Ways to say it
| Egyptian Arabic | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| كويس | kwayyes | said by a male |
| كويسة | kwayyesa | said by a female |
| تمام | tamam | also common, 'fine, okay' |
A female speaker says كويسة (kwayyesa). Just as common is تمام (tamam), 'fine' or 'perfect', which does not change with gender and works as a quick, cheerful answer.
What does it mean word for word?
كويس/كويسة mean 'good' or 'well'. تمام means 'complete' or 'perfect', used here to mean everything is in order.
Which one should you use?
كويس/كويسة directly answers 'how are you' with 'well'. تمام is slightly more upbeat and energetic, often used alone as a one-word reply.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Both are used at every level of formality, from close friends to polite small talk with a stranger.
How does it change in a sentence?
كويس changes with the speaker's own gender, becoming كويسة for a woman and كويسين (kwayyeseen) for a group. تمام never changes.
How do you pronounce it?
كويس is said kway-YES, with the stress on the second syllable.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Adding الحمد لله, 'thank God', after كويس or تمام is extremely common in Egypt and its absence can occasionally sound slightly flat, though it is never required.
When do people say it?
Egyptians almost always follow كويس or تمام with الحمد لله, even when just making small talk, as a habit of giving thanks regardless of how things actually are.
Did you know?
- Egyptians almost reflexively add الحمد لله after saying they are fine, whether the day has gone well or not, as a fixed habit of speech.
- تمام is used so broadly in Egypt that it can mean 'okay', 'fine', 'got it' and 'perfect', all depending on the tone it is said with.
Examples in context
- كويس، الحمد لله، وانت؟kwayyes, el-hamdu lillah, w ente?I'm fine, thank God, and you?
- تمام خالص، متشكرة.tamam khales, mitshakkira.Totally fine, thank you.
- كويسة شوية بعد الراحة.kwayyesa shwaya ba'd er-raha.I'm a bit better after resting.
Example conversation
Khaled asks his friend Donia how she is doing after being sick.
- Khaledإزيك؟ سمعت إنك كنتي تعبانة.izzayek? sema't ennek konti ta'bana.How are you? I heard you were sick.
- Doniaكويسة دلوقتي، الحمد لله.kwayyesa dilwa'ti, el-hamdu lillah.I'm fine now, thank God.
- Khaledالحمد لله على سلامتك.el-hamdu lillah ala salametek.Thank God for your safety.
- Doniaتمام خالص، متشكرة على اهتمامك.tamam khales, mitshakkira ala ehtemamak.Totally fine, thank you for caring.
