How to say "yes and no" in Gulf Arabic
إي ولا
ee w-la
- Without tashkeel
- إي ولا
- Franco / chat alphabet
- ee w-la
- Literally
- yes and no
When to use it
"Ee" or "aywa" is the everyday yes, "la" the no. "Na3am" is a polite yes. "Abshir" (good news) is a Gulf way of saying "of course, I'll do it".
Other ways to say it
polite yes
نَعَم
na3am
yes
Respectful, also to answer when called.
of course
أبشِر
abshir
rejoice
Gulf "sure, consider it done".
firm no
لا والله
la walla
no by God
Emphatic no, or polite refusal of an offer.
How people reply
زين
zain
good
تَمام
tamaam
fine
In a sentence
إي، أبي شاي
ee, abi chaay
Yes, I want tea
لا، مَشكور
la, mashkoor
No, thanks
أبشِر، بَجي وياك
abshir, bayi wiyyaak
Sure, I'll come with you