Question Words

1. ايه؟

   Ē?

   What?

   Usage

   "What?" Used as in "ايه ده؟" (what is this?). MSA "ماذا" is not used.

   Grammar Note

   The question word corresponding to MSA ماذا.

2. فين؟

   Fēn?

   Where?

   Usage

   Asks about a place, placed before the noun as in "فين الحمام؟". MSA "أين" is not used.

   Grammar Note

   Corresponds to MSA أين; the diphthong becomes ē.

3. امتى؟

   Imta?

   When?

   Usage

   Asks about time. MSA "متى" is not used.

   Grammar Note

   Corresponds to MSA متى.

4. مين؟

   Mīn?

   Who?

   Usage

   Asks about a person, as in "مين ده؟" (who is this?).

   Grammar Note

   Corresponds to MSA من.

5. ليه؟

   Lē?

   Why?

   Usage

   Asks for a reason. MSA "لماذا" is not used.

   Grammar Note

   Corresponds to MSA لماذا.

6. ازاي؟

   Izzāy?

   How?

   Usage

   Asks how to do something, as in "اروح ازاي؟" (how do I get there?). In greetings it appears inside "إزيك؟" (how are you?).

   Grammar Note

   Corresponds to MSA كيف.

7. كام؟

   Kām?

   How many?

   Usage

   Asks for a number or amount, as in "كام واحد؟" (how many?) or "الساعة كام؟" (what time?).

   Grammar Note

   Corresponds to MSA كم.

8. بكام ده؟

   Bi-kām da?

   How much is it?

   Usage

   The standard way to ask a price; just point at the item. To bargain, add "غالي" (expensive).

   Grammar Note

   bi- "for" (price) + kām "how much". Corresponds to MSA بكم هذا.

9. أنهي واحد؟

   Anhi wāḥid?

   Which one?

   Usage

   Used to ask which of several items is meant.

   Grammar Note

   The question word anhi goes before a noun or "wāḥid". Composed from dictionary-verified words.

10. ايه ده؟

    Ē da?

    What is this?

    Usage

    Point at an unknown dish or object and ask. For several things: "ايه دول؟".

    Grammar Note

    There is no copula; the question word and the demonstrative are simply placed together.

11. فين الحمام؟

    Fēn il-ḥammām?

    Where is the toilet?

    Usage

    One of the most useful travel questions. "حمام" means toilet or bathroom. Signs sometimes say "دورة مياه".

    Grammar Note

    "fēn + noun" means "where is ...". The article is il-.

12. الساعة كام؟

    Is-sāʿa kām?

    What time is it?

    Usage

    Asks the time. The answer is like "الساعة تلاتة" (three o'clock).

    Grammar Note

    Word order differs from MSA كم الساعة: Egyptian says الساعة كام.

13. عندك؟

    ʿAndak?

    Do you have it?

    Usage

    Asks whether a shop has what you want; put the item before it ("عندك مية؟" = do you have water?). To a woman the spelling is identical but it is read ʿAndik?.

    Grammar Note

    Possession uses the preposition عند plus a suffix, with no هل. Composed from dictionary-verified words.

14. تقدر تعمل ده؟

    Tiʾdar tiʿmil da?

    Can you do it?

    Usage

    Asks whether someone can do something. This is the form for a man; to a woman: "تقدري تعملي ده؟" (Tiʾdari tiʿmili da?).

    Grammar Note

    "tiʾdar + verb" means "can". Composed from dictionary-verified words.

15. فيه رسوم؟

    Fī rusūm?

    Is there a charge?

    Usage

    Asks whether an entry fee or other charge applies. You can also ask "ده ببلاش؟" (is it free?).

    Grammar Note

    "fī" expresses existence (MSA يوجد). Composed from dictionary-verified words.

16. ده ببلاش؟

    Da bi-balāsh?

    Is it free?

    Usage

    Checks whether something costs nothing. "ببلاش" means "for free".

    Grammar Note

    "bibalāsh" is the colloquial "for free", corresponding to MSA مجاني.

17. ينفع؟

    Yinfaʿ?

    Is this OK?

    Usage

    Asks whether something is allowed or acceptable. Add words: "ينفع كده؟" (is it OK like this?).

    Grammar Note

    Present tense of the verb نفع "to benefit"; used for "is acceptable/allowed".

18. مينفعش؟

    Ma-yinfaʿ-sh?

    Is it not allowed?

    Usage

    Asks whether it is not allowed. Said as a statement it is a firm "no, that's not OK", so mind the tone.

    Grammar Note

    Negation wraps the verb as ma...sh.

19. انت كويس؟

    Inta kuwayyis?

    Are you OK?

    Usage

    To check on someone who looks unwell. This is the form for a man; to a woman: "انتي كويسة؟" (Inti kuwayyisa?).

    Grammar Note

    No copula is needed: "inta + adjective". The adjective agrees in gender.

20. بجد؟

    Bigadd?

    Really?

    Usage

    A reaction of surprise: "really?".

    Grammar Note

    An adverb meaning "seriously, really".

21. انت متأكد؟

    Inta mitʾakkid?

    Are you sure?

    Usage

    For double-checking. This is the form for a man; to a woman: "انتي متأكدة؟" (Inti mitʾakkida?).

    Grammar Note

    The participle agrees in gender and number (mitʾakkid / mitʾakkida / mitʾakkidīn).

22. انت منين؟

    Inta minēn?

    Where are you from?

    Usage

    Asks where someone is from. To a woman: "انتي منين؟" (Inti minēn?). Answer like "أنا من اليابان".

    Grammar Note

    minēn is min "from" + fēn "where" fused; it corresponds to MSA من أين.

23. اسمك ايه؟

    Ismak ē?

    What's your name?

    Usage

    Asks someone's name. To a woman the spelling is identical but it is read Ismik ē?. Answer: "اسمي ..." (Ismi ...).

    Grammar Note

    "name + suffix + ē" means "what is your name", corresponding to MSA ما اسمك.

24. عندك كام سنة؟

    ʿAndak kām sana?

    How old are you?

    Usage

    Asks someone's age; literally "you have how many years". To a woman the spelling is identical but it is read ʿAndik kām sana?. It can be intrusive with strangers.

    Grammar Note

    Age is expressed with "have". Composed from dictionary-verified words.

25. ممكن ناخد صورة سوا؟

    Mumkin nākhud ṣūra sawa?

    Can we take a photo together?

    Usage

    A polite way to ask for a photo with someone. Always get their permission first.

    Grammar Note

    "mumkin + verb" asks permission. Composed from dictionary-verified words.

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