Ways to say it
| Egyptian Arabic | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| فلوس | filoos | |
| نقود | nuqood | formal |
| مصاري | masari | also common |
مصاري (masari) is just as common and used interchangeably with فلوس in daily speech. نقود (nuqood) is the formal, written word, closer to 'currency' or 'funds'.
What does it mean word for word?
فلوس comes from an old word for small coins, and مصاري comes from مصري, 'Egyptian', historically referring to Egyptian currency specifically before becoming a general word for money.
Which one should you use?
فلوس and مصاري are both casual and used constantly, with no real difference between them. نقود appears in banking, news or official contexts.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
فلوس and مصاري are informal but completely normal in everyday talk. نقود is reserved for formal or written Arabic.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both فلوس and مصاري are treated as plural nouns in grammar, even when talking about money in general rather than counting specific bills or coins.
How do you pronounce it?
فلوس is stressed on the second syllable, fi-LOOS, with a long vowel.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Using نقود in casual conversation about everyday spending can sound oddly formal, like speaking in a news report instead of chatting with a friend.
When do people say it?
Talking openly about exact amounts of money can be seen as a bit impolite in some Egyptian social settings, so people sometimes speak about فلوس in general terms rather than specifics.
Did you know?
- مصاري originally referred specifically to Egyptian currency, since it comes from مصري, 'Egyptian', before becoming the general everyday word for money.
- فلوس traces back to an old word for small copper coins, similar to how English 'cash' once referred to coins specifically.
Examples in context
- معايا فلوس كفاية؟ma'aya filoos kifaya?Do I have enough money with me?
- مصاريف الشهر ده كتير.masareef esh-shahr da keteer.This month's expenses are a lot.
- لازم أسحب مصاري من البنك.lazem as-hab masari men el-bank.I need to withdraw money from the bank.
Example conversation
Salma asks her brother Khaled if he has enough money for the taxi.
- Salmaمعاك فلوس للتاكسي؟ma'ak filoos let-taxi?Do you have money for the taxi?
- Khaledآه، معايا مصاري كفاية.aah, ma'aya masari kifaya.Yes, I have enough money.
- Salmaتمام، يلا نمشي بقى.tamam, yalla nemshi ba'a.Okay, let's go then.
- Khaledاستني، هسحب فلوس من الصراف الأول.estanni, has-hab filoos men es-sarraf el-awwal.Wait, I'll get cash from the ATM first.
