How to say “no” in Egyptian Arabic
The word is la' (لَأ). Capitals mark the emphatic letters, 3 is ع and 7 is ح, and ' is the glottal stop that Cairo uses for q.
لَأ
particleno
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In a sentence
لَأ، أَنَا دِينَا، مِش مُنَى.
No, I'm Dina, not Mona.
إِنْتَ طَالِب؟ لَأ، أَنَا مُدَرِّس.
Are you a student? No, I'm a teacher. (to a man)
لَأ، مَحْفَظْتِي قَدِيمَة، دِي جِدِيدَة.
No, my wallet is old. This one's new.
الْقَلَم دَه قَلَمَك؟ لَأ، قَلَمُه.
Is this pen yours? No, it's his. (to a man)
فِيه مَلْعَب تِنِس؟ لَأ، مَافِيش.
Is there a tennis court? No, there isn't.
فِيلْم سِيَاسِي؟ لَأ، شُكْرًا!
A political film? No, thanks!
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