جزمة
gazmaone shoe or a pair, Egyptian
In Egyptian Arabic "shoes" is جزمة (gazma), and the plural is جزم (gizam). The letter ج is pronounced as a hard "g" in Cairo. It is also called كوتشي (kutshi).
Meaning: shoes (noun)
Ways to say it
| Egyptian | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| جزمة | gazma | one shoe or a pair, Egyptian |
| جزم | gizam | plural, Egyptian |
| كوتشي | kutshi | sneakers, casual |
You say جزمة (gazma) for one shoe or for a pair. For sneakers Egyptians say كوتشي (kutshi).
Which one should you use?
Standard Arabic uses حذاء (ḥiḏāʾ), which you will read in books and hear in news but not at a shoe shop in Cairo.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Calling a person جزمة (gazma) is an insult, so keep the word for actual footwear.
Did you know?
- The word جزمة (gazma) comes from Turkish çizme, which means "boot".
Examples in context
- اشتريت جزمة جديدة.ishtarēt gazma gidīda.I bought new shoes.
- الجزم دي مريحة.el-gizam dī murīḥa.These shoes are comfortable.
- ده كوتشي للجري.da kutshi lil-gary.These are running shoes.
Example conversation
Yara tries on shoes in a shop in Nasr City.
- Yaraعندكم الجزمة دي مقاس سبعة وتلاتين؟ʿandukum el-gazma di maʾās sabʿa wi talatīn?Do you have these shoes in size 37?
- Sellerأيوه، لحظة أجيبها.aywa, laḥẓa agībha.Yes, one moment, I will bring them.
- Yaraتمام، مريحة قوي.tamām, murīḥa ʾawi.Good, they are very comfortable.
