Skip to content
fluentbyear
🇪🇬 Egyptian Arabic · Fluency Level 3

PART 3 · LESSON 27 OF 30 · 30 MINUTES

The Parents Arrive

Leo's parents are in from Chicago, and in the flat in Maadi Leo stands between his mother and Grandma, translating: she says you look well, translate word for word, tell her I've changed, I'm ninety, pickled lemons and not on an empty stomach, that's hard to translate, I'll say a gift.

Audio instruction: English

Report a problem with this lesson

This lesson needs a subscription.

The first 2 lessons of each level are free. One subscription unlocks every other lesson, in the app and on the website.

See the plans

Already subscribed? Sign in. Or listen to lesson 1 for free.

THE STORY

The flat in Maadi, the day before the opening; Leo's parents have just arrived from Chicago and speak only English. Leo says the polite you to Grandma and Madame Nadia; Grandma speaks plainly to everyone and calls Leo my son.

Flashcards

The words and phrases of this lesson, one card each. Best after you’ve listened.

Create your account.

Create a free account and confirm your email to keep the cards you like and the decks you make.

Already have an account? Sign in

Words and phrases

The lesson is for your ears. Open this afterwards, to see what you learned.
قُول لِأُمَّك إِنَّهَا خَسِّت.'ool li-UM-mak in-NA-ha KHAS-sit.Tell your mother she's got thinner.
هِيَّ بِتْقُول إِنّ.HIY-ya bit-'OOL innshe says that
هِيَّ بِتْقُول إِنّ شَكْلِك كْوَيِّس.HIY-ya bit-'OOL inn SHAK-lik KWAY-yis.She says you look well.
تَرْجِم بِالحَرْف, هِيَّ هَتِعْرَف.TAR-gim bil-7ARF HIY-ya ha-TI3-raf.Translate word for word, she'll know.
مَامَا بِتْقُول تِيتَة مَتْغَيَّرِتْش.MAA-ma bit-'OOL TEE-ta mat-ghay-ya-RITSH.Mum says Grandma hasn't changed.
قُول لَهَا اِتْغَيَّرْت, عَنْدِي تِسْعِين.'ool LA-ha it-ghay-YART 3AN-di tis-3EEN.Tell her I've changed, I'm ninety.
بَابَا بِيِسْأَل إِيه فِي البَرْطَمَان.BAA-ba bi-YIS-'al eeh fi il-bar-ta-MAAN.Dad asks what's in the jar.
لَمُون مِخَلِّل, وِمِش عَلَى مِعْدَة فَاضْيَة.la-MOON mi-KHAL-lil wi-MISH 3A-la MI3-da FAD-ya.Pickled lemons, and not on an empty stomach.
دِي صَعْبَة تِتْرَجِم, هَاقُول هِدِيَّة.di SA3-ba tit-RA-gim ha-'OOL hi-DIY-ya.That's hard to translate, I'll say a gift.