Basic Verbs

1. يمشي

   Yamshi

   To go

   Usage

   The basic verb "go, walk" (he goes). "I go" is "بمشي"

   Grammar Note

   A "ب" before the present stem gives the habitual or present sense. "ماشي" means "walking", not "OK"

2. يجي

   Yaji

   To come

   Usage

   The basic verb "come" (he comes). The command is "تعال"

   Grammar Note

   "جا" is the past (came). "جاي" means "on the way"

3. ياكل

   Yākul

   To eat

   Usage

   The basic verb "eat" (he eats). "ناكل" is "let's eat"

   Grammar Note

   It shares its stem with the noun "أكل" (food)

4. يشرب

   Yashrab

   To drink

   Usage

   The basic verb "drink" (he drinks)

   Grammar Note

   Vowels in the romanization are estimated. The past is "شرب"

5. يشتري

   Yashtiri

   To buy

   Usage

   The basic verb "buy" (he buys). Before shopping you can say "داير اشتري"

   Grammar Note

   "اشتري" is the imperative or first-person stem

6. يشوف

   Yashūf

   To see

   Usage

   The basic verb "see" (he sees). "وريني" means "show me"

   Grammar Note

   The past is "شاف". "شفت" is "I saw"

7. يستنى

   Yistanna

   To wait

   Usage

   The basic verb "wait" (he waits). "استنى" is the command "wait"

   Grammar Note

   The imperative is "استنى" for a man and "استني" for a woman

8. داير امشي

   Dāyir amshi

   I want to go

   Usage

   Says you want to go. Add the place after it, as in "داير امشي السوق"

   Grammar Note

   "داير" is "want" for a man. A woman says "دايرة" and a group "دايرين"

9. داير اكل

   Dāyir ākul

   I want to eat

   Usage

   Says you want to eat. A food name can follow

   Grammar Note

   Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended. Vowels in the romanization are estimated. "داير" plus a verb in the "I" form means "want to ..."

10. داير دا

    Dāyir da

    I want it

    Usage

    Points at an item while shopping to say "I want this"

    Grammar Note

    Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended. Vowels in the romanization are estimated. "داير" is used rather than the Egyptian "عايز". A woman says "دايرة"

11. ما محتاج

    Ma muḥtāj

    I don't need it

    Usage

    A mild way to refuse a sales pitch. A woman says "ما محتاجة"

    Grammar Note

    Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended. Vowels in the romanization are estimated. "محتاج" is a participle that changes by gender

12. أنا بفتش على

    Ana bafattish ʿala

    I'm looking for it

    Usage

    Say the thing you are looking for after it, e.g. "أنا بفتش على شنطتي" (I'm looking for my bag)

    Grammar Note

    Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended. Vowels in the romanization are estimated. "فتش" means "search" and "على" introduces the thing sought. "بدور" can mean "want", so it is not used here

13. عندي

    ʿIndi

    I have it

    Usage

    Says you have something, such as a booking. The form is the same for a woman

    Grammar Note

    "عند" plus "-ي" (me) expresses possession; no verb "have" is used

14. ما عندي

    Ma ʿindi

    I don't have it

    Usage

    Says you do not have something, as in "ما عندي قروش" (I have no money)

    Grammar Note

    Negation puts "ما" in front

15. أنا بحجز

    Ana baḥjiz

    I'll make a reservation

    Usage

    Says you want to book. Add what you are booking after it

    Grammar Note

    Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended. Vowels in the romanization are estimated. The "ب" present is used for what you are about to do. A future form with "ح" also exists

16. ساعدني في دا

    Sāʿidni fi da

    Please help me with it

    Usage

    Asks for help with a concrete matter such as luggage or paperwork

    Grammar Note

    Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended. Vowels in the romanization are estimated. The imperative for a man. A woman is "ساعديني" and a group "ساعدوني"

17. قول لي

    Gōl li

    Please tell me

    Usage

    Asks someone to tell you something, such as directions or a price

    Grammar Note

    "ق" is pronounced "g". A woman is told "قولي لي"

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