Arabic for English speakers Beach · Lesson 0

Learn how adjectives work for the Male and Female

Egyptian Arabic adjectives — Masculine vs feminine forms — like Funny and Kind.

Conversation

  1. Bolin Bolin

    اتبسطت أوي مع عيلتِك إمبارح

    Itbasat awi ma3a 3eltek embare7

    I had a great time hanging out with your family yesterday

    Tip: The verb is "Yitbiset" and it translates into "To have fun"

  2. Yennifer Yennifer

    شكراً! أبويا دمه خفيف دايماً بيحلي أي قاعدة

    Shukran! Aboya dammoh khafif. Dayman biy7alli ay a3da

    Thanks! My dad's sense of humor always brightens up any gathering.

    Tip: Dammoh khafif literally means "His blood is light" which is used in Egypt to describe someone as being funny

  3. Bolin Bolin

    أختِك طيبة أوي برضه، حسستني بالترحيب

    Oktek tayiba awi bardo. 7assistny bil tar7eeb

    Your sister is really kind too, she made me feel welcomed.

    Tip: Tayib is used for the masculine "Tayiba" is used for the feminine. This applies to any adjective, by adding the "Teh marbouta ة" to the end of the masculine adjective, you get the feminine adjective

  4. Yennifer Yennifer

    أنا مبسوطة إنك اتبسط. لازم نعمل كده أكتر

    Ana masbouta innak itbasat. Lazim ni3mel kida aktar

    I'm glad you enjoyed it. We should do this more often.

    Tip: Inn means "That". "Innak" translates into "That you"

Common questions

Quick answers about this lesson's grammar and vocabulary.

How do Egyptian Arabic adjectives change for gender?

Add ة (ta marbuta) for feminine: لطيف (lateef — kind, masc.) → لطيفة (lateefa — kind, fem.). Universal pattern.

Common Egyptian Arabic personality adjectives?

لطيف (kind), مضحك (funny), ذكي (smart), كسلان (lazy), شاطر (clever), هادي (calm).

How do you say 'he/she is ...' in Egyptian Arabic?

هو + adjective (masc.) / هي + adjective (fem.). Often no verb 'to be' in present tense.

Test yourself

Pick the English translation for each line from this lesson. Wrong answers are pulled from other Arabic lessons.

4 quick questions on what you just heard.

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