How to say "what's your name?" in Egyptian Arabic
اِسْمَك إِيه؟
ismak eih?
- Without tashkeel
- اسمك إيه؟
- Franco / chat alphabet
- esmak eh?
- Literally
- name-your what?
When to use it
This is the standard, everyday way to ask someone's name in Cairo. It is used casually among peers, children, or in informal settings. When speaking to someone older or in a professional context, Egyptians typically add the polite pronoun 7adretak before the phrase.
Other ways to say it
To a man
اِسْمَك إِيه؟
ismak eih?
What's your name?
Used when speaking to a single male peer.
To a woman
اِسْمِك إِيه؟
ismik eih?
What's your name?
Used when speaking to a single female peer.
To a group
اِسْمُكُوا إِيه؟
ismuku eih?
What are your names?
Used when addressing two or more people.
Formal to a man
حَضْرِتَك اِسْمَك إِيه؟
7adretak ismak eih?
What is your name, sir?
Used for older men, customers, or figures of authority.
Formal to a woman
حَضْرِتِك اِسْمِك إِيه؟
7adretik ismik eih?
What is your name, ma'am?
Used for older women, customers, or figures of authority.
How people reply
اِسْمِي أَحْمَد.
ismi a7mad.
My name is Ahmed.
أَنَا سَارَة.
ana sara.
I am Sarah.
In a sentence
أَهْلًا بِيك، اِسْمَك إِيه؟
ahlan biik, ismak eih?
Welcome, what's your name?
اِسْمِك إِيه يَا شَاطْرَة؟
ismik eih ya shatra?
What's your name, clever girl?
لَوْ سَمَحْت يَا أَفَنْدِم، حَضْرِتَك اِسْمَك إِيه؟
law sama7t ya afandim, 7adretak ismak eih?
Excuse me sir, what is your name?