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Immersing myself in a new culture for four months means many things. Some bouts of Egyptian culture I will bring back with me to the United States, while others must be left here. Here are a few phrases (both in modern standard Arabic and Fusha Egyptian Arabic) that I most likely will say all the time when I get back:
In Sha’Allah: which means “God-willing.” I will probably use this phrase the most because it is something that I frequently add to phrases which, in my vocabulary, closely relates to hopefully. I say it all the time and when I am talking with people on the phone or online I keep having to stop myself from saying it and instead replacing it with “hopefully.”
Yahnee: means “like.” I don’t say this as much but sometimes when I am stuck with a word I don’t know how to say, I used “yahnee” and wave my arms a little, hoping that the person understands what I am talking about.
Yalla: one of the most important words because I have said it even before I came to Egypt. It means “Let’s Go.” Everyone says it here and everyone in Israel says it as well. Great word. You should use it to.
Mumkin: means “maybe.” Let’s go to the park later, mumkin. That is exactly what we use it for here and that is exactly what I will use it for at home.
Shukran: “thank you.” Plain and simple. Just like I said Merci after returning from France or Todah when I came back from Israel, it will be a nasty habit to break for the first few weeks, but slowly I will settle in.
La La La: “no no no.” This can be used in many ways. It normally is used in relation to telling a taxi driver that I will not pay him more money because of the color of my skin. It also is used for people trying to sell me something or when someone misunderstands what I want to eat or drink or smoke.
Shwaya: “in between” or “kinda.” The best example is anytime anyone asks if she speak Arabic (Tetekelim Al-Arabia?) we reply “shwaya, shwaya.” It’s that “well sorta” “I do, but I don’t” mentality.
