Episode 25 · Will you come with us?

Yesterday, Maya actually wanted to know what your plans were. A small but real milestone. Today, you're sitting at Abu Naji's, nursing your coffee, when Jad drops into the chair next to you.

shu 3am ta3mel?

There's that classic Jad greeting. But before you can answer, Maya pulls up a chair on your other side. You are officially cornered.

badna nrou7 3ala el corniche. btiji ma3na?

بتيجي معنا؟ — Will you come with us? · btiji ma3na?

Look at that! An actual invitation. Jad wants to go to the Corniche, the seaside promenade, and he just asked, btiji ma3na?

بتيجي معنا؟ — Will you come with us? · btiji ma3na?

It means, 'Will you come with us?' btiji means 'you come', and ma3na means 'with us'. Listen for that little catch in the back of the throat on the 3 in the middle.

بتيجي معنا؟ — Will you come with us? · btiji ma3na?

Say it with me, nice and casual. btiji ma3na?

بتيجي معنا؟ — Will you come with us? · btiji ma3na?

One more time: btiji ma3na?

بتيجي معنا؟ — Will you come with us? · btiji ma3na?

You definitely want to go. But wait... you need details first.

eimta?

أيمتا؟ — When? · eimta?

A perfect, punchy question. eimta? just means 'when?'.

أيمتا؟ — When? · eimta?

It's the ultimate planner's word, and Maya's favorite. Say it with me: eimta?

أيمتا؟ — When? · eimta?

Imagine Maya is telling you there's a big neighborhood dinner. Ask her when it is. Say: eimta?

أيمتا؟ — When? · eimta?

el yom, ba3d el doher.

Today, in the afternoon. Oh, wait. The plumber is supposed to come fix Téta Nabiha's leaky sink this afternoon.

ma fiyyé, 3inde shughel.

ما فيّي، عندي شغل — I can't, I've got work · ma fiyyé, 3inde shughel

Ah, the harsh realities of adult life. You just said, ma fiyyé, 3inde shughel. I can't, I have work.

ما فيّي، عندي شغل — I can't, I've got work · ma fiyyé, 3inde shughel

ma fiyyé means 'I can't', literally 'it is not in me'. And you remember 3inde from the grocery store tab? Here, 3inde shughel means 'I have work'.

ما فيّي، عندي شغل — I can't, I've got work · ma fiyyé, 3inde shughel

Let's put it together. Tell them you're busy: ma fiyyé, 3inde shughel.

ما فيّي، عندي شغل — I can't, I've got work · ma fiyyé, 3inde shughel

Jad looks crestfallen, like a puppy denied a walk. He asks again, 'Not even for a quick coffee?' Turn him down gently: ma fiyyé, 3inde shughel.

ما فيّي، عندي شغل — I can't, I've got work · ma fiyyé, 3inde shughel

Before Maya solves this scheduling crisis, let's look at what we've learned. Jad invited you out with btiji ma3na? Will you come with us?

You asked for the time: eimta? When?

And you had to politely decline: ma fiyyé, 3inde shughel. I can't, I have work. Let's see what Maya's backup plan is.

tayyeb... boukra?

Maya doesn't quit. She just offered tomorrow. You really do want to go.

baddé rou7. akid, b7ibb.

أكيد، بحبّ — Sure, I'd love to · akid, b7ibb

There's that 'I want to go' from yesterday! And you added: akid, b7ibb.

أكيد، بحبّ — Sure, I'd love to · akid, b7ibb

akid means 'sure' or 'definitely', and b7ibb means 'I'd love to' or 'I like'. Notice the heavy 7 sound in b7ibb — imagine breathing fog onto a mirror.

أكيد، بحبّ — Sure, I'd love to · akid, b7ibb

Accept the invitation with enthusiasm. Say: akid, b7ibb.

أكيد، بحبّ — Sure, I'd love to · akid, b7ibb

Jad immediately whips out his phone to show you a picture of where you're going to sit on the Corniche at sunset.

ktir 7ilo.

كتير حلو — Really nice · ktir 7ilo

And that is exactly the right reaction. ktir 7ilo. It means 'really nice' or 'very beautiful'.

كتير حلو — Really nice · ktir 7ilo

ktir is 'a lot' or 'very', and 7ilo is 'sweet' or 'nice'. You can use it for a great view, a cool shirt, or a good plan. Try it: ktir 7ilo.

كتير حلو — Really nice · ktir 7ilo

Tell Jad you like his choice of café on the water. Say: ktir 7ilo.

كتير حلو — Really nice · ktir 7ilo

momtaz. boukra.

btiji ma3na boukra.

Maya just turned our question into a statement. 'You're coming with us tomorrow.' Look at that. You have a social calendar now.

A very successful morning at the café. Let's recap your new social skills. You were invited out: btiji ma3na? Will you come with us?

You knew to ask for the details: eimta? When?

You handled a scheduling conflict like a pro: ma fiyyé, 3inde shughel. I can't, I have work.

You enthusiastically accepted the backup plan: akid, b7ibb. Sure, I'd love to.

And you praised the choice of venue: ktir 7ilo. Really nice.

Get that sink fixed, because tomorrow afternoon, you're hanging out on the Corniche. New lessons every Tuesday and Friday. See you at the seaside!