كان جيدا
kana jayyidan
The English phrase 'it was good' can be translated into Arabic as كان جيدا (kana jayyidan).
The phrase is used to describe a past experience or an object as being satisfactory or pleasing.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of كان, which means 'was' and جيدا, which means 'good'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The expression كان زي الفل؛ is used mainly in Egyptian Arabic.
How do you pronounce it?
kana jayyidan
Did you know?
- While كان جيدا is grammatically correct, an Arabic speaker is much more likely to say كان حلو (it was sweet) to describe a good experience or a pleasant moment.
- In some dialects, the phrase for 'it was good' might be replaced by a religious expression like الحمد لله ('praise be to God') to imply that the experience was positive.
- The root of the word كان relates to existence and presence in ancient Semitic languages, emphasizing the state of being in a specific place.
Examples in context
- كانت المحاضرة ممتازةThe lecture was good.
- الفيلم كان زي الفلThe movie was excellent.
- الشاي كان منيحThe tea was good.
- الطعام كان زينThe food was good.
- كان جيدا جدا.kana jayyidan jiddan.It was very good.
- الفيلم كان جيدا.al-film kana jayyidan.The movie was good.
Example conversation
Maryam and Yusuf are discussing a book Yusuf recently read.
- مريم Maryamهل الكتاب الذي قرأته كان جيدا؟hal al-kitab alladhi qara'tahu kana jayyidan?Was the book you read good?
- يوسف Youssefنعم، كان جيدا.na'am, kana jayyidan.Yes, it was good.
- مريم Maryamأنا سعيدة لأنك استمتعت به.ana sa'ida li-annaka istamta'ta bihi.I am happy that you enjoyed it.
- يوسف Youssefشكرا لك يا مريم.shukran laki ya Maryam.Thank you, Maryam.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries كان, CC BY-SA 4.0.
