Every language has its own unique use of words that shows so much about it. Sometimes some of these words do not exist in other languages or it is very hard to be explained. Arabic in particular is no stranger to this fact as it is a very colorful language filled with so many poetic meanings and imageries especially (the Egyptian dialect). As an example, here are some words that do not have a direct equivalent in English.
1) معلش / ma3lsh – maalesh
(M3lsh ) is one of the most common words in Egyptian Arabic because it has so many uses and meanings for example:
Showing empathy
If one of you friends is sad or mad and you need to comfort him/ her you can say it .
Close English translation: I am sorry about that.
Conversation examples:
الأم: في ايه يا حبيبي ؟
الابن : اللعبة بتاعتي ضاعت.
الأم: معلش يا حبيبي هندور عليها مع بعض.
Mom: what's wrong honey?
Son: I lost my toy .
Mom: m3lsh sweetie we will look for together.
Note: ( معلش ) M3lsh here is just a word for comfort. It's like saying (I am sorry to hear that) but deeply m3lsh is not enough to solve anything. Saying it is nice but you need more words and effort to show that you really care.
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Getting someone's attention
Close English translation: Excuse me / sorry
Conversation example:
سلمي : معلش! الساعة كام دلوقتي ؟
احمد : الساعة 5,30
Salma: M3lsh what's the time now?
Ahmed: It's 5.30.
Note: M3lsh here is like saying excuse me but it's more than just saying ( lw sama7t / لوسمحت = excuse me ). M3lsh is more heart warming.
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Apologizing
Close English translation: Sorry, pardon me, forgive me
Conversation example:
علي : معلش ! انا اسف خليني اساعدك.
ايمان : مفيش مشكلة , شكرا.
Ali: M3lsh I am so sorry , my bad let me help you.
Eman: It's okay thank you!
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In conclusion m3lsh / معلش can be used to show your support and sympathy. It could also mean excuse me , please , sorry , pardon me. The most important thing you need to remember that m3lsh is not enough on its own you need to elaborate after you say it .
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2) عقبالك / 3o2balk- o`balk
This word is used mainly in engagements and weddings so if you are not married people around you would say ( 3o2balk ) which means I wish you the same thing (the same happiness) so they wish you to get married too.
Conversation example:
ماري: مبروك يا كريستين, فرحت ليكي اوي .
كريستين :عقبالك يا ماري , الدور عليكي بقي0
Mary: congratulations Kristen I am so happy for you.
Kristen: 3o2balk you are next ;)
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3) نعيمآ / na3iman – naiman
This words is said after someone has taken a shower or shaved. It's like saying congratulations or blessed to him after shaving. The response is ( Allah yn3m 3lik / الله ينعم عليك = may God bless you too)
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4) ماشاءالله / mash 'Allah
Mash'Allah is used when you want to show joy, appreciation and respect towards a person event or something. The closest translation for it in English is ( God willed it ). It is said to remind us that everything happened according to God's will.
Conversation example:
الابن : ماما ! انا جبت ممتاز في امتحان الرياضة 0
الأم: ماشاءالله! برافو ده خبر جميل.
Kid: mom! I got an A in my maths test
Mom: mashallah bravo that a great news.
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5 ) إن شاء الله / Insha'Allah
Insha'Allah is used to show your approval on something. The closet translation for it in English is (God willing ) it means that everything will happen according to God's will
Conversation example:
بيتر : هنتقابل بكره الساعة 7 ؟
سامي : ايوه إن شاء الله
Peter: will we meet tomorrow at 7 o'clock ?
Samy: yes, Insha'Allah we will.
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Note: you can use it if you don't want to give a straight answer. It's like you are not giving any confirmation but you don't want to say a direct no.
For example:
الابن: ماما! ممكن نروح ديزني لاند بكره ؟
الام:إن شاء الله
Son: Mom! Can we go to Disney land tomorrow?
Mom: Insahallah.
Notice that the mother only said insahallah so she could be sarcastic ;).
**Note that Arabic is a gender specific language so the words can have a slight change whether you are talking to a man or a woman.
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