Arabic for English speakers Zoo · Lesson 4

Penguins are not birds

Egyptian Arabic для penguins — Penguins are not birds (or are they?).

Conversation

  1. Yaya Yaya

    البطاريق طيورجميلة !

    ilbatareeq toyour gamila

    Penguins are such adorable birds!

    Tip: Tair = Bird, Toyour = Birds

  2. Meera Meera

    حقيقة، بس هم ميعتبروش طيور عشان مش بيعرفوا يطيروا

    7ai'ia, bas humma mayo3tabaroush toyour 3ashan mish biye3rafo yitiroo

    True, but they are not considered birds, because they can't fly

  3. Yaya Yaya

    بس لسه طيور!

    Bas lissa toyour

    But they are still birds!

  4. Meera Meera

    تمام، أياََ كان!

    Tamam, ayyan kan

    Okay, whatever

Common questions

Quick answers about this lesson's grammar and vocabulary.

Egyptian Arabic для penguin?

بطريق (baṭreeq — penguin). البطاريق = the penguins (plural).

Egyptian Arabic для bird (general)?

طائر (taʾir — bird, singular), طيور (ṭoyoor — birds, plural).

Are penguins birds?

Yes! Penguins are flightless birds. Egyptian Arabic clarification: نعم، البطاريق طيور لكنها لا تطير = 'Yes, penguins are birds but they don't fly'.

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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