Which one should you use?
While rudd 'alayya is a common way to say "answer me" in spoken dialects, the formal Modern Standard Arabic version is أُجِبْنِي. For a more polite or indirect request in formal contexts, you can use أرجو الإجابة, which means "I request an answer". In informal settings, you might also use ردي عليّ to say "Reply to me" or جاوبني for "Answer me".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase rudd 'alayya is common in spoken dialects. For formal situations, use أُجِبْنِي or the more indirect أرجو الإجابة. In informal situations, you can use ردي عليّ or جاوبني.
How does it change in a sentence?
When addressing a single female, the imperative verb changes from رد to ردي, resulting in ردي علي. To address a group of people, the imperative verb changes to ردوا, resulting in ردوا علي.
How do you pronounce it?
rudd 'alayya
Did you know?
Examples in context
- أرجو الإجابة.I request an answer.
- من فضلك رد علي.min fadlak rud 'alay.Please answer me.
Example conversation
Maryam is calling Omar on the phone but he is barely speaking.
- مريم Maryamعمر، هل تسمعني؟ رد علي!Omar, hal tasma'uni? Rudd 'alayya!Omar, can you hear me? Answer me!
- عمر Omarنعم يا مريم، أنا أسمعك.Na'am ya Maryam, ana asma'uki.Yes Maryam, I hear you.
- مريم Maryamلماذا تأخرت في الرد علي؟Limadha ta'akharta fi al-rudd 'alayya?Why were you late in answering me?
- عمر Omarكان هناك ضجيج حولي.Kana hunaka dajeej hawli.There was noise around me.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries علي, CC BY-SA 4.0.
