برق
barʾeveryday
In Egyptian Arabic lightning is برق (barʾ). Thunder, which follows it, is رعد (raʿd).
Meaning: flash of electricity in a storm (noun)
Ways to say it
| Egyptian | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| برق | barʾ | everyday |
| رعد | raʿd | thunder |
Egyptians often say them together: رعد وبرق (raʿd wi barʾ), "thunder and lightning". Storms are rare in Cairo and more common in Alexandria in winter.
How do you pronounce it?
The standard برق (barq) ends with a ق, which becomes a short stop in Egyptian speech, so you hear "barʾ".
Did you know?
- Alexandria gets more rain and thunderstorms in winter than Cairo, which receives little rain.
Examples in context
- شفت البرق؟šuft el-barʾ?Did you see the lightning?
- سمعت الرعد.simiʿt er-raʿd.I heard the thunder.
- فيه رعد وبرق النهارده.fīh raʿd wi barʾ en-nahardah.There is thunder and lightning today.
Example conversation
It is a stormy winter night in Alexandria, and Mona talks with her father, Mr. Hamdy.
- Monaشفت البرق ده؟šuft el-barʾ da?Did you see that lightning?
- Hamdyأيوه، والرعد جاي.aywa, wir-raʿd gayy.Yes, and the thunder is coming.
- Monaأنا خايفة.ana ḵayfa.I am scared.
- Hamdyمتخافيش، هتعدي.matḵafīš, hatʿaddi.Do not be afraid, it will pass.
