واحد كمان
wahid kaman
In Arabic, "one more" can be said as واحد كمان (wahid kaman).
This phrase is used to express that an additional single unit of something is desired or exists.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of واحد (one) and كمان (more, also or additional).
Which one should you use?
While واحد كمان is a common way to say "one more", if you specifically mean "one more time", you should use مرة كمان.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
واحد كمان is a colloquial phrasing used in spoken Levantine and Egyptian dialects. For formal Modern Standard Arabic, use واحد آخر.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Egyptian dialect, you can also use واحد تاني to convey "one more".
How does it change in a sentence?
If the object being referred to is feminine, change the masculine واحد to the feminine واحدة.
How do you pronounce it?
wahid kaman
Did you know?
- The word كمان used for 'more' actually shares its roots with the Persian word for a 'bow' or 'arch'.
- The word واحد is a root shared across almost all Semitic languages, including Hebrew and Amharic.
- While واحد كمان is common in Egypt and the Levant, speakers in the Gulf or Maghreb regions may use entirely different words for 'more'.
Examples in context
- واحد كمان من الشاي، لو سمحت.wahed kaman min ash-shay, law samaht.One more tea, please.
- أريد واحد كمان من هذا.ureed wahed kaman min hada.I want one more of this.
- هل يمكنني الحصول على واحد كمان؟hal yumkinuni al-husul 'ala wahed kaman?Can I have one more?
Example conversation
Ziad and Sarah are at a cafe ordering pastries.
- زياد Ziadأريد واحد كمان من الكعك.ureed wahed kaman min al-ka'k.I want one more pastry.
- سارة Saraهل أنت متأكد يا زياد؟hal anta muta'akkid ya Ziad?Are you sure, Ziad?
- زياد Ziadنعم، طعمه لذيذ جداً.na'am, ta'muhu ladheedh jiddan.Yes, it tastes very delicious.
- سارة Saraحسناً، سأطلب لك واحداً.hasanan, sa-atlub laka wahidan.Okay, I will order one for you.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries كمان, واحد, CC BY-SA 4.0.
