How to say "please" in Egyptian Arabic
لَوْ سَمَحْت
law sama7t
- Without tashkeel
- لو سمحت
- Franco / chat alphabet
- law sama7t
- Literally
- if you allowed
When to use it
This is the most common way to say "please" or "excuse me" in Egyptian Arabic. It is used to politely ask for something, get a waiter's attention, or ask someone to move. It must agree with the gender and number of the person being addressed.
Other ways to say it
to a man
لَوْ سَمَحْت
law sama7t
please (to a man)
The standard form used when speaking to a single male.
to a woman
لَوْ سَمَحْتِي
law sama7ti
please (to a woman)
The standard form used when speaking to a single female.
to a group
لَوْ سَمَحْتُوا
law sama7to
please (to a group)
Used when addressing two or more people.
alternative (more formal)
مِنْ فَضْلَك
min fadlak
please (from your favor)
Slightly more formal, often used by service workers or when asking for a physical item.
alternative (excuse me)
بَعْد إِذْنَك
ba3d iznak
excuse me / please
Used when asking to pass by someone, interrupting, or politely requesting a favor.
How people reply
إِتْفَضَّل
etfaddal
go ahead / here you go
عِنَيَّا
3enaya
with pleasure (literally: my eyes)
تَحْت أَمْرَك
ta7t amrak
at your service
In a sentence
لَوْ سَمَحْت، عَايِز قَهْوَة.
law sama7t, 3ayez ahwa.
Please, I want a coffee.
مُمْكِن تِسَاعِدْنِي لَوْ سَمَحْت؟
momken tesa3edni law sama7t?
Can you help me, please?
لَوْ سَمَحْتُوا، إِفْتَحُوا الْبَاب.
law sama7to, efta7o el bab.
Please (to a group), open the door.