How to say "family" in Egyptian Arabic
عِيلَة
3eila
- Without tashkeel
- عيلة
- Franco / chat alphabet
- 3eila
- Literally
- family. This is not an idiom, just the literal word.
When to use it
"3eila" is the standard word for family in Egyptian Arabic, often referring to the extended family or the family unit as a whole. When Cairenes talk about their immediate family or parents living in the same house, they frequently use "ahl" (folks). Both are used in casual and formal everyday speech.
Other ways to say it
my family
عِيلْتِي
3eilti
my family
The most common way to refer to your own family.
your family (to a man)
عِيلْتَك
3eiltak
your family
Used when asking a male about his family.
your family (to a woman)
عِيلْتِك
3eiltik
your family
Used when asking a female about her family.
my folks / immediate family
أَهْلِي
ahli
my folks
Used specifically to refer to parents or immediate family members.
How people reply
كُوَيِّسِين الْحَمْدُ لِلَّه
kwayyiseen el 7amdo lillah
They are fine, thank God.
بِخِير الْحَمْدُ لِلَّه
bekheir el 7amdo lillah
Well, thank God.
رَبِّنَا يُخَلِّيهُم لَك
rabbena yekhaleehom lak
May God keep them for you.
In a sentence
إِزَّي عِيلْتَك؟
ezzayy 3eiltak?
How is your family? (to a man)
عِيلْتِي عَايْشَة فِي الْقَاهِرَة.
3eilti 3aysha fel qahira.
My family lives in Cairo.
أَنَا هَتْعَشَّى مَعَ أَهْلِي النَّهَارْدَة.
ana hat3ashsha ma3a ahli el naharda.
I will have dinner with my folks today.