أمير
amīreveryday
In Egyptian Arabic prince is أمير (amīr). The plural is أمراء (umarāʾ). It is also called الأمير (el-amīr).
Meaning: son of a king (noun)
Ways to say it
| Egyptian | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| أمير | amīr | everyday |
| الأمير | el-amīr | the prince |
أمير is used for a royal prince and for a ruler of a small state, as in the Gulf. It is also a common given name for boys.
Which one should you use?
The feminine form is أميرة (amīra), "princess". In fairy tales, "the prince" is الأمير (el-amīr).
When do people say it?
Egyptians also use أمير in affectionate teasing, like يا أمير (ya amīr), to praise someone.
Did you know?
- أمير comes from the Arabic root for "command" and is also the origin of the English word "emir".
Examples in context
- الأمير دخل القصر.el-amīr daḵal el-qaṣr.The prince entered the palace.
- اسم أخويا أمير.ism aḵūya amīr.My brother's name is Amir.
- الأمير والأميرة عاشوا سعداء.el-amīr wil-amīra ʿāšu suʿadāʾ.The prince and princess lived happily.
Example conversation
Grandmother Soad reads a fairy tale to little Yasmin in Cairo.
- Soadكان فيه أمير شجاع.kān fīh amīr šugāʿ.There was a brave prince.
- Yasminكان عنده حصان؟kān ʿandu ḥuṣān?Did he have a horse?
- Soadأيوه، حصان أبيض.aywa, ḥuṣān abyaḍ.Yes, a white horse.
- Yasminكمّلي يا تيتا.kammili ya tīta.Go on, Grandma.
