موت
moteveryday, Egypt
In Egyptian Arabic, "death" is موت (mot). The more respectful word, used for an announcement, is وفاة (wafah).
Meaning: end of life (noun)
Ways to say it
| Egyptian | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| موت | mot | everyday, Egypt |
| وفاة | wafah | formal, polite |
When someone has died, Egyptians say البقاء لله (el-baqa lillah), "permanence belongs to God". It is the usual condolence.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Newspapers and obituaries use وفاة (wafah). Ordinary talk often says اتوفى (etwaffa), "he passed away".
Did you know?
- البقاء لله (el-baqa lillah) is said in Egypt by both Muslims and Christians.
Examples in context
- الموت حقel-mot haqqDeath is a certainty.
- خبر وفاة جديkhabar wafat gaddiNews of my grandfather's death.
- البقاء للهel-baqa lillahMy condolences.
Example conversation
Hany offers condolences to his colleague Sameh at work in Cairo.
- Hanyالبقاء لله يا سامحel-baqa lillah ya samehMy condolences, Sameh.
- Samehونعم باللهw ni'ma bellahThank you, God is the best.
- Hanyربنا يرحمهrabbena yerhamuMay God have mercy on him.
