How to say "excuse me" in Egyptian Arabic
لَوْ سَمَحْت
law sama7t
- Without tashkeel
- لو سمحت
- Franco / chat alphabet
- law sama7t
- Literally
- if you permitted
When to use it
This is the most common way to say excuse me when getting someone's attention, such as a waiter or a stranger on the street. It is also used to politely preface a request. The ending changes based on the gender and number of the people being addressed.
Other ways to say it
To a man
لَوْ سَمَحْت
law sama7t
excuse me
Used when addressing a single male.
To a woman
لَوْ سَمَحْتِي
law sama7ti
excuse me
Used when addressing a single female.
To a group
لَوْ سَمَحْتُوا
law sama7to
excuse me
Used when addressing two or more people.
Passing by
عَنْ إِذْنَك
3an iznak
excuse me / with your permission
Used when asking someone to move so you can pass, or when excusing yourself to leave.
Apologetic
لَامُؤَاخَذَة
la mo2akhza
pardon me
Used casually when bumping into someone or mentioning something slightly taboo.
How people reply
اِتْفَضَّل
etfaddal
go ahead / here you go
نَعَم
na3am
yes?
أَيْوَة
aywa
yes?
In a sentence
لَوْ سَمَحْت، فِين الْمَحَطَّة؟
law sama7t, feyn el ma7atta?
Excuse me, where is the station?
الْحِسَاب لَوْ سَمَحْت.
el 7esab law sama7t.
The check, excuse me.
عَنْ إِذْنَك، عَايِز أَعَدِّي.
3an iznak, 3ayez a3addi.
Excuse me, I want to pass.