What does it mean word for word?
دلوقتي developed from an older phrase meaning roughly 'at this time', shortened over time into one everyday word, distinct from the Standard Arabic الآن.
Which one should you use?
There is really only one common everyday word, دلوقتي. الآن exists but belongs to formal or written Arabic.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
دلوقتي is used at every level of spoken formality, from close family to a business phone call.
How does it change in a sentence?
دلوقتي does not change form and can appear almost anywhere in a sentence without changing its meaning.
How do you pronounce it?
The q in دلوقتي is dropped in Cairo speech, replaced by a short catch in the throat, so it sounds like 'dilwa'ti' rather than a clearly pronounced q.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Using الآن in everyday conversation is understood but sounds formal, like something read aloud from a book rather than said naturally.
Did you know?
- The dropped q sound in دلوقتي, pronounced as a glottal stop, is one of the clearest markers of Cairo-style Egyptian Arabic.
- Standard Arabic الآن for 'now' is almost never heard in casual Egyptian conversation, appearing mainly in news broadcasts.
Examples in context
- لازم تيجي دلوقتي.lazem teegi dilwa'ti.You need to come now.
- مش هعمل كده دلوقتي.mesh ha'mel keda dilwa'ti.I won't do that now.
- دلوقتي بالظبط الساعة كام؟dilwa'ti bed-dabt es-saa kam?What time is it exactly right now?
Example conversation
Nour asks her brother Sami if he can help her right now.
- Nourممكن تساعدني دلوقتي؟mumken tesa'edni dilwa'ti?Can you help me now?
- Samiدلوقتي مشغول شوية، بعد عشر دقايق.dilwa'ti mashghool shwaya, ba'd ashar da'ay'.I'm a bit busy now, in ten minutes.
- Nourتمام، هستنى.tamam, hastanna.Okay, I'll wait.
- Samiخلصت، تعالي دلوقتي.khallast, ta'ali dilwa'ti.I'm done, come now.
