Language/Egyptian-arabic/Vocabulary/Telling-Time

This lesson can still be improved. EDIT IT NOW! & become VIP

Rate this lesson:

1.00

(one vote)

Help - Comments

◀️ Numbers 1-10 — Previous Lesson	Next Lesson — Yes/No Questions ▶️

Egyptian Arabic → Vocabulary → 0 to A1 Course → Numbers and Time → Telling Time

Introduction[edit | edit source]

In this lesson, we will delve into the topic of telling time in Egyptian Arabic. Being able to ask and answer questions about the time of day is essential for daily communication, whether you are making plans, catching a train, or simply wondering what time it is. Understanding how to express time accurately in Egyptian Arabic will greatly enhance your language skills and enable you to engage in conversations more effectively.

In this comprehensive lesson, we will explore the vocabulary and structures related to telling time. We will cover the different ways of asking and answering questions about time, including both the 12-hour and 24-hour systems. Additionally, we will discuss cultural aspects of timekeeping in Egypt, such as regional variations and historical influences. By the end of this lesson, you will have a solid foundation in telling time in Egyptian Arabic and be able to confidently navigate conversations related to this topic.

Let's get started!

Vocabulary[edit | edit source]

Before we dive into the intricacies of telling time, let's familiarize ourselves with the basic vocabulary related to this topic. Here are some essential words and phrases you need to know:

Egyptian Arabic	Pronunciation	English
الوقت	el-waʔt	time
الساعة	el-saʕa	hour, clock, watch
الدقيقة	ed-doʔʔa	minute
الثانية	eθ-θaːne	second
الصباح	eṣ-ṣabaaḥ	morning
المساء	el-masaaʔ	evening
منذ	men-daz	since
حتى	ɦatta	until
الآن	el-aːn	now

Take some time to familiarize yourself with these words and practice their pronunciation. These terms will come in handy as we progress through the lesson.

Asking about the Time[edit | edit source]

Now that we have the basic vocabulary down, let's move on to asking about the time in Egyptian Arabic. There are several ways to ask this question, depending on the situation and the level of formality. Here are a few common expressions:

ما الوقت؟ (ma el-waʔt?) - What is the time?
كام الساعة؟ (kam el-saʕa?) - What time is it?
بتقولي الساعة كام؟ (betʔuːli el-saʕa kam?) - Can you tell me the time?

These phrases can be used interchangeably, and the choice of expression often depends on personal preference or regional variations. Now, let's explore how to respond to these questions.

Telling the Time[edit | edit source]

When it comes to telling the time in Egyptian Arabic, there are two systems commonly used: the 12-hour system and the 24-hour system. Let's start with the 12-hour system, as it is the most widely used in everyday conversations.

The 12-Hour System[edit | edit source]

In the 12-hour system, time is divided into two periods: الصباح (eṣ-ṣabaaḥ) for the morning and المساء (el-masaaʔ) for the evening. To express time in this system, we use the following structure:

"الساعة" + hour + ":" + minute + " " + period

For example:

الساعة الواحدة الصباح (el-saʕa el-waaħida eṣ-ṣabaaḥ) - 1:00 AM
الساعة الثانية والنصف المساء (el-saʕa eθ-θaːne w-en-niṣf el-masaaʔ) - 2:30 PM

Let's break down the components of this structure:

1. "الساعة" (el-saʕa) - This means "the hour" and serves as the introductory phrase to indicate that we are talking about time.

2. Hour - The hour is expressed using cardinal numbers from 1 to 12. Note that the numbers 1 to 10 have unique forms, while the numbers 11 and 12 are formed by combining the word for "ten" (عشرة - ʕaʃra) with the word for the respective unit.

3. ":" - This colon serves as a separator between the hour and the minute.

4. Minute - The minutes are expressed using cardinal numbers from 1 to 59. Just like the hours, the numbers 1 to 10 have unique forms, while the numbers 11 to 59 are formed by combining the word for the tens (عشر - ʕaʃr) with the word for the respective unit.

5. Period - The period of the day is indicated by either الصباح (eṣ-ṣabaaḥ) for the morning or المساء (el-masaaʔ) for the evening.

Let's practice constructing some time expressions in the 12-hour system:

الساعة الثالثة والربع الصباح (el-saʕa eth-thaaleθa w-ar-riʔ el-ṣabaaḥ) - 3:15 AM
الساعة الخامسة والنصف المساء (el-saʕa el-ḫaamisa w-en-niṣf el-masaaʔ) - 5:30 PM
الساعة العاشرة والثلث المساء (el-saʕa el-ʕaašera w-et-talṯ el-masaaʔ) - 10:15 PM

Keep in mind that the expressions "والربع" (w-ar-riʔ) for "quarter past" and "والثلث" (w-et-talṯ) for "quarter to" are used to indicate the exact quarter-hour positions.

The 24-Hour System[edit | edit source]

The 24-hour system, also known as the military or "European" system, is less common in informal conversations but is widely used in official and formal contexts. In this system, time is expressed using a 24-hour clock, with the hour ranging from 00:00 to 23:59.

To express time in the 24-hour system, we use the following structure:

hour + ":" + minute

For example:

01:00 - الساعة الواحدة
14:30 - الساعة الرابعة والنصف

Note that in the 24-hour system, there is no need to specify the period of the day, as the hour itself indicates whether it is in the morning or the evening.

Let's practice constructing some time expressions in the 24-hour system:

07:45 - الساعة السابعة والخمسة والأربعين
18:20 - الساعة السادسة والعشرون والعشرون
23:55 - الساعة الثالثة والخمسون والخمسة والخمسين

Now that we have covered both the 12-hour and 24-hour systems, you should feel more confident in telling time in Egyptian Arabic. Practice constructing different time expressions and try to incorporate them into your daily conversations to solidify your understanding.

Cultural Insight: Regional Variations and Historical Influences[edit | edit source]

While the vocabulary and structures related to telling time in Egyptian Arabic are generally consistent across the country, there can be slight regional variations in pronunciation and usage. For example, in some regions, the word for "hour" (الساعة - el-saʕa) may be pronounced as "el-saʕ" or "el-saʕya." These variations are a natural result of the diverse dialects and accents found throughout Egypt.

Additionally, it is worth noting that Egypt has a long history of timekeeping, dating back to ancient times. The ancient Egyptians were known for their advanced understanding of astronomy and developed methods for measuring time using sundials and water clocks. The concept of a 24-hour day can be traced back to ancient Egypt, where the day was divided into 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness.

Over the centuries, Egypt has been influenced by various cultures and civilizations, including the Greeks, Romans, Arabs, and Ottomans. These influences have left their mark on the Egyptian Arabic language and its time-related vocabulary. For example, the word "الثانية" (eθ-θaːne) for "second" is derived from the Arabic word for "two," reflecting the influence of Arabic language and culture.

Practice Exercises[edit | edit source]

Now that you have learned the vocabulary and structures related to telling time in Egyptian Arabic, it's time to put your knowledge into practice. Here are some exercises to help you reinforce what you have learned:

1. Translate the following time expressions from English to Egyptian Arabic:

10:45 AM
6:20 PM
2:55 AM

2. Construct time expressions in Egyptian Arabic for the following scenarios:

Your friend asks you what time it is, and it's 9:30 AM.
You are making plans to meet someone at 7:15 PM.
You want to say that you wake up at 6:00 AM every day.

3. Answer the following questions in complete sentences:

ما الوقت؟
كام الساعة؟
بتقولي الساعة كام؟

Solutions[edit | edit source]

1. Translation:

10:45 AM - الساعة العاشرة والخمسة والأربعين صباحًا
6:20 PM - الساعة السادسة والعشرون والعشرون مساءً
2:55 AM - الساعة الثانية والخمسون والخمسة والخمسين صباحًا

2. Time expressions:

Your friend asks you what time it is, and it's 9:30 AM. - الساعة التاسعة والنصف صباحًا.
You are making plans to meet someone at 7:15 PM. - الساعة السابعة والربع مساءً.
You want to say that you wake up at 6:00 AM every day. - أستيقظ في الساعة السادسة صباحًا كل يوم.

3. Answers:

ما الوقت؟ - الوقت الآن هو العاشرة والربع صباحًا.
كام الساعة؟ - الساعة الآن هي الواحدة والنصف مساءً.
بتقولي الساعة كام؟ - الساعة الآن هي الثالثة والربع صباحًا.

Take your time to complete these exercises and refer back to the vocabulary and structures we have covered. If you have any questions or need further clarification, don't hesitate to ask your teacher or fellow learners.

Conclusion[edit | edit source]

Congratulations! You have completed the lesson on telling time in Egyptian Arabic. By mastering the vocabulary and structures presented in this lesson, you are now equipped to confidently ask and answer questions about the time of day. Remember to practice regularly and incorporate these expressions into your conversations to reinforce your learning.

In the next lesson, we will explore another essential aspect of the Egyptian Arabic language. Stay tuned and keep up the great work!

Table of Contents - Egyptian Arabic Course - 0 to A1[edit source]

Course Presentation

Greetings and Introductions

Pronouns and Verb To Be

Numbers and Time

Questions and Negation

Everyday Vocabulary

Present Tense

Egyptian Culture

Travel and Transportation

Prepositions and Conjunctions

Shopping and Services

Adjectives and Adverbs

Egyptian Music and Cinema

Other Lessons[edit | edit source]

◀️ Numbers 1-10 — Previous Lesson	Next Lesson — Yes/No Questions ▶️

Contributors

Maintenance script

Create a new Lesson