What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of ما (not), في (in/there is) and فلوس (money).
Which one should you use?
While ما في فلوس is used in spoken dialects, the formal Modern Standard Arabic equivalent is لا يوجد مال.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ما في فلوس is a colloquial expression. For formal situations, you might use ليس لدي مال (I don't have money), لا مال لديَّ (I have no money) or أنا بحاجة لمزيد من المال (I need more money). In informal settings, you can also say ما عنديش فلوس (I don't have money) or ما عندي ولا فلس (I don't have a penny).
Is it said differently in some regions?
ما في فلوس is used in spoken Levantine or Egyptian dialects.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word فلوس (money) is a plural noun in Arabic, but the phrase is used to express the singular concept of 'no money'. In some informal variations, adding ش to the end of عندي indicates a negative response.
How do you pronounce it?
ma fi fulus
Did you know?
- The word فلوس has roots in the ancient concept of a 'fals', which was a specific type of small copper coin used in the early Islamic era.
- The word في may be related to an ancient Proto-Semitic root meaning 'mouth' or 'entrance', evolving from a physical opening to a preposition meaning 'in'.
- In some contexts, saying ما في فلوس can be used as a humorous way to decline a request or avoid a social obligation without being overly blunt.
Examples in context
- ما في فلوس عندي حالياً.ma fi flous 'indi haliyan.I have no money right now.
- ليش ما في فلوس في المحفظة؟lish ma fi flous fil mihfaza?Why is there no money in the wallet?
- يا للأسف، ما في فلوس في الحساب.ya lal-asaf, ma fi flous fil hisab.Unfortunately, there is no money in the account.
Example conversation
Ziad and Maryam are discussing their budget for a restaurant.
- مريم Maryamهل نذهب إلى المطعم الجديد؟hal nadhab ila al-mat'am al-jadid?Shall we go to the new restaurant?
- زياد Ziadأنا آسف، ما في فلوس معي.ana asif, ma fi flous ma'i.I am sorry, I have no money with me.
- مريم Maryamحسناً، يمكننا البقاء في المنزل.hasanan, yumkinuna al-baqa' fil manzil.Okay, we can stay at home.
- زياد Ziadشكراً لكِ يا مريم على تفهمك.shukran laki ya Maryam 'ala tafahumik.Thank you, Maryam, for your understanding.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries في, ما, CC BY-SA 4.0.
