أسد
asadstandard
The standard word for lion, used in Egypt too, is أسد (asad). Egyptians also say سبع (sabʿ) in everyday speech.
Meaning: big cat (noun)
Ways to say it
| Egyptian | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| أسد | asad | standard |
| سبع | sabʿ | colloquial |
أسد is used in school, books and zoos. سبع is heard in stories, sayings and as praise for a brave person.
Which one should you use?
The female lion is لبوة (labwa) and a cub is شبل (šibl).
Did you know?
- The Qasr El Nil Bridge in Cairo is guarded by four bronze lions.
Examples in context
- الأسد ملك الغابة.el-asad malik el-ġāba.The lion is the king of the jungle.
- شفنا أسد في حديقة الحيوان.šufna asad fi ḥadīʾet el-ḥayawān.We saw a lion at the zoo.
- ده سبع!da sabʿ!He is a lion!
Example conversation
Father Sherif takes his son Adam to the Giza Zoo.
- Adamبابا، ده أسد؟baba, da asad?Dad, is that a lion?
- Sherifأيوه، ده أسد كبير.aywa, da asad kebīr.Yes, it is a big lion.
- Adamهو بيعض؟huwwa biyiʿaḍḍ?Does it bite?
- Sherifأيوه، خليك بعيد.aywa, ḵallīk baʿīd.Yes, stay away.
