شوية شوية
shwayya shwayya
The English phrase "little little" can be expressed in Arabic as شوية شوية (shwayya shwayya).
شوية شوية is used to describe a gradual process, to suggest doing something in small, manageable steps or to instruct someone to slow down.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is formed by repeating the word شوية, which means a little or a bit.
Which one should you use?
The phrase شوي وشوي literally translates to little by little and is also used to describe gradual progress. For a single instance of a bit, you can use the informal شوية.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Egyptian Arabic, the phrase قليل أوي is used to mean "very little".
How do you pronounce it?
shwayya shwayya
Did you know?
- In many Arabic-speaking cultures, if you are told to do something شوية شوية, it is often a polite way of coaching someone to be more patient or less rushed. It is as much about emotional temperament as it is about the physical speed of an action.
- Doubling the word شوية to create شوية شوية is an example of reduplication, a common feature in Arabic dialects used to add emphasis or change a noun into an adverb.
- The word شوية is an informal diminutive. It functions similarly to how English speakers might use 'bit' or 'smidge' to make a request or a description sound less harsh or imposing.
Examples in context
- تأثيرها على البيئة ضئيل جدًا.Its impact on the environment is minimal.
- يجب أن تتعلم اللغة العربية شوي وشوي.You should learn Arabic little by little.
- تعلم اللغة العربية شوية شوية.ta'allum al-lugha al-arabiyya shwayya shwayya.Learn the Arabic language little by little.
- امشي شوية شوية عشان ما تقع.imshi shwayya shwayya 'ashan ma taqa'.Walk slowly so you don't fall.
- بنتعلم الشغل شوية شوية.bin-ta'allam al-shughl shwayya shwayya.We are learning the job little by little.
Example conversation
Ziad and Layla are walking up a steep hill.
- زياد Ziadيا ليلى، امشي شوية شوية.ya Layla, imshi shwayya shwayya.Layla, walk slowly.
- ليلى Laylaأنا تعبانة يا زياد.ana ta'bana ya Ziad.I am tired, Ziad.
- زياد Ziadما تقلقي، هنوصل شوية شوية.ma taqlaqi, han-wasal shwayya shwayya.Don't worry, we will arrive little by little.
- ليلى Laylaتمام، خلينا نمشي براحة.tamam, khallina nimshi bi-raha.Okay, let's walk calmly.
