Ways to say it
| Egyptian Arabic | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| فراخ | firakh | |
| دجاج | dagag | more formal, written |
دجاج (dagag) is the more formal, written word and is what you will see printed on packaging and menus, though فراخ is what people say out loud.
What does it mean word for word?
فراخ is a plural-form word used in everyday speech even when talking about a single chicken as food, similar to how English sometimes treats meat nouns.
Which one should you use?
فراخ is used at the market, at home and when ordering food. دجاج tends to appear in writing, cookbooks and more formal restaurant menus.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
فراخ is completely normal in daily speech at any level of formality when talking out loud. دجاج is the written standard.
How does it change in a sentence?
فراخ is grammatically plural, so a single live chicken is technically فرخة (farkha), while فراخ is used generally for chicken as food or poultry.
How do you pronounce it?
The kh in فراخ is a rough sound made at the back of the throat, similar to the kh in أخويا.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Asking for دجاج at a casual Egyptian restaurant is understood but sounds slightly bookish next to the natural فراخ.
When do people say it?
Grilled or roasted فراخ, often called فراخ مشوية (firakh mashweya), is one of the most common Friday family lunch dishes in Egypt.
Did you know?
- فراخ مشوية, grilled chicken, is a staple of the traditional Friday family lunch in many Egyptian homes, often served with rice and salad.
- The word دجاج is Standard Arabic and appears on packaging across Egypt, while almost no one says it out loud in daily conversation.
Examples in context
- عايز كيلو فراخ من فضلك.ayez kilo firakh men fadlak.I'd like a kilo of chicken, please.
- الفراخ المشوية جاهزة.el-firakh el-mashweya gahza.The grilled chicken is ready.
- بتحب الفراخ ولا اللحمة أكتر؟betehebb el-firakh walla el-lahma aktar?Do you like chicken or beef more?
Example conversation
Manal asks the butcher Am Ibrahim for fresh chicken.
- Manalعندك فراخ طرية يا عم إبراهيم؟andak firakh tareyya ya amm Ibrahim?Do you have fresh chicken, Am Ibrahim?
- Am Ibrahimطبعا، لسه جاية دلوقتي.tab'an, lissa gaya dilwa'ti.Of course, it just arrived now.
- Manalهاتلي كيلو ونص من فضلك.hatli kilo w noss men fadlak.Give me a kilo and a half please.
- Am Ibrahimحاضر، هقطعها لك كمان؟hader, ha'atta'ha lak kaman?Sure, shall I cut it up for you too?
