What does it mean word for word?
شوية has no further breakdown in modern use, it is simply the Egyptian word for 'a little' or 'a bit', distinct from the Standard Arabic قليلا.
Which one should you use?
There is really one common everyday word, شوية. قليلا exists mainly in formal or written Arabic.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
شوية is used at every level of spoken formality, from close family to a formal phone call.
How does it change in a sentence?
شوية can describe a noun directly, as in شوية أكل, 'a little food', or soften a verb, as in كل شوية, 'eat a little'.
How do you pronounce it?
شوية is stressed on the first syllable, SHWAY-ya, with a soft sh sound.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Using قليلا in casual conversation is understood but sounds like something read from a book rather than said naturally.
When do people say it?
Repeating شوية شوية means 'little by little' or 'gradually', a common way Egyptians describe slow, steady progress.
Did you know?
- Repeating شوية شوية turns 'a little' into 'little by little', a common pattern of doubling words for gradual change in Egyptian Arabic.
- Standard Arabic قليلا for 'a little' is rarely heard in Egyptian speech, replaced almost entirely by the colloquial شوية.
Examples in context
- هاتلي شوية سكر من فضلك.hatli shwayet sokkar men fadlak.Give me a little sugar, please.
- استني شوية، أنا جاي.estanna shwaya, ana gai.Wait a little, I'm coming.
- شوية شوية هنخلص الشغل كله.shwaya shwaya hankhallas esh-shoghl kollo.Little by little we'll finish all the work.
Example conversation
Nesma asks her neighbour Amal for a small favour in the kitchen.
- Nesmaعندك شوية ملح أقدر أستعيره؟andek shwayet malh a'dar asta'eero?Do you have a little salt I can borrow?
- Amalطبعا، استني شوية هجيبه لك.tab'an, estanni shwaya hagiblo lak.Of course, wait a little, I'll bring it to you.
- Nesmaمتشكرة جدا، كنت محتاجاه بسرعة.mitshakkira gedan, kont mehtagaha be-sor'a.Thank you so much, I needed it quickly.
- Amalعادي، خدي قد ما تحبي.aadi, khadi add ma tehebbi.No problem, take as much as you like.
