 , / ™a- niddihum 'lu:J.
" " ' '' \ ma 'niddihum la'ha:J.
204 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
XXX.
Exercise in the Relative Pronoun.
Story of the Clever Detective.
The story which I shall relate to-day is concerned with the
Relative Pronoun. Whoever wants to understand that, well, let
him attend to the story.
[A . Relative in nam. with copula {is, are); antecedent {a) indef. (6) def^
There is a certain one of my friends who is a detective, one of
the cleverest and sharpest of men. Well, this detective, who is
(so) clever and sharp, told me about an incident which happened
to him, and which I think will please you when you hear of it.
\B. Relative in nam., with verb: antecedent (c) indef., {d) def.]
" One day I was walking in the street and saw a certain criminal,
one of those under the observation of the pohce. The moment I
saw him he got into a carriage and went off without seeing me.
Immediately I hailed a disengaged carriage which was standing
by the pavement, got in, and said to the driver, ' FoUow the
carriage which started in front of us wherever it goes, and don't
pull up till (when) it pulls up.'
[C. Relative in accusative : antecedent {e) indef., (/) def.']
" It happened there passed by one whom I knew and whom I
knew our friend in the carriage also knew. So I said to this man
whom I met in the street, ' Did you see so-and-so who is in the
carriage which is ahead ? ' He said, ' Yes, I did.' Then I said,
' Well then, jump in beside me, for I want us to be together when
we catch him up.'
[D. Relative in genitive : antecedent (g) indef., (h) def.]
"So in we got and went together right along until we arrived
at a narrow street near the Faggala. Just then we saw the carriage
in front of us come to stand at a house the owner of which was one
of those known to the police for rascality and evil. So the man
behind whom we had gone and whose carriage we had caught up
got down opposite this house, and when he got down we also got
down a little short of the house, so that he should not observe us.
^ Lit. " the joined noun," for illi is not reckoned a pronoun in Arabic.
It is indeclinable and is, indeed, no more than a longer form of the definite
article. Case and number are expressed by a supplemental pronoun, as will
be seen. ^ Or illi hi:ja 'uddaim.
3 The a is intoned and prolonged to give the idea of distance, "all the way."
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 205
it tamrim it talatim.
l_ism il mawsu:!/
hikaijit. il muxbir ij Jaitir.
il hika:jajli h_allki:ha_nnahdrda muxtessa bi l_ism il
mawsu:l. illi jhibb' jifhamu taijib jaixud ba:lu minha.
A.
fill waillid min dimn_Qsha:bi huiwa^"^ muxbir wi hu:wa min
ajter il muxbiriin w_an'bahhum. wi 1 muxbir da^*^ Hi huiwa Ja:tir
wi nabiih ?al li(:) '^ala nadrd hasa'lit lu, b aftikir innaha tibsitkum
lamma tisma'^uiha. 'a:l.
B.
"fi jo:m min do:l kutt' ma:Ji fi s sikka, wi Juft' wa.'hid Ja?i
milli humma tahtLmra'bit il buli:s. wi ?awwil ma Juftu rikib
"^drabiija wi tannu ma:Ji min ger ma jjufni. wi fi 1 had na(:)de:t
■^ala "^drabiija fadja<^'^ kamit wa?fa gamb ir rasi:f, wi_rkibt fi:ha wi
'ult* li 1 <;cirbagi 'itba"^ il '^drabijja^'^Jli ?a:mit ?udda:m matrah
ma_tru:h, wala ti?afj ill(a)_amma ti'af hi:ja.'
C.
"wi hakamit wi mdrr' "^alema wa:llid a'^rafu/^^ wi "^ draft inn^
sahibna dajli fi 1 "^drabiija "^drfu kaman. fa 'ult li r raigil da'^LUi
^abiltu fi s sikka, 'intajuft fula:n illi fi 1 '^drabiijajli ?udda:m^?'
'am ?al li, 'aiwa Juftu.' 'umt_ana ?ult' lu 'taijib, ta'^ald.rkab
gambi, "^alajan ahibbLnkun sawa lamma nilha'u.'
D.
" fd_rkibna wi_mjina sawa lam'ma:^ wasalna Jairi*^ dajja?,
'ariib mil faggaila, wi fi 1 lahza di JufnaJ "^drabiijajli 'uddamna
wi'fit* '^and' beit*^^^ ka;n sahbu mil majhu(:)ri:n '■and il buli:s bi s
sa'a.'la wi r razada. fa r raigil illi_mji:na waraih*^*-' wijhi'na '■ara-
bijtu, nizil 'uba:P il be:t da, wi lamma nizil nizilna_hna 'abLil be:t
bi Jwaija "^alajan ma jidriknaij.
♦ An important point here. The English infinitive " come " is rendered
in Arabic by a past verb because the observed action is momentary and is
conceived as past as soon as observed. The aorist is only used when the
observed action goes on for some time, or habitually occurs, e.g. jisallim ia
the next paragraph. 5 Or ?usa:d.
206 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
[E. Relative governed by a preposition : (i) antecedent indef., (j) def.]
"The instant the man got down I saw someone greet him, of
whom I was at once suspicious, though I did not know him. (This
man of whom I was suspicious, when I afterwards enquired about
him, I found had a hand in the affair of the robbery of X. Pasha,
of which the whole country has heard tell.)
[F. Relative preceded by preposition, being itself in the genitive.]
"After they had greeted each other, I saw them whispering
each other, and the one who had ridden in the carriage pointed
the other to a house over whose door (there was) hung a lantern
with red glass, (the house being) like a hotel. And immediately
they both went to the house over whose door there was hung the
red lamp, and knocked twice at the door, and there opened to them
a woman on whose face appeared the marks of badness and crimi-
nality. And they both went in, and the door was shut to.
"Then I said to my companion, 'Go and knock at the house
which these people entered, and request to meet the man between
whom and 5'ourself there is acquaintance, and keep on talking to
him until I come, and see he don't get out of your sight.' Off went
my friend without a word. And then I spoke to the police-station
of that locality on the telephone to send me a force of the police
there, and barely on my just finishing the message, lo and behold
comes a posse of police. I took them, raided the house, and ar-
rested all in it. At the enquiry in the police-station we found them
all to be revolutionaries dangerous to the public security. They
were all sentenced to banishment, including the woman."
ADDITIONAL EXERCISE IN THE RELATIVE.
[The numbers correspond to those in the preceding story.']
A. [a) Among my friends is a certain lady who is one of the nicest
and prettiest of women.
Among my friends are people living in H., who are among
the best of my acquaintance.
(6) This lady who is travelling to Europe to-morrow is not
returning.
Beware of those persons who are under police-inspection.
' See note on section D. The action of greeting being not a momentary
one, it is not put into the past.
^ Here, where the continuance of the action is emphasised, the verb is
further strengthened by bi (contrast preceding note).
3 In these three sentences the word which is nominally attached to the
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 207
E.
"wi f hal ma nizil ir rsigil Juft wa;hid jisallim' "^aleih, "^ala
tu:lW ijtabaht' fi:h, ma'^ inni m^a'^rafiuj". (wi r raigil da^-'^J]„
ijtabaht* fi:h lamma_tharre(:)t '^annu ba'^dein, simi'^t_innu kan lu
jadd' fi hadsit is sir'a^btai'^it fulam ba:Ja, <^^ illij 'utri kullu simi";
*^anha).
F.
"wi ba'^dima sallimu '■ala ba'^d, Juftuhum bi jwajwiju" ba'-d,
w illi kan ra:kib il "^arebiija Jawwar li_t ta:ni <^ala be:t m^^alla'
•■ala ba:bu fanuis^ bi_'za:z_alimar, jijbih lukanda. wi '■ala tu:l
raihu Ijtnem '^al be:t illi mit'^alla'' ""ala ba:buj fa:nus Lahmar,^
wi xebbatu "^al ba:b mcirratein, wi fatahit luhum hurma ba:jin
•■ala wijjaha '■alamait' il ?aba:ha wi J Ja'a:wa, wi daxolu l_itne:n
wi_trQdd_il ba:b '■ala tu:l.
" 'umt^ana 'ult' l_illi gih wajjaija, ' ruh xabbat '■al be:t illi
daxaluih ig gamai'^a do:l, w_utlub m^'ablit ir raigil illi bemak wi
be:nu ma'^rifa, wi tannak ithaddit wajjaih lamm_a'gi_lkum, w_iw''a
jitxdbba'* minnak.' 'am sallibna ma kaddibj' xabdr wi ra:h "iala
tu:l. 'umt ana kallimt il karakom illi fi_n nu'ta di bi_t tilifom
jijaj'ja'^ Ji 'u:wa mil buli:s illi '■andu, wi ja do:b bijngdrrad ma
kammilt il 'ijaira, Llla_w gih 'u:wa mil buliis, fa xattuhum- wi
hagamt' "ial be:t wi zabatna_lli fi:h kulluhum. wi bi t tah'i:'
ma''aihum fi 1 karakoin la'e'naihum kulluhum min bitu:'' is sawre,
illij xilluj 'amn il '^a:m(m). fajiSakam "^aleihum bi n nafj'
kulluhum hatta 1 mdrct kaman."
tamrim ?ida:fi fi 1 ism il mawsuil.
(«) min dimn ashaibi wahda sitt hi:ja min altef is sittait w_
agmalhum.
min dimni habaibi na:s sakniin fi hilwam humma min afdel
ma'^arfi.
(b) is sitt' dijli hi:ja_msafrd bukra 'urubba mij rag'^a.
iw''U min_na:s do:l illi humma tahtLmra'bit il buliis.
antecedent (m'''alla' to belt) really agrees with a, subsequent noun
in its own clause. The whole clause in fact is attached to the antecedent
by means of the adjectival predicate, though it logically has nothing to do
with the antecedent.
4 Or jistaxdbba.
208 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
B. (c) I hailed a lorry which was standing in this place, but it
wouldn't come.
I sent for two carriages which were standing at the stand,
but they wouldn't come.
(d) We caught the train which left at 5 yesterday, but only just.
Catch up those folk who have just started !
C. (e) There passed a girl whom I didn't know, but whom my wife
knew well.
There walked in front of us a lady whom we had met
casually before.
We saw a person whom the people with us knew well.
We saw an Italian woman whom I think you know quite well.
We met a party of people whom I was wanting to see very
much.
We met a party whom Zeynab was wanting to see.
(/) So we did see Mohammad whom you like so much!
The person you met chez-nous to-day we met yesterday at
the station.
D. (g) We stopped at a palace whose late owner was one of the
notables of the place.
We saw a lot of prisoners whose clothes, poor fellows, were
all in rags.
(h) Where did the lady get down whose carriage we saw passing ?
Where did those people, etc. . . .
E. (i) There met me a female of whom I suspected straight-away
that she was bad.
I enteitained some people the day before yesterday of whom
I had heard that they were the best sort possible.
(j) Aren't you the ones of whom we heard that you were se-
questered in Malta ?
See, 1 am the one of whom you heard that I was sequestered
in Malta.
Aren't you the one we passed that day when you were sitting
in Sidnaoui's shop ?
F. I was dehghted with some houses in H. whose windows had
fine balconies.
Just look at that grand palace over whose gate a crocodile
is hung. [Or "^ala kume:J il bawwa:ba bta'^itha . . . over
the cornice of whose gates.]
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 209
B. (c) na(:)de:t "^ala karro ka:n wai'if fi 1 hitta: di, wala^jdiij jiigi.
talabt '^ctrbijtem ka:nu wa'fim fi 1 maw'af, walajduij jiigu.
{d) lihi'na 1 'atr illi 'a:m mil mahatta s sa'5. . .imba:rih, laikin
bi z zu:r.
ilha' in na:s do:l illi 'a:mu taww' bass.
C. (e) fa:tit "^aleina wahda sitt* ma kuttij" "^arifha, la:kin zogti
"■arfaiha tamam.
mijjit 'uddamna wahda sitt aftikir 'abilna:ha misahijja.
Jufna wahda kam illi wajjama ji'^rafuiha 'awi.
Jufna wahda taljaniija (a)ftikir innukum "^drfinha tajjib.
?abilna gamai'^a kutt* ''aiwuz ajufhum 'awi.
-•abilna gamai'^a kamit ze:nab '^awza_tjufhum.
(/) [Repeat these six sentences {e), placing [il] before antecedent,
and [illi] after.]
adihna Jufna mhammad illi ntu bi_thibbu:(h).
illjntu Juftuih^innaharda '^andina ''abilnaih imba:rih fi 1
mahatta.
D. (g) wi'ifna'^and' sdraija fkam il mdrhuim sahibha ) min
■j kamit il mdrhuima sahbitha la'^jam
ikamu 1 mdrhu(:)mim ashabha J il balad.
Juffi gamai'^a 'usard (masakim !) hudumhum kuUuhum
m'Jdrmata.
{h) Make above {g) definite by supplying [il illi]. '
is sitt illi Jufna "^drbi'jitha fajta nizlit fem ?
in na:s illi Jufna '■drbi'jithum fajta nizlu fem ?
E. (») ?ablitni wahda zanneit fiiha '^ala tu:l innaha battada.
dift' gama:''a '•andi ?a\vwil_awwil_imba:rih kuttLsmi''t
•■anhum innuhum min ahsan ma_jkum.
ij) Make above [i) definite.
muj intum illi_,smi''na ''ankum innukum mahguzim fi maita ?
aho ?ana_lli smi'^tu "^anni ?inni mahguiz fi maita !
muJJntiJJi futna "^aleiki di:k in naha:r w inti 'a'^da fi bank
sidnaiwi ?
F. '-agabitni buju:t fi hUmiija fi Jababikhum tarasinait '■ad.
Ju:f is sdraija 1 'ubbaha_Jli_jn'^alla' "^ala bawwa(:)'bitha
timsa:h !
210 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
as'ila.
(i.) il hikaija di_smi'^taha min mim ? (2.) mim humma
1 muxbiriin w e: Jugluhum ? (3.) '■amal e:h il muxbir lamma
Ja:f ij Ja?i rikib il '■arabijja ? (4.) '■alajan e:h rakkib il muxbir
sahbu fi 1 '■drabijja wajjaih ? (5.) '-drabijjit iJ Ja'i wi'fit fern
wi '■and' be:t mim ? (6.) iwsaf Una 1 be:t. (7.) '■irif eh '^an
ir ra:gil Uli Jtabah fi:h ba'^dima thdrra '■annu ? (8.) mim fatah
luhum lamma xabbatu "^ala 1 ba:b ? (9.) ?al 'eih il muxbir li
Hi kam wajja:h ? (10.) huiwa "^amal zejjima ?al lu ? (11.) wi
1 muxbir "^amal 'e:h fi 1 ha:l ? (12.) "^amal e:h bi 1 'u:wa lli gat
lu ? (13.) wi bLt taft-'i:' wajjaihum fi 1 kdrakom zethar e: ?
(14.) inhakam '^aleihum bi 'e:. (15.) fikrak innjl 'imn il
<^am mazbuit fi masr ?
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 211
For Systematic Grammar. XXX.
1. When it is grasped that [illi] is like an enlarged connective
particle like the second [il] in [il be:t il kibi:r], it becomes
clear why it is omitted after an indefinite antecedent.
Juft il be:t il kibiir, " I saw the big house."
Juft il belt illi (huiwa) kibiir, " I saw the house which is big."
Juft be:t kibiir, " I saw a big house."
Jujt be:t (huiwa) kbiir, " I saw a house which is big."
2. Thus all sentences related to an indefinite antecedent seem
to lack what we call a relative pronoun.
N.B. — [kuH' wa:hid, ajji wa:hid] are reckoned as indefinite.
So [kuU' waihid jitlub ji'bal] means " Every one who asks
receives " ; not [kuU' waihid illi. . . .].
But in [kull_illi jitlub], etc., [illi] is in the genitive ("construct
state"). Similarly [kuUi min....].
3. [illi] can be used by itself, " he who," " him who."
4. [illi] being an indeclinable connecting link, the case of
the relative " who," " whom," " whose," is determined by
a personal pronoun (caUed [il "^ai'id], " the returner ") in
the relative sentence [sila]i e.g. "who," [ir raigil illi misik
il hagait. . .] where the nominative pronoun is concealed
in [misik]: {"whom") [ir raigil illi miskuih il buUis...]
where the objective pronoun is [h]: l^' whose"), [ir raigil illi
beitu "^agabna. . .] where the possessive pronoun is [h].
212 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
XXXI.
Conditional Sentences.
A dialogue about a return from travel.
I.
{Condition alluding to a possible event in the past.]
Anees. I heard to-day that our friend Marcus came back
yesterday from Europe.
Boktor. If he has come {or came) reaUj^ we must go and greet
him. And (even) if he did not come, we (should) have lost nothing.
Gindi. No, he came for certain, for I myself, too, saw him in
the Muski.
A. Well, if you really saw him, there is no dispute as to our
going. But if you did not ascertain him perfectly we shall possibly
have out trouble for nothing.
(II.)
[Condition a supposition which supposes a past event reversed, and
is therefore impossible of fulfilment.]
[Enter the house-servant with a letter in his hand.)
A. Well, here is an odd and wonderful thing. Here is a
letter from our friend Marcus, in which he says that he wiU come
in October, and that the cause of his delay is something in which
there is great advantage to himself.
G. Since the letter is from him, I turn out mistaken in
my view of the man whom I saw.
B. But if he had already started from there, it would be
better for him ; for it gets very stormy on the sea in October.
A. But if he had not stopped on there, we should not have
experienced the pleasure of the news about which he has told us
in the letter.
' Also iza, but not lau.
" kam does not by itself signify the past in conditionals ; the past sense
must be conveyed by a second verb in the past.
3 Or in ma kanj' hadar.
■t Also in. kam also possible for kutt' ( = "if it be that I aaw ").
5 A very useful way of rendering the verbal-noun of any verb by means
of the verbal-noun of kam (kom == " being "), " our being we-go,'' " oar
going."
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 213
it tamriin il waihid wi t talatiin.
gumal Jsrtijja.
m'hawrit lluflu:r mis safar.
I.
ani:s. ana smi'^t innaharda inni seiiibna mur'us hadar
imbairih min_urubba.
bu'ter. in' ka:n gih^ wa la budd, jilzamna_nru:}i nisallim
•^aleih. w in kan ma hadarji' ma xusumaij haiga.
gindi. la:, hadar bi kull' ta'kid, ''alajan ana zaiti kaman
Jnftu fi 1 muski.
ani:s. tejjib iza'^kutt' Juftu tama:m mafij niza:'^ fi ko(:)nna_
nru:h.5 walaikin iza ma kuttij*^ ha"a'tu tama:m jimkin nif^ab
min ger fajda.
II.
[wi fi 1 had ddxdl xddda:m il be:t f i:du gawaib.j
aniis. amma Je gdri:b wi 'amr' "^agiib ! aho da gawarb
min sahibna mur'us, bi_j?u:l fiihjnnu rah jihdar fi_ktoibdr, wi
sabab ta'xiiru 'amr' fih fajda "^dziima lu.
gindi. he:s il gawaib minnu, 'ab'(a)_ana galtam fi nazari
f_illi Juftu.
bu'tar. laikin lau ka:n 'am'' 'abl' dilwa't' min hina:k ka:n
jikum ah'san lu '^alajan bi_jkum fih hawa_kti:r fi 1 bahr fijitoibdr.
A. laikin lau** ma kanj' fidiP hinaik, ma kun'naj Jufna'° 1
farah bi 1 xabar illi 'al lina ''ale(:)h fi 1 gawa:b.
^ Or in. Alternatives : iza kutt' ma ha'-'a-'tuij, or iza kain ma
ha'^a'tuij, or iza ma kanj' ha'-'a'tu. The two last less common.
' lau much better than in or iza. If kam were omitted, the sentence
would be more suppositional and less vivid, " If he were to have started."
Not very good.
8 Better than iza. in not correct.
9 Or lau kam ma fidilj, or lau ma fidilj.
'° Or ma kunnaj nijuif .
214 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
G. In truth, but for our receiving this letter, I wotild not
beHeve that he has not come.
A. Aha, if we had believed, my dear fellow, we should have
had all our trouble for nought.
III.
[Condition a supposition relating to the present. The sup-
position may or may not be a feasible one.]
G. If Marcus were here to-day, he would go with us to Giza
according to our custom every Friday.
B. I think, if our friend were to change his mind, and started
from there with all despatch, it would be better for him.
A. And if he did (does) not change his mind, what do you
suppose would (will) happen to him ?
B. I think his remaining is a danger to him, in consideration
of this affair of the war.
A. No ! If God will, He will protect until he comes safely !
IV.
[Condition alluding to a possible event, in the present.]
G. What is it that you think that Marcus is doing at this
hour in which we are ? But first, three o'clock here corresponds
to one o'clock and a little there.
A. Reckoning so, if he is not still at table, he will just have
risen from table, and gone to rest.
B. And if he doesn't rest after his meal, what will he be doing ?
G. If he doesn't rest after his meal, he'll be reading a little
in a book, or something.
V.
Condition alluding to a future possibility , whether of a real or
supposed event.]
A. When Marcus comes from Europe do you think he'U
get off at Alexandria or at Port Said ?
' lau la ("but for") requires a noun. istilaim is verbal-noun of
istalam. Other equivalents : lau ma kunnaj istalamna, or lau ma
stalamna:J, or lau kunna ma_stalamna:J (rarer : lau ka:n. .. lau ma
kanj...).
^ Or ma kuttij sadda't, which means, however, " I should not have
behaved." N.B. — sadda't often pronounced sadda't.
i Lit. " the not-thing."
•• lau, because the condition is impossible, in and iza would both sug-
gest possibility.
5 Omission of kam would make meaning = " he will go."
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 215
G. ha>'a lau la„stila(:)mna' 1 gawaib da, ma kuttij asadda'''
innu ma ga:]".
A. aho lau kunna eadda'na ja habi:bi kmma ti'^ibua ''ala
'?alla3 Je.
III.
G. lau'^ kam mur'us hina_nnaharda kan' jiraill wajjama^g
giiza hasab ''a(:)ditna kuU' jo:m gum'^a.
B. 'aftikir lau gajjctr* sohibna fikru wi 'am min hinaik f
a'rab fursa, jiku:n ah'san lu.
A. w_in'' ma gajjdrj'^ fikru wala gaj, jig'ra: lu 'eh ja'^ni ?
B. aftikir, u'^aidu xatar "^aleih naaaran li mawdu:'^ il Iiarb
[nr bi n nisba li. . . .).
A. la:, in Ja 'aiiah, rabbina jistur li haddima ji:gi bi s
sala:ma.
IV.
G. illi tiftikni 'inn' mur'us bi ji'^mil e: fi s sai'^a di_lli_lina
fi:ha? 'abl' kulU Je:, 'is sa:'^a talaita hina tiwa:fi' wi_tna:sib
is sai'^a wahda wijwajja hina:k.
A. '^ala kida in' ma kanj' lissa bi ja:kul, ja do:b jiku:n 'a:m
mil 'akl' wi ra:h jina:m.
B. w_in ka:n'° ma_b jinamj' ba'^d il 'akl, jiku:n bi ji'^mil e:h ?
G. in ma kanji'° bi_jna:m ba'^d il 'akl jiku:n bi ji'ra Jwajja
fi kta:b walla ha:ga.
V.
A. lamma ji:gi mur'us min urubba tifrikru jinzil '^ala_skindi-
ri:ja walla "^ala bur sa''i:d ?
* This condition not being inapossible we may have iza gajjdr or iza
ka:n jigajjir. Also, lau ka:n jigajjdr.
' Or lau, or iza.
8 Or w in (w iza) ma kan J' jgajjdr fikru. .. , or w in (w iza) ka:n
ma gajjdrj. But in these cases lau is not permissible because the meaning
would then be, " if he had not changed."
9 Or iza, but not lau.
'° Or iza. Notice the alternative positions of the negative. The positive
would be in (or iza) ka:n bi jna:m, "if he is (actually) sleeping."
2l6 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
B. I think the probability is, as I suppose, that he'll get off
at Alexandria, for his relations are there.
A. If he really got off there, I'd go meet him at the harbour,
for I shall be in Alexandria during October. But if he doesn't
get off there I shan't go and meet him at Port Said, for it would
be a most wearisome errand.
B. If he does get off at Alexandria, he'll stop a few days at
his relations ; so if you are to be found there at the time you will
go to him.
A . Of course, if I should be there, I go to him, that's certain.
If I'm not, then it's not my fault.
[Here, lo and behold, enters Marcus.]
M. Good-day to you ! [All rise dumbfounded.']
A. What's this ! Marcus??
M. WeU, this is odd ! Why of course, is it his ghost ?
B. Why, I said that I saw him himself in the Muski.
G. Why, my dear feUow, there arrived only this moment a
letter from you, that you were still in France, and were coming
in October !
M. The will of Providence ordained that I should come at once,
in consideration of the present state of things. And, in any case,
I sent you a cable.
A . In truth, had that cable reached us we should have spared
ourselves all this argumentation.
:je H( H^ 4= :{c
The Reader. But in that case we should have missed a great
lesson upon the conditional particles !
' Or iza.
^ Or aruih a''ablu, " I will go and meet them." The other construction
(ruht) is more hypothetical in meaning. Notice the complete absence of
past significance in the " past " tenses in the sentence in nizil, ruht ;
cp. the English " if he landed, I'd go," where " landed " is quite timeless,
though past in form. Also possible : in kan jisahh' w jinzil, aru:Ii
a'ablu ; here ruht is inadmissible.
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 21']
B. aftikir il gailib "^ala zanni 'innu jinzil ''ala_skindiri:ja,
"'alajan 'arajbu hinaik.
A . in' sahhLw nizil '^ala hina:k ruht 'abiltu^ fi 1 mi:na. "^alajan
rah^akum fi_skindiri:ja fi J JahrLkto:bdr. la:kin iza^ ma nizil JL
hna:k m_aruhj a'ablu fi bur sa'^iid "^alajan jiku:n mijwair mut"^ib
giddan.
B. iza ka:n jinzil* "^ala skindiriija ha jifdal kam jo:m "^and'
?arajbu, fa 'in' kutt' tinwigid^ hina:k wa'taha tib'a_t'ruh lu.
A. bit tab*^, in''_inwagatt' hna:k rah't' lu. w_in ma_nwagat-
tiJ^ ma_b jaddi hida^ !
[wi fil had illa_w mur'us xdjji ''aleihum.]
mur'us. naharku sa'^iid ! [?a:mu kuUuhum mafgu(:)'i:n.]
ani:s. d_eh da ! inta mur'us ? !
mur'us. amma "^agaijib wi gara:jib ! ummad xajadu ? !
bu'tar. ma 'ultijkum inni Juftu fi 1 muski_b za:tu !
gindi. ja 'axi, da_wsilna gawa:b minnak dilwa't* bass,
innak lissa f firansa wi ga(:)j fi_kto:bar.
mur'us. ira.'dit rabbuna hakamit '^alaij_a:gi hadan nazaran
li 1 hada 1 hadrd. wi "^ala kull* had ba'^att'Jku talligraif.
ani:s. ha"a lau wisilna_t talligra(:)f da kunna waffdrna "^ala
nafsina 1 m^naz'^a di kuUaha ....
-|C 5p *(C ^ ;|C
il 'a:ri. walaikin fi 1 hal da kan rah minna_hna ddrsLkbiir
fi mawdu:"^ 'adawait ij Jart !
3 Or in, or as in next sentence, see note (2).
■» Or iza nizil, in nizil. s or iza.
6 in inwagatt, iza_nwagatt.
7 See note (3).
8 Or w_in ma kuttij anwigid, or in kutt' m_anwigidj. (The
constr. with kam not so good.)
9 Or ma_b jaddilj' hida. Lit. " there is in my hand no device."
2l8 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
as'ila.
(i.) inta simi'^t e: "^an mur'us ? (2.) in ka:n badar sahi:h
jilzamna ni'^mil e: ? (3.) iz zejj itha"a'tu innu lissa fi blad
bdrrct ? (4.) eih illi 'a:lu mur'us fi gawaibu ? (5.) "^alajan
'eh lau kam mur?us 'am min hinaik 'abl' dilwa't kam jikuin
ah'san lu ? (6.) kuttu ti''milu 'e: lau kam mur'us ha:dir? (7.)
is sai'^a talaita hina_twa:fi' kam fi 'urubba ? (8.) il gadib
mur'us kam bi ji'-mil e: sa'^it ma kam asliaibu bi jikkallimu '^annu
f masr ? (g.) e:h id dai'^i Hi juigibalc li_m''ablit mur'us aw 'illit
m'?ablitu ? (10.) '^alafan e: istdgrab mur'us konkum ma
kuttu: J mintizrimu ? (11.) lau kam it talligraij wisU, kunnajina
stafadna ?
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 219
For Systematic Grammar. XXXI.
RULES FOR CONDITIONALS.
1. The " if " particle must always be followed by a past,^ either
the auxiliary [ka:n, kutt, etc.], or some other past. But
this " past " does not express past time.
2. If the thing to be expressed is
{a) a supposed event in the past, [kam], etc., must be supple-
mented by a verb in the past, [in, iza,J not [lau]).
(&) a supposed event in the present, [ka:n], etc., must be supple-
mented by an aorist with [bi]. ([in, iza] not [lau]).
(c) a supposed event in the future, or a pure supposition,
[kam], etc., must be supplemented by an aorist without
[bi]. But here an alternative is possible : [kam], etc.,
may be dropped, and the verb in the apodosis be put into
the timeless "past " tense, e.g. [iza (in) kuntu ti:gu,
ni'abilkum, or iza (in) ge:tu, 'abilnaikum]. ([in, iza] ;
for [lau], see note (3).)
3. Only if the condition expresses a past impossibility does the
past verb in itself convey a past meaning, e.g. [lau^ ra:h =
" if he had gone." But as this might also mean present
impossibility ("if he were to go"),^ it is better to add here
also the auxiliary : [lau kam ra:h].
4. The answering clause to this may be either a past tense, or
a past with [kam], etc., or [kam], etc., with aorist : e.g.
[lau kam ra:h ruht ana kaman ("I should also have gone")
{or kutt' ruht or kutt aru:h)].
5. When two verbs occur together the negative may be attached
to either : e.g. [lau kutt' ma ruhtiij or lau ma kuttij" ruht].
6. [kam] may be used impersonally, e.g. [iza kam ruht] "if (it be
that) I went." But with the negative this construction is
to be avoided.
■' Only lau is rarely found followed by an aorist.
^ iza with auxiliary also possible ; but not in. Ex., iza kam ra:h,
" if he had gone."
3 lau raih suggests that he will not go — the hypothesis is improbable
or impossible, in rQ:h (or iza) suggests that he might quite possibly go.
220 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
XXXII.
Concessive Clauses. Indirect Questions.
A letter of congratulation from one friend to another on the occasion
of his success in an examination.
My dear Sa'd,
Although my health is askew and does not enable me to perform
any work whatever, still my love for you has incited me with regard
to congratulating you on your success in the examination for the
certificate of the Baccalaurea this year. I waited to hear of your
success with impatience ; nor was I aware whether the result
had appeared or no, nor, on the supposition of its having appeared,
was I aware if you had passed or not. And over and above this I
was not clear whether you had good hope of passing or no, because
I heard that you had been very seedy while going through with
the examination. And when I heard to-day that the result had
appeared, I sent the servant to the Ministry, and bid him meet
one of the employes whom I know, and say to him that I had
heard that the list of names of the successful was complete, and
that I was longing to hear whether so-and-so's name was among
them. So forthwith the servant went and quickly returned with
the news of your success, and that you passed the examination
with all ease, in addition to your having got high marks in all the
subjects. So it occurred to my mind, even though you had easied
off in your study a bit during the year, you would all the same have
passed. In special sort do I congratulate 5'ou on having succeeded
so brilliantly, though you were ill during the examination. I beg
you to inform me about your help, even though there is trouble
for you (to do so).
And may you remain.
Your friend's
Faheem Fahmi.
^ Inf. of hanna. ^ mina(:)s(a)ba, inf. of III.
3 Inf. of ?a:m.
4 The termination is a classical relic denoting the genitive of an indefinite ;
only found after ajj when followed by kam = ' whatever it be.''
5 Lit. " longing," see milta:' below. ^ Qj- kutt.
7 The infinitive is xdstaka, " seediness."
* Notice that in the Arabic the auxiliary kamit is dispensed with, as
the pluperfect is fixed by the past " simi''t."
9 Inj. of ni., 'a:bil, or amdrtu ii'a:bil.
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 221
it tamriin Litnem wi t talatiin.
xiteib tahnijja' min habi:b li sadii'u hi mnasbit^ nagaihu
f imtihain.
■^aziizi sa'^d,
ma'' ko:n sihhiti munharifa wala tsa:''idni:J "^al -"ijaim' bi ''ajji
Juglin'^ ka:n, laikin ij Joi'^^ nahwak hamalni "-ala 'inni 'ahanniik
bi nagaihak fi_mtiha:n Jiliaidit il bakaloiria s sa'na: di. ana
ntazart asma'' bi nagaihak bi furu:g sabr, wala kuttij a'^lam iza
ka:n in nati:ga zahdrit walla la:, wi '^ala fard' lau kamit zahdrit
m_a''lamj iza ka:n^ nagaht' walla la:, wi ''ala:wa '^ala kida ma
kuttij afham iza ka:n ''andak "^ajam bi n naga:ll, am la, he:s simi'^t
innak kutt' mxdstik'' -"awi wa't' ta'dijjit_il_imtilia:n. wi lamma
_smi'^t innahdrda inn in nati:ga zahdrit' ba'-att il xddda:m li n
naga:ra wi 'amertu bi m'ablit' wa:hid mil mistdxdimi:n 'a''rafu,
wi_jqul_lu inni smi'^t inn' kajf^asma n nagiii:n tamm, wjnni
mijta:' asma"^ iza ka:n ism' fulain fi:hum. wi '^anha ra:h il xddda:m
wi gih 'awa:m bi'° xabdr naga:}iak, w_innak mdrre:t fil_imtil5a:n
bi kuU' suhu:la, fadlan "^an ko:nak" xdtt' nimdr" "^alja fi kull_il
'^ulu:m. fa xatar bi ba:li hatta walau rajjaht' nafsak fi 1 m'zakrd
Jwajja fi ?asna_s sana kutt' bdrdak nagaht. wi_b no(:)'^ xa:ss_
ahanni:k "^ala 'innak'^ nagaht in naga:h il ba:hir da ma'' innak''
kutt' ''ajja:n wa'tjljmtiha:n. w_argu:k tifi(:)dni ''an silihatak
w_in'* ka:n fih kalaf ''ala hddritak,
wi dumtum,''
li_mhibbak,
fahi:m fahmi.
'° This bi of accompaniment practically makes the intransitive " come "
transitive ("bring").
"^ N.B. — The jm/. ko:n, (being) enables you to form teMse-infinitives :
e.g. ko:nak xdtt, " your having taken " ; koinak bi ta:xud, " your : act
of) taking (now) " ; ko:nak ha ta:xud, " your being about to take " ;
ko:nak kutt' xdtt, " the fact that you had taken," etc.
" Sing, nimrd, " a mark."
'3 Or ko:nak ; and, conversely, in (2) we might say innak.
'♦ Or walau.
'5 An optative, the '' past " tense being here quite timeless. Optatives
in the colloquial are more usually expressed by the aorist : e.g. 'alia
jihfeieak, " may God keep you ! " where hafazak_alia:h is somewhat
literary.
223 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
Contrast
1 . Will you stay, or go ?
2. Either stay altogether, or go at once.
3. I haven't heard whether you are staying or going.
4. Whether you stav or go, I shall go on working.
For Systematic Grammar. XXXII.
Concessive Sentences. If the "though" clause concerns an
actual event, [ma'' inn] or [ma'' kom], "in spite of the fact that,"
must be used. If it is a supposition, [w_in] or [walau], "even-
if," are used.
Indirect Sentences. When the introducing verb "he said,
commanded, asked, etc.," is past, the tenses of succeeding verbs
are not changed as in English: e.g. I said that I was (originally
""am") longing: ['ult inni mujta:'] or [ajta:'].
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 223
1. biddak tistanna walla trawwah ?
2. ja(:) tistanna "^ala tu:l, ja trewwah hailan.
3. ma smi'^tij iza kutt' ha tistanna walla trswwafi.
4. sawan kutt' tistanna aw tiru:ti, an_atann_ajtigil.
1 . Where the alternatives are in doubt.
2. Or ja 'imma. The second ja may be ja 'imma or walla or aw.
For the presentation of mutually exclusive alternatives, one of which
IS to be selected.
3. Ordinary " indirect question," the subordinate clause being introduced
by iza.
4. sawan, Uterary sawai'un, " equally," which is also heard.
Here the subordinate clause is disconnected from the principle one.
224
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
SKELETON CONVERSATIONS.
The following outlines for talks on specified themes are intended
to help the student to break new ground in conversation for himself.
This he should be always trying to do, as exclusive application to
text-book work has a weakening effect. The themes must of
course be talked through with the teacher.
The vocabularies supplied are arranged according to a natural
progress of thought.
It would be easy for the student to multiply these sketches
for himself. He has only to think out a conversation on some topic,
write out the vocabulary which he foresees he wiU need, get his
teacher to fill in the equivalents he does not know, and then start
talking it through.
I. Summer Holidays.
[a) In
Egypt.
sea
il bahr il madih
pick up shell(s) lamm is sadafa,
bathe
istahamma
(p. sadaf).
a bathe
subu:h
expedition miJwa.T
play in water
issabbah
Ramleh dr rami
dip
gates jigtas
Raselbar ra(:)s il ba:r
dipping
gatsam
Abukir abu ?i:r
swim
''aim ji'^uim
tent(s) xe:ma xijaim
a good swimmer
"^awwaim
mat-huts dirwa (oysi'iifasa'aijif,)
current
tajjair
ma'^muila min hasiird
deep water
majja_tgarra'
appetite Jahijja
drown
giri? jigra?
coolness tera:wa
rock
saxrd suxuir
damp rutuiba
cliff
garf guruif
high temperature hdroird
pool
birka birak
heat hcirr
shore
Jaiti
hot (of weather) harr ; (of body)
sand
rami
hdrram
spade man'
drd {p. mana:?ir)
great heat Jdrd
dig
fahat jifhat
bask in sun ijjammis
pail
gdrdal gdraidil
reading m'tsl'^a
castle ko:
m kima:m (heap)
novel(s) riwaija riwajait
letter(s) xitaib xitabait
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
225
quay
harbour
customs
expedite
steamer
cabin
sea-sickness
be sea-sick
calm
storm
horizon
Switzerland
climbing
(b) Abroad.
rasiif
mi:na
gumruk
xqIIqs ''ala
wabuir il bahr
diwa:n dawawim
doixd
da:x jidu:x
hawa ha:di
hawa_Jdi:d
ufu?
suwisrd
it tulu:'^ fo' il gabal
fi blaid bdrrd.
Austria bila:d in nimsa
Italy italja
Syria suriija, bdrr ij Ja:m
Palestine falastiin
Lebanon il libnam
Jerusalem il 'uds
Hebron il xdliil
Jaffa [jaifa], Nazareth fin naisird],
Jordan valley [il goir]. Salt Sea
[bahr lu:t], Jericho [ariiha], Mt.
of Olives [gabal iz ze(:)tu:n],
Haifa [heifa], Bethlehem [be:t
lahm].
2. Conversation with Child.
I. Pupil{s) tilmiiz (talamza)
school-year sanamadresijja
boarding-school id ddxlijja
day-school
il xargijja
class (es)
fir' a fire'
lesson hour(s)
hissQ hisas
class-room(s)
maktab, makaitib
playground (s)
mal'^ab, malai'^ib
keep order
jihfaz in niza:m
2. Daily routine at School.
routine
tdrti:b
assembly
tabu:r
prayers
is sala
teacher(s)
xo:ga xoga:t
teach
ddrras
punishment (s)
q?a:b(a:t)
punish
"^ai'ib
interval
fusha
3. School Apparatus.
apparatus
adawa:t
chalk
tabaji:r
blackboard(s)
tdxta (tuxdt)
easel
kursi t tdxta
bench (es)
dikka dikak
durg adraig
xarta xurat
rasm rusuma:t
kdrrais kdrariis
desk(s)
map{s)
chart (s)
exercise book (s)
4. Subjects.
grammar (Ar.) in nahu wi s sarf
grammar (Engl.) agrumijja
writing xatt
reading 'ira:ja
arithmetic hisa:b
Scripture kita:b mu'addas
(tawra:)
lesson in religion ddrs diini
spelling higa:ja
spell istahagga, jistahagga
dictation 'imla
dictate 'amla jimli
put questions aPa (jiPi) as'ila
answers agwiba
learn by heart hafaz ge:ban
sewing xijaita
needlework tatriiz {from tarraz)
cooking tsbiix tabx
domestic economy tadbiir manzili
226
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
5. Games.
al<;a:b
drill
gumbaiz
ball
koira
goal(s)
go:l agwa:l
forward (s)
farwad farawiid
backgammon
tawla
dominoes
dumana
draughts
daima
chess
Jatreng
6. Holidays
m°samha:t
7. Outings fusha fusali
Zoo ginent il hajawanait
desert il xala
Barrage il 'anaitir (fumm il bahr)
the Pyramid (s) il hdram
Sphinx abu_l ho:l
museum Lantikxama
Sakkara is ss'^aird
takes us jiwaddima
3. Sights of Cairo,
he shows you over . . .
jifdrragak '^ala. ..
you see over. . .titfdrrag ''ala. . .
take a carriage . . .
tirkab "-drabiija. . .
go on foot. . . tiru:h "-ala rigleik. . .
direct me to the station. . .
"^arrafni tari:' (sikkit) il
mahatta. . .
I. Dragomans
dragoman
they cheat
cheating
pretend to j'ou
to be on your
side
tdragma
turgumain
giJJ
jiddi'-u '■aleik
b_innuhum
fi gihatak
are in agreement with
mittif-'iin wajja
commission ''umuila
shopkeepers bajja'^im
ignorant about their job
guhala fi kd(:)rhum (san''ithum)
guide-book
map, plan
do without . . .
inexperienced
2. Bazaars
dali:l, adilla
rasm (rusuma:t)
xarta (xurat)
tistdgna "-an. . .
9dji:m (gujm)
il xam il xalidi
ETC. manaizir masr.
bargain with fa:sil
you bargain with him tifaslu
brass bazaar su:? in nahhasiin
carving na'J
silversmiths suj j aig (sing. sa(:)jig
worker(s) ssnaj'^i (sanaj''ijja)
tray(s) sanijja (sawaini)
bowl(s) sultanijja {-a:t)
flag-bazaar il xijamijja
tent-maker xijami
tent(s) xe:ma, xijam
mushrabiya xdjab anti:ka
cabinet-maker nagga:r di"i
mufrabiya-worker naggairantiika
carpenter nagga:r sawa:?i
screen(s) haigiz (hawaigiz)
carpet(s) siggaida (sagagi:d)
perfumiers '^atta(:)rim
perfume(s) "^itaira ("^itarait)
3. Monuments asdrait
(a).
mosque(s) gamii'^ (gawaimi'^)
chancel of do. liwam
court of do. sahn ig gaimi''
pillar(s) "^amuid ("^awamiid)
cornice kurneij
arch(es) 'antara ('anaitir)
niche mihraib pibla)
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
227
ablution tank meida
precentor
<^ari:f
ablutions wudu:'
choir-boy (s)
Jammais, Jamamsa
ablute jitwadds?
reform
isla:h
pulpit (s) mimbar mana:bir
Patriarchate
batrakxaina
reading platform (s) dikka dikak
Patriarch
batri:k
sermon xutba
Bishop (s)
us?uf (asa'fa)
dome 'ubba
Archbp(s)
mutram (matarna)
tomb-of-saint Je:x
clergy
'asi:s, 'usu:s
hours of prayer mawa'^iid is sala
endowments
aw''a:f
[il fagr w_id duhr wi 1 '^asr wi 1
Church Council il maglis il mUli
mdgrib wi Hija.]
[d).
(b).
pyramid (s)
hdram, ahraim
city-wall (s) suir (aswa:r)
Sphinx
abu_l ho:l
citadel ?al'^a
temple
biba:n
Saladin salaih id dim
hieroglyph
hi:rogli:f
tombs of Caliphs turab il xulafa
dynasty
■^eda (-a:t)
court (of house) ho:J, dihliiz, fasaha
tomb(s)
mastaba, masa:tib
balcony tdxtaboij
Pharaoh (s)
fir'^om fara'^na
skylight-cupola Juxje:xa
mummy
su:rd
banisters (railings) dsrabzim
obelisk
misalla
reception-room salamlik, ^ai'^a
shaft(s)
bi:r (abjair)
■(c).
Irrigation
ir rajj
monastery(s) de:r, adjura
The Barrage
il 'anatir ilxeirijja
sanctuary (chancel) heikal
Assouan dam
xazzam ?aswa:n
ivory '^a:g
Trunk canal
rajjaih
alabaster ruxa:m
Canal(s)
tir'^a tird<;
mother-of-pearl sadaf
Branch do.
mis'a (masa:?i)
the Mass il 'uddais
smaller trench fahl (fuhu:l)
h3nnn madi:h
smallest do.
'anaija (■'unj)
chanting tdrtid
drain (s)
masraf (masamf)
4. Training of Children, tdrbijjit'
il 'awla:d.
bring up rabba jirabbi
manners
ada:b
be brought up jitrabba
polite
mit'addib
general education tdrbijja
civilization
tamaddun
education tahziib
progress
ta?addum
morals axla:?
be elevated
itra'''a
' The more classical 'tdrbija is quite commonly heard.
228
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
elevation
tarQ"i
obedience
tai'^a
mothers of the future
terrify
xawwif
ummahait il mista'bil
threaten
haddid
influence of mother on her children
threat (s)
tahdiid (-a:t)
ta'si:r il 'umm '^ala_wladha
spoil (pet)
dalla-^
enlightened
mitnawwdr
spoilt (petted)
mMalla-^
enlightenment
tanawwur
thwart
■^aikis
principle (s)
mabda' maba:di
deceive
^^\l jigiJI
high (princ.)
'^alja, ra'ja
deception
9iII
low (,,)
wet] a, safla
(too) severe
'a:si
sound
sahiiha
severity
'asa:wa
bad
xdsiisa
evil habits "■
awajid mazmu:ma
religious teaching ta'^liim di:ni
bad words
alfaiz 'abiiha
moral teaching
adabi
swearing
hilfain
practical
■^amali
swear
halaf jihlif
theoretical
nazari
foulness
'abaiha
scientific
"^ilmi
purity
taha:rd
intellectual
<;a?K
fear
xo:f
application
tatbi:'
chastise
?addib
apply principles
practically
chastisement
taMi:b
jitabba? il maba:di '^al "^amal
stick
•^asaija
good example
?udwa hasana
reward [vb.)
ga:za jiga:zi
The parents
il waldem
reward (noun)
giza(:)
mistake
xata?
favouritism
muha'ba(:h),
respect [vh.)
ihtaram
muhabijja
respect (inf.)
ihtira:m
truth (fulness)
sid>
disrespect
ihta^dr, ihti'air
lying
kidb
disobedient
"^aisi
generosity
kdram
disobey
'^asa ji'^SQ
generous
kari:m
disobedience
*^isjam
stinginess
buxl
obey
taiwi"^
stingy
baxiil
obedient
m'taiwi'', muti:*^
selfishness
mahabbit iz za:t
5. A House.
(«). The Architect il m'handis | quantities
ma'adiir
draws plans
jirsim rusumait (&). The Builder il banna
measurements
misa:hd building '^nfin.
) buna
estimates
ji^adddr
bina
estimate
ta?di:r
bina:ja
materials
mawa(:)dd
building (subst.
bina:ja, '^ima:ra
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
229
buildings
lay foundations
(unworked) stone
(worked) do.
brick
mortar
cement
plaster
lime
wall(s)
roof
corner(s)
abniija, binaja:t
wads'' ?asa:s,
gada:r
dabj
hag or
tu:b
mu:na
asmant
gibs
giir
he:t (hetsm)
sa'f, sutu:h
zawja zawa:ja
(c). After the
painters
colour-wash
paint
to paint
woodwork
furniture
furnished
furnishing {inf.)
building
na"a(:)Ji:n
gi:r
buija
jin'uj, jidrab
xajab
farj
^afj
mobiljait
'asais'
mafru:J
farJ, ta'si:s'
6. A
(a). The Composition it ta'liif
the author il m^'allif
compositions m°?allafa:t
style uslu:b, inja
inventive-faculty 'ari:ha
imaginative faculty
'u:wit il m'xajjila
riwa:ja (-a:t)
novel (s)
article (s)
magazine (s)
newspaper(s)
writer(s)
ma'ada (-a:t)
magalla (-a:t)
gari:da garaijid
gurnail garaniil
ka:tib kutta:b
(6). The printing it tab''
press matba'^a mataibi''
compositor gammi:'', saffiif
machine-man tabbi:''
types huru:f
24-point bunt arba*- wi ''ijrim
proof(s) miswadda (-a:t)
broiwa, broiva, bro:fa
Book.
correct sallah
page(s) wiJJ wija:j
sheet of 8 or 16 pp.
malzama malaizim
make-up tabba?
stitch xajjat
cover gata
title ''inwam
(c). The binding it tagliid
binder m^'gallid
cardboard, cloth, leather
kartom, ''umaij, gild
back ka''b
[d). The distribution it tawzi:''
bookseller(s)
colporteur
profit
commission
reader (s)
sale
kutbi kutbiija
m^wazza''
maksab
''umuila
'a:ri 'urra(:)
mabi:''
' From classical root ?66, not 'ss.
230 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
EGYPTIAN ARABIC READER.
PART I.— ANECDOTES, DIALOGUES, AND STORIES.
[A specimen conversation lesson on this first " anecdote " will he
found below. It is intended to indicate to teacher and pupil the sort
of way this Reader shoidd be used. It will thus he seen that lessons
based on these pieces may he conducted entirely in Arabic, and the
pieces themselves explained without the use of English, from a very
early stage indeed.]
A. The Teacher. B. The Pupil.
A. Read the first anecdote.
B. What does " anecdote " mean ?
A. " Anecdote " means a story in which there is a humorous
point (that) makes one laugh.
B. And " humorous-point " means what ?
A. Something odd (which) pleases the hearer.
[The Pupil reads the Story of the Inexperienced Policeman.]
A. " There was once a certain policeman " : " Once " means
'' in the past time " ; "a certain policeman. . ."
B. What does " policeman " mean ?
A. Like those whom we see standing in the streets wearing
the uniform of soldiers, to keep the order of the goers and comers
in the street, — these are policemen (plural of policeman). Do you
understand ?
B. I now understand " policeman."
A . Where did this policeman come from ?
B. This policeman " came from the country." " Country "
means what ?
A. " Country " means the lands of the peasants; opposite
of " big towns." — And this policeman, when he came from the
country, where did he stay ?
B. This policeman when he came from the country stayed
in Cairo.
A . Just so. Had he been there long ?
B. No, he had not been there long : he " had come recently."
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 23!
kita:b il 'iraija.
guz waihid. — fukahait wi mhawrat wi hikajait.
fukahait.
I.
kain mirrd waihid Jawi:J gih gidiid mil 'drja:f. wi lamma
ka:n fi J Jugl' fU karakoin wa"afu:h "^at tilifom "^alajan ja:xud
il 'ijarait. fa mdrrd mil mctrrait lamma da'-'J.l garas wada''_is
samma:''a '■ala widnu wi 'al " mim ? " fa 'al lu " 'ana 1 hikimdair. "
fa rama_s samma:''a min_i:du w_idda ta''zi:m, wi sa:b_il hikimdair
min ge:r fajda.
A. il m^'^allim. B. it tilmiiz.
A. i'ra 1 fukaiha 1 ?awwilanijja.
B. fuka:ha ja'^ni ei ?
A. fukaiha ja'-ni hikaija fiiha nukta tdahhak.
B. wi nukta ja'^ni e: ?
A. Je gdriib jibsit is saimi"^.
[it tilmi:z ji'ra hikaijit ij JawiiJ il gdji:m.]
A. " ka:n mdrrd wa:hid JawiiJ." mdrrd ja'^ni, fi z zaman
illi fait. " wa:Sid J"awi:J. . ."
B. JawiiJ ja'^ni e: ?
A. zejj illi bi njufhum wa?fi:n fi J Jawairi"^ labsiin libs il
•^asaikir, "^alajan jihfazu tdrtiib illi raijili w illi ga:j fi J Jairi'^, do:l
Jawi'Jijja, gam"^ JawiiJ. faihim ?
B. ana dilwa'tLfhimt Jawi:J.
A. iJ Jawi:J da gih min em ?
B. iJ JawiiJ da " gih mil drjaif." drjaif ja'^ni ei ?
A. 1 drjaif ja'^ni bilaid il fallahim, didd il mudun il kibiird.
w iJ J"awi:f da lamma gih mil drja:f nizil "^ala fe:n ?
B. iJ JawiiJ da lamma gih mil drjaif nizil "^ala masr.
A. tamam. kain gih min zamain ?
B. la ma kanj' gih min zaman, laikin gidiid.
232 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
A. In other words, he was still inexperienced. And wheie
was the place of his work ; in the streets, like as we said ?
B. No, his place of work was not in the streets, it was " in
the caracal." What does " caracol " mean ?
A. The " caracol " is the police-station in each part of the
town. Every district must have a " caracol " or police-office.'
B. And who are in the caracol ?
A. There is a chief, called the "Commissioner," and under
him the "Adjutant " and the " Superintendent," and the constables.
— So then, what was the work of this policeman at the station ?
B. It says : " They stood him at the telephone." What does
" they stood him " mean ?
A . It means they ordered him, caused him, to stand.
B. I still don't understand " they stood him."
A. Listen. You are now sitting. Please stand up. See now
I have " stood " you up. Please sit down — now I have " sat " you
down, i.e. made you sit down. — Well then, where did they "stand"
the new policeman ? At the (door of) the Commissioner's room ?
B. No, they did not stand him at the room of the Commis-
sioner. " They stood him at the telephone."
A . They stood him at the telephone for what purpose ?
B. They stood him at the telephone for the purpose " of
taking the messages." What does " messages " mean ?
A . All the requests and orders which come to the station by the
telephone. — So then on one occasion when the bell rang [" he has
rung, I rang, he rings, ring the bell, Ali "] what took place with him ?
B. " He placed the receiver to his ear." Make me understand
the meaning of "he placed."
A. He " put " : as, " I placed the book on the table," i.e.
" I put it on it." And the " receiver " is the thing by which you
hear the voice of the person who is talking with you. — And what
did the policeman say when he put this recei\'er to his ear ?
B. He said " Who ? " i.e. " who is speaking ?
A . Exactly ! and what did the owner of the voice say ?
B. The owner of the voice said " I am the Chief Commissioner" .
Explain to me that word.
I Arabic "eighth," because of the original eight districts of Cairo city.
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 233
A. ja";!!! geijiim lissa. wi mhall' Jiiglu ka:n fe:n, fi J Jawairi"^
bdrdu ?
B. la: mahall' Juglu ma kanji fi J Jawairi'^, kain " fi 1 karakoin."
kardkoin ja''ni e: ?
A. il kardkoin mahall il buli:s fi kull' guz mil madima.
ja'^ni kulli giha la:zim jikum fiiha karakom aw tumn.
B. wi 1 karakom fih mi:n wi mim ?
A. fih wa:hid 'mjjis ismu 1 ma'mu:r, wi taht' minnu il m^'^a:-
win wi 1 m'laihiz wi J Jawijijja. — tajjib, ij JawiiJ da kam Juglu 'eh
fi t tumn ? wa"afu:h fern ?
B. bi j'uil " wa"afu:h "^at tilifom." wa"af ja'^ni e:h ?
A. ja'^ni, amdru:h ji'af, xallu:h ji'af.
B. li hadd' dilwa't' ma_fhimtij wa"afu:h.
A. isma'^. inta dilwa't' 'ai'^id; 'min fsdlak i'af. aho ?ana
dilwa'ti wa''?aftak. tejjib, min fadlak_i?''ud ; aho ?ana dilwa't'
'a'^"^adtak, ja'^ni xdlleitak ti''^ud. — tajjib humma wa'?afu J Jawi:J
il gidiid da fem ? '^and 'o:dit il ma'mu:r ?
B. la:, ma wa"a'fuhj' ''and 'o:dit il ma.''mu:r. "wa"a'fu:h
■^at tilifo:n."
A. wa"afu:h "^at tilifo:n bi xusu:s e: ?
B. wa''''afu:h ''at tilifo:n bi xu&u:s innu ja:xud il ij6ra:t.
iJ(IirQ:t ja'^ni e:.
A. ja''ni kull it talaba:t wi 1 'awa:mir illi_b ti:gi li 1 kard:kon
bi t tilifo:n. — fa mdrrd mil mdrra:t lamma da'? il gdras [da",
da"e:t, jidu", du" il gdras ja ''ali] hasal minnu e: ?
B. "wada"' is samma:''a ''ala widnu." fahhimni ma'^na
wada''.
A. ma'^na wada'' hatt. zejji wada'-t il kita:b '■ala t tarabe:za,
ja'ini hatte:tu ''ale:ha. wi s samma:''a hi:ja 1 ha:ga_lli_b tisma''
bi:ha so:t illi bi_jkallimak. — wi J Jawi:J da 'al 'e: lamma hatt is
samma:''a '■ala widnu.
B. 'al " mi:n," ja''ni " mi:n illi_b jikkallim."
A. tamam ! wi 'al lu 'e sa(:)hib is so:t.
B. 'al lu sa(:)hib is so:t " ana 1 hikimda:r," fahhimni hikim-
da:r ja'Jni e: ?
234 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
A. It means the chief of all the police in Cairo; i.e. the
biggest (possible) person in the estimation of that policeman. —
When the policeman heard the voice of the Chief Commissioner,
what did he do ?
B. When the policeman heard the voice of the Chief Com-
missioner he "flung down the receiver from his hand." — What is
the meaning of " flung " ?
A. The person who " throws (down) a thing and leaves it "
is said to " fling it down." ["He flung, I flung, he flings, fling the
letter into the post-box, Ali."] Well then, he flung the receiver
from his hand " and saluted."
B. What does "saluted" mean?
A. Doesn't every policeman stand like this in front of his
officer, and do like this with his hand ? WeU, that's what this
policeman did. So then, why did he fling down the receiver ?
B. He flung it down so that his hand might be free for the
salute.
A. And did the Chief Commissioner see him doing this ?
B. No. The Chief Commissioner did not see him do this,
because between him and the policeman was a big distance.
A. Just so, and that is the amusing point of the story. And
not only so, but he left the Chief Commissioner speaking to vacancy.
B. I think the language of the Chief Commissioner was some-
thing very grievous on that occasion.
A. Goodness me, we must thank AUah that we did not hear
it. — Well, and what do you think they did with that policeman ?
B. I don't know ; 3'ou tell me.
A. Perhaps they sent him to sweep stables. 'Twould be
better for him.
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 235
A. ja'^ni 'rajjis kuUi 1 buli:s illi f masr ; ja'^ni akbdr waihid
fi nazar ij Jawi:J da. — lamma_J JawiiJ simi'^ soit il hikimdair
"-amal ?e:h ?
B. lamma J JawiiJ simi'^ so:t il hakimdar " rama s sammai'^a
min i:du."— ma'-na rama e:h.
A. illi jiMif haiga wi jsi:bha 'ismu ramaiha. [rama, rame:t,
jirmi, irmi 1 gawaib fi sandu:' il busta ja "^ali.J tejjib, rama s
sammai'^a " w idda ta'^ziim."
B. idda ta'^ziim ja''ni e: ?
A. muj kulli JawiiJ ji'af ?adda:m iz zaibit bitai'^u kida, wi
ji'-mil kida ? aho J JawiiJ da raixar '■amal kida. ba'a rama e
samma:''a leih ?
B. ra'ma:ha "^ajan i:du tikum fadja li t ta'^ziim.
A. wi 1 hikimdair Ja:fu bi ji'^mil kida ?
B. la, il hikimdair ma JafuiJ bi ji'-mil kida, "^alajan ka:n beinu
wi be:n iJ JawiiJ masaifa %awi:la.
A. tama:m, wi.hijja di_n nuktajli_tdahliak fi 1 hikaija.
wi muJ kida bass, laikin sa:b il hikimdair bi jitkallim "^al fada.
B. dzunn kalaim il hikimdar ka:n haiga sa'^ba giddan fi 1
wa't' da !
A. ja salaim! laizim nijkur alia: illi ma smi''na'ha:J ! — alia
tiftikir '■amalu fi J JawiiJ da 'e: ?
B. ana muJ '■airif. ?ul li hddritak.
A. rubbama wad'du(:)li jiknis taht il xe:l wi s sala:m ! ah'san
III!
236 • EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
K2.
waihid hajjaij kan bi jidrsb humairu, fa Ja:fu wa:hid ingiliizi
wi wadda:h_il kardkom, fa daffa'^uih m'xQlfa"^alaJan kam bi jista'^mil
il ?asa:wa ma''a_l hiwam. fa lamma dafa*- il m^xalfa li_^ gaibit
bsss' 1 humairu wi ?al lu, "d_ana ma kuttij "^airif innu li:k ^draijib
hina jihaimu "-annak. ''u:! kattar xerhum kiti:r.''
3-
bi_j''udu inn' waihid fallaih firansa:wi rsh bariiz wi ma kanj'
saba? Jafha. wi lamma ka:n marj' fi Jairi"^ , illa_w Ja:f 'asr' 'ubbaha
xa:lis wi waihid "^askari wa:'if "^aleih. wi 1 ''asr' da kan sdrajit
naibli'jom. fa_l fallaih rah '^andjl "^askari wi sa'alu, " ?e:h il
bina;ja di ja JawiiJ ? " fa gawbuj "-askari (wi huiwa Ja:jfu innu
gajirm) "da wabu:r tihim ja siidi." fa 'al lu "fi baladna bi ju'af
'udda:m il waburait himiir kitiir, wi hina wa:?if waihid bass ! "
V- 4.
waihid fallaih raih il muski wi kam ra:kib huma:ru. wi_
msadfa wi'if il humair 'udda:m dukkam wa:hid sa'^aiti. ■'am 'al
lu_s sa''a:ti " ''a:wuz_eh ja raigil ? ruh min hina." 'am 'al lu 1
fallaih, 'ana muj '■aiwuz ha:ga, bass il huma:r wi'if. ta''a:la_msahu
wi_niddi: lak 'irjem ! "
5-
asad wi ta''lab wi di:b issahbu sawa. wi f jo:m min do:l
xaragu li_s se:d, fa„sta:du human wi 'dmab wi gazad. fa 'aiLil
'asad li_d di:b, " i'sim benna." 'am 'al lu_d di:b, " il humair
li 1 'asad, wi 1 'drnab li_t ta''lab, wi 1 gazad lijja (a)na." 'am
darabu 1 'asad fi 1 had wi mawwitu. wi ba'^dem bass' li_t ta''lab
wi 'al lu "i'sim inta ja_zmidi." fa 'al lu, "il mas'ala basiita. il
huma:r li ga'daik, wi 1 gazad li "^ajaik, wi 1 'drnab li J Ja:j bitai'-ak."
'am 'al lu 1 'asad, " mim ''allimak il hikma di ? " fa 'al lu, " ra:s
id di:b illi te:rit 'udda:mi dilwa'ti ho !
6.
■■drabijja da:sit walad sugajjdr, wi 1 '^drbagi giri bi:ha xa(:)jif.
wi kam Jafha waihid JawiiJ. fa lamma hidru li 1 kardkom '■alajan
il mahdar sa'alu 1 m^'-aiwin, "fern il ''drbagi_lli da:su? " 'am 'a:l
ij jawiij " ma giri j_afandim." " ma '■riftij' nim'ritu ? " "xdttaha
j_afandim." "tajib hi:ja ka:m?" " hala'tem wi nabbuit!"
V 7-
waihid gadiil in'^azam "-and' waihid sahbu '■ala 1 gdda, fcU
nbasat mil 'akl, fa talab min sahbu jiktib lu_zzej bi jutbuxuj
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 237
'akli da. 'am sahbu katab lu_l wasfa, wi ra:h is su:' ijtard lalima.
wi lamma kan ma:Ji fi s sikka ti'^ib, fa 'a'^ad "^alajan jistdrajjah,
wi hatt_il_lahma gambu. illa_w kalb' xa'tafha wi giri, 'am 'al
lu 1 ga:hil " manij middi: lak il wasfa ! amm_aju:f ha tit'buxha
min geir wasfa zza:j ! "
8.
itnem gum masr mil 'drjaif gidiid, wi lamma kainu majjim
fi s sikka Ja:fu madnit gaimi"^ '^alja ?awi. 'am 'al wa:hid minhum.
Ju:f ja: 'axi burg* ba:bil "^aili 'add e: ! " 'am it tami 'al lu " la: t
inta '^abi:t ! di bi:r 'alabuiha "^alajan jinajji'fu:ha fi 1 hawa."
9-
fi jo:m mil 'ajja:m kamit wahda fallaiha '■aguiza rajha l_ii
ni:l "^alajan tigiib majja. wi kam wajja:ha_hma:r. wi lamma
kamit maJja fi_s sikka 'a'bilha walad Ja'i. wi lamma Jafha 'al
laha, "nahairik sa''i:d ja_(u)mm_ul huma:r." 'aimit il faUaiha
'a'lit lu " naha:rak muba:rak ja_bni." wi lamina 1 walad simi'^
il gawab da miji maksuif.
10.
kan fih wa:hid fallaih fa'irr, wi ka:n, 'a:''id fi 'odtu jo;m min
za:t il 'ajja:m jiftikir fi mista'bilu. 'am 'al fi nafsu " ana "^andi
Jwajjit samn, dru:h abi''ha fi s su:', w ajtiri bi ta'manha na'^ga;
wi lamma tudid in na'^ga ha_jkum "^andi gdnam kitiir. wi ba'-dein
abi:*^ il gdnam w ajtiri ba'ar ; wi lamma jiktdr il ba'ar, aggawwiz;
wi lamma_j'gi: li walad, a'gib lu m^'^allim ji'^allimu_l "^uluim kuUaha:
wi ba''dem a''ul lu, " ja walad hat kaza," w_in ma smi'^J' w_aiia:hi
h_ad'rabu bi 1 "^asaija di kida !...." wi fi_l had rafa"^ il "^asaija wL
darab is samn illi kam '■ala r raff, wi xusur sahibna_s samn wi
mista'balu sawa.
m^hawrait wi hikajait.
il ''drbagi w iz zibum.
zi. fa:di ja_(u)sta ja '^drbagi ?
•^dr. aiwa faidi ja si:di_tfaddal.
zi. ta:xud kam min hina li 1 gizi:rd ?
"^dr. '■ajrd sa:g, la:kin "^ajan xatrak tamanja.
zi. la:, ana dajman b_adfa'' xamsa.
•^dr. ma fiij takli:f itfaddal irkab !
zi. nazzil il kabu:d ja_sta. . . .a'ul lak irfa'^u tami "^ajan if
JamsLktiir. . . .su:' bLJ-Jwe:!, '■ala mahlak ! ma tidrabj il xe:l
kida, hara:m '^ale:k.
238 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
"^dr. maho laizim nisu:' bi 1 ''agal "^ajan nillla' il kubri 'ablima
jiftah.
zi. lissa badri, nilha? bLr_ra:ha vSal milaff, inta "^aiwuz
timawwitna !
"^dr. ma txafj ja beh !. . . .haisib ja gada*^ u:'^a riglak ! hasba
ja hurma, u-M wijjik !
zi. wdra ja„ste !
■^dr. liaidir ja siidi !. . . .iw'^a dahrak ja raigil int_a'^ma ?
hi:ja s sikka bta*^! abu:k ?
zi. aho_l be:t, it tami "^alajmailak. . . ."^andak ja_ste
xud (i)Lugrd.
•^dr. d_eh da ! ! !
zi. zejj' ma_ttafa?na, xamas 'uruij sa:g.
•^dr. m_axudj nai'is ''an tamanja malliim waillid !
zi. taixud il xamsa walla la ? balaj kalam kitiir.
''dr [nizil]. inta muj" saimi'' kalaimi ?
zi. jaiid_l karakom.
wa:llid wa:?if. ma'^lehj ja xdwa:ga, iddi: In kaman ?irj.
wailiid tami. "^izzinnak' saraftu taman fingam 'ahwa !
tailit. an_ad'fa'^u min ge:bi !
zi. ta''a:la ja JawiiJ !
Ja. xabdr_e: ja_stQ ?
"^dr. Ju:f il xdwaiga da gajibni hina min a;xir id dinja wi
*'a:wuz jiddimi xamsa saig. !
Ja. raikib min_e:n ja xwaiga ?
zi. raikib min mahattit hilwam.
Ja. tajib bi zijaida "^aleik Lugrd di ja_sta.
"^dr (lil wa'fim). ja na:s intu muJ muslLmim ? muJ Jaifiin il
bdrsiim gaili wi kull' haiga galja ? muJ lldraim "^aleik ja xwaiga ?
zi. jaiid 1 kardkom ummail.
"^dr. ma"^ lehj ! d_ana ra:gil maskim, wi galbain, wi sa-.llib
''ijad kaman ! [il x. ma gawbu-.J] rabbina_jxdlli:k wLjtewwil
■^umrak ! [ma fi:J gawaib] aiiah jixdlli: lak angailak bi gaihjln
nabi ! [bdrdu mafi:J gawaib] . . . [m'bawwiz] ha:t il xamas ?uru:J. . .
[wi huiwa rarkib] xdwaiga bi_l hamm ! ! jiruih jirkab himiir !
'mai lu wi ma J ''arabijjait !
' ''izzinn an anomalous word, meaning "you may reckon it . . .
"it is just the same as if . . . " For example, if a man demanded payment
for a special job done within his working hours, you say i''zinnak.
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 239
hika:jit il kutbi wi 1 barbari.
ze:d (li "^ubeid). ana_sini'^t inn axuik bi_jta:gir fi 1 kutub.
alia hu:wa_b jijtiri kutub ?adi:ma bi 'asd jibihha ta:ni ?
•-ubeid. aiwa mmail, d^aktcir Juglu fi 1 hagait illi zejji di.
ze:d. hu:wa bi jru:li jijtiriihum mil buju:t, walla bi_truh
lu fi d dukkain ?
"^ubeid. bi_truli lu fid dukkain. laikin amm_a'?ul lak "^ala
nadrd sa'^ba giddan hssalit lu ^ursijib !
ze:d. minfadlak ?ulha_nnawalaufi:ha Jwaija '^aleikmin gihatna.
'^ubeid. la ma fihaij lla:ga, an_a'ulha Ikurii bi kull_irtija:h ;
"-alajan hi;ja sahiili sa'^ba la:kinnaha mudhika ?awi.
hikaijit axu ''ubeid.
ana kutt' 'ai'^id fi d dukkam wi 'gai li wa:hid barbari ma'^aih
Juwaijit kutub ?adi:ma tagli(:)dha firangi, wi ''al li "ijtiri do:l
minni." ?umt_ana 'ult' lu " eh do:l ja Jartir." ?a:m il barbari
'al li "kutub ingilizijja firansawijja ana '^airij? ma tjufhum ?
huiwa da Jugli ? " ?umt ana 'ulti lu " inta gajb il kutub do:l min
e:n ? " 'am 'al li " w inta mailak, inta_b tijtiri wal]a_b tis'al? "
wi min Jiddit kalaimu ?umt_ana_z'Jilt, wi ftakdrt' tamam innu
sari^hum, fa nadaht' li J Jawi:J wi 'ult' lu "laizim tiwad'di:
li da_l kardkom." -"aim il "^askari 'abad "^aleih wi rulina_hna_t
talaita 1 kardkom sawa. laikin il ma'muir wi 1 m'^'-aiwin kamu
rawwahu buju(:)tlium "^alajan jinaimu. u ba''dem ddxxolu 1
barbari s sign'_l hadd is subh. wi lamma tili"^ in nahair wi geh il
ma'muir 'am fatah mahdar li_l barbari wi sa'alu gajb il kutub di_
mn_em. 'am il barbari 'al lu "siidi middiha: li." 'am 'al lu 1
ma'muir " il xdwaiga btai'^ak mi:n?" 'am 'al lu, " il 'assi:s 1
ingli:zi_lli_f ba:b il lu:'." 'aim il ma'muir ba'^at li 1 'assiis illi 'ail
"■aleih il barbari, wi gaibu wi sa'alu "-an il kutub iza kainit bita''tu
walla la. 'am il 'assiis 'al lu "amma 1 kutub di bta''ti w_anajli
middihum lu." 'aim il ma'muir 71*^11 ''alajja wi 'al li " ummail
gajbu leh ja magnum ! " 'umt ana 'ulti lu " ma tiz'^alj sa'^attak,
•^alajan Juft il kutub galja xailis wi lamma sa'altu hiija_mn_e:n
ma gab liij siirit il 'assiis abadan! " 'am il ma'muir 'al li "taijib
ja siidi, aho nta hmair il bi'-iid, wil barbari 'ahmar minnak il ab'-ad !
adi ntu "^attaltuina min ger fajda. itfaddalu_t]a'^u ! "
12.
XGiga_b jiddi ddrs li saff* talamza.
u'afu b intizaim! sukuit taim(m) !. . . .ma taxudj il kitaib illi
wi'i'' ja "^ali ! xdlliih dilwa't wi xdlliik wai'if !. . . .u'^'udu !
240 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
mim jitzakkdr mawdu:"^ id ddrs il maidi ? balaj titkallimu
sawa, bass illi ji'^raf il gawa:b jirfa'' i:du wi jxdlli:h sa:kit ; wi ma
haddij jigaiwib illa_lli 'as'^alu. . . .tajjib, inta ja girgis 'u:!. —
intu ja tanjim nazzilu (i)de:kum ! ahibb' lamm(a)_as''al wa:hid,
il ba-'jim jinazzilu (i)de:hum hailan. . . .'u:l dilwaH' ja girgis
la:, ja girgis, inta bi^t'uil "^ala mawdu:'' id ddrs -"abLilli fa:t.
?u:l inta, ja_lli_f ri:hu !. . . .ja girgis, U'"'ud_int_umma;l ! kull_illi
ma_jgawibj' jui^-ud hadan vvala jistannaij wa^iij. ma jsahhij
jikuin fi:h_itne:n wa'fiin fi wa't' wailiid. tajjib ja nagi:b, ■'ud
tama:m ja nagiib; talxiisak fi mawdu:'' il ddrs_illi fa:t kwajis.
t€tlla''U t tawra:. la:kin ma tiftaliuha:J lissa.
intibhu dilwa'ti kullukum ; lau wa:liid xajjdrak be:n asad
majjit, aw kalb' hajj, 'ajji wa:hid milj.tne:n tifaddal ? — aidi su'ad
gdri:b, balaj gawa:b ''ale:h dilwa't, la:kin niju:f 'eh illi jPuil il
kita:b bi_xsu:su.
kuUi wa:Ilid jiftah it tawrs: fi l_asha:ll il "^ijrin min sifr' kaza,
nimrit il wiJJ' kaza min taht. la'e:tu_l ?a:ja kullukum ? lissa
ja girgis ! . . . . 'allib kaman saliifte:n.
dilwa't' ni?ra_l fasl, kull' wa:hid ji-'ra '■adad bLd do:r. ibtidi
ja "-abd ilmin'^im.
''alii so:tak ! . . . . muj ?awi ! . . . . ifsih 'irajtak
dilwe't' nijrah il fasl' da. bussu fi 1 "^adad it ta:ni ; eh
m'nasbit il kala:m fi 1 "^adad da. . . .ja busxaruin, fa:him in nu'ta ?
. . . .tajjib, nitalla'^ ?a:ja fi l_ingi:l tiwaddah lina_n nu'ta i''ra_
nnaj ?a:ja ja busxaru:n ; Jajif wagh_ij Jabah be:n il ajte:n ? . . . .
tamam ! irga'^u dilwa't' li 1 ?a:ja 1 ?awwilani:ja. daj ja'^tu_l matrah ?
ma tdajja''u:J il matrah lamma ttalla''U_J_Jawa:hid !. . . .il 'a:ja di
mhimma, la:zim tit?ammilu:ha tajjib.
e:h illi nif^allimu mil liika:ja di? nitabba' il hika:ja '^ala
'ahwalna 1 hadrd wi '■ala hija(:)tna.
nildxxas il ddrs f_drba'^t_awguh, di:ru balku fi:ha ''i:d
xula:sit id ddrs ja gubrija:n. . . .ja '^ali, du''? U gdras.
i'filu 1 kutub bijwe:j. huttu:ha fi l_adra:g. u'afu ! uxrugu
b intiga:m.
13-
ir raigil illi sa'^a fi 'irda kulli_ii_na:s.
il hika:ja_lli rah ahki'hajkum min mu'tadaiha innjl wa:hid
ma jimkinj jirdi kulli_n na:s. kan fih ra:gil '^agu:z xarag ma''
ibnu wi xdd ma"^ah huma:r rakkib ibnu '^ale:h, wi miji hu:wa
wara:h. ?a:mu_n_na:s lamma Ja'fuh kida ?a:lu " ja sala:m,
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 24I
'amma 1 walad da ma '^anduij Jafa'a wala zo:', Ju:fu z zaj hu:wa
ra:kib wi mxcill(i)_abu:h ir rdigil il '^aguiz maiji." 'aim il wa:d_
inkasaf wi nizil wi rokkib abu:h, wi miji hu:wa. fih gamai'^a
fajti:n lamma Ja:fu_I manzar da ?a:lum ."'ma: Ja 'siiaih! Ju:fu_i
'Qbb_illi ma "^anduij liinnijja_mxalli_bnu ma:j"i wi 'huiwa ra:kib ! "
'aim ir rsigil wi_bnu rikbum il huma:r humma Litnein. wi lamma
n na:s Jaifu kida 'a:lu, " Je '^agiib '^ala d dunja di, Juifu 1 itnem do:l
illi ma jixtijuij rakbim il humair il maskim humma 1 itnem, ma
fi:J fi 'albuhum rahma! ahsan ninabbih '■aleihum bitu:'' g.am''ijjit
ir riP bi 1 hajawanait ! " ba'-dem a:xir ma gilib ir raigil 'al l_ibnu,
"il 'ahsan bij 'ahsan nimji wi_nmajji 1 humair 'uddarrma ho."
'a:mu_n na:s lamma Jafuihum bi J Jakl^ da 'a:lu, " 'amma garaijib
■^ala Litnem do:l_il maganim majjim humma bi nafsuhum wi sajbim
il huma:r fa:di min ge:r ruku:b ! " 'aim il 'abb' 'al, "saimi"^
ja3ni kalaimjn nais ? rikibt il humair wahdak, ma xallashumj.
rikibt il humair ana wahdi, bdrdu ma '■agabhumj. rikibna hna
Litnein, nasa'bu_nna 'asaiwa wi 'illit rahma wi rip. mijiina
hna Litnein, istaxaffu "^a'lina, w ista'-batuina w_istagannuina.
aidi hail id dinja! mahma '■amal il waihid mahuj xaiU mil malaima,
hatta lau kunna JilnaJ humair wijnji'nai bu ! fa laizim il waihid
ji'^mil il waigib illi "^aleih, wi ma jis'alj' fi kalaim in nais."
14-
il m'gdffal wi J Jaitir. </
kan fih waihid ma hiltuij haiga ger hittit humair jijiil "^aleih
wi jif^ajjij minnu. wLr raigil da kan m'gaffal, ja'^ni '^dbiit li
'aixir ddraga. wi f joim min doil kan maiji_f sikka w gairir humairu
wdr'aih bi habl. 'am Jaifu waihid min wilaid il balad ij Juttair wi
'al Lixwainujli wa'fiin wajjaih, "tihibbu 'a'xud lukum il humair
mir raigil da min ger ma_jhiss' wala jidrd ? " 'a'lui lu " tajjib
wdrriina." 'am 'drrab '■al humair wi fakk il habl' minnu bLJweiJ"
wi hattu_f ra''abtu 'huiwa, w_idda 1 humair Lixwainu wi tannu
maiJi wdra 1 m'gaffal Juwajjitem, w_jtwa"af '•an il majj. 'am il
■^dbiit baes' wdraih wjtxadd' w if^afrat lamma la'a_nnu gairir
ibn' 'aidam, wi 'al. "gara 'eih! 'inta miin! ! " 'al lu "gara xeir,
'ana hmairak." 'ail " il kalam da 'eih ! 'izzaj ti'ul humairi wU
hail innak 'insain? da Je "^agiib! " 'al lu, " d ana_hkajti 'a'^gab;
wi hiija...nni fi 1 'asLibn' 'aidam wi lamma kutt'^sgejjdr kutt'
Ja'i wi_f leila mil lajaili za''''alitni 'ummi, 'mnti darab'taha "^ala
rasha. 'aimit da'^it "^alajja wi talabit min rabbina jimsdxni hmair;
wi heis innaha wilijja salha rabbina simi*^ minha wi masaxni_hmair
242 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
wi wa"a''ni taht iidak ; wi_fdi]t '■ala di 1 hail li haddima 'am il
?awa:n w_itzakkdritni ?ummi s sanadi wi ridjit "^alajja w tslabit
min^Qiiaih jiregga'^nij ''asli, w adimi ba?e:t insain, zejjima kutt'
'abl." sahibna_l m'gsffal ddxdl il kalaim fi "^a'lu wi sadda'u wi
'al lu " drguik ja 'axLtsamillni w tisfah '■aiini wi ma_ttaxizniij
■^ala t ta''ab illi sabbib'tu: lak mid darb* wi 1 'azijja muddit xidmitak
"^andi, w itfaddal ba'a min ge:r matruid rswwall Lummak, bass jw'^a
tidrabha tami." 'al lu, " ajkurak '■ala ''ilisa(:)'sa:tak," wi xdd
bd''du tannu ma:Ji, wi silkit il hi:la '■ala sahibna.
ba''d' kida rawwall il m'gaffal "-ala be:tu, min ge:r il humair,
wi lamma_inra:tu sa'a'litu '■an is sabab 'al laha_" skuti, inti mij
"■drfa Ui gara 'eih ? " -"a'lit lu, " w izzaj ratL.a'^raf min ger ma
haddi^j-'ul li ? hu:w_an_a''lam il ge:b ? " 'am hakajhaj. hikaija
mil 'awwU li 1 'a:xir wi hi:ja L.uxra sadda'it il kalaim wi 'aiUt " ja
tdra rabbina_.isamillna "-ala 1 gariima di ! "
ba''d' kida 'a'^ad il ra:gil fi 1 be:t bala Jugl. 'armit maraitu
'alit lu, " wi ba''de:n ja raigil Sa tifdal kida bairik fi 1 be:t ? la
Jugla wala majgala? 'uim ijtiri: lak liumair ge:ru w_is''a "^ala
hailak." 'am ra:li is sui' wijinaik la'a ftmairu za:tu bi jinba:"^.
'am 'drrab minnu wi majjil '■aleih wi wajwiju f widnu wi 'al lu,
" inta detrabt_ummak tami ? manij Jar'i:k il mdr'ra: di ! "
15-
hadsa gariiba. masr, 1915.
min agrab il hikajait iUi_smi''taha 1 jomein do:l, innu di:k
in naha:r kam fih majhad fa(:)jit min Jairi'' m'hammad '^ali "^ala 1
'draifa nawaihi 1 'aFa, wi kan wdra n na"^! kabjit niswam bi j
sawwatu wi b jindibu. wi ba'^dein waillid mil buli:s is sirri_Jtabali
fi 1 'amr, wi fidil 'a{:)tirhum li ftaddima wislum li t turab wi gum
jidfinu 1 majjit. fa kajaf in na'^J wi la'a fi:h 'aslilla wi liagait
tifdr'a"^. wi "^ala kida zabat ir riggailajli kamu JajUm in na"^/ wi
n niswam illi kamu bi jsawwatum, wi waddaihum kuUuhum ''al
kardkom. 'a:m il ma'muir sa'al in niswam " ji'rab lukum e:h il
majjit da ? " 'a'lu: lu, " la ji'rab lina wala ni'^rafu. bass_ir
riggaila do:l nadahujina w idduma kam 'irj, wi 'alujina ta'^ailu
sewwatu wara 1 majjit da, tiksabu sawa:b, lahsan huiwa gdriib
wala lu:J hadd' fi 1 balad." 'am lamma J"a:f U ma'muir min^in
niswam ma "^aleihumj* ha", sajjibhum. amma r riggaila habashimi
kuUuhum.
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 343
l6.
il xdli:fa w abu n nawwais.
wa:hid mil xulafa kan lu nadiim nukatLsmu 'abu_n_nawwa:s,
■wi_f le:la min laja:li J Jita 'al lu_l xdliifa, " aii_ahdi:k hidijja
mu'^tabara, bi Jartjinnak tina:m_il le:la di "^as sutu:h min ge:r
gata wala na:r tiddaffa '^aleiha." 'al " tajjib, 'ibilt," wi raS
na:m bi 1 kefi:jja di, wi gih_is subh jigri "^al xdliifa jitelbu bi 1
hidijja. 'am sa'alu "inta tammimt ij Juru:t?" 'al lu " mma:l
ja malik iz zamain, nimt '^drjain fi "^izz il bdrd wi kutti Jajif na:r
m'walla''a_f be:t bi'^iid ?awi wi -"add eh kutt_ajtihi adaffi git'titi
•■aleiha ! " ?am il xdliifa 'al lu " fisdit iJ Juru:t, li 'innak madaim
Juft' nair laizim iddaffeit "^aleiha wa lau Jwajja_sgQJjdrd xadis,
wi ma tistaha''''ij_il hidijja ! " abu_n_nauwa:s xdd "^ala xatru
w_inga:z fi nafsu, wi habb' jxallas gulbu. 'am ba'^d* kam jo:m
"■azam il xdliifa '■al gdda fi 1 beit id duhr. 'am il xdliifa 'ibil il
''uzuima w raih ; wi fait mi'^aid il gdda wi 1 'akl' ma gaij. 'am sa'al
abuji_nawwais, wi 'al lu, " fein il 'akl ? " 'al lu, " lissa ma_
stawaij." fait 'iimit sai'^a kaman, wi 1 'akl ma hadarj, wi kuUima
jis'al il xdliifa jigawbu 'abu_n nawwais zejji ma gaiwib fi 1 'awwil,
li haddima zihi' il xdliifa, wi talab jijuif il 'akl fein bi jintibix.
'am xddu 'abu_n_xiawwais '■ala Jagdrd, wi 'al lu, "aho_l 'akl' foi'
iJ" Jagdrd, wi di n nair gamb' gidraha." 'am iltafat luj. xdliifa w
'al " ja raigil ja magnum, iz zaj tintizir inn_il 'akl jistiwi bi 1
keifijai di!" 'al lu " w_inta z zaj tintizir inni kutt_addaffa "^ala
n nair illi Juftaha min bi''iid ? ahi wahda_b wahda." 'am il
xdliifa fihim in nukta w mait mid dihk wi 'an'^am "^aleih bi_hdijja
muftaxdrd.
17-
fisail bein taigir wi_z'buinu. i/
taigir. ahlan wa sahlan ! nahama zejj_il 'ijta. itfadded
ja xawaiga.
zibuin. "^andak sagagiid "^agami mil "^ail ?
tai. ummail, '■andina kuU' haiga. itfsddetl istdrajjah. ha:t
'ahwa ja walad.
zi. wdrriini ^saggaida '■agami zejj' talatt_imtair fLtnein.
tai. adi wahda bij. ma'ais da tamaim, nimrd waihid !
zi. lo(i)nha ji'^gibni, laikin il 'umaij wihij.
tai. itfaddol wahda gerha he ! ma fiij uxtaha 'abadan !
zi. bi kam tibi''ha ?
244 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
ta:. itkallim xslaisak. injaiia_t'u:l bi 'irj' waihid! be:n
il baiji"^ wi J Jairi jiftah 'aiia.
zi. la:, itkallim inta ! min bu''''ak_alila.
ta:. dijb ''ajra_gne:h. innama '■alajan xatrak bi tamanja.
zi. ja sala:m ! it taman da 9a:li 'awi. ma tiswa:J zija:da
'^aii_drba'^a.
ta:. dij. geirak bi tna:Jar ! di_rxi:sQ xa:lis. il 9a:li tamanu
fi:h, '^ala ra? j_il masal " ja mistdrxas il lahm '■and il mdrd'a tindam ! "
zi. di f nazari ma tiswaij aktdr min dr'ba'^a, aw bi_l kitiir
arba''a_w nuss.
ta:. itfaddetl xudha. an_addi'ha: lak min ger fLlu:s xa:li&.
zi. il '^afw ja siidi kattdr xe:rak.
[siktu habba sgajjdrd.]
^ zi. Ju:f. ni'sim il balad nusse:n ; adfa"- xamsa gne:h.
ta:. la:, kalam bi'^i:d, muj li_l bi:*^.
zi. ja si:di ana tamalli b_ajtiri:ha_b xamsa.
ta:. jigu:z ; bass' muJ mis sanf da. di_bda:'^a wa:rid
biladha, in laffeit is su:' kuUu ma tla'i:J minha. v/i ma'^ za:lik ruh
''abla_(i)s''al fi s su:' 'ablima tijtiri.
zi. ma ti'^milj' zejj_il migla'wa:nijji:n ja Je:x ! ana muJ
mis sawwalli:n. ana_bn il balad wi '^a:rif 1 atma:n wi 1 as''a:r zejjak
tamam. wi kaman agib lak zaba:jin kiti:r.
ta:. ahlan wa sahlan. bass' muJ bi t taman da.
zi. ta:xud xamsa w nuss ?
ta:. ja si:di balaj m'nakfa. hina kala:m wa:hid wi_t taman
malldu:d zejj id dakaki:n il '^alja.
zi. deh da ! . . . .a'ul lak, addi: lak sitta gne:h ilia rub"^.
ta:. jizhar innak muJ Ja:ri. fisa;lak da ma jgibj' nuss it
taman. w_ai'ia:h_il "^aziim di '^alajja b_aktdr min kida ! inta
"^awuz tixassdrna. muJ hara:m ?
zi. ma_tbi:'^ il be:'^a di ja Je:x ! id dinja wa'fa wi ?azma.
ba. ikra:mak "^andi. addi'ha: lak bi tamanhaj 'asli wal_
aksabp minnak. ha:t sab''a_gne:h, a:di 1 fa(:)tu:rd he !
zi. Ju:f ; a:xir kala:m sitta_gne:h wal_azidj' malli:m wa:liid.
xal'lasak walla la ?
ta:. da nta ja si:di bi tijjattar ''ale:na ■'awi. ma jxallasni:J.
[''a:m iz zibu:n jirawwah.]
ta;. [ragga'^u] ta'^a:la t'^a:la ja xawa:ga, inta_z<^ilt ?
[rigi'^ iz zibu:n].
zi. "^ajiz e: ja si:di.
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 245
ta:. tidfa'' sitta w nuss, walla la ?
zi. ma 'ult' lak ja fe:x sitta gneih waLazidJ' 'irj' wailiid.
ta:. [bi lahgit huzn wi wijju_mkajjdr] xud. ha:t il filu:s;
wa lau inni xasrem. di bi:*^ wi Jird jizahha'.
zi. la:, inta kasba:n kwaijis in Ja 'aiis:.
ta:. [zeji' wa:hid mit-'assif 'awi] xud ja si:di.
[ba'^d* mirwaill il xawa:ga.]
it ta:gir [li Jariiku]. xud. adi hna ksibna ji:gi_tne:n gine:h.
kattdr xe:r sshibna.
Jari:ku. di ''a:mil ru:hu innu fa:hiin kuU' ha:ga.
[fi t tarasiina bdrrd lu:kandit Jabat.J
iz zibu:n. amma '^amalt' fisa:l kwaijis innahdrda fi 1 xa:n
il xali:li. il bajja:'^ 'awwil kala:inu itna:Jar gine:h, wala:kin fa:siltu
fisa:l sa''b' giddan, wi nazziltu gasbin "^annu, w intahe:na '■ala
sitta gne:li, la:kin bi n nabbu:t. tanzi:l nuss' kala:mu ! ?eh fikrak ?
sahbu. ma: Ja ?aiia: ! amma_nta mujtari Ja:tir !
iz zibu:n. il "^afw ; bass il wa:hid la:zim ji'^raf ji'^a:mil ig-
gama:'^a do:l iz za:j .
" i8.
masr wi 1 masrijji:n.
bi_j'u:lu inn' wa:}iid masri ka:n ga:j min bila:d bdrrd wi_tsQ:dif
innu sta'-raf bi wa:hid mis_su(:)wa:li il ''imrika:n illi fi 1 mdrkib
(wabu:r il baSr), wi ka:n ga:j li_bladna bi ''asd'_jju:f il ''antika:t
il masrijja ('a(:)sa:r il fara'^na). 'am ''al is sawwa:ll li LafandiJ.
masri " hu:wa hna wisilna li bur sa''i:d ? " 'am 'al luj. masri
" na'^am, w_a:di 1 mi:na 'uddamna he ! m_antaj Ja'jifha ? "
wi ba''d' Jwajja nizlu fij madi:na. ''a:m is sawwa:h 'al li 1
masri " Juf libs_in na:s izza:j ! ginsuhum 'eh do:l ?
masri. do:l il wQtQnijji:n bitu:'' il balad.
sawwa:h. "^ism il libsLbta'^hum da 'e:h ?
mas. ismu 1 gallabijja ; wallaj 'ufta:n.
saw. wi leh ma jilbisu:J badla zejj' di ?
mas. "^ ala Jan biladhum hdrr' 'awi, wi 1 badla_t'i:la, xusu:san
f i s se:f .
saw. tajj 'b wi fe:n il burne:ta ?
mas. aho t tarbu:J bidalha.
saw. wala:kin dajndirrLf wa't is se:f "^alajan ma fij ha:ga_
thu:J is sams zejj il burne:ta.
mas. sahi:h, "^andak ha". wala:kin ikminnu 'asl_il libs'
turki fa mij '^awzi:n jigajjdru:h.
246 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
saw. 'eh "^ala'^ithum bi t turk' dilwa't' ba'^d illi hasal
•^andukum ?
mes. ja sajjidi, inta muj "^airifjnn' di:n it turk' huiwa 1
'islaim. fa ma fi:J ha:ga 'ilia mas-'alit id di:n.
saw. di:n masr' 'eh hu:wa ba'a ?
mas. di:n masr' hu:wa 1 'islaim.
saw. ummad fem il masirhijim bitu"^ masr_illi_smuhum
l_a'ba:t ?
mas. do:l_adadhum sugajjdr bi_n nisba li 1 muslimim wi
'^ajan kida dim il huku:mcL_r rasmi huiwaj 'islaim.
saw. ''add_e: "^adad il muslimim ?
mas. "^adadhum ze]'j_ihda:Jdr miljom. wil 'ibat miljom
ta'riiban.
saw. ja salaim da kam '■adad l_a'ba:t kiti:r 'awi ! gdrajhum
'e: hatta ba'u 'add' kida ?
mas. hu:wa_nta ma 'dretj' '■an l_idtiha(:)da:t wi 1 mada:-
bili illi hasalit luhum zamam, Juwajja mil 'drwa:m wi Jwajja mil
muslimim ? wi_b Lixtisa:r kull' 'umma ti:gi masr tirkab ig
gamai'-a L.a'ba:t il masakim.
saw. alia '■awajid in na:s hina 'eh hiija ?
mas. "-awuz ti''raf ''adaithum w_axla:'hum ? issawwdr
'umma mu''zamhum fu'drd wi muJ mif-allimim, jikum halha_z
zaij, in kam fi 1 'akl' 'au fi J Jurb' 'au fil libs ? tiftikir ji'^rafu zzaj
jit'^matta'^u bi d dunja ?
saw. kam fi 1 mi:ja mif^allimim ?
mas. ti'ddr ti'uil bem tamanja wi "^ajdrd '^al 'aktdr.
saw. da_hna ta'riiban miija ''ala miija au jimkin tis'-a wi t
tis''im fi 1 mi:ja ! — w_afka:r ig gama''tem 'e: bLxsu:s_is sija:sa ?
humma mittif'im walla la: ?
mas. fi 1 ha'i:'a_lli muJ mif-assabim miLitnem bi jhibbu
hukuima dustu(:)ri:ja naf-a. walaikin "^adad il gamai'^a do:l
'ulajjilim, wi 'amma 1 ba:'i fa minhum sija'sithum inkilizijja,
wi minhum sijasithum turkijja, wi minhum sijasithum Jdxsijja,
wi di sijaisit gama:''a 1 kuba:r illi ma_bjijtiglu:j iUa "^alajan masla-
'hithum ij Jdxsijja.
saw. ja sajjidi, ma t'ulj' kida !. . . ."^eib ! da hddritak
maeri !
mas. an_a'u:l il ha" wa law kam ''al(a)_abu:ja. ana lamma
b aju:f riga:l il hukumait it tanja bLjJtiglu bi zimma wi 'amama
li manfa'^it watanhum til'am(i)_anga:z fi nafsi, w a'u:l, " emta
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 247
rabbina jiminn' '^aleina bi na:s ma tkunji luhum gsija 'ilia xidmit
il'ummawilwQteui. ! "
saw. Ju:f ja 'axi, kull' ?umma mahij mif^allima ma ti'^rafj
titailib bi_h''u:''ha izzarj, wi "lalajan kida kubdrkum bi jiFabu^ku.
mas. ba'a 'ul li min fadlak, ji'^mil e:hjl fallaih il maskiin
illi bi jjtigil b^arba"^ 'uru:J il jo:m wi "^andu 'drba'^a mil "^ija:!,
jiwakkilhum bi ?e:h, wi j'^allimhum bi 'e:h.
saw. hu:wa_ntu ma "-andukuij midairis ibtida'ijja maggainan
zejji kuUi 'umma ra'ja ?
mas. gi:na_n nu'te sa'^ba. Ju:f ; ana saba' ■'ult' lak inn'
nais fi huku:mit masr bi jjtiglu_n nafsuhum. wi muj mumkiii_
abadan jitnazlu ''an marakizhum wi jdabbdru majru:'' bi:h
ji'-allimu 'awlaid il fallahim il masakim. doil badal kida '■awziin
jidusuma bi 'idrabija(:)thum wi 'o:tomobila(:)thum. a'ul lak,
rabbina mawgu:d !
saw. wi le:h_il 'dgnija ma_b ji'^miluij mada:ris, wLj'^aUimuJ
'awlaidil fu'drd ?
mas. a'ul lak_e:h ? do:l il 'agnija bi_jmu:tu '^ala fulushum
wi xajfim ahsan jiPdru ; faj'udu fi nafsuhum, " wi hna
majma jif'aUimu walla ma jif-allimuij ? injalia ma^f-allimu ! "
saw. in Ja 'aiia: nit'aibil bukrd "-alajan as'alak fi mawddi:^
tanja ahibb astafhim minnak '■anha.
mas. haidir, ana mista''idd, kull' haiga thibb' tistafhim
"^anha, 'afiidak bi 'add^il 'imkain. ma'-a s salaima !
saw. 'alia jisallimak.
19.
m'nazrd.
mawdu:'^ il m^nazra, e: 'aSsan Jugla ji'ddr il gada'' il masri jixdim
bi:ha bilaidu.
di:k in nahair kutt' ?a:''id wajja wa:hid narzir madrasa hurrd
(ja'^ni ma hija:J mi:ri), w_itsa:dif innu ka:n "^andu saba'^ talamza
min_illi xallasu '^ilmuhum wi '^awziin jijtdgdlu. 'am sa'al kull'
wa:hid minhum '■an 'ahsan Jugla jihibb' jijtdgdl fi:ha "^alajan
jinaffa"^ bila:du. w_ana_failt 'a:'^id asma*^ kalamhum, wi biddi
dilwa't_ahki_lkum zejjima hasal.
kala:m il muhibb' li z zirai'^a.
ana bidd_axdim watani bi kom_aJtigil fi z zirai'^a, "^alajan
masr bila:d zira'-ijja sirf, wi sabab ginaiha min iz zirai'^a bi n
nisbaj wugu:d in ni:l is sa'^iid. wi 'ardaha xasiba 'awi jitla"^
fi:ha kull_asna;f ij Jagdr wi 1 xudair. wi sada' min 'a:l inn'
248 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
tu'rabha dahab. w_il failaih il masri, wa law ?innu migtihid,
la:kinnu ma ji'-rsfj it turu? ig gidi:da fi ka:r iz zira:''a. fa
'iza_t 'wag adit in na:s il ixtisa(:)sijji:n fi z zirai'^a "^ajan jirjidu:h,
tit'addim aliwailu wi_tzi:d amwadu. w adihna Jajfim il_af ang
wi gerhum min illi dai-'u halaiwit iz zirai'-a wi makasibha
ba''u min in na:s il gunaj, asha:b il mad wi s sdrwa, wi jsallifu
1 fulu:s bi 1 fajiz. w illi jigiiz inn_il gad''a:n it taFiin mil
mada:ris jihrabu wi jitfaju mij Jugl, wi jitlahhafu '■ala 'ajji Jugla
ger di, wi_jru:liu ji'-milu 'abukatijja walla liukama, walla_mhandi-
si:n walla kutaba ; wij had inn_il bila:d miStaiga xadis li_l
m^'zar'^in. w_ana ma '■andiij Jakk_abadan fi 'inn' l_afandi min
dod lawjn'ate'' li z zara:''a wi 'at'anha w_itfannin fi:ha wi darasha
tamam, jib'a "^andu ''i(:)ra:d muhimm ma_j'illij '^an 'iraid U
mistoxdim illLb ja:xud mahijja. fa le:h ma nihtammij ihna bi_z
zirai'^a, wi nSassinha, wi nxdlliiha san'-a min_ajraf is sanaiji'' ?
w a:di 1 'ard' ?uddamna was'^a wLJ hukuima '■andaha 'uluif mil
fadadiin illi lissa mi J" mazrui'^a, mista'' adda li ta'gi(:)rha walla bi(:)''ha
b_drxas taman. fa 'iza xddna balna mil 'amr' da, tit''ammdr il
bila:d, wi niksab ihna wi_nkassib il 'umma kaman, wi nkattdr il
mahsulait ; wi timji hdrakit il balad, fa tistdgna "^an il haga:t
illi_b tiigi min bdrra, misl il fakha wi xilafha. f_ana (a)4i'id
inn' kull' waiRid ji'-tini bi zirai'^a jikum xddam watanu xidma ma
IhaJ nazi:r.
kalaim il muhibb' li t tiga:rd.
an_aju:f inn' t tigaird 'afjad Je: jimajji hdrakit il balad wi
jrawwig ahwalha, wi jkassib sahibha iza ka:n mista'i:m wi "^andu
zimma. wi t tiga:rd txdlli sa'hibha gani wi sa:hib kilma wi ma'aim,
wi ti''tibiru n na:s wi 1 hukkaim, wi jid''u:h fi maga(:)lishum wi
jdxdu fikni. w_an_aju:f innLbladna mit'dxxard '■alajan tdrakit
it tiga:rd, li 'inn' ba'^d in na:s jista'^jibu J Jugl' fiiha, ma*^ innaha
?ahsan Jugl tifiid il watan. wi he:s biladna zira''i:ja sirf, fa bi:*^
mahsu:l iz zirai'^a min ?utn wi ge:ru jisabbib it tiga:ra, illi jilzam
laha bajja'-im wi Jdrrajim wi samasra wi gerhum. wi da bi t tab''
jiftah ba:b riz" li na:s kiti:r gerhum. wi t tigaird 'ahsan bi_kti:r
milListixdaim li ?innaha Jugla hurrd, wi '■ala ra'j il masal "bi'' w
ijtiri wala tinkiri." w_in rabbina fatah "^aleih w ittasa''it tigdrtu
jiwakkil '^e:J li na:s kiti:r mil mijtiglim ''andu, wLb kida jikum
xadam bilaidu xidma mu'^tabdrd bidum ma_jkum himl' '^ala ge:ru.
kalaim illi jhibb il handasa.
min gihati 'ana, a?n:\ inn' masr jin'asha 1 m^handisim, wiJJi
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 249
^a:wuz jixdim watenu s€thi:h la:zim jijtigil m'handis '^alajan jisidd
in ne's' da, li'innu ma da:m 'ahl' masr kulluhum jijrsbu wi jirwu
1 'erd min_m_ni:l, fa jilzam li_l "-amal da m'handisim jiwaddabu
tawsiil il majjaj mallalla(:)tha, wi_]'nazgQmu_t tira"^ wi 1 masairif,
■wi ji''milu hisa:b 11 'ard il "^alja wi 1 watja, wi jrattibu tasri:f il majja
wi tdx'zinha wi tdrkiib baburait il majja. wi b xila:f kida titba'-za'
il majja wi_tdi:'' fajditha. wi lau la_l m^handisiin ma kanitj_
itbanat U bujuit wala_tnazzamit ij Jawairi*^. wi fajdit il m'handis
innu jihcindis bina_l be:t, sawan kam kibi:r 'aw sugajjdr '-ala 'add'
lla:l sahbu, bi he:s tidxulu J Jams, wa_jku:n hawa:h matlu:', '^ajan
jimna"^ il amraid wi jxdlli n na:s titmatta"^ bi sihhithum wi tis-
"tdgna '^an il hukama. wi kaman in na:s illi b jijtdgolu fi zirai'^a wi t
ligaird jilzamhum makana:t wi waburait, wi 1 m'handis hu:w_illi_
jrakkibha wi jdawwdrha. wi lau la kida ju'af halhum wi tbuiz
ajga(:)lhum. wi s sikkaj hadi:d min ge:r m''handisi:n ma timji:|.
wi kuUi 1 ajgail illi fi:ha makanait zejj il mataibi"^ illi b titba*^ il
■gdrani:! wil kutub, wi 1 waburait illi bi ttalla*- il majja wi tithan il
'amh, wi makanait il xijaita, wi '■idad il kahraba, wi t talligraif,
■wi_t tilifom, wi gerhum, ma timjiij min ge:r il m'handisim. fa_
"blaid zejj' masr mihtaiga xadis li 1 m'handisim wi_b tib'^at tigibhum
min bilaid bdrra. f_in kunna nijtigil fi 1 hirfa di nikuin nafa'^na
biladna nafa'^ ma jit'adddrj.
kala:m il muhibb' li 1 hu'u:'.
ana '^a:jiz axdim bilaidi bi kom(i) ajtdgdl muSamii walla 'a:di,
-wi di 'ajraf Jugla li'innaha tibajjin iz zadim mil massluim, wi 1 ha'"
Tail baitil, wi 1 bari mil mugriim. wi ma da:m masr bilaid zira'^ijja
wi z zirai'^a tiddi li t tigaird, fa_t tigaird twassal li_l 'axd wi 1 "^ata,
-wi_tkattdr il hdrdka wi_l m"^amla bem in na:s wi ba'^duhum. wi
tieis innu fih na:s bdrdak ula:d il hdraim jihibbu jigijju w jizlumu
wi zimmithum xarbama, kama 'innu fih na:s tajjibim asha:b zimma
"wi ha"anijjim, fa bi_t tab'' jihsal bem it tarafem m°naz'^a:t wi
xina'ait, wi_jkun fih xo:f '^ala daja:'^ il ha"' min jadd_asha:bu.
fa jilzam wuguid 'a:di ji'di bi 1 "-adl' wi_J 'insaif, wi 'abukaitu
jigarbil 1 'adijja wi jdawwdr "^al ha'aiji', wi jdaifi"^ '^an il mazluim
wi_jrudd' lu ha"u ; wi da 'ahsan sawa:b jin'^imil, w afjad xidma
ji'addi:ha_l waihid li watanu.
kala:m il muhibb' li t tibb.
ana ragbit(i) a'^mil hakiim li'inn_a'^ti'id tama:m il_i'^ti'a:d
innaha 'ahsan &an"^a_tfi:d il balad ; wi da, li ko:n kull' Je fi d dunja
jif^awwad ilia s sihha ma tif-awwadj. w iza kamjLinsam ma
250 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
•^anduij sihha jistaSiil innu jiMdr jijtigil fi 'ajj' Juglin ka:n, la fi t
tiga:ra wala gerha mil hiraf illi zakdruihum ixwanna, wala ji'dar
hatta jitammim fard il "^ibaida zejji n na:s, wi jifdal tu:l "^umiu
m^^aknin wi ru:hu_f manaxiiru, w a'all' haiga tza'-'^alu wi tdajja'
xuPu. laikin lamma tkuin sihhitu tama:m jib^a mabsuit m^fdrfij,
jistifiid wi jfiid geiru. fa ^ala kida jikuin il hukama lli jijtiglu fi
hifg' sihhit in na:s bi jixdimu biladhum wi jinfa'^uiha xidma fo:' il
hadd, "^alajan lau laj. hukama ka:nit ma:tit na:s kitiir; ma*" il '■ilni
inn' kti:r mil ftukama maitu Juhada mit tagriba:t illi '^amaluiha
'alajan jiktijfu turn? gidiida li 1 "^ilaig wi jixtir'^u 'adwija_gdi:da,
xidma li 1 'insamijja wi 1 watan .
kala:m il mullibb li t ta''li:m.
amm ahsan Jugla sahiih tifi:d il waten wi_trawwig 'umuini
hi:ja Jugl it ta'^liim wi 1 madairis, li 'innahaJL 'asa:s illi titbini "^aleih.
kuU il_ajga:l. wi t ta'^liim hu:wa 1 migass illi bi:h jif'irif nagaitl il
bilaid min "^adamu. w iza_t'ammilna fi liailit biladna mil wug'ha:.
di, niju:f bi t ta'ki:d innaha mit'dxxard fi t teri:?a di bi n nazar U.
konha muf'iba wi fi:ha_mja'?a wi mas''u(:)liija, wi nabhit -"alb
wi nabhit zoir. laikin ma fi:J llalaiwa miti ge:r na:r, wi xidmit il
watan mahij bi_s saihil ; wi J Jugla di nati(:)'githa laziiza, li 'inn iL
m^'-aUim luh il fadl' '^ala 1 kuU, wi min talit_iidu jitla'' il kaitib wi
t taigir wi 1 m^handis wi 1 kuU, wi lau laj. m^'^allim ma kanuif
falahu wala ''amalu "^amal. wi 1 m^^allim luh ?agr il m^gaihidiin
li'innu jif'ab ta'^ab fo:' il luzuim fi ta''li:m it talamza wi tdrbi-
'jithum ; wi_jba:t jihlam biihum min majgulijjitu ''aleihum,
li'lnnu ji'^raf inn_iwla:d il ]'o:m humma riggadit bukrd, fa jis''a IL
komu ji'^allimhum kuUi Je "^alajan jixarraghum rigga:la,bi ma'-ana
1 kala:m. wi mil ma'^luim innu kullima kitir it ta'^liim kullima 'aUit
il hdramijja wi 1 mitjdrridim. fa_lli jhibbi jixdim masr tamaim
ji:gi wajjaija wi jxuJJ' fi madrassit il m'"'allimim.
kalaim il muhibb li xidmit id dim.
ana gaijit munaija 'inn_aj'tdgdl "^aimil fi d dijamaj masihijja^
wi di ?ahsan Jugla lazma wi minha fajda lijja wi li n na:s. li'inn
il ?insam min tabi''tu 'innu jinsa fadl' rabbina "^aleih wi jihwid '■an
sikkit il ha?', fa jilzamu_lli_jnabbihu, wi jhawwilu min sikkit ij Jarr
li sikkit il xe:r, wi jinjir kala:m rabbina wi ma'^rifit il xalais be:n illi
ma ji'^rafuhj, wi_b kida jit'drrab Una migij malakuit aiiaih. wi 1
'ajgail il ''ilmanijja zejji Juglit axima 1 abukaitu wi gerha, kullah{a)
_ajga:l lazma li 1 balad, innama 'iza ma kanj il waihid minhum
jimji_b xo:f rabbina fa'inn' Juglu jidirr aktdr ma jinfa'^. w illi
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 251
jsamma'^hum il kalam da humma xaddamiin id dijaina, wi di Jugla
ma jib'aij ajrsf minha 'abadan, li'innaJia ruihanijja jitwa"af
•^aleiha xala:s il_drwa:h. wiJlLjrebbi r ru:h "^alajan ti'^raf xedi'ha
luh 'agr, aktdr milli jrabbi 1 gism. IPinmi r ru:Ii ba'ja, laikin il
gism' faini. wi di ga:jit 'ssdi wi s sala:m.
kala:m il hakam wi hu:wa n naizir.
ba'^da kida wi'if in naizir wi 'a:l : —
amma braiwa "^aleikum ja wla:di ! tejjibtu xatri wi ha'^a'tu
■^ajami fiikum, wi kulluku tkallimtu tajjib, wi kuU' waihid ma"^ah
Ra'?* f_illi ?a:lu. w_an_ansahkum inn' kull' wa:hid jixta:r J Jugl
illi_jmi:l lu, w illi ?albu fi:h, aw, bi 1 hari, illi jid'^iiii rabbu luh;
li'inn da_J Jc ?il muhimm, inn' 1 waiftid ji'^mil iraidit alia: fi
hajaitujli lii:ja 1 wahiida luh fi d dunja di, wi ma lu:J gerha. fa
Jiddu heilku wi kuU' waihid jit^in san'^itu wi j?addi:ha bi 1 'amama
wi z zimma, wi_b kida tikumu xadamtu masrina xidma ma ji''la:J
•^aleiha, wi ma_jkunj fih tamji:z il wa:hid minku '^ala t ta:ni. wi
1 mawla subhamu wi ta'-ada ji'adddrku '■ala % tajjib ! innu
s sami:'' il mugi:b.
20.
ba'^d "-awajid La^bait iz zamiima.
kuU' 'urama fi d dunja laha '■awajid mahbuiba wi '■awajid
makru:ha, hatta fi 1 'umam ir ra'ja zejj_inkilterra wi faransa wi
'amerka wi gerha. wi jigtihid il muslihim fi ?isla:h il ''a(:)da:t il
makruiha wi t taxallus minha, walaikin igtiha(:)dhum wi ta'''abhum
jintihi min ge:r fajda gumlit marra:t. wi "^andina hinajmahdrda
'umma mil ?umam di wi laha "^awaijid musta-'baha; minha "^aidit
il maitam, wi 1 ganazait. ja'^ni lamma_jmu:t wa:hid sugajjdr
fi 1 ''cda, au raigil rabb' be:t au "^aru.'sa sugajjdrd, ji'^milu:
lu gana:za_kbi;rd. w_ahjaman bi jisrifu '■ala 1 ganaiza fo'
ta(:)''ithum, ja''ni jimkin jistilfu fluis kitiir min giranhum,
'■alajan jigiibu 1 'usus wi J Jamamsa '■alajan jimju ?udda:m il
ganaiza. wi Las'^ab min kida jigiibu "^arabijia wi sandu:? min
sanf ga:li, ma"^ inn is sandu:? da raijih li t turaib, la_jfi:d il majjit
wala geiru. wi kaman jigiibu '^arabijjait '■alajan il m^^azzijjim,
ahjainan '■ajdrd 'au '^ijrim w_.aktdr kaman. wi da kuUu "^alajan
jiftixru b_innuhum earafu kaza wi kaza "^ala majjithum. wi
ba'^dima jidfinu:h jirga'-u 1 be:t wi jkum il fdrrajiin nasabu suwwam
(au xe:ma) kibi:r walla_egajjdr hasab hadit il "^eila, wi ji^'^udum
talatt_ijja:m '^alajan ji'ablu n nais il m^-azziijim, bi n naha:r
■^alajari is sittait, wi bi 1 led "^alajan ir riggada. wi_f Sadit iza
252 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
ka:n il mitwaffi Jabb' walla '^aru:sa, is sitta:t jigi:bu niswain
ni'uil '■aleihum naddabim. wi n niswam do:l ji'uilu kala:m
m^'assdr, "^alajan ahl il majjit jihzanu zija:da wi jibku buka_Jdi:d,
wi iiltumu '■ala xududhum latm' sa'-b' giddan. wi kuU' da ma
lu:J luzu:m wala huj m^'teibi? li_d dim il masi:hi_lli bi_j''u:lu
•■aleh ?innu dimhum. w_an_aftikir inn' 1 "^aida di_twagadit min
muddit sajjidna ju:sif is siddi:? lamma kam hazim "^ala mo:t abu:h
ja'^'uib wi *'amal mana:ha_kbi:rd huiwa wi_l masrijjim illi kamu
wajja:h '^ala ma 'arema fi t tawra:. ihna dQwa't' fi '■asr it
tamaddun wi t ta'^liim, wi tiPa n na:s it tajjibim jiftLkru daiman fi
tabtid il "^adait il mij ma?bu:la, zejj' il mas'ala_lli zakar'naiha wi
gerha.
fa:dil "^alema nitkallim bi Lixtisair fi "^aidit ig gawaiz. lamma
JabbLjhibb' jiggawwiz jiruih jixtub wahda min abu:ha walla
'ummaha, wi ma jkunj saba-* Jafha wala_''rifji Ila:ga "-an axla'ha
wala tiba''ha wala 'awsafha. wi jimkin tikum sahbit '■aiha,
wi ma ji^ddrji ji'-raf iza ka:nit ha_tnasbu walla la. fa di kaman
min_aimn il '^ada:t il battalajli "^awza ?isla:ft.
"^ala kull' bad ]amma_jzi:d '^adad il banait il mif'allimim wi 1
mitrabijjim fi 1 mada:ris tdrbija tajjiba tiPa_l '■adait illi zejji di_
tru:h min nafsaha li^inn' sababha_l gahl, la ge:r.
21.
ba''d "-adait il muslimim iz zamiima.
iz za:r.
kam fih Jabba sugair "^um'raha jiigi '^ijriin sana, ja'^ni lissa
•■aruisa, wi kamit ddxla matrah dalma 'aimit '■itrit w Lnkafat taht
il '■ataba, wala IiaddiJ samma "^aleiha. fa tlabasit wi gismaha
tlabbij wi gittitha_txajjibit, wi fidlit "-ajjama Jahrem talaita, wi
'ahlaha gaibujha liukama_kti:r, wala "-arafuij laha tibb' wala
dawa. wi ba'^dem gat '■ammitha.tzurhum, wi ■'adit Lummaha,
" zawwdri:ha_l maja:jix, jimkin tikum itrajahit. 'aimit ma kad-
dabitj' xabdr wi zawwdritha hddrit siidi nigm id dim talat mdrra:t,
w_abu s su'^uid talat marrait. wi fi 1 mdrra 1 'dxranijja_tlabbijit,
wi ''irfu 'ahlaha 'inn' "^aleiha '■afriit. wi '■ala tu:l ra:hu ga:bu J
Je:xd lli_b ti'^mil iz zair, wi J Je:xa 'alit luhum " baddaru go:z
hama:m, dakdr wi_n(i)ta:ja, wi go:z fira:x, di:k wi fdrxa, wi go:z
batt' sudami, wi xaru:f ahmdr xadis, aw_abjad m'xdlxdl b_
ahmdr. wi ha:tu kaman talat Jam''a:t iskanddrami, m'lawwanim
b_ahmar w_dxdar wi bamba wi labani w ssfdr; wi gahhizu wi'-'item
nQ^l, go:z wi lo:z wi bundu' wi_zbi:b; wi Jtii-ujha bigaib 'alb, wi
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 253
hgaib rais, wi "^u^'aid ILdra'^ha, wi go:z xawaitim bi bar', da^'a^.
hga:zi, wi libba fedda, wi gallabijja beida, wi tarha beida kaman;
wi jo:m l_itne:n il "^asr' 'aigi." wi_f jo:m 1 itne:n raihit ij Je:xd li
be:t il minzaird, wi 'a'^adit wi walla''it habbit falim' baladi, wi
tala'it il buxu:r illi kainit gajba:h wi 'hu:wa Jwajjit fasu:x wi hittit
•^uid wi tu:rit mis'tika, wi bdxxdrit il ma'^aziim fi 1 'awwil, wi
'a'^adit titabbil '-ala t tabla, wi talamzitha jitabbilu kuU' waSda
"■ala ta:r, wi jgdnnu li 1 'iafriit, mdrrd gina ftgaizi, wi mdrrd sudaini,
wi ta:ra rndgrabi, li haddima fa'dru 1 mdrjuihin. wi ba''de:n
gaibit kursi ''aja wi hattit ''aleih iJ Jam"^' wi n nu'l' wi_s siiga
^ta:"^!! il minsa:ba. wi lamina ddxdlit iJ JabbaJ ''ajjama bdx-
xdritha J Jeixa, wi gdnnit &o:t higaizi wi so:t geiru, wi I minzaira
lissa mitlabbija, wi ''afriitha lissa ma nata'J. wi ba'^dein if^ajju
wi fidlu jidu^'u mil "^ija li hadd' nuss il led ; bdrdu ma nata'J il
"^afriit. wi lamma ti''bu na:mu li haddima till'' in naha:r. wi
"^amalu^d da"a kaman ba'^dima fitru, wi ga:bii 1 xaruif, wi rakkibu.
1 "^aruisa "^aleih, wi laffifu:ha hawalem il kursi saba"^ mdrrait, wi
ba'^dem dabahu:h taht' rigleiha, wi Idgmatu hudumha damm, wi
'^aisu wijjaha kaman mid damm. wi kainit mitlabbij(a)_aktdr
mil 'awwil. 'a:mu 'adu " jimkin ''afritha nusrami, fa du'^u.
da"it in nasaird." wi fidlu jigdnnu wi j'udu.
" id de:r_id de:r, ja dajjaird !
m_ahl(a)_awla:d_in nasaird !
ja: 'ami:r, ja3njl 'imdird !
w_e:J gaibak hdrtjn nasa:rd !
id de:r, id de:r, hanna_w girgis !
w_il 'od "^aleihum "^nssaird !
ddxdlt id de:r naha:r l_itne:n.
la'e:t id de:r kullu nasaird! "
. . . .wi fi 1 wa't' da nata' il "^afriit wi ?al '^ala_smu. wi ?a:mu
zdgratu n niswam, wi firhu lamma 1 "-afriit ikkallim wi talab tala-
baTtu. wi xddit iJ Je:xd 'ugritha wi n nu'u:t illi na?atu:ha bi:h_il
ma'^aziim. wi xddit kaman ra(:)se:n talaita sukkdr, wi ratlem
bunn, wi 1 bai-'i mij Jam"^' wi n nu?l. wi xddit fardit hamaim wi
fdrxa wi rub"^ il xaru:f, wi sandu'em sagaijir, wi tannaha_mraw-
'waha ''ala betha, wi kulli wahda mil ma'^aziim rawwahit beitha
wi hiija madwu:xd zejj' 1 katkuit min kutr' ma kamit bi_tfa^?dr
wi tittawwah Jimad wi_jmi:n wi tunkuj Ja'^raha v/i t'atta'^ fi
hudumha wi ti'af Jo:t, wi tur'us Jo:t, wi titmdrmdg fi 1 'ard'
Jo:t ; "^alajan il wahda minhum lamma jihdar "^afriitha ma tib'aij
254 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
wa'^ja li ru:hha, w illi "^aleiha hu:w_illi ji'^mil kulU Saiga, wala_tliissij
bi t ta'^ab ilia lamma jinfQcld_.iz za:r, wi gismaha jihmad. wi
" tu:ta, tuita,
firgit il hadduita.
hilwa walla maltuita ?
illi_j'ud hilwa.
••aleih ginwa.
w_illi j'ud maltuita.
•■ale:!! hadduita !
PART IL— BIBLE AND OTHER PIECES.
kitaib il 'ireija, guz itne:n. — fusud kita(:)bijja wi dirnijja.
(A.)
fusud min siirit sajjidna jasu:*^.
I.
wilaidit jasu:'' il masi:Ii. min ingid lui'a 2 ; i.
wi fi 1 'ajjam dod tili*^ ■'amr' min agustus qsisar '^alajan jihsu
n na:s illi fi d dinja kullaha. (wi da 'awwil 'ihsa hased fi zaman
kiirinijius ha:kim suirijja.) fa rah kuUi n na:s "^alajan ji'ajjidu
?as'ma:hum kuU' waihid fi baladu. 'am juisif kaman mil galid
min baladjsmaha n naisira wi ra:li il jahudijja li madimit dawuid
illi smaha be(:)t lahm, ikminnu ka:n min nasi' dawu:d ; '^alajan
jit'ajjid ma'' mdrjim xati(:)btu wi hi:ja haimil.
wi_f muddit wugu(:)dlium hinaik kamalit_ijja:m hamlaha,
fa waladit ibnaha 1 bakri wi laffitu fi 1 'umait, wi najji''mitu_f mad-
wid il ba'ha(:)jim tieis innu ma kanj' luhum mahall' fi 1 lukanda.
wi kan fi 1 balad di ru'^jam ''a''di:n fi 1 getain hdrsiin gdnamhum
bi 1 led. wi f hal ma kamu 'a'^dim illa_w malaik ir rabb' wai'if
gambuhum wi magd_ir rabb'jnnawwdr hawaleihum, fa hasal
luhum xo:f kibi:r. 'am 'al luhum il mala:k "ma txa'fuij, d_ana
ga:j_abajjdrkum bijaird mufriha_l(i) kaffit in na:s, innu n naharda_
twalad lukum fi madimit dawuid waihid m'xallis wi hu:wa_s sajjid
il masiih. wi 1 "^alaima "^ala kida — tiruihu tilti'u ''ajjil malfud
fL'mait wi na:jim fi madwid baha:jim ! " wi fi 1 hada di zahar
'■ala gafla gama:''a ma''a_l malaik min gcj is sama, bi_}sabbahu
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 255
iis: wi bi_j'n:lu, " il magd' li_llaih fi 'a'-la s sama! wi '■al ?ard_is
salaim wi li n na:s is suru:r ! "
wi lamma reihit il maJajka min ''anduhum li s sama, 'ail ir
ru'^jain li ba'^duhum " ta'^a:lu_nru:ft dilwa't' li hadd' bet laftm
wi_nju:f il xebdr da_lli hasal illi simi'^na '^annu min eiia:."
'aimu raihu w_ilta'u marjim wi ju:sif ''a''di:n, wi 1 "-ajjil naijim fi 1
madwid. wi lamma Ja'fuih haku bi 1 kala:m iUi_t''a:l luhum "^an
il walad. wi kuU' min simi*^ kala:m ir ru'^jain istdgrab wi_ndahaj"
niin_illi ?a'lu:h. amma mdrjim ka:n '^andaha fiirsi mil kalam da
wi fidlit tif'ammil fi:h fi 'albaha. wi rigi'^ il ru'^jam wi humma_
jmaggidu iia: wi_jsabbaliu:(h) "^ala kullijli sim'''u:(h) wi Jafu:(h).
2.
jasu:'^ wi 1 "^ijad is suga:r. lu : i8 ; 15.
'addimu: lu bd''d_il wila:d is suga:r "^alajan jilmishum ; fa
lamma Ja:f kida_t talamiiz Jdxatu fiihum. wala:kin jasu:'' nadah
luhum "^andu wi 'a:l : " xdllu 1 wilaid is suga:r ji;gu "^andi, wala
timna'^uihumj, li'innu min "^ajjinit do:l malaku:t_al}a:. il ha"_
a'uLlukum, illi ma ji'balj' malaku:t alia: zejj' walad sugajjdr,
ma jidxuluij 'abadan.
3-
jasu:'' w_ibni tiima.
lamma 'drrab min_ari:lia kam 'a'^ma 'ai'^id fi t tari:' jijhat. fa
lamma simi"^ jn na:s_il mazhumim fajtim sa'al, eh ja tdra jikun da.
'alu: lu inn* jasu:'^_in naisiri fajit. fa sarax wi 'a:l " ja: jasu:'' ja_bn'
dawu:d_irhamni ! " fa Jdxatu fi:h_iUi kamu ?udda:m "^alajan jiskut,
la:kin huiwa za'^'^a' zija:da 'awi wi ?a:l, "inta ja^bn* dawuidjrllam-
ni." fa wi'if jasu:'^, wi 'amdr bi magajbu "^andu wi lamma 'drrab
sa'alu, " ''awz_a'^'mil lak_eh ? " fa 'a:l, " ja si:di, "^aiwuz tinfitih
•^enajja." fa ''al lu jasu:'^ " fattah ! i(:)mamak Jafa:k." wi
hadanjnfatallit "^eneih, wi miji wdra:h wi hu:wa_jmaggid alia:,
wi kuU_in na:s illi wajja:h lamma Ja'fu:(h) kida hamadujia:.
4-
jasui'^ jihji Ja:bbi majjit. lu : 7 ; 11.
wi_f ta:ni jo:m rah balad_ismaha najim, wi rah wajjaih
talamiizu wi na:s kitiir : fa lamma ?drrab min bawwaibitjl balad,
iUa_w majjit mahmuil, wi hu:wa hi(:)lt_ummu wi hiija 'armala, wi
wajjaiha na:s kitiir mil balad. fa lamma Jafha sajjidna, hann*
•^aleiha wi 'aUaha " ma tibkiij." wi_t'addim wi lamas in na"^!
fa wi'fu J Jajjalim. fa 'a:l li 1 majjit, " a'ul lak " ?u:m ! " fa
?a'^adjlli ka:n majjit wi ba'a jithaddit; wi sal'limu Lummu. fa
256 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
hasal li ] kuU' xo:f wi maggadujria:, wi 'a:lu: "zahsr fi wustina
nabi '■aziim, w iftakdrjr rabb' ?ummitu." wi Ja:''_''annu_l xabdr
da_f kuULl jahudi:ja wi kull'J bilaid il m^gawrd.
5-
jasu:'' wi s sarraif. lu : 19 ; i.
wi ddxdl wi fa:t fi 'ariiha. illa_w ra:gil_ismu zakka wi hu:wa
wa:hid min ru'asa s sajarfa wi kam gdni. habbLjJuif jcisu:'^
huiwa mim, wala^'dirj miz zahma li'innu ka:n 'usajjdr. fa girl
li ?udda:m wi tili''_''ala Jagdrit gimmeiz '^alajan ji'Ju:fu, li'innu
ka:n ha_jfu:t min hina:k. fa lamma gih jasu:'' li 1 matrah, bass' J.
fo:', wi 'al lu " ja zakka_(i)sta'^gil w_inzil, li'innu la:zim_a'''ud_
innahdrda_f be:tak." fa_sta''gil wi 'nizU wi rahhab bu_b fdrah.
fa lamma Ja:fu kida_tzammdru kuUuhum wi 'a:lu 'innu ddxdl
"■alajan jibait "^and' ra:gil xa:ti. fa wi'if zakka wi 'al li_r rabb,
ana 'a'diini ja rabb_a''ti(:) nuss' maili li 1 fu'drd, wjn kutt' xdtt'
min haddi haiga bi tuhmit zu:r, arudda'ha_t ta:'_drba'^a." fa
'al lu jasu:"^, " innahdrda hasal xedais li 1 be:t da ; '■ajan hu:wa
kamarn ibn_ibrahi:m ; li?inn_ibn_iLinsa:n gih "^alajan jitlub
wi_jx€Llla5_illi halak."
6.
hikaijit il mdra s sa:mirijja.
ana biddi ahkijkum hikaija min_ahsan il hikajait, tihib'bu:ha
in fa 'aiia: wi tinbistu minha_kti:r ; '^alajan hi:ja hasalit mis
sajjid U masiih ibn' mdrjim, illi_hna_b nisma'' ''annu_f kull' wa't,
ikminnu mazku:r kitiir xailis fi 1 'ingiil wi 1 qur'am.
ka:n il masiih m^'saifir jo:m min za:t_il 'ajjaim wi nizil fLbla:d
is saimirijjim, illi ka:nu_mxasmi:n il jahu:d wi_mxan'inhum. -"aimit
'ablitu wahda sitt' min 'aha:li_l bi'lad di wi 'huiwa 'ai'^id '^ala hdrf
bi:r jistdrajjah, wi kam ba'^at talami:zu_l balad jigiibu '■eij.
wi kam il masiih garadu jizhir Jdxsu li s sitt' di, li ?innu kam
"■adtu jihibb' 'islaih hail kuU' min 'ablu. wi heis inn' gajtu kida,
fa ?al laha, " min fadlik^is'iini " ; wi fi_l wa't' nafsu, kam jid'^i_
lha_f sirru bi 'inn' rabbina jikjif laha_I ha-'ii^a.
wi_f hail il hurma ma sim''it it talab da it''aggibit wLtkab-
bdrit fi nafsaha wi 'ailit, " iza kainu 'ahlina ma_b jitkallimuij
wajja ba''d, titlub minni majja_zzaij ! "
?am sajjidna_l masiih itwaidi'' 'awi wi ?al laha " lau kutti ja
sitt' fahma '■atijjit aiiai, kutti titlubi minni majjit il haja:.''ablim_
atlub minnik il maj'jai di."
indahajit il hurma mil kilma di, wi 'alit li 1 masiih, " ja siidi
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 257
iza ka:n majiwagadji wajjaik gdrdal wala habl, wi 1 bi:r gawiita,
ummail tigi:b il majja: dLmn_e:n ? "
"w_in kutt' "^aiwuz tigiib mQJj_ahsan min di, hu:wa_jita_a'^z€nn
min_abu:na ja'^?u:b, illi fahat lina_l bir di, wi 'tana"^ biiha '^alajain
nafsu wi "-alajanna kaman ? "
faJlta'rQmhaJ masi:h fi 1 gawaib, '^alajain Jaf fikreha bi
jijtigil, wi wa'fa muhtaira, wi 'al laha, " kull' waihid jijrab mil
bir di ma jiftikirj jnnu jirwa "^ala tu:l ; la:kin illi jijrab mil majja_
bta'^ti ?ana, ma_jjufj' "^ataj abadan, "^alajan innaha_tkum fi ?albu
zejji '■em majja zalad, ma tin-'iti'' J' bi 1 mdrrd, tir'wiih wi tirwi ge:ru
kaman." 'aimit ?a'lit lu, "ma tiddimi mil majja_bta'^tak dij ! "
?am 'al laha " ru:lii_stdhdari go:zik wi ta'^ai'li: li hina tami."
'aimit 'alit lu, " astdhdar mi:n ? ! ana: li go:z_astdlidaru ? "
?am 'al laha " ana_stahsint' kala:mik da, "^alajan ka:n liki xa'mastL
gwa:z. w illi wajja:ki dilwa't' mahuj go:zik ; fa xabdrik da_f
gaijit iz zabt."
'aimit istdgrabit wi 'adit fi nafsaha " izza:ji hu:wa ji'^lam bi 1
ahwad bita''ti_l mitxdbbijja ! " fa min xd'galha wi_ksufha_
hmdrrit w_itldxbatit afka(:)rha, wi fihmit innaha mistaha'^iijajli
sim'^itu wi zijaida. wi 'axiiran ?alit lu, wi hiija bi hadit xufu:*^
kuUi, " il baj'jin li fi:k dilwa't_innak nabi ; wi ja re:t_astafta:k
fi mas'ala 'ana mistas'^a'baiha "^ala ge:rak ! wi kaman '-andina
masai'il kiti:rd_txuss id dim, "^awzin nistafta 1 masi:h '^anha lamma
ji:gi..."
'am 'al laha "ana bdrdu "^airif illi_ntu "^awzimu kuUu, w_ana
hu:wa 1 masi:h !
(B.)
bd''dJjLamsad li jasu:''_il masi:h.
7-
masal iz zairi*^ lu ; 8 ; 4.
fa lamma_gtama'^ na:s kiti:r 'gu: lu min kuU' balad, 'al
luhum masal. — " tili'^_iz zairi"^ jibdurjt ta'a:wi_bta'^tu, wi lamma
kam bi jibddr wi''^it Juwajja gamb it tari:' fa_nda:sit. wi la'a'titu
tujuir is sama. wi wi'l*" gerha '^al hagdr wi ba'^dima nabat, nijif,
li'innu ma kanj' tahtu rutu:ba. wi wi'i'' gerhaj wust_ij Jo:k, fa
nabat wajja:h_ij Jo:k wi xdna'u. wi wi'i"^ gerha fi 1 'ardLit tajjiba,
wi nabat, wi ga:b mahsuil, it ta(:)' mijja. " wi lamma kam jikkallim
kida na:da_w 'a:l " illi luh widam li s sam"^, xallih jisma"^ ! "
258 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
8.
masal is sa:niiri_t_tQijib. lu : 10 ; 30.
?am jasu:'' ''a:l : " raigil ka(:)n na:zil min uru:Jali:m li 'ariiha,
fa wi'i*^ fi wust_il hdrQmijja, fa '^dr'ra:(h) wi dQrQ'bu:(h), wi reihu
wi sajji'buh ma be:n hajj* wi majjit. w_itsQ:dif inn* kaihin ka:n
na:zil fi t tari:' di, wi '^andima Ja:fu, fa:t min 'usa:du ; wi kaman
kida waihid laiwi, lamma wisil '^and_il_mQtrall wi Ja:f, fa:t min
'?usQ;du. walaikin waihid sa:miri_msa:fir gih "^andu, wi lamma
Jaifu hann* "^aleih, wi 'dr'rab lu wi rabat guruihu wi sabb' "^aleiha
ze:t wi_nbi:t, wi rakkibu "^ala rukubtu, wi ga:bu li 1 lukanda
wL'^ta'na: bu. wi_f tami jo:m talla'^ dina:rem w_idda:hum li
saihib il lukanda, wi ?alju : "i'^tini: bu, wi kulLilli tisrifu zijaida
w_ana raigi*^ ad'dih lak." fa mim tiftikir mit tala:ta do:l jikuin
akhu_lli wi^i*^ fi wust il hdramijja ? " fa 'a:l " illi "^amal wajja:li_ir
ralima." fa 'al lu jasu:'' "ruill, w_i'^mLLinta kaman kida ! "
9-
masal Jagdrit it tiin. lu : 13 ; 6.
wi 'a:l il masal da : " kam li waillid Jagdrit ti:n mazrui'^a fL
gnentu ; fa gih fifattij Ji:ha ''ala tim, maPaiJ. fa ?a:l li g ginajni,
" a:di talat sinim w_an(a) a:gi 'adawwdr "^ala ti:n fi J Jagdrd di,
wal_aPa:J". i'tahha ! leli_hi:ja_txdllij 'ard' kaman min ger
fajda ? " 'am ?alju, " ja si:di, sibha_s sa'na: di kaman, "^alajain
afhat hawaleiha w_asabbdxlia ; f_in gaibit tim ba'^dem, kam"* biha;
w_in ma gabitj'. . . .ni'tahha ma'-lehj."
10.
masal Sabbit il xardal. lu : 13 ; 18.
" malakuit is samawait jijbih e:h ? wLb ''e:h_ajabbihu ?
jijbih Sabbit xardal xddha raigil wi zara'^ha fi_gnentu ; fa til4t
wi ba'at Jagdrd, wi '^ajjijit tujuir is sama fLfru'^ha." wi ?al kaman :
" bi ?e:h_ajabbili malaku:t_aiia: ? jijbih xdmiird xd'ditha wahda,
wi xab'batha_f ta'lat ke(:)la:t di?i:?, li gaijit md^xtamdr kullu."
II.
masal Libn ij Jairid. lu : 15 ; 11.
"kam fi raigil lu waladem, fa ?a:Lis eugajjdr minhum l_abu:h
" j_abu:ja, iddimU hissaJlLtnu(:)bni mim madak"; fa ?asam
luhum mailu. wi ba'^djjjaim mij kitiird, lammjl waladjs sugaj-
jdr kulli ha:ga wi sa:fir ILblad bi'^i:da wi hina:k baddid mailu fi
*^e:Ja talfama. fa lamma dajja'^ kull* ha:ga hasal gu:"^ Jidiid fi 1
bi'lad di, fa btada jihtaig. fa rah wjstdxdim "^and^ waihid min
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 259
'ahLil balad illi huiwa fi:ha, fa ba'-atu li geteinu re:''! ware xdna-
ziiru. wi ka:n jitmanna jimla batnu mil xarruib illi ka:nit bi taklu_l
xdnazi:r, wala kanj^ hadd' jiddi: lu. la:kin lamma rigi"^ li nafsu
'ail "'add_eh na:s m'''aggdri:n '^and_abu:]a jifdal minhum il "^eij,
w_an_amu:t mil gu:'^ ! a?u:m w_ani:ll l_abu:ja w_a?uUu : j_
abuija ! dxte:t li s sama wi -"uddaimak, wi muj mistalia'''_abadan
ji'uilu ""alaija waladak. xdllimi zejji wa:llid min_na:s il m^''ag-
gdrim "^andak." fa ■'aim wi rah Labu:h, wi lamma kam '■ala
masa:fa_b''i:da Ja:fu ■'abuih fa hann' "^aleih, wi giri wi '■anna'u wi
ba:su. fa 'ad luj. walad : " j_abu:ja, ■'dxteit li s sama wi 'udda:-
mak, wi muJ mistaha'''_abadan ji'udu ''alajja waladak." fa ?a:l
il 'abb' li "^abiidu " haitu ''awa:m_ahsan badla wi labbi'su:(h), wi
huttu xaitim f_i:du wi gazma_f riglu. wi ha:tu.J "^igLil ma''lu:f
wi_dbahu:, wi xdllima naikul wi nifrah. li'inn' waladi da ka:n
majjit fa '■aij, wi kam ta:jih fa_twagad."
12.
it tawQidu"^. lu: 14 ; 7.
wi darab li 1 ma''zumim masal wi hu:wa waixid badu min
zahmithum '^ala 1 m''ta,:rili il 'awwilanijja, wi 'al luhum : " lamma
wa:hid ji'^zimak fi farah, ma tgi:J il matrah_il 'awwilami ''ala tu:l
wi t'U'"'d, ahsan jikuin waihid akbdr minnak ma'^zuim, fa ji:gi_lli
•-azamak ji'ul lak " itfaddal hina " wi j''a''''ad il kibiir fi matrahak,
wi tru:h wi tu'''ud inta f_awta mahall, hailit komak maxgud mak-
su:f. la:kin lamma tin'^izim fa_'"'ud f_awta matrah, fa bi t tab'',
lamma ji:gi_lli "^azamak, ji'ul lak " ja sahbi_tfaaaal li fo:?." fi 1
wa't* da jihsal lak ij Jdraf fi nazar illi 'a'^dim li 1 'akl' wajjaik.
li'inn* kulLilli_j''alli nafsu jiwattiiha, w illi jwatti nafsu ji'^alliiha.
13-
il '^uzu:ma_l kibiird. lu : 14 ; 16.
kan fih rd:gil "^amal "^uzuima^kbiird wi "^azam na:s kuta:r. wi
ba'-at '^abdu fi sai'^it il "^uzuima "^alajan ji?u:l li 1 ma'^zumim " ta'^adu
fteis kull* haiga gihzit." 'a:mu ttafa'u kulluhum "^ala "^adam il
huduir wi fidlu ji'^tizru. 'am 'al lu_l 'awwilami, " ana Jtareit
ge:t wi malzuim aruih atfdrrag "^aleih ; argu:k ta'^fimi." wi 'al
waihid tami " ana Jtare:t xamast_igwa:z ba'dr, w ana rah_agdr-
rabhum ; argu:k ta''fi:ni." wi 'al waihid tami "ana miggawwiz
gidiid, "^alajan kida m_a?ddrj dhdar. 'am rigi'^ il "^abd li siidu wi
'al lu "^alli hasal. 'am zi'^il sallb Jl "^uzuima wi 'al li ''abdu, " itla"^
'awaim w_imji_f Jawairi"^ il balad wi tiaraitha wi hait hina_l fu'drd
kulluhum wala tinsa:J il '^urg' wi 1 "^umj." 'am 'a:l il "^abd, "ja
26o EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
si:di ana bdrdu "^amalt illi ^ul't' li "^aleih, wi lissa_l mahall' ]isa(:)'^
kitiir." fa 'ail is si:d li 1 "^abd " ru:h itla"^ fi s sikak illi hawalem il
balad kullaha, w ilzimhum bi 1 mi'gij , hatta jimtili beiti; li'inn^a'ul
lukum, muj mumkin inn' wailiid milli '■azamtuhum jidu:^ 'akU
'^uzumti."
14-
il xaruif it taijih, wi 1 hitta_b xamsa A daj'^a. lu : 15 ; 3.
''ajji raigil minkum *^andu mi:t xaruif wi dajja'' wa:hid min-
hum, ma jsibj it tis'^a wi t tis*-!:!! fi 1 xala, wi_jdawwdr '■at taijih.
lamma jir'a:!! ? w_in la'^aih jijiilu '■ala kitfu wi huiwa fdrhain.
wi lamma jiwsol beitu jindah Lashaibu wi gira:nu wi_j?u:l luhum
" ifrahu wajjaija li'inni la'eit xaru:fi_lli ka:n taijih." a^'ul lukum,
zejj' da jkuin farah fi s sama bi xaiti waihid jituib, aktor min
tis''a_w tis''iin sailih ma hummaj mihtagiin li t toiba.
" au ''ajj' hurma '^andaha '^ajdr hitat bi xamsait, in dajja'^it
hitta minhum ma_twalla'^J' lamba wi tiknis_il beit, wi tfattij b_
igtihaid li hadd' ma tiPaiha? wi lamma tiPaiha tindah 1 as'habha
wi 1 girain, wi_t''uil " ifrahu wajjaija, ikminni la'eit il hitta_b
xamsajli dai'-it minni." a'uil lukum, jib'a farah zejji da ''uddaim
malajkit aiiai bi xaiti waihid jituib.
15-
il wakiil il '^ai'il. lu : 16 ; i.
" kan fiih raigil gdni "^andu wakiil taha'muili_in nais b_innu
jibaddid amwailu. ?am talabu wi 'al lu " ?eh da_Lli b_asma'^u
•■annak ? 'addim hisaib il wairid w il masruif, heis innu muJ
mumkin tikuin wakiil min dilwa^t'_w raijih. fa ?al il wakiil fi
sirru, a'^mil 'eh dilwa't ? ma daim siidi ha jirfitni min wazifti, la
"■audi 'uiwa 'a'-mil fai'-il wala liij wij|_ajhat. aiwa ! ^'irift_ill_a''mi]u,
hatta lamm_atrifit min wazifti ji'baluini n nais fi_bjuthum."
'am nadah li kull' waihid mil madjuniin bitu*^ siidu wi 'al li 1
'awwilaini minhum " '■aleik 'add_e; li siidi ? " 'am 'al \xi " alajja
milt bdrmiil zeit." 'am 'al lu " xud sa'nadhum_aho wi '"^ud
'awaim wi ktibhum xamsiin." wi ba''dein 'al li geiru w inta "^aleik
kaim ? " wi 'ail " miit_drdabbi 'amh." fa 'al lu " xud sa'nad-
hum_aho wi ktibhum tamaniin." 'am saihib il milk madah_il
wakiil_il XQijin heis innu_ssarraf fi xijantu bi '^a'l ; wi 1 wai'i'',
inni 'awlaid "^ailam id dinja 'ajtar fi 'aw'athum min awlaid in nuir.
w_an_a'ul lukum, iksi'bu_lkum ahibba bi wa(i)stit mail il "^ailam
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 261
iz zailim da, hatta lamma jifna 1 ma:l da ji'ba'luikum fi 1 masa:kin
il ba'ja."
i6.
il 'a:di % zadim. lu : i8 ; i.
'ad luhum masal b innu waigib '^aleihum jisallu kull' wa't
wala jizha'uij. ?ad ; " kam fi balad md bila:d waihid 'a:di ma
jxafj aiia: wala jihtirimj in na:s.. wi kam fi 1 balad di wahda
?drmala, wi kamit ti'gi: lu wi_t?ul lu " xal'las li ha^'i min xasmi."
'am 'a'^ad mudda muj ra:di, laddn ba'^dem 'al fi sirru, " w in kutt'
m_axafj alia: wal(a) ahtirimj in na:s, la:kin Ileis innjl 'arma'la:
di_b tif^ibni axal'las laha ha'''aha, lahsan bi ti:gi tamalli tidwijni."
(wi 'ad ir rabb) " isma"^u Hi 'adu 1 'aidi % zadim ! fa ma_jxalla9s_
alia: lia"_il muxta(:)rim bitui'^u, illi_b jinadu:h led wi_nlia:r, wi
hu:wa_mtewwil badu "^aleihum ? a''ul lukum innu hajxal'las
luhum ha"uhum hadan."
17-
il "-adim wi 2 zadim.
(il farri:si wi s sarraif. lu : 18 ; 9.)
wi 'al kaman li gama:''a mi'-ti'dim fi nafsuhum innuhum na;s
salhim wi jihti'ru gerhum : — " kan fi:h_itnem ra:llu_l he:kal jisallu,
wa:hid '^adim wi t tami zadim. il ""adim wi'if jisalli wi_j'ud fi
sirru " ja: 'aiiaih ! ajkurak li'inni 'ana muJ zejj' ba:'i_n na:s il
xettafim, il xajniin, ia zalmim, il fuggair, wala zejj'_2 zadim da.
ana b_asu:m mdrratem fi 1 gum'^a wi b_azakki "^al fu'drd bi '^ujr'
kull_ilLanjliku . ..." la:kin iz zadim wi'if min bi'^iid muJ '■awuz
hatta jirfa"- '■emu li s sama, wi da'" b_i:du "^ala sidru, wi 'ad, " ja
'aiia:h_irliamni 'ana 1 xa:ti ! " a'ud lukum inn' da rawwah
be:tu wi huiwa xadis miz zunu:b bi_x(i)lad it tami. li'inn' kulLilli
ji''alli nafsu jiwattiiha, willi_jwatti nafsu ji''alli:ha."
18.
il ginema wi g ginajnijjd r ruzala. lu : 10 ; 9.
" kan fih waifiid zdra'^ ginemit "^inab wi sallimha li g ginajnijja
w_itgarrab mudda tawida. wi fi 1 muisim ba'^at ''abd' li g ganaj-
nijja '■ajan jid'du: lu min mahsud ig ginema. laikin ig ganajnijja
darabuih wi taraduih faidi. fa rigi'' ba'^at "^abd' tami, fa darabuih
kaman wi ha(:)nu:h wi taraduih fa:di. fa rigi"^ ba'^at wa:hid tadit
fa gdrahuih kanian wi ramu:h bdrrd. 'am sa:hib ig ginema 'ad
" a'^mil 'eh dilwa't ?. . . .ab'^at luhum_ibni_l "^aziiz' "^andi ; rub-
'bama jihtir'mu:(h)." fa lamma Ja'fu:h_ig ganajnijja, ijjawru
wajja bd'-a, wi 'adu, " aho da_l wa:ris, jaitd ni'tilu *^alajan jib'a 1
262 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
mira:s lina." fa taraduih bdrra g ginema wi 'atalu:(h). fa
ji'^miLeih sa.-hib g ginema wajja do:l ? muj ji:gi wi jihlik il
ganajnijja do:l wi jiddi g ginema li gerhum ? a-'ul lukum, aiwa
ji:gi ! "
(C.)
fusuil fi bd'^d' mu'^ta?ada:t id dim il masiihi.
19.
it tahriif il maznum fi 1 kita:b il m^'addas.
bi_j?u:l ba'^a in na:s hina fi J Jdr? inn il kitaib il m^'addas
mitgaijdr "^an 'aslu, ji'^ni ?innu sa:bu_t_tdgji:r wi t tahriij wi t
tabdi:l wi z zija:da wi n nu'sam ; wi '^ala kida ma_]'guzsjnmna_
n'^awwil '^ale:h, bi n_nisba li komu muJ m'^aibi' li t tawraih il
'aslijja lli nizlit '■ala mu:sa kaliim aiJa: bi 1 wahjjl ?ila:hi, wala
li 1 ?ingi:l il ?asli_lli 'awha buh rabbina subhamahu wi t a'-aila "^al
masiih. -"add e:h il mazhab da gdriib !
fa nis'al ig gamai'^a do:l ; "e(:)mta hasal it tala:''ub da_b
?aja:t it tawra: wi 1 ?ingi:l ? ?abl' mhammad walla_f wa^tu walla
ba'^d' wa'tu ? " iza kam ji'uilu " ?abl' mhammad," niga'wibhum
inn'_mhammad '^ala kida kam m'saidi' "^ala kitab m'hdrraf, li?inn_il
qur'am bi jistajhid bi t tawra:h wi 1 ingid kitiir xadis. wi di ha:ga
mij ma''?u:la "-ala fard' tahriifhum. wi fadlan "^an kida, fih nusdx
mdxtuita, rag''a li 1 '■usuir illi ''abl'_mliammad bi kam mi:t sana, wi
kullaha_mtab''a li 1 kitaib il mawguid "-andina dilwa-'t' bi t tamaim,
wala fiij ?asar 'abadan li 1 kitaib it taini da_l maznum. .wi "^alaiwa
'^ala kida, kutr in nusdx doil jidill' '^ala 'inn^ 1 'ingiil kam mintijir
kitiir XGilis fi kaffit il '■ailam mijait mis sinim 'ablijnhammad, wi
ma'' zailik ma lammahJLmhammad 'adna talmiih inn' 1 masiihijjim
fi 1 wa^t' da kamu_m'^awwiliin "^ala kitaib mafsuid. fa Li'-tiraid da
muJ ma''''uil bi 1 nidrrd.
w ithdrraf il kitaib " fi wa't' mhammad au ba'^du " z zaij ? wi
huiwa kam mintijir fi kull il buldain, wi mahbuib wi muhtdram
''and' '^umuim in nasaird ? muJ mitsawwdr inn_i masiihijiiin
ittafa'u '^ala tabwiiz kull in nusdx il mawguida fi 1 '^ailam wi tabdil-
ha bi_kta:b taini ! ummail raihit fein nusdx il kitaib il ?asli ?
leih ma nla'iij luhum 'asdr innahdrda ? bai^it iz zaij, ma*^
wuguid nais kitiir kainit il m'hafza '^al kitaib is sahiih li sa'lilihum
'awi ? w illi_jziid it tiin balla huiwa_nni_l fard' da ji'tidi_ttifai'*
in nasaird wajja 1 jahuid '^ala tahriif il '^ahd il ?adiim (it tawrai),
wi humma ''a'^da li bd'-duhum ! wi ji'tidi kaman ittifai^ it
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 263
tewaijif il masi:hijja 1 mif^aidijia "^ala tahriif il ?ingi:l (il "^ahd il
gidi:d) ! wi kuU' da mistahiil wi kala:ra fa:rig, ma jsallimj' buh il
"■a'! is saliim.
20.
it to:ba.
it toiba lafgQ gdrja "^aLalsinit in na:s kitiir. fa 1 waihid min-
hum, in ka:n jihsal mij Je: 'illi "^amalu nitiiga sa'-ba, au haiga ma
ti'^gibuij, ji'uil " tubt," bi ma'^ana " ja retni ma "^amaltij kida,
•^alajan ana Jajif dilwa't inn' da ma kanji li salhi." ■ wi f gumlit
mdrreit tif a:l il kil'ma: di min ger Ju'^uir wala tawbi:x damiir.
walaikin it toiba fi "^urf id dijainaj masihijja lla:ga3''i:da
■^an kida bu'^d is sama "^an il ^ard, wi hijja ge:r mu'^tabdrd ?illa ?iza
kan titwaffdr fi:ha ba'^d ij Juruit, wi hijja.
(i). laizim it to:ba tikum "^an za:t il xatijja_lli_t''amalit muj
•^an in niti:ga_s sa'^baj hasla minha.
(2). wi "^ala kida la:zim tikum bi 'ihsa:s hajj wi j'u'^uir ha'ii'i
wi tawbi:x dami:r.
(3). wi da ma jit?atta:J ilia ?iza kamit it to:ba li lla:h za:tu ;
ja'^ni 1 wailiid la:zim jij'-ur innu rtakab iz zanb' da didd
alia: nafsu, w uinu_b kida "^asa rabbu wi ham qadastu
w_istdxdff' bijnhabbitu.
(4). "^ala kida t to:ba_s sahiiha ti'tidi l_i''tira:f, ja'^ni t taijib
ji'irri li 11a: bi saraiha bi 1 "^amaLilli damiiru ta'^bam
minnu, min ger taMi:m a'^zair "^annu 'abadan. w_in kam
jij''ur innu zetlam hadd' min_na:s, laizim jizi:d '■ala^
"■tiraifu li_lla: komu jiru:h li 1 mazluim ji'^ti'rif lu kaman
bi kuU' saraiha w_ixlais, wi j''uil " ana mah-'ui'," wi
jistasmahu, wi^j'-aw'wad lu kaman iza lizmit il hail.
(5). wi mafhuim min kida inn_it taijib, "-andima jitlub U
mdgfira min aiiai bi 1 keifijja di, jikuin '^andu nijja
salha, wi 'asd' sahiih, wi "-azm* saibit, innu jitruk il "^amal
da aw_il '^aida diija bi 1 kuUijja, wi ma jirga"^ lahaij, w
innu ji-'aimin b_inn aiiai ji'ddr jitammim lu_l "^azm' d
bi ni''mitu wi msa'^ditu, wi jxa'^su fi'^lan min 'uiwit il
xatijja di.
21.
il mdgfird wi 1 kaffaird.
rabbina lamma raid jigfdr xataija n nais Jaif inn' da ger
mumkin mil wagh il 'adabi 'ilia 'iza kain juhkum '■ala 1 xataija
doil wi jizhir li kaffit in nais ha'i(i)''itha wi 1 hukm il '^aidil '^aleiha.
264 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
•^alajan mil ma'^luim inn' msamhit ij Jdxs illi mahuj darjam bi
Sa'ii'it zanbu muj na:fi'^, wi rubbama jisabbitu fi 1 xatijja bta'^tu
bass, wi iJagga"^ ge:ru "^ala rtika{:)bha. fa t tabjiir bi mdgfirit
eiia: li "^umuim il xute: ?abl' 'izhair hukmu "^ala 1 xatijja
kam mustahiil, li'innu fi 1 hada di ka:n ba:z in nizaim il ?adabij.li_
tbana '■aleih il "ialainiin.
walaikin i'^lam il hukm "^ala 1 xetijja fi 1 xute; nafsuhum
ma kanji mumkin, "^alajan lau ka:n aiia: (subhamu wi ta''ada)
hammilna 1 'isa:s_illi hna mistaha"i;nu, ma kanj' xdllama nimid
lu wala gazabnaij li t to:ba_s sadrd min ''alb' minkisir, wi hu:wa_l
'amr il matluib. fa "^alajan kida (i)xta:r aiia:h_il qudduis Q
muhibb innu ji'^lin fi najsu, aj fi kalimitu 1 mitgassida, hukm il
xatijja wi niti:githa s sa'^ba, illi hi:ja 1 mo:t, — wi da muJ mo:t
"■aidi laikin mo:t sa''b' giddan, masllu:b bi 'alam. wi '■azaib wi huzn
wi dalma wi 'aliwad mur''iba.
''ahoJJi '^amalu 1 masiili '^alajamia. ithammil id de(:)nu:na
di bi n nijaiba '■anna, wi hers innu hu:wa zaitu kam bari wi damiiru
ndi:f ma wassdxituij 'adna xatijja 'abadan, kamit tobtu '■an xateija
(i)xwa:nu to:ba tamma kamla, bi tamaim 'abud hukm aiia: bi 1
mo:t da, wi tama:m iJ Ju'-u.'r bjnn' xatijjit il "-adam mustawgi'ba:h.
amma 1 xa:ti za:tu fa ma jimkinuij jituib it toiba t tamma di, wala
jij''ur Ju''u:r 'add' da, li'inni dami:ru majjit, au nuss' majjit, wi 1
ma''lu:m inn_as''ab nataijig il xatijja innaha_t''assi 'alb H xa:ti wi
tmawwit damiiru wi thu:Ju ''an it toiba 1 kamla.
amma Hi junzur li_l mo:t "^as &ali:b wi jiftikir fi:h tajjib, jit-
ha"a' Janai'-it xatijjitu, wi jitha??a? qada:sit aiiaih eh hi:ja, wi f i 1
wa-'t' nafsu jifham miMa:r mahabbit alia:, fa jirga"^ li rabbu
maksuir il 'alb, wi huiwa jihkum "^ala nafsu hukm ai'iaih "^aleih,
wi jtu:b to:bit il masi:h ; wi "^ala kida tib'a mdgfirit xata'jaih fi
mahallaha wala fihj' darar fi komu jithassal "^ala rida rabbu wi
jin'ibil bi sifat wa:hid ma si' it J' 'abadan fi 1 xatijja, ka'innu lissa_f
hadit il bdrai'a ! wi ja li 1 "^agab !
wi fi'-lan illi_jkum ixtabdr il ixtiba(:)ra:t di kuUaha jib'a mit-,
gaddid xadis, ma jiftikirj fi: ma ba'-d ilia ke:f jimkinu jutruk il
xatijja bi 1 kuUijja, wi jit'addim fi 1 qadaisa, wi jitjabbih bi jasu:'^_il
masi:h fadi:h, illi safak dammu '^alajamu w ijta'ra:h lLlla:h ; wi
bi l_ixtisa:r, bi jitwilid il milaid it tami, wi 1 masi:h il hajjLb jiskun
fi:h ruihijjan wi jgajjdru bi t tadri:g hatta_jsi:r zejju fi 1 med
wJ 1 '■amal wi_f kull' Je:.
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC 265
22.
is sa(:)luis il muqaddas.
ihna 1 masi:hijji:n mVahhidiin eiia: zejj_il muslimiin wi
zja:da kaman. bi_n'a:min inn eAi&h subhainu wi ta'^aila waihid,
w_inn il xa:li' 'aijim bi nafsu, ge:r mahduid fi "^ilmu, m^naffiz irsdtu
bi 'uiwitu 1 mutia'a. wi ninsib lu kaman sifatein '^ila.'wa '^qs sifait
di_l mazku:ra, wi Jamlim luhum, ja'^ni 'sifat il qadaisa wi sifat il
mahabba ; wi biji'uil inn aiia: quddu:s, w_innu_mhibb, hatta_
n'u:l innu kuUu mahabba.
f iza kan rabbina sa:hib "^ilm' min ?adi:m il 'azal laizim jinwigid
kaman Je ma'-luim, wi "-ala kida 1 muhibb ji'tidi wuguid Je mahbuib.
summa wugu:d il ma''lu:m wi 1 mahbuib da laizim jikum ?adi:m
■ger maxlu:', zejji wugu:d il "-adiim wi 1 muhibb, wi 'illajikuin
hakamna inn aiia: subhamu wi ta'^aila mihta:g li Je jikammilu,
wi da mustahid, '■alajan inn_aiia: laizim jikum fi gina "^an kuU'
Je maxlu:', ger mihtaig li ha:ga_tkammilu ; fa ma jsahhij innina_
n'ud inn il ma'-luim aw il mahbuib da jikum maxlu:' mil maxlu'ait,
hatta wala nafs il ko:n bi rummitu, lahsan nikuin nasabna li llaih
il '^agzi wi n na's. fa '^ala kida laizim il ma'^luim il mahbuib da
jikum mawguid fi za:tu ta'^ada, ger minfasetl "^annu min 'adiim il
'azal ; wi_nsammi:h " il kalima," aj ibn' fik'ritu, aw " il ibn," aj
ibni mahabbitu, wi hu:wa 1 'uqnuim it taini min aqaniim iz za:t.
'amma 1 'uqnuim it tailit hu:wa ru:h il mahabba 1 mawguida tamalli
bem il muhibb' wi 1 mahbuib.
'^ala kida nju:f inn' wihdit aiia:(h) ma timna'^J inn' 1 wa:hid
jikum m'sallas il 'aqaniim, ja'^ni 'inni 1 wihda_tkum fi talat 'aqaniim
daixil iz zait il wahda, ger minfasla ''an ba'^daha wala minfasla "^an
iz zait. wi muj laizim niftikir inn' min Juruit il wihda 'innaha_
tkuin wihda mgdrrada zejji nu'ta handasijja aw il waihid fi "^ilm
il hisaib, w_innaha_mna''da lit ta'-addud fi hadd' zaitha ; laikin il
wihda wi t ta''addud lazmiin li ba''d, m'^kammil il waihid li t tami,
zejjima njuif fi i tabii'^a_f gumlit mdrrait, hatta 'innina bi njuif
fi t tabii'-a inn il 'ajja kullima_tziid ta''addud wi tanawwu*^, kullima
tkuin wihdith(a) atamm. • fa tanwii'^ in nabait id da(i)xli masalan
aktdr min tanwii"^ il hagdr, wi huiw^atamm' minnu wihda. wi
tanwii*^ il hajawain aktdr min tanwii*" in nabait, wi huiw_atamm'
minnu wihda. wi tanwii*^ il 'insain aktdr min tanwii'' il hajawain,
wi huiw_atamm' minnu wihda. wi_b Lixtisair, kullima titra'-'aj
'ajja fi ddragait il wuguid nijuif wihdithum titimm bi_z(i)jaidit
tanwi''hum. fa 'iza kainit il haila kida, eih_illi jimna''na '■an innina_
266 EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
n?u:l inni za:t aiiaih subhainu wi ta'-aila tiku:n bi tanwi:'' da(:)xli,
faiji' kuU' tasawwur, wi ma'' kida (aw ahsan nPu:l li sabab kida)
wihditu_tku:n atamm' w_ajadd' min wihdit 'ajji Je ge:ru, hatta
'innaha 1 wihda 1 walliida_]li tistaha"' ma'^na 1 lafza di ? fa t
tanwi:'' id daxli da hu:wa 1 ■'aqaniim, wi humma mitmajjizim fi
l_ism wi 1 waziifa, laikin wa:iiid fi 1 ha'ja: wi z za:t wi s sifa:t il
muqdddasa. w iza samme:na_l 'uqnuimjl 'awwil " U 'abb "
ikminnu mazdar il kull, wi 1 'u'nuim it tami " lj.bn," muj laizim
abadan jinfihim min kida_l wila:da 1 ma''hu:da '■andina wala ha:ga
zejjaha. bass_it tasmijja di tidill "-ala '■alai'a tifu:? it tasawwur be:n
alia: wi kalimatu. zejjimaj. wa:hid minna bij'ud inn' kalaimu.
" ibn' fikritu," wi hu:wa ma bi jmaijizs' bem kala:mu wi nafsu.
fa ''ala kida tamam kalaim aiia:h ibn fikritu wi wastit ta''bi:ru
"■anha, wi huiwa 'azali zejju, ger minfasal '-annu, li'Lnnu ma j-
sahhij inninaji'uil inn alia: ka:n xaili min kalimatu lahza miz
zamam min 'adiim il 'azal. wi min he:s il 'aqaniim mitmajjizim
fi 1 waziifa, fa kam min waziifit il kalima innu jitgassid, lamma gih
il wa't, bi ?u:wit aiia:h_il "^aziima ; ja''ni 'innu xad gasadna wi
sa:r insam ka:mil, zejjina_f kull' haiga xila:f il xatijja ; wi ba''dima_
ddama numuizag kamad wi 'awrama sifait il insamijja 1 fta'i'ijja,
dahha nafsu ''alajanna kaffaird, wi ma:t, wi 'aim wi sa'-ad li '■adam
il geib, summa ba'^at lina ruihu, illi huiwa r ru:tl il qudus, rmh
aiia:h_il hajj', wi '■ala kida fadama li_lla:h bi dammu, wi 'drrabna
lijlaih bi ruihu, "^alajan nikum maskin li_lla:h fi d dunja wi 1
'dxrd. w alia: jihdima li_s sawa:b.
VOCABULARY
OF THE CHIEF WORDS OCCURRING IN THE READER.
Note. — The words are ranged under their respective roots, and
the roots are arranged according to the order of the conventional
Arabic alphabet, viz. :
?
\
s
u~
q(=')
3
b
-r'
I
cr*
k
J,
t
UU
a
U=
1
J
g
E
a
lF
ra
r
h
C
t
L
n
(J
X
t
z
k
h
A
d
a
<;
t
w
^
r
;
9
t
J
l5
z
3
f
^
N.B.— Words which contain, etymologically, a [q] (^3) are in every
case arranged as if they were written [q], not [?].
?bh
'tj
'ubbaha
I. ?ata, ja:ti
V. it'atta
?ami:r, p. 'umdrd
'iraaird
grand(eur)
come
come about
prince, noble
nobility
gr
?agr, p. 'uguir
?ugrd, p. ?ugdr
II. 'aggdr
reward
wages
let, hire, rent
?a:xir
/. 'axrd
'aixir ma
V. it''dxxQr
latter, last
the next (life)
when finally
be late, backward
? X z (6)
fll. ('')a:xiz [tr.) be vexed with
inf. m'-'axza vexation
ma_ttaxizni:f [for ma t'^axizniij
excuse me
ill
II. 'dda, w/. ta'dijja render, pass
?zl
'azal
?azali
eternity (prior)
eternal (prior)
267
268
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
I. [orig. IV.) 'azajPzi injure
part, mi'zi iniurious
%:h. noun 'aziija injury
? s r (6)
'asar, p. ?a(:)sa:r trace, remain{s)
? s r (? e r)
II. 'asscir C^ala or fi) touch, excite
««/". ta'siir impression, emotion
'asa:s, p. a:t
'asaf
V. it'assif
? sf
?sl
foundation
regret
be very sorry
'qsI, p. 'usuil origin ; root-
principle ; beginning
'asli original, " cost "
?kd
II. ?akkid
bi t ta?ki:d
V. it'akkid
asseverate
of a certainty
be certain
? kl
II. wakkil (/;'.) give to eat
Mm
I. "^ilim, ji'^lam (bi) know
in}, ''ilm (p. "-uluim) knowledge
(branches of do.)
' m r
I. 'amcir, ju'mur ((if.) command,
commission
(j)art. pass.) ma^muir
Commissioner
affair, thing
command
'amr, p. 'umuir
do. p. ?awa:mir
?ml
V. it-'ammil {tr., and with fi:)
reflect on
?
m m
'umma, p. umam
? m n
nation
III. ?a:min, ji'aimin C^ala)
believe on
IV. {inf.) i(:)mam faith, belief
part, mu'min believer
?amama integrity
? n s
'insam {j>. na:s) man
?insa(:)nijja humanity,
humaneness
?hl
'ahl, p 'aha:U people
?ahlan {from 'ahl " worthy ")
welcome !
I. ?am
'awam
'aija, p. -a:t
itbahtdr
buxuir
II. bdxxdr
_11
b
bhtr
came (duly)
due time
miracle, text
bxr
bdd
be dispersed
mcense
cense
II. baddid embezzle
b d r (5)
I. baddr, jibdur {or II.) scatter
VOCABULARY
269
bdl
II. baddil {tr. bi), inf. tabdi:l
exchange, substitute
(a thing for . . . . )
badla, ^. bidal suit ("change")
of clothes
bada(:)l instead of
br'
bars:' a
ban (/orbari:?)
brg
burg,;!), abraig
b r q p]
innocence
innocent
tower
bar?
hghtning, gold fringe
brk
I. barak, jibrik kneel down
III. ba:rik {tr. fi, '^ala) bless
bareka blessing
bdrsiim
b r s m
b s t {coll. s)
clover
I. basst, jibsit {tr.) please
part. pass, mabsuit (min) pleased
VII. imbasat {for inbasat) (min)
be pleased (with)
bfr
II. bajjdr {tr.) bring good news to
bijaird, p. bijaijir . good news ;
Gospel
b s s
I. bass, jibuss {tr.) look, glance
btt
batt ducks
btl
I. bitil, iibtal
part, baitil
bu'^d
b-^d
b q r p]
ba'ar
lahm ba'cir
be nullified
vain, false
distance
cows, oxen
beef
b q q P ']
bu"
mouth
. b q j pi
ba'a or bi'i, jib-'a remain, be
over, become, be
part, bai^i, ba(:)'ijja remainder
bkt
II bakkit {tr.\ rebuke, prick
bki
I. baka, jibki, inf. buka weep
bid
balad, p. bilaid mhabited place
(town, village, land)
bila:d {collectively) , p. buldam
country
b n d q p]
bundu'
bunn
nuts
b n n
b n i
I. bana, iibni {tr.)
tnf. bina, buna
binaija, p. abniija
VII. itbana
coffee-beans
build
building
a building
be built
b w 7:
II. bawwiz
pout, be sulky
270
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
b W Z
I. ba:2, jibuiz be nullified, spoiled
II. bawwaz nullify, spoil
bj^
I. ba:";, jibi:*;
inf. hvS
verh-noi-in be;''a
sell
belling
a transaction
b j n
tli
II. bajjin (ir.), inf. tibjam
manifest
t
t q r
I. (part.) ta:gir, p. tuggair
merchant
HI. ta:g'r (fi)
trb
turba, p. turab
ti<;
tir''a, p. iira.'-
ti k
deal (in)
grave,
soil
canal
I. tarak, jitruk [inf.] tdrk leave
f^b
I. ti'^ib, jif^ab be tired
I. ta'^ab. jit<;ib ]
II. ta«ab \{ty.) tire
IV. of^ab, jif^ibj
pari, muf^ib tiresome
t q n PI
IV. at'an, jit^in execute perfectly
inf. it'a:n fine execution
part, mafum finely executed
t q w [?]
ta'a:wi
seed for sowing
I. tilif, iitlif
inf. talaf
talfam
spoil, ruin
waste
wasteful, wasted
t m m
I tamm, jitimm be perfect.
be fulfilled
part. ta:m(m) perfect
II. tammim complete
tamalm, comp. atamm complete,
perfect
t m n (6)
taman, p. atmain
t wt
price
tu:t, sing. tu:ta mulberr^'-trees
t w r
tu:rd
ta:rd
four-bits-of
sometimes
q
gitta, p. gitat
g 1 1 [g_e e]
body, corpse
gdd
V. itgaddid be renewed, converted
grb
gdrrab try, tempt
inf. tagriba, p. tagairib
trial, temptation
tagriiba, p. -a:t experiment
g rll
I. gdrah, jigraS [tr.) wound
garh, p. guru:ll a wound
g rd
II. gdrrad [tr.) denude, abstract
mugdrrad abstract ; bare
VOCABULARY
271
g rdl
garclal, p. gareidil
qrr
garr, ]igurr
g rm
pail
drag
crime
gamma, p. garaijim
IV. [part, only) mugrim
criminal, guilty
gin, ]ign run, run away
inf. garj, garajam
part, gairi running, current
gara, jigra (li)
gzb
I. gazab, jigzib
inf. gazb {tr.)
befal
draw
attract
gsd
gasad, p. agsa:d body, flesh
V. itgassid took flesh, became
incarnate
gss
T. gass, jigiss
migass
test, touch
test, touchstone
II. gallid [tr.]
inf. tagli.'d
gld
gls
bind (book)
binding
I. galas, jiglis take one's seat
vb. noim galsa a sitting
maghs, p. magailis council
gm'^
I. gama"^, jigma"; [tr.) collect
inf. gam"^ collecting, addition
gamai'^a, p. -a:t party,
community
gam'^ijja, p. -a:t a society
g m 1
gumla, p. gumsJ sentence ;
total ; number
gumlit mdrrait often
g n s
gins, *. agna:s
race ; sort
g n n
I. gann, jiginn be mad
{ori^. madden)
^fl;'i. magnum, 7^. maganim mad
II. gannin {tr.) madden
V. itgannin get mad
X. istagann {tr.) call mad
ghd
III. gaihid, inf. giha:d wage
(holy) war, stiive
gihiz
11. gahhiz
g h z
qhl
ready
get ready
I. gahal, jighal {ir. and intr.)
be ignorant (of)
inf. gall] folly
part. act. ga:hil fool
part. pass, maghud passive voice
{lit. " unknown ")
q w b
III. na:wib Hr.) reply-to (a person)
— "-ala reply to (question)
— "^an reply about (thing)
TV. ana:b, part, mugiib, giant
request
g w 7 (2 w g)
gawaiz mairiage
V. iqgawwiz {tr.) marry
qo:z, -p. agwa:z pair ; husband;
nuts
zo:ga, p. zogait wife
272
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
g jb
ga:b, jigiib {orig. ga: bi)
inf. magajb, magiiba
ft
ftbb
habba, p. -art or hubu:b
hbs
bring
bringing
gram,
htnebit
I. haba=;, jihbis imprison
inf. habs imprisoning, prison
ftbl
habi, p. ftiba:!
rope, string
hit
hitta, hitat piece
hitta_b xamsa 5 piastre piece
hti
hatta even
— 'inn until, sothat.inorderthat
hgb
higaib, p. ahgiba amulet
hdt (0)
II. haddit (tr.) tell (storv) to [li]
V. itftaddit chat, talk
hadduitci, p. hawadiit story, talc
hdd
limit
I. hadd, jihidd (tr.)
lb. roun hadd, p. hudu:d
limit, limitation
I. part, mahduid limited, fixed
fi hadd' za:tu in (thelimitof)
itself
IT. haddid {tr.) give limits to
h d s (0)
I. hadas, jihdas happen
/. part, hadsa, p. ftawardis
event, accident
h r r
harr {suhst. also used as adj.)
heat, hot [oi things)
hot
hotness, temperature
(of persons)
free, non-governmental
freedom
ftdrr«m
hdrarrd
hurr
hurrijia
ft r s
I. ftdres, juhrus [tr.)
pass. part, mahruis
il mahruisa
guard
child
Cairo
h r s
IT. ftdrras ('■ala)
inf. hirs
be careful (of)
carefulness
hrf
harf, p. hura:f edge ; lettei ;
consonant
II. hdiraf, ?'»/. taftriif alter text of
ftirfa, p. hiraf profession
h r m
VIII. ihtdrom {tr.), in]
part. pass. muhtdr«m
^. ihtira:m
honour
honoured
hdrarm
hdrami, p. hdramijja
fturma
sm, wrong
thief
wonder
hri
(bi 1) hari
or rather
ft z n
ftazi:n \ sorrowful,
haznam j in mourning
VOCABULARY
273
hsb
I. hasab, jihsib reckon
III. ha:sib (tr.) give an account to
inf. hisa:b, p. -a:t account
— C^ala) take care (of)
h s s
I. {orig. IV.) hass, jihiss feel
inf. itisais {p. -a:t) feeling(s)
h s n
ahsan better
II. hassin make better, improve
««/.tahsim,^. -a:t " improvement
X. istahsin (tr.) approve of,
prefer to do
hajiij (lit. " grass "), hachiche
hajjaij [p. -i:n) hachiche-smoker
hsl
happen
obtain
crops
I. hasal, jihsol
— "-ala
ifif. husu:l
part, mahsu:!, p. -art
II. hassal {tr.) collect (debt, tax)
V. ithassol C^ala) {or X.) obtain
h s j
IV. ahsa, jihsi {tr.) count,
take census of
inf. ihsa(:)
hdr
census
I hadar, juhdur be present
inf. huduir being present,
presence
vb. noun hddra Presence
II. hadder bring
hdr
X. istdhdar summon
mdhdar, p. mdhaidir proces-
verbal, minutes of meeting
hfz
hafaz, jihfaz {tr.), inf. hifz keep
III. haifiz 'iala preserve ; take
note of
h q q [? ?]
ha??
p. hu?u:?
il ha?? "^aleik, lak
right, truth
rights, Law
you are
wrong, right
ha?? ami righteous
I. part. mah?u:? in the wrong
II. ha??a? realise (i.e. cause
to come true)
inf. tah?i:? enquiry
V. itha??a? realise (ascertain)
X. istaha?? {tr.) be worthy of
ma jistaha??ij it's not worth while
ha?i:?a, ha?a:ji? fact, truth, reality
h km
I. hakam, juhkum judge, rule
— ''ala condemn
part, haikim, p. hukkaim ruler
hakam umpire
hikma, p. hikam wisdom
huku:ma, p. -a:t government
hlq[?]
'hala?a
circle, link
hll
mahall, ^. ait
fi mahallu
place
in place, right
him
I. hilim, jihlam (bi) dream (of)
inf. hilm dreaming, dream
hi'
halaiwa
sweetness, sweet-stuff
,h m r
humair donkey
ahmdr more of a donkey
X. istdhmdr (<r.) consider a donkey
274
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
hml
hamal jifimil,
inf. himl, p. ahmail
fart, haimil
hamla
II. hammil {tr.]
carry
load
pregnant
pregnancy
load
V. itlianimil(i>'.) load oneself with
VIII. ihtamal [and X.) bear,
suffer, tolerate
h m j
III. ha:ma ('■an)
part, m'haimi
defend
advocate
h nn
cp. Phcenician [hanniba'^al]
(Hannibal)
Hebrew [joftann] (John)
hinnijja tenderness
II. hannin ("^ala) have pity (on)
h wd
I. hawad, jihwid (or II.)
h w 1
turn
hawalem round
II. hawwil {tr.), inf. tahwiil turn
X. [aor.) jistahiil C^ala) be
impossible (for)
part, mistahid impossible
he:l strength, good health
— "^ala heilak — your best
VIII. ihtair.
inf. ihtijair be
perplexed
hjs
lie:s
bi he:s
since
in respect of . .
h j n
hi:n, p. ahjam
{ace.) ahjaman
time
sometimes
hida, p. hijal
trick; device;
support
I. hijj, jihja live
haja: {before genit. hajait) life
hajj, p. alija(:) living
xb r
VIII. ixtabctr {tr.), inf. ixtibair
. experience
X b j
II. xabba {tr.)
V. itxabba ~\
X6. istaxabbaj
x t m
hide
hide oneself,
be hid
seal
seal-ring
seal
I. xetam, jixtim {tr.)
xaitim, p. xawaitim
xitm, p. ctxtaim
xgl
I. xigil jixgal, inf. xdgal be
ashamed
xdd
xddd, p. xudu:d
x d m
cheek
I. xadam, jixdim serve
inf. xidma, p. xidam service
II. xdddim ('■ala) serve (at)
X. istdxdim t ake (government)
employment
xr b
xorbain
nuned, broken
VOCABULARY
275
xrg
II. xarrag {tr.) pass one out
(of a school)
mitxarrag passed out,
former pupil
X r ''
ixtarQ"-, inf. ixtira:"^
xs r
invent
I. xisir, jixsar lose
inf. xusaird loss
II. xQssar [tr.) cause-to-lose
xesrain, p. -i:n, losing, out of
pocket
xjb
11. xajjib
xuju:"^
xujui'^i
VIII. ixtaja
xj'
got stiff
reverence, awe
solemn
X sm
be shy; ashamed
X z n
II. xdzzan, inf. tdxzim dam up
X s b
XQsib fertile
VIII. ixtaser abridge, do briefly
inf. (bi 1_) ixtisair in short
X s s
xass, jixuss [tr.) belong to
inf. xusuis belonging-to
bi xsu:s apropos of
xusuisan especially
VIII. ixtsss (bi) have specially
to do with
inf. ixtisais specialization,
purview
ixtisa:si a specialist
xasm, p. xusu:m
III. xa:sim {tr.)
adversary
oppose
xadd
I. xadd, jixudd jolt, frighten
VII. inxadd, itxadd get a
shock, fright
xuda:r
x d r
xff
vegetables
X. istaxaff (bi) beUttle, slight
xtb
I. xatab, jixtub {tr.)
X t r
betroth
I. xatar, jixtur occur
xa:tir mind ; heart ; liking
xdd "-ala xatru took to heart
xtt
xatt, jixutt (hand) write ;
draw line
vh. noun xatt, p. xutuit
handwriting ; line
xitta, p. xitat line of action
X t f ( = snatch)
xataf, jixtaf {inf. xatf) filch
xQtta:f filcher
I. {part.) xaiti, xuta:(h) sinner
IV. dxta, p. jixti commit sin
xatijja, p. xata:ja sin
xlxl
m'xdlxdl
striped
276
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
xls
xilis, jixlas be finished; be saved
inf.xalais finishing; salvation
i. xa:Us, finished ; saved ;
free (from) ; entirely
II. xaUas (tr.) save, finish,
satisfy, retrieve
■ — "^ala expedite luggage
IV. (inf.) ixla:s sincerity
(part.) muxlis sincere
V. itxaUas (min) extricate oneself
xilaisa abstract, summary
xlf
I. xalaf, jixlif (tr.) succeed
xdliif (or xdli:fa), p. xulafa
successor. Caliph
III. xa:lif (tr.) differ from,
contravene, disobey
inf. m'xalfa contravention,
disobedience
inf. xila:f difference
— or bi_xla:f except
X 1 q P]
I. xala', juxlu?, inf. xaP create
xuP temper, disposition
p. axla:' character
xula'i " tempery," passionate
I. xili, jixla (min) be destitute of
partic. xadi destitute, empty
II. xalla, inf. tdxlijja let, leave,
cause
xnqj?]
I. xcina', juxnu' strangle
III. xa:ni? (tr.), inf. xina:?,
— m^'xan'a quarrel-with
II. xajidr(/>'.) give-one-the-choice
d
d b h (5)
dabah,iidbah slaughter, massacre
madbah, p. madaibih altar
madbaha, p. do. (a) massacre
dbr
II. dabbdr manage, arrange
(inf.) tadbiir, p. tadabiiror-ait
arrangement
dxl
I. ddxdl,judxul, w/. duxud enter
partic. as prep. da:xil within
rel. adj. ddxli interior
ddxlijia boarding-school
II. ddxxdl (tr.) put in
drg
II. inf. (bi_t) tadri:g by degrees
durg,^. adraig drawer, desk
d r j
I. diri, jidra (bi)
ddrjam (bi)
know
conscious (of)
d '' w
I. da'^a, jid'-i pray, intercede
— li pray for
— "^ala- pray against (curse)
inf. da'^wa, p. -a:t or 'du'^a
prayer
VIII. idda'-a claim, pretend, sue
da'' wa(:) , da'^aiwi claim, suit at law
df;
I. dafa*^, jidfa*^ (tr.), inf. daf' pay
II. daffa'^ (tr.) make-to-pay
dfn
dafan, jidfin, inf. dafn
bury
VOCABULARY
277
dfj
I. difi, jidfa
II. daffa {tr.)
V. iddaffa
dafja:n
dafa
be warm
warm
warm oneself
(feeling) warm
warmth
dqqjd??]
I. da", jidu" {inf. da?') knock,
work (gold)
— {tr. and intr.) sound (bell)
d k r (5)
dakar, p. duku:r male
dll
I. dall.jidillC^ala) prove, indicate
daliil, p. adilla proof
dnj
dani low ; mean
comp. adna lowest ; least
,, {fern.) dunja (id) the
lower world, " here below "
d w X
I. da:x, jiduix be giddy, sea-sick
d w r
I. da:r, jidu:r go round
II. dawwdr {tr.) turn round
— "-ala search for
IV. {notinpasttense) turn round,
administer
inf. idairct administration
part. mudi:r administrator, Mudir
imper. di:r ba:lak turn your
mind, attend
d w s
I. da:s jidu:s {tr.), inf, do:s
crush, trample on, run over
d w q P] (6)
I. da:', jidu:' {tr.) taste
inf. doi' (zo:') taste (good taste)
d j n
I. dam, jidim, inf. de(:)numa
judge, condemn
djr
de:r, p. adjurd monastery
dajjaird • people of monastery
ra'j
opmion
rbb
rabb, p. drba:b Lord ; owner
rbj
II. rabba bring up ; educate
inf. tdrbijja education, training
rabaija bringing up
rtb
II. rattib {tr.), inf. tdrti:b
arrange, set in order
I. istdrga'' {tr.) ask to come,
get back
rg w
I. raga, jdrgu'(i>'.) hope-from, beg
' Borrowed from classical.
r h m
rafima
r X s
istdrxas {tr.)
mercy
demand-cheap
r z q
I. raza', jirzu' {tr.) provide for
riz', p. drza:' provision, livelihood
278
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
r z 1 (a)
rdzirl, p. ruzala
razada
wicked
wickedness
rjd
IV. 'arjad, inf. irja:d guide
aright
]
I. ridi jirda be willing
— ('■ala or '^an) give favour
to, be pleased with
inf. ride willingness, good
favour
IV. 'drds, jirdi {tr.) please
inf. irds(:)
rutuiba
rtb
moisture, damp, cold
r'^b
I. [for IV.) ra^ab, jir^ib
part, mur'^ib
terrify
fearful
]
ra''a jir'^a {tr.)
ra:''i, p. ru'^jam
feed (animals)
herdsman
rgb
I. ragab, jirgab
rugba, p. -a:t
rf f
raff, p. rufu:f
desire
a desire
shelf
rfq^?]
riP (bi) mercy, kindness (to, with)
r q w P]
I. {part.) rai'i elevated, advanced
rqqP"]
V. itra^'a, inf. tara'^i ascend,
be promoted
rkb
I. rikib, jirkab ride
inf. ruku:b a riding, being
ridden
rukuiba " mount "
II. rakkab, inf. tdrkiib fix
together
VIII. irtakab {tr.) commit
r k z
mdrkaz, p. maraikiz centre,
district, district-office, post
rumma
bi rummitu
totality
as a whole, entirely
r m ]
I. rama, jirmi {tr.)
r n b
throw down
hare, rabbit
dmab, p. drainib
I. ra:g, jiru:g sell well
II. rawwig {tr.) bring prosperity to
r w h or r j h
{pass, part.) mdrjuih
possessed with a spirit
I. ra:S go
II. rawwah go away
VII. inrajah become spirit-
possessed
VIII. irtaih be satisfied, take
ease
inf. irtijaih satisfaction
Xa. istdrajjah rest
ru:h, p. drwa:h spirit
ruhami spiritual
ruhijjari spiritually
VOCABULARY
279
r w s or r j s {for r ? s)
head
sugar-loaf
rais, p. ru:s
— sukkdr
r w m
ar ruim
ru:mi, p. arwa:m
the Greeks
Greek
r w]
I. rswa, jirwa have-thirst-slaked
jirwi {tr.) water (tr.)
I. {for IV.) raid, jiriid {tr.)
wiU, wish
willing, wUl
inf. iraida
ri:f, p. drjaif
zibi:b
country (opp. to
" town "
z
zbb
zh m
currants
I. zaham, jizhim {tr.) crowd on
mazhu:m crowded
zahma crowd, crush
zr*;
I. zard'', jizrd''
inf. zdr"^
zirei'^a
plant, sow
agriculture
zgrt
zdgrat
shrill with joy
z k r (8)
zakdr, juzkur mention,
perform the Zikr
inf. zikr mentioning, Zikr
V. itzakkdr {tr.) remember
zala:l
zimi:l, p.
zU
z ml
sweet, fresh
colleague
z m m (8)
I. zamm, jizimm censure
zamiim blameworthy
zimma honour, integrity
z m j
azma, p. -a:t (financial) crisis
z wt
za:t, p. azwa:t self, essence
z w r
I. za:r, jizuir, inf. zijaird visit
II. zawwdr {tr.) cause to visit
VII. inza:r have a [za:r]
performed on one
z h b (8)
mazhab, mazaihib tenet,
school of thought
zhqP]
I. zihi' or zuhu', jizha' (min)
be sick of, get tir°d of
inf. zaha.'^, adj. zah'^am
II. zahha' {tr.) disgust
s
s?l
sa'al, jis'al {tr.) ■ ask
inf. su'ail, p. as'ila, su^alait
question
sa'al '■ala ask after
ma jis'alj he doesn't care
part. pass, mas'uil responsible
mas'u(:)hjja responsibility
mas'ala, p. masa:'il question,
affair
28o
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
sbb
sabab, p. asbaib
II. sabbib [tr., li)
cause
cause ... to
s b t (9)
I. sibit, jisbit be fixed
I. (/or IV.) sabat, jisbit fix, prove
II. sabbit fix, confirm
sbh
subham glory be .... !
s b q [s b ?]
saba^ jisba? precede
saba' {used adverbially) formerly
sdd
I. sadd, jisidd, inf. sadd
fill up, stop
s r r
sirr, p. asra:r secret ; secret
self ; mystery ; sacrament
s r w (G)
sr]
saraqa
s-^d
wealth
palace
sa'^iid, p. su'^ada blessed, happy
sa''a:da felicity
sa'^adtak (-ttak) your Grace
si*'r, p. as'^Qir
s^j
price
I. sa'^a, jis'^a (fi) make effort, try
inf. sa*^] effort
s f r
sifr, p. asfair
book (of Bible)
s qJP ]
sa'a, jis'i {tr.) give drink to
shb
I. participles only : —
act. SQihib, p. Gshaib
companion, friend
pass, mashuib (bi) possessor,
accompanied (by)
VI. itseihib (iss-). befriend-
oneself (with)
s 1 s {see tit; for Q\%)
sa:lu:s Trinity
II. Scdlis {tr.) declare to be a
Trinity
musaUas {jpart. pass.) trine
slh
sila:h, p. asliha arm(s) (military)
slf
II. saUif advance, lend
VIII. istalaf {tr.) borrow
slk
I. silik, jisluk goon; behave;
" go " ( = succeed)
inf. sulu:k
behaviour
s 1 m
II. saUim {tr.) deliver, surrender
— bi admit
— ""ala greet
VIII. istalam {tr.) receive by
deUvery
sali:m sound
s m h
III. saimih {tr.) forgive
inf. m'samha or simaih
forgiveness
X. istasmah {tr.) ask the for-
giveness of
VOCABULARY
281
s m s r
simsair, p. samasrd
s m "^
broker
II. samma"^ {tr), inf. tasmi:'^
cause-to-hear
samma:''a telephone-receiver
s m m (9)
summ, summa then, moreover
I. simin, jisman be fat
{subst.) samn fat
{adj.) simi:n, p. suma:n fat
N.B. samiin /row 9 m n precious
smj
II. samma, inf. tasmijja call,
name
— "lala say, the name of God
over
sn d ( = " support ")
sanad, p. -a:t voucher
shl
I. sihil, jishal ("^ala) be easy (for)
pari. sa:hil \
adj. sahl
easy
s w b (9)
sawa:b charity, reward of charity
s wh
I. saih, jisuih travel about
part, saijih,;^. su(i)wa:h\traveller,
sawwaift, p. -i:n j tourist
s ws
I. sa:s, jisuis manage
part. sa(:)jis groom
inf. sijaisa diplomacy, politics
s w q [']
I. sa:', jisu:? (tr.)
sawwa:', p. -i:n
su:?, p. Qswa:'
sa:?
sw j
drive
driver
market
trunk of tree
I. sawa, jiswa (!!r.) be worth,
equal to
VIII. istawa be cooked, ripe,
mature
sawa together
sawa sawa both (all) together
sawan whether
I. sa:r, jisiir
inf. si:rd
ga:b si:rit. . .
walk, conduct
oneself
conduct
bring. . .into
the conversation
s j 9 (/or s)
saig., for eeig
siiga
sound ; current
(gold), jewellry
J
Jbb
young man
young woman
Jabb, p. Jubbam
Jabba
Jbh
I. Jabah, jijbih similarity,
resemble
Jabah likeness
V. itjabbah (bi) become like
VIII. ijtabah (fi:) suspect
Jrd
I. Jared, jijrid
V. irjdrrad
be a runaway
be a vagabond
Jrr
Jarr, p. Juruir
Jirriir, p. ajrair
evil (thing)
evil (person)
282
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
1^
part, majru:'', p. raajarii'^ or-a.it
enterprise
JrqP]
Jdr?
Jdr'i
east
oriental, eastern
Jrj
I. part, and aor. not used
part. Jairi buyer
inf. Jira buying
VIII. ijtdra [tr.) buy
part. pass, mujtdra {p. -ja:t)
purchase (s)
Jaitir, p. Juttair clever, cunning
V. ijjattar C^ala) take advantage
of, keep price up against
r
feel
feeling
I. Ja''ar, jij'^ur
inf. Ju'^uir, p. -a:t
111
I. (but II. preferred) occupy,
preoccupy
part. majgu:l busy, preoccupied
majg-ulijia busy-ness
VIII. ijtdgdl work
Jugl business, work
majgala employment
Jafa'a
.ffqP]
JqqP
maja^a, p. -a:t
I q i P]
mercy
trouble
Ja'i, p. Ju'aj
p. apija
naughty
wicked, criminal
Jkl
Jakl,^. ajkail sort, kind, condition
Jms
Jammais, p. Jamamsa deacon,
acolyte
Jam'^a
Jam''ada:n
Jm'
Jml
candle
candle-stick
I. Jamal, jijmil ('■ala) include
part.^SLimU. inclusive, aU-embracing
Janai'^a disgracefulness, vileness
fhd
Jihid, jijhad witness
part. Jaihid, p. Juhuid a witness
pi. Jawaihid proof-texts,
references
X. iftajhid (bi) cite
Jahiid, p. Juhada martyr
majhad, p. majaihid funeral-
procession
Jhw
VIII. ijtaha (tr.) lust, long
Jwr
I. Ja:r C^ala), jiju:r advise
III. Jaiwir (tr.) [or X.) consult
IV. [inf.) ijaird, p. ijdrait
signal, command
VI. ij Jaiwir be consulted,
consult together
Jwt
Jo:t [lit. " ramble ") " a spell "
Jjx
Je:x, p. Jujurx or majaijix
sheikh ; tomb of sheikh
Jeixd
wise-woman
IJ
Je(:)?, p. 'ajja
thing
VOCABULARY
283
s
s dr
I. sadar
masdar,
, jisdur, inf. sudu:r
take rise, issue forth
p. masaidir origin,
infinitive
sdf
sudfa, p. sudaf chance
VI. itsa:dif, inf. tasa:duf
it chanced
e d q p]
I. sada', jusdu'
inf. sid'
III. &a:di' '^ala
tell truth
truth (fulness)
endorse
shh
eahh, jisahh be correct, right
inf. sihha correctness, health
sihhi healthy
eshaih {j>. -a:t) chapter (of Bible)
shf
sahiifa, p. sahaijif or suhuf page
s r h
saraiha openness, plainness
II. sarrdh (bi) say plainly
sf f
s r f
spend
tax-
collector
drain off
drain
I. saraf, jisrif
earraif, p. -i:n )
sirri:f, p. sijdrfa /
II. earraf, inf. tasri:f
masraf, p. masairif
V. issarraf fi: dispose freely of
sirf behave, pure and simple
sf h
safah, jisfah C-an) pretermit,
forgive
inf. safh pretermission, forgive-
ness
saff, p. sufu:f
row, class
s-^b
X. istas'^ab {tr.) C^ala)
consider, difficult (for)
s-^d
I. sa'-ad, jus''ud, inf. su'-uid
ascend
sib
I. salab, juslub, w/. sslb crucify
saliib, p. sulbain cross
slh
sadih, good ; advantage
II. sallah mend
IV. aslaih, inf. islaih reform,
amend
san''a, p. sanaiji*^ craft, work
sana(:)j''i, p. sanaj'-ijja workmen
an f
sanf, einf, p. asnaif
s wb
sort
I. &e:b, jisirb be right
sawaib right ; right reason
— afflict, affect
be afflicted
VII. insarb
II. sawwit
e w t
make a noise
s w r
V. issawwor, inf. tasawwdr
imagine
pass. part, mitsawwdr
imagined, imaginable
s wn
suwwain
marquee-tent
284
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
S j d
VIII. iste:d(/f.) hunt, proselytise
se:d hunting, the chase
I. &a:r, jisiir
become
s] r
a
dhk
II. dahhak cause to laugh, amuse
IV. [only in partic.) mudhik
amusing, absurd
dhj
dehijja, /i. dshaija sacrifice
II. dshha, inf. tedhijja [tr.)
sacrifice
didd
ddd
d r r
I. derr, judurr {tr.)
inf. darar
d 1 m (8)
dalma
d m r
dami:r, p. damaijir pronoun ;
conscience
d m n ( = include)
min dimn
dhd
among
VIII. idtahad, inf. idtihaid
persecute
I. da:'', jidi:'', inf. daja:"^ be lost
JI. dajja'^ itr.) lose, causetobelost
II. dajja"^ [ty.) lose
tbb
tibb
art of medicine
tbx
I. tsbdx, jutbux {tr.) cook
VII. intabdx be cooked
^bqP]
II. tabba' (z!r. "^ala) apply. .to
inf. tatbi:? application
III. ta:bi' consist with,
correspond to
tb";
I. taba"^, jitba"^, inf. tab"^ print
bi_ttab'', tab'^an naturally
tabii'^a, p. tabaiji'' nature
tbl
opposite-to
tabla kettle-drum
II. tabbil beat on drum
I. tahan, jithan grind, mill
m]ure
injury
t h n (to grind)
tiSim flour
darkness
+ rti
tarha, p. turah
veil
trf
tarf , p. etraif end, edges, party
trqP]
tarii'a, /). taraiji' or turu' way
I. tafaj, jitfaj
escape
tlb
III. tadib {tr. with bi of the thing)
demand of, dun
VOCABULARY
385
II. t€iUa'^ take out, away ;
" turn up "
t lqP ]
I. tetla?, jutlu' let free
II. tella' divorce
tela:? a divorce
IV. Qtla', inf. itla:? leave
absolutely free
part. pass, mutla' absolute
mutla'an or '^aPitla:-' absolutely
t wh
V. ittawwah fling oneself, totter
t w q P]
ta:?, p. -a:t fold, time
te:', jiti:' {tr.) bear, find tolerable
inf. tai'a ability
t w 1
II. tswwil prolong ; stay long
tawwil ba:lak prolong your
patience (mind)
tu:lit bad patience
tj b
II. tsjjib {tr.) cure, do good to
tair, jitiir fly, fly off, run away
(horse)
tjf
tajfa, tewa:jif
sect
tin
tim mud
j izi:d it tim balla makes the mud
wetter, i.e. make things worse
z b t (S)
I. zebat, juzbut {tr.) get exact ;
arrest
inf. zabt exact order
part. act. za:bit of&cer
part. pass. mazbu:t exact
z 1 m (S)
zalam, juzlum {tr.) be unjust to
inf. zulm unfairness, injustice
■■ibaida
"^bd
■^br
worship
II. '■abbdr C^an), inf. ta'^biir
express
VIII. i''tabar consider, honour
pass. part. mu''tQbdr
considerable, fine
■^bt
"■abiit, p. ''ubt or '■ubata idiot
X. ista'^bat {tr.) call-an-idiot
■■ataba
''itir, ji'^tdr
•^tb
"^ t r (9)
•^d-
■■adu, p. a'^da(:)
I. "^agab, ji'^gib {tr.)
threshold
stumble
enemy
please
286
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
•^igiz, ji'-gaz to be feeble, blind,
unable
inf. "^agz feebleness, inability
part. act. "^aigiz blind, unable
'^aguiz, p. "-agaijiz
gi
"^agal
<;dd
aged
speed
I. "^add, ji'^idd count
paH. ma'^duid limited
V. if^addid, inf. ta'^addud
be multiple
X. ista'^add prepare
inf. isti'^daid, p. -a:t
preparation (s)
•^adad, p. a'^daid number ;
verse of Bible ( = ''a:ja)
"^idda, ^. "^idad apparatus, machine
<^adl
■^dl
"^dm
justice
"^adam absence of ; non-existence
■^ d w
VI. if-aida be mutually hostile
"^rd
VIII. i"; tared C^ala)
inf. i'^tiraid, p. -a:t
^rf
object (to)
objection
I. "^irif, ji'^rsf [tr.) know
VIII. i'-tdref (bi) confess
X. ista'^raf (bi) get acquainted
with
"■urf usage, usual meaning
!■]
"-arjain
II. '^drra
naked
strip
•■azaib
zb(a)
zr(5)
great pain
I. '■azdr, ju'^zur {tr.) excuse
part. ma''zu:r excused, excusable
inf. ''uzr, p. a'^zair excuse
VIII. ista'^zdr excuse oneself
''izz
height-of
I. '^azam,ji'^zim(^?'.) invite, resolve
inf. "^azm resolution
part. ma''zu:m, p. ma'-aziim
guest, invited out
'^uzuima, p. '■azaijim party
VII. in'^azam be invited
z w
II. "^azza, inf. ta'^zijja
"^skr
comfort
soldier
'^askari, p. "^asaikir
"■ajam
V. if^ajjim
Hi
"■ija late evening; evening-prayer
hope, expectation
hope
^aja(:)
II. ^ajja [tr.)
V. it^ajja
"■asr
— p. ''usuir
supper
give supper to
sup
(late) afternoon
age, epoch
S]
I. ''QSQ, ji''si [tr.)
inf. ma''sija
"■asaija
''asa
\ [P- ^usi I
/ \'^usja:n /
disobey
disobedience
stick
VOCABULARY
28y
I. iplu. of part.) "^awaitif emotions
II. ''attol {tr.), inf. ta'^ti:! spoil,
waste time of
Hi
I. (/orlVO'^Qte, ji'^ti
inf. ''Qta
"^Qtijja, p. ''etQija
'' z m
give
giving
gift
"■etziim, p. "^uzQim great, fine
II. {inf.) ta''zi:m salute
{lit. " magnif3dng ")
V. if'azzQm magnify oneself,
get stuck-up
mu'^zam the greater part
<;frt
•^afriit, p. '^afariit
if^afrat
ghost, bogey
be scared
•Jfw
I. "-afa, ji'^fi or ja'-fi pardon,
exempt
(m/.) il '■afw please don't
mention it
"^ q d ["^ ? d]
VIII. i'^ta'ad believe
w/. i''ti'ad conviction, article
of faith
'^u'-'aid bangles
? q UW 1]
<;a?l {p. <^u'u:l)
ma'^'ud
*Jaknin
intellect, reason
reasonable, rational
•^ knn
feel wretched
Hi
III. '■ailig manipulate, treat
medically
inf. m"^alga or "^ilaig treatment
^ 1 q P ]
''alar'a, p. -a:t or "^alaiji'
connection
Um
I. "^ilim, ji'^lam (bi) know
inf. ''ilm knowledge
^. ''uluim branches of knowledge
part, "^adim, p. ''ulama
sheikh, savant
V. if^allim (if.) learn
mit''allim educated
'' ala:ma, p. '■ alama:t mark, sign
"■adam, p. -im world, universe
"•ilmami lay, secular
Un
IV. 'a'' Ian {fr. and bi) publish,
apprise
inf. i''lam advertisement
Ww
I. "^ih, jiqa (<^ala)
passive ji''la "^aleih
II. ';alla(:)
VI. ta-^ada
"■Uaiwa '■ala
rise (above)
be tran-
scended
raise
be exalted
over and above
V. if'ammdr increase in popu-
lation
•^ml
I. '■amal, ji''mil (iy.) do
III. "^aimii (tr) deal with, treat
inf. m'amla treatment, dealing
VII. in'^amal {f,t) be done
288
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
"■ami (contd.)
X. ista'^mil [tr.]
inf. isti'-mail
use
usage
n]
VIII. i'^tana (bi) take care (of)
ma''ana,/>.ma''a:ni sense, meaning
ijmi''na what's the sense ?
why on earth ?
■^ahd, p. "^uhuid covenant
"^hd
I. [part, pass.) ma''hu:d
familiarly known
W'd
I. "^aid, ji'^uid return
I. {orig. IV.) ji''i:d repeat
"■aida, p. '^a(:)da:t or '■awajid
custom
'^u:d, p. '^i(:)da:n stick of wood
ws
"■Qis, ji''u:s
II. "^awwed {tr., U) make
compensation for . . (to . . )
V. if-awwad get replaced
•^wl
II. "^awwil '■ala rely on, appeal to
'' w n
III. (part.) m=''^a:win Assistant
(-Commissioner)
'' wh
•^aiha, p. -a.it physical defect
•"Cib, p. "^ujuib fault, shame
X. ista'^jab consider faulty,
shameful
<;i
iJ
V. if-ajjij (min) support oneself,
Hve on
'^ajjil, p. "^ija:!
"■ajjma
^jl
jn
child
pattern
grb
gariib, p. gurb_guraba strange,
stranger
gari:ba, p. garaijib (a) wonder
grbl
garbil, inf. gsrbala
sift
911
I- 9sII. JigiJI
deceive
deception
gjm
gdjiim, p. gujm
inexperienced
9li
I- giJi- jigja faint
{ad., or pass, with "^aleih)
part. pass, mdgji '^aleih in a faint
gtw
gate cover, lid
II. gatte, jigatti {tr.) cover
111
I. gafdr, jugfur forgive
{tr. of thing ; li, of person)
mdgfird forgiveness
VOCABULARY
28g
ill
I. gifil, jigfal dose, be headless
gafla a dose, heedlessness
"^ala gafla suddenly unawares
II. gaffil call heedless, fooUsh
fart. pass, m'gaffal fool, heedless
olb
I. golab, jiglib conquer
passive gilib, jiglab be defeated
inf. gulb defeat
VII. ingalab be defeated
gslbain miserable
ill
miglawaini putter-up-of-price
gnm
ganam
sheep or goats
an]
I. gdna, jigni [for IV.) {tr.)
enrich
— [tr.) "^an enable, to do without
gina richness, riches
— "^an ability to do without
gani, p. gunaj, dgnija rich
— • '^an able to do without
X. istdgna ''an dispense with
ginja a song
II. gonna sing
for inf. gina, guna singing
g w t
gawiit, p. guwa:t deep
gwj
gaija, p. -a:t object, motive,
arriere pensee
■ gTb
ge:b, jigi:b, inf. gijaib be absent
il ge:b the Absent, i.e. Unseen
II. gajjor {tr.) change
inf. tdgjiir changing, a change
91 g
I. gaiz, jigi:z annoy
inf. ge:z wrath
VII. ingaiz be annoyed, angered
f
ftj
II. fattij {tr.) search (a house
or person)
— "^ala search for, look for
fgr
faigir, p. fugga:r adulterer
f tw
fatwa legal decision
IV. afta(i), inf. ifta(:) give a —
X. istafta(:) {tr.) consult
fht
I. fahat, jifhat
dig
fhm
f ahm (baladi) coal (charcoal)
f xr
VIII. iftdxar, inf. iftixa:r boast
fdj
I. fada, jifdi, inf. fida redeem
fidja victim
frd
fdrd, fdrda single (of pair)
frd
farad, j if rid suppose
— '■ala impose on
fard, p. furuid supposition,
ordinance
290
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
fr<;
ar'^.p-
furu:''
frfj
branch
fdrfij, inf. forfaja freshen up,
revive
itfdrfij, inf. taforfiij" be
freshened up
part, m'farfij freshened up, revived
frq[?]
far'a";
fasuix
explode
f sx
kind of incense
fsd
I. fisid, jifsid iintr.), inf. fasaid
be corrupt, spoiled
fasad, jifsid (/or IV.) {tr.) corrupt
fsh
II. fass€Ji (kalaimu)
fsl
speak
correctly
III. fa:sil [tr.), inf. fisail
bargain-with
VII. infasol ('•an) be divided,
separated (from)
fasl, p. fusuil division, portion
f dd
I. fadd, jifudd
VII. infadd
fadda
end off
finish, be over
silver
fdl
I. fidil.jifdal, remain, remain over
fadla, p. fadlait surplus
II. faddal {tr.) C^ala) prefer- (to)
ftr
I. fitir, jiftor breakfast
fa(:)tu:ra, p. fawdtiir invoice
fi^an
fU
fqrp]
actually
I. fi'ir, jiPdr (intr.) be poor
inf. fu?r poverty
fa' dr , j if? ir (ir . ,/oy I V. ) impoverish
II. fa"dr nod sleepily
fkr
fakdr, jifkir {tr. and intr.)
think, remember
inf. fikr, p. afka:r thought
fikrd a thought, suggestion
VIII. iftakar {tr. or with fi:)
think (of)
part. pass, muftakdr memorable
f kk
I. fakk, jifukk
inf. fakk
f kh
fukaiha (^. -a:t)
flh
undo, untie,
take to bits
anecdote
I. falall or fUih, jiflah
inf. fala:h
prosper
f nn
fann, p. funum
V. itfannin (fi)
art or craft
elaborate
f n i ( = perish away)
perishing
I. {partic.) fa:ni
fhm
V. istafhim (min . . . '^an)
enquire (of . . about)
inf. istifhaim, p. -a:t enquiry(ies)
f w q P]
I. fa:', jifu:' {tr.) stirpass
part. fa:ji' surpassing,
transcendant
VOCABULARY
291
IV. 'afaid {tr.), inf. ifa:da
profit, inform
X. istafaid (min) profit
( = get profit)
fajda, ^. fawaijid profit,
information, edification
afjad (comparat. o/mufiid)
more or most useful
fa(:)jiz, p. fawaijiz interest
qP]
qbh
'abiih vUe
X. {pass, part.) musta'bali
detested, detestable
qbd
arrest
I. 'ebad, ji'bQd C^ala)
qbl
I. 'ibil, ji'bal receive, accept
inf. 'abuil acceptance
III. ?a:bil, inf. m^'abla meet
VI. it'aibil meet together
X. ista'bU, inf. isti'bail receive
visitors
part, mista'bil future
q d r
II. ?adddr (tr.) determine,
estimate
V. it'addar be computed
mi'dair, p. ma'adiir amount
q ds
?uddu:s Holy (God)
'iddi:s, p. -im holy, saint
qadarsa holiness
II. 'addis sanctify
pari. pass, mu'addas holy
qdm
II. 'addim (tr.) put forward,
present
V. it'addim go forward, progress
?adi:m ancient, eternal
qr b
I. 'irib, ji'rab (li) be near, related
II. -"drreb (min) draw near
(tr.) bring near
inf. ta'riiban nearly
?ari:b 1
5 .-■,,. J- near
-"ursijib, p. -im j
— adv. lately
'ari:b, p. 'uraijib blood-relation
qrr
I. {for IV.) 'drr, ji'irr (bi) confess
inf. i'rsir confession
qrf
'drsifa Moslem-cemetery
qs m
I. 'asam, ji'sim {tr.) divide
'isma division
'asa:wa
?ijte
q s w
cruelty, hardness
qjt
cream
q sd
I. 'asad, ju'sud purpose, mean
inf. 'asd purpose, meaning
part. pass, ma'suid purpose, point
'ueaid opposite, in front
qsr
'asr, p. ?usu:r palace, castle
Lu'sur " The Palaces," Luxor
qss
III. 'a:sis, inf. 'isa:s
punish
292
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
qfl]
VIII. i'tede imply, demand
pass. part. mu''tada(:),
p. mu'tadaja:t implication
'adijja, p. 'adaija law-suit, affair
q t r
I. ?Qtar, ju^tur
foUow up
qt"^
VII. in'ate'' (li) be set entirely
apart (for)
qlb
I. 'alab, ji'lib [or II.) overturn
?alb, p. ?ulu:b inside, heart
'al-^a (il)
qn
qll
the Citadel
q]S
I. 'all, ji'iU be little, diminish
?illa Httleness, absence (of)
q nm
uqnuim, p. aqaniim Person
(of Trinity)
qwl
I. 'ad, ji'u:l, inf. 'oil say
— "^ala tell of ; call
VII. in'ail, it'a:l be said
qwm
I. 'aim (bi) perform ; consist of
part. 'a(:)jim bi nafsu self-
existent, independent
ista'aim be upright
inf. isti'aima integrity
ma'a:m position
'i:ma value, amount
II. 'ajjid {tr.)
V. it'ajjid
qj d
enter (in register)
get entered
I. 'a:s, ji'iis
measure
ma'a:s
k
k
a measure
ka [prep.)
kama
ka'inn
hke, as
Uke as
as if
kaman {for kama 'inn) likewise,
also
kabuid
kabja ( =
kbd
hood of carriage
kbj
grasp )
k t r (6)
handful
I. kitir, jiktar be many, abound
inf. kutr abundance
II. kattdr [tr.) make-much,
increase
k d b (5)
I. kidib, jikdib lie
II. kaddib {tr.) give lie to,
contradict
ma kaddibj xabdr lost not a
moment
k r m
kdram
krh
generosity
I. kirih, jikrah, inf. kurh detest
part, makruih unpraiseworthy
r]
I. kard, jikri
VII. inkara
hire
be hired
VOCABULARY
293
ksb
I. kisib, jiksab gain, earn
II. kassib {tr.) cause to profit
maksab, makaisib profit(s)
ksf
I. kasafjiksif (<r.) make ashamed
inf. kusu:f shame
part. pass, maksuif ashamed
VII. inkasaf get ashamed
II. kajjdr
kjr
kjf
frown
I. kajaf, jikjif, inf. kajf uncover
kajaf '■ala examine
VIII. iktajaf, inf iktijaif {tr.)
discover
kfr
kaffaird propitiation, atonement
II. kaffdr ("^an) atone (for)
kfj
I. kafa, jikfi (tr.) suffice ;
throw on to face
VII. inkafa be thrown on to face
klf
II. kallif (tr.) cause-trouble-to
inf. takliif trouble, ceremony
kml
II. kammil (tr.) perfect,
supplement
takmidi supplementary,
useful-but-not-essential
kahraba
ka:r, p. -a:t
khrb
amber, electricity
k wr
trade, profession
k wn
I. kam, jiku:n, inf. ko:n be, exist
kama biha weU ! let it be so
il kom (inf.) the Universe
kjf
ke:f
kefijja
how ? how
manner
la
.wala
— (after vbs. of fearing)
Ibb
Hbba, p. libab
lbs
there is not
neither. . .nor
lest
necklace
I. libis, jilbis (tr.) put on ;
possess (devil)
Hbs {inf. and suhst.) dressing ;
clothes
malbuis possessed
VIII. Utabas become possessed
IbJ
V. itlabbij
I. latt, jiUtt
lattait
maltuit
get confused
Itt
chatter
chatterbox
wordy, tedious
IhqP]
I. laha', jilha' reach, catch
up, overtake
Ixbt
Idxbat, inf. Idxbata confuse.
mess up
itldxbat, inf. taldxbi:t get
confused, make a mess
294
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
II. laXQS
inf. talxi.'s
lazi:z
I X s
1 z z
I'^b
summanze
summary
interesting
VI. {inf.) talai'^ub (bi) play
about with
lagmat
Ig m t
Itm
smear
I. latam, jiltem, inf. latm
1ft
slap
VIII. iltafat (li) turn to, glance at
Iff
I. laff, jiHff [tr.)
milaff
II. laffif {tr.)
go round, wrap
turn, comer
lead round
Imh
II. lammah(li) allude (indirectly)
inf. talmiih {opp. o/tasriih)
oblique allusion
snatch
snatch at
tone, accent
Ihf
I. lahaf, jUhaf
V. itlahhaf "Jala
Ihg
lahga
1 wz
loiz
1 wm
almonds
I. la:m, jilu:m {tr.) blame
pass. part, {by false analogy)
mula:m blamed
mala:m blame
1 w n
II. {pass, part.) m'lawwan
coloured
m
ma(:)
(i) ma interrogative what ?
ma: lak what's the matter ?
ma: lu wi li . . . what has
he to do with . . . ?
(2) ma negative not
(3) ma prohibitive (do) not . . .
(4) ma relative what, that which
'ma: Ja 'Qiia:h (ma'jQHQ)
what God willed
(5) ma {for min ma) than what
ahsan ma ka:n better
than what it was
(5) ma conjunctival
(resulting from (4))
e.g. wa'tima when {lit.
what time)
(6) ma inter j actional (with subst.)
ma (a)hla . . . how nice is ... !
(7) ma of interest why . . . !
e.g. m_ana ''a:rif why, I know
(8) ma of command
(resulting from (7)) just . . . !
ma_tru:h just go, do !
mihma(mahma) whatever,
however much
mt";
V. itmatta*; (bi)
m d n
enjoy
V. {inf.) tamaddun civiUzation
m d n (8)
madna {originally ma'8ana)
minaret {lit. " the place of
giving leave " (for prayer)
m r q [?]
mara'
gravy
VOCABULARY
295
itmcinnag
r
mistika
m s t k
wallow
gum-mastic
m sh
1 . masah, jimsah (tr.) clean wipe
m s X
I. masdx, jimsax, inf. masx
transform (deform)
m nn
1. mann, jiminn ("^ala -bi)
vouchsafe
mamnum obliged
m n j
muna(:) a desire
V. itmanna, inf. tamanni desire
ma(:)hijja
m h j
m w t
salary
II. mawwit (<r.) put-to-death, kill
majjit (p. -im) dead, corpse
me:tam funeral-assembly
m j z
II. majjiz {tr. -"^an)
distinguish (-from)
V. itmajjiz be distinct,
distinguished
m j 1
ma:l, jimi:l \
II. majjil /
inf. me:l, p. amja:l
m j n
mi:na, p. mawaini or mijan
harbour
incline
inclination
n
nbt
nabait, p. -a:t plant
nabbu:t, p. nababiit stave
binnabbuit with utmost diiSculty
nbh
nabah, jinbah
bark
nbh
II. nabbih (Ir.) notify
inf. tanbiih notice, notification
VIII. intabah (li) pay attention
nita:ja
ntj(e)
ndb
nadab, jindib, inf. nadb
n d r
female
bewail
I. naddr, jundur be rare
part. na:dir rare
/. nadrd, p. nawaidir "rarity,"
incident, awkward or amusing
n d m
I. nidim, jindam repeat
nadiim boon-companion
ndh
I. nadah, jindah (li)
n h w
nahja, p. nawaihi
n X s
call (to)
part, direct
I. ndxds, junxus, inf. ndxs prick
n z "^
I. naza"^, jinza"^ (tr.) take away
III. naizi'' (tr,), inf. niza:"^,
m^naz'^a strive-with
296
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
n Z 1
I. nizil, jinzil {tr.) descend
inf. nuzu:l alight (j ourney) , reside
II. nazzil (tr.) bring down
tanzid reduction, inspiration
VI. itnaizil C^&n) condescend
(from), give up voluntarily
n s b
I. nasab, jinsib attribute
inf. nisba attributing
bi n nisba li in relation to,
because of
III. na:sib (tr.), inf. m'nasba suit
bi mnasbit ... in connection
with, on the occasion of
n s X
I. nasdx, jinsdx abrogate, copy
inf. nasx abrogation, copying
nusxa, p. nuscix copy
I. najdr, junjur, inf. najr spread
n Jr
VIII. intajdr be broadcast
njf
I. nijif, jinjaf (intr.) dry up
II. najjif (tr.) dry
nfj(nP)
naja (or IV. anja), jinji
construct, compose
inf. of IV. inja composition
n s b
I. nasab, junsub [tr.) erect
n sh
I. nasah, jinsah advise, exhort
nasiiha, p. nasaijih exhortation
n e r
I. nasar, junsu:r (ir.) help to
victory
II. nassar (tr.) baptise, make
Christian
V. itnassar turn Christian
nasrami, p. nasaird. Christian
nsf
IV. (inf.) insa:f equity
n t q P]
nata', juntu', inf. nut' utter
n z r ( = see)
I. netzar, junzur (fi) consider
act. part, naizir head of
department, school
pass. part, manauir foreseen,
expected
nazar eyesight
nezaran li considering
III. na:zir [tr.) debate with
(exchange- views-with)
inf. m'nazrd
VIII. intetzar [tr.) expect
pass. part, muntazar expected
naziir like, equal
manzar, p. mdnaizir sight, view
n g m
nizaim system, order
II. nazzetm, inf. tanzi:m organise
V. itnazzam be organised
VIII. inf. intizaim good order
na'^ga {p. -a:t) she-goat
n^J
na^j
bier
VOCABULARY
297
n *■ m
ni'^ma, p. ni'^am divine grace
IV. an'^am('^ala..bi..)
vouchsafe to. . .a thing
pari, mun'^im, min'^im
gracious (God)
b f d (5) or n f z (9)
I. nafad, jinfid go through
pari. na:fid not a cul-de-sac
II. naffiz [tr.) [cp. n f d)
accomplish, put through
f <;
I. nafa"^, jinfa'^
II. naffa";
inf. naf^
](tr.)
n q s (n ' s)
benefit
utility
I. na'as, jin'as [tr.) be-lacking-to
— [intr.) become less
pari, nai'is lacking, defective,
less, minus
inf. na's lack, deficiency
nqdj?)
III.nai'ia(;y.) be contradictory of
nqtP)
nu^te, p. nu?at drop, point
• — p. nu'uit contribution
II. na^'ot {tr.) present
(somebody) with [bi]
nqiP]
mixed dry fruit
n q w P]
nu'l
II. na??a
cleanse, choose
nkt
nukta, p. nukat
nukati
witticism
a wit
nkj
I. nakaj", junkuj disorder, rumple
nkf
III. {inf.) m='nakfa chaffering
n m z g
numuizag, p. nama:zig
pattern, ideal
n m w
VIII. intama (li)
n wb
belong to
I. na:b, jinuib {tr.) fall to one's
share
partic. najib a share
— '^an represent
partic. najib, p. nuwwaib
representative
inf. nijaiba representation
bi n nijaiba ("^an) representing
n wh
mana:ha
lamentation
n w "^
II. nawwa"^ {tr.) vary
tanwi:"^ variety, complexity
V. itnawwa"^, inf. tanawwu'^
be varied
n w ]
I. nawa, jinwi
inf. nijja
intend
intention
h
hdj
I. hada, jihdi {tr.), inf. 'huda
guide -aright
— {for IV.) {tr.) give pre sent to
part, muhdi, inf. ihda
hidi, jihda, inf. huduw {for hd')
be quiet
II. hadda {doubly tr.) give,
present
hadijja,/>.hada:ja(:) present, gift
298
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
hrb
I. harab, jihrab, inf.
huru:b
run away
hlk
J fhalak, jihlik [tr.)
■\hilik, inf. hala:k
destroy
perish
hm d
I. himid, jihmad
calm down
h mm
hamm, p. humu:m care, anxiety
xawa:ga bi 1 hamm
" a precious sort of gent "
I. [for IV.) hamm, jihimm (tr.)
interest, import
part, muhimm important
comparat. ahamm most do.
nouv ahammijja importance
VIII. ihtamm (bi) concern
oneself (for)
hn ds
I. handis set out orderly
part, m'handis architect, engineer
m=handisxama Engineering
School
inf. handasa engineering
handasi(:) geometrical, precise
h w n
I. {for IV.) ham, jihim [tr.) insult
inf. ihama insult, dishonour
hjg
I. ha:g, jihi:g [intr.)
II. hajjig (tr.)
get excited
excite
wi
(i) coordinating conjunction and
(2) wi_ji and wa lau even if, ^
although
(3) subordinating conj. as, since,
when
(4) preposition {only in woiia:., 'i
wijja:) -with
(5) preposition (in oaths) by ... !
wg b
I. wagab, juigib ("^ala) be
incumbent (on)
part. (U) waigib duty
X. istawgab necessitate, deserve
w g d
I. wagad, juigad find
inf. wugurd existence
part, mawguid existent, existing
VII. inwagad (it-) exist, be found
w g h
wdgh \p. wugu:h or awgu:h
wughaj (face), aspect
giha direction, part
min gihati for my part
wh d
wa:hid
one ; a ; an
il wa:hid
II. wahhid
one (French "on ")
(tr.) caU or declare
inf. tawhiid
wihda
God a unity
declaring the \
Unity ; theology
unite ; divine Unity
w h j
wahj plenary inspiration
IV. awha C^ala. .bi. .) inspire
(a person with . . )
part. pass. mu:ha (bi or '^ala.)
inspired
VOCABULARY
299
wd w
II. wadda (tr.), inf. tawdijja
cany, take, lead
w r d
I. wared, juirid arrive (letter),
come in (income)
part, wairid imported
il wairid wi 1 masruif credit
and debit
IV. {inf.) i(:)ra:d income
wr j
II. , IV. wdrra, awrs show
ware behind, " whip behind! "
w s X
II. wassdx (tr.)
defile
I. wasa'^, juisa"^
- iir.)
VIII. ittasa':
be spacious
have room for
expand
w s ws
waswis (tr.) whisper (to)
inf. waswasa, p. wasaiwis whisper
w s t {for s)
wasta, p. wasaijit means,
intermediary
ws f
I. wasaf, juisaf describe
inf. wasf, p. awsaif description
wasfa prescription, recipe
verb, noun sifa, p. -a:t
attribute, character
w si
II. wassal, inf. tawsid {tr.) conduct
w t n
watan native-country
WQtani(j), p. ji:n native
watanijja patriotism
wdh
II. waddeJi make clear, explain
w d "^
I. wada*^, ju'.da'' or jiwda'',
inf. wad'^ set down
VI. itwaidi"-, inf. tawaidu''
be humble
wz f
waziifa, p. W€i2a:jif function,
billet
w '' d
mi(:)''a:d {for miw'^aid), p. ma-
wa''i:d appointment, time fixed
w'' j
I. wa'^a, ju:''a (h) be aware,
take heed
imp. ui'^a. beware ! look out !
part, wai'^i (h) aware of,
conscious of
w f r
V. itwaffdr be economised ;
be fulfilled
w f q p]
VIII. ittafa?
inf. ittifa:', p. -a:t
agree
agreement
wf j
V. itwaffa
die
w q U?]
I. wa'a"^ (wi'i*^), ju'a"^ fall, befal
part, il wa'.'i'' fact
300
EGYPTIAN COLLOQUIAL ARABIC
w q f P]
II. wa'-'af (tr.) cause to stand
V. itwa'-'af brought himself
up, stood stiU
— "Jala depend on
wl d
I. walad, jiwlid or juiUd
bring to birth
inf. wila:da bringing-to-birth,
birth
„ mi(:)la:d birth, birthday
'H
II. waUa";
wilijja
mawla(:)
wl j
kindle
(female saint), woman
Lord
JaQ)
ja O!, Ohi!
ja (imma). .ja. . either. .or«
ja tdra (or hantora) I wonder
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