Arabic for English speakers School · Lesson 4

Asking someone what their name is

Egyptian Arabic для asking names — Male and female forms.

Conversation

  1. Rose Rose

    أنتَ اسمَك إيه؟

    Inta ismak eh?

    What is your name?

    Tip: Ismak is used for asking a male. "Ismek" is used for asking a female

  2. Bob Bob

    أنا اسمي بوب. إنتي اسمِك إيه؟

    Ana ismi Bob. Inty ismek eh?

    My name is Bob. What is your name?

    Tip: Ana ismi Bob literally means "I, my name, is Bob".

  3. Rose Rose

    أنا اسمي روز

    Ana ismi Rose

    My name is Rose

  4. Bob Bob

    فرصة سعيدة يا روز

    Forsa sa3eeda ya Rose

    Pleased to meet you

    Tip: 1) "Forsa sa3eeda" literally means "A happy chance" 2) Ana as3ad is the response and it literally means "I'm happier"

Common questions

Quick answers about this lesson's grammar and vocabulary.

How do you ask 'what's your name?' in Egyptian Arabic?

اسمك إيه؟ (m) / اسمك إيه؟ (f) — sounds the same but masculine/feminine usage. Or اسمك (your name) for both genders. Distinguish with context.

Egyptian Arabic для 'my name is ...'?

اسمي + name: اسمي محمد = 'my name is Mohamed'. اسم = name.

Egyptian Arabic для 'nice to meet you'?

تشرفت (tasharraft — pleased to meet you). فرصة سعيدة (a happy occasion). Response: أنا الأشرف (I'm more honored).

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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