Language/Egyptian-arabic/Grammar/Command-Form

Egyptian Arabic → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Command Form

Welcome to this exciting lesson on the Command Form in Egyptian Arabic! Understanding how to give commands is crucial for effective communication, whether you're ordering food, directing someone, or simply asking someone to do something. Commands, or imperatives, are an essential part of daily conversation, and knowing how to use them will help you navigate various social interactions with ease.

In this lesson, we will explore:

• What the command form is and why it's important.

• How to form commands in Egyptian Arabic.

• Examples of commands in different contexts.

• Practical exercises to strengthen your understanding.

By the end of this lesson, you'll be able to confidently use the command form in everyday situations. So, let's dive right in!

What is the Command Form?

The command form, known as the "imperative" in grammatical terms, is used to give orders, requests, or instructions. In Egyptian Arabic, forming the command is straightforward, but there are a few nuances that you need to be aware of.

Here’s why the command form is important in Egyptian Arabic:

• Daily Interactions: It helps you navigate everyday situations, whether you're shopping, dining, or asking for help.

• Cultural Nuances: Commands can reflect the culture’s politeness and social norms. Understanding how to give a command appropriately is key to blending in with Egyptian speakers.

• Efficiency: Commands are often more direct and efficient than other forms of speech when you want to convey an immediate action.

How to Form Commands in Egyptian Arabic

The structure of the command form in Egyptian Arabic usually involves the following components:

1. Root Verb: Start with the root form of the verb.

2. Ending: For singular commands, you typically add -ي (pronounced as "ee") for a friendly command, or simply use the bare verb for formal commands. For plural commands, you can add -وا (pronounced as "wa").

Here's the basic formula:

• Singular Command: Verb + ي (for informal) / Bare verb (for formal)

• Plural Command: Verb + وا

Let’s look at some examples to clarify this:

Egyptian Arabic	Pronunciation	English
اكتب	اكتب (iktib)	Write
اكتبوا	اكتبوا (iktibu)	Write (plural)
اجلس	اجلس (ijlis)	Sit down
اجلسوا	اجلسوا (ijlisu)	Sit down (plural)
اتفضل	اتفضل (itfaddal)	Please, go ahead
اتفضلوا	اتفضلوا (itfaddalu)	Please, go ahead (plural)
اسمع	اسمع (ismaʿ)	Listen
اسمعوا	اسمعوا (ismaʿu)	Listen (plural)
روح	روح (ruḥ)	Go
روحوا	روحوا (ruḥu)	Go (plural)

Contextual Usage of Commands

Commands can vary based on the context in which they are used. Below are several scenarios where commands come into play:

1. At a Restaurant:

• اطلبي الأكل. (iṭlibi al-akl) - Order the food.

• اطلعوا برة. (iṭlaʿu barra) - Go outside (plural).

2. In a Classroom:

• افتحي الكتاب. (iftaḥi al-kitāb) - Open the book.

• اسمعوا الشرح. (ismaʿu al-sharḥ) - Listen to the explanation (plural).

3. At Home:

• نظفي الغرفة. (naẓẓifi al-ghurfah) - Clean the room.

• اركنوا العربية. (irknu al-ʿarabiyah) - Park the car (plural).

4. Shopping:

• جربي الفستان. (jarbī al-fustān) - Try on the dress.

• خذوا هذا العرض. (khudhū hādhā al-ʿarḍ) - Take this offer (plural).

5. Giving Directions:

• اتجه يمين. (itijih yamīn) - Turn right.

• امشوا على طول. (imshū ʿalā ṭūl) - Go straight (plural).

Examples of Common Commands

Let’s examine a more extensive list of common commands that you might find useful in daily conversations:

Egyptian Arabic	Pronunciation	English
اشرب	اشرب (ishrab)	Drink
اكل	اكل (akul)	Eat
احضر	احضر (iḥḍar)	Attend
اتصل	اتصل (iṭṭil)	Call
اذهب	اذهب (idhhab)	Go
شاهد	شاهد (shāhid)	Watch
اركض	اركض (irkud)	Run
اجري	اجري (ijri)	Run (informal)
انتظر	انتظر (intazir)	Wait
اضحك	اضحك (iḍḥak)	Laugh
اخرج	اخرج (ukhruj)	Exit
اكتب رسالة	اكتب رسالة (uktub risālah)	Write a message
استمع	استمع (istamiʿ)	Listen
ارسل	ارسل (irsil)	Send
ابحث	ابحث (ibḥath)	Search
اذكر	اذكر (udhkur)	Mention
ارسم	ارسم (ursum)	Draw
ساعد	ساعد (sāʿid)	Help
احضر لي	احضر لي (iḥḍar lī)	Bring me
اغسل	اغسل (ighsil)	Wash

Cultural Considerations

When using commands, it's important to consider the cultural context. Commands can sometimes come off as rude if not phrased appropriately, especially in a culture that values politeness. Here are some tips to help you navigate this:

• Use "من فضلك" (min faḍlak): This means "please" and can soften your command. For example, "من فضلك، اكتب لي." (Min faḍlak, uktub lī) - "Please, write to me."

• Be aware of your tone: The way you deliver a command can make a significant difference in how it is received. A friendly tone can make a simple command feel more polite.

• Consider the audience: Commands can vary based on whether you are speaking to friends, family, or strangers. Adjust your language accordingly.

Practice Exercises

Now that we've covered the theory and examples, let's put your knowledge to the test! Below are some exercises designed to reinforce what you've learned about the command form in Egyptian Arabic.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Translate the following commands into Egyptian Arabic:

1. _______________ (Sit down)

2. _______________ (Listen)

3. _______________ (Go)

4. _______________ (Eat)

5. _______________ (Come here)

Answers:

1. اجلس (ijlis)

2. اسمع (ismaʿ)

3. روح (ruḥ)

4. كل (kul)

5. تعال هنا (taʿāl hinā)

Exercise 2: Matching Exercise

Match the command in English with the correct Egyptian Arabic command:

| English Command | Egyptian Arabic |

|-----------------|-----------------|

| 1. Write | A. اذهب |

| 2. Laugh | B. اكتب |

| 3. Drink | C. اضحك |

| 4. Go | D. اشرب |

Answers:

1 - B, 2 - C, 3 - D, 4 - A

Exercise 3: Create Your Own Commands

Write five commands in Egyptian Arabic that you would use in a restaurant setting.

Example Answers:

1. اطلب الأكل (iṭlub al-akl) - Order the food.

2. جرب الحلوى (jarrib al-ḥalwā) - Try the dessert.

3. اخرج من هنا (ukhruj min hinā) - Leave from here.

4. احضر الفاتورة (iḥḍar al-fātūrah) - Bring the bill.

5. انتظر قليلاً (intazir qalīlan) - Wait a moment.

Exercise 4: Rewrite the Commands

Rewrite the following commands using the plural form:

1. اكتب (Write)

2. اجلس (Sit)

3. روح (Go)

Answers:

1. اكتبوا (iktibu)

2. اجلسوا (ijlisu)

3. روحوا (ruḥu)

Exercise 5: Polite Commands

Rewrite the following commands to make them more polite by adding "من فضلك" (please):

1. اذهب (Go)

2. كل (Eat)

3. اكتب (Write)

Answers:

1. من فضلك، اذهب (Min faḍlak, idhhab)

2. من فضلك، كل (Min faḍlak, kul)

3. من فضلك، اكتب (Min faḍlak, uktub)

Exercise 6: Identify the Command

Identify whether the following phrases are commands or not:

1. هل يمكنك مساعدتي؟ (Can you help me?)

2. اركض إلى المدرسة (Run to school)

3. من فضلك، انتظر (Please, wait)

4. أريد الذهاب (I want to go)

Answers:

1. Not a command

2. Command

3. Command

4. Not a command

Exercise 7: Translate the Following

Translate the following Egyptian Arabic commands into English:

1. اتصل بأمي (Call my mom)

2. نظف الغرفة (Clean the room)

3. شاهد الفيلم (Watch the movie)

4. اكتب لي رسالة (Write me a message)

5. اذهب إلى السوق (Go to the market)

Answers:

1. Call my mom

2. Clean the room

3. Watch the movie

4. Write me a message

5. Go to the market

Exercise 8: Create a Dialogue

Write a short dialogue between two friends using at least three commands.

Example Dialogue:

A: من فضلك، اجلس هنا. (Min faḍlak, ijlis hinā.) - Please, sit here.

B: شكرًا! هل يمكنني أن أطلب مشروب؟ (Shukran! Hal yumkinuni an aṭlub mashrūb?) - Thank you! Can I order a drink?

A: نعم، اطلب ما تحب. (Naʿam, iṭlub mā tuḥibb.) - Yes, order what you like.

Exercise 9: Expressing Urgency

How would you express urgency in a command? Rewrite the following command to make it sound urgent:

1. اذهب بسرعة (Go quickly)

Answer:

• اذهب بسرعة! (Idhhab bisurʿah!) - Go quickly!

Exercise 10: Command Variations

List different ways to say "come here" in Egyptian Arabic, using different levels of politeness.

Example Answers:

1. تعال هنا (taʿāl hinā) - Come here (informal).

2. من فضلك، تعال هنا (min faḍlak, taʿāl hinā) - Please, come here (polite).

3. هل يمكنك أن تأتي هنا؟ (Hal yumkinuka an taʾtī hinā?) - Can you come here? (very polite).

Conclusion

Congratulations on completing this lesson about the command form in Egyptian Arabic! You’ve learned how to form commands, understood their importance in daily interactions, and practiced using them in various contexts. Remember, using commands appropriately can enhance your communication skills and help build rapport with native speakers.

Keep practicing, and soon you'll find yourself navigating Egyptian Arabic conversations with confidence!

Table of Contents - Egyptian Arabic Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Greetings and Introductions

• Basic Greetings
• Introducing Yourself

  ---

Pronouns and Verb To Be

• Personal Pronouns
• Verb To Be

  ---

Numbers and Time

• Numbers 1-10
• Telling Time

  ---

Questions and Negation

• Yes/No Questions
• Wh-Questions
• Negation

  ---

Everyday Vocabulary

• Common Adjectives
• Common Nouns
• Common Verbs

  ---

Present Tense

• Regular Verbs
• Irregular Verbs

  ---

Egyptian Culture

• Egyptian Food
• Egyptian Traditions
• Egyptian History

  ---

Travel and Transportation

• Modes of Transportation
• Directions and Locations

  ---

Prepositions and Conjunctions

• Common Prepositions
• Common Conjunctions

  ---

Shopping and Services

• Shopping Vocabulary
• Services Vocabulary

  ---

Adjectives and Adverbs

• Adjective Agreement
• Adverbs

  ---

Egyptian Music and Cinema

• Famous Egyptian Singers
• Egyptian Cinema

Other Lessons

• Indefinite and definite articles
• 0 to A1 Course
• Present continuous
• How to use the modal verb Must
• Phrases for everyday life
• Adjectives as Adverbs
• Possession
• Plurals
• Questions Words
• Conditional Mood