حمار
hemareveryday, Egypt
In Egyptian Arabic, a donkey is حمار (hemar) and a female donkey is حمارة (hemara). The plural is حمير (hamir).
Meaning: long-eared work animal (noun)
Ways to say it
| Egyptian | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| حمار | hemar | everyday, Egypt |
| حمارة | hemara | female, Egypt |
It is also an insult for a foolish person, as in يا حمار (ya hemar). Use it only for the animal when you want to be polite.
When do people say it?
Donkeys still pull carts in Egyptian villages and some city districts.
Did you know?
- The donkey is a working animal across the Egyptian countryside, and farmers still depend on it.
Examples in context
- الحمار بيشيل الحملel-hemar biyshil el-hamlThe donkey carries the load.
- ركبنا حمار في الأقصرrekebna hemar fel-aqsorWe rode a donkey in Luxor.
- الحمير في الغيطel-hamir fel-ghaytThe donkeys are in the field.
Example conversation
A tourist, Emma, asks a guide named Saad about the animals in Luxor.
- Emmaإيه ده؟eh daWhat is that?
- Saadده حمارda hemarThat is a donkey.
- Emmaبيشتغل هنا؟biyeshtaghal henaDoes it work here?
- Saadأيوه، بيشيل الحملaywa, biyshil el-hamlYes, it carries loads.
