يبدو جيدا
yabdu jayyidan
In Arabic, 'sounds good' is expressed as يبدو جيدا (yabdu jayyidan).
This expression is used to agree with a suggestion or to show that a plan is acceptable.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb يبدو (yabdu) literally means 'it appears' or 'it seems'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
While يبدو جيدا is a formal way to express this, in spoken Arabic, people are much more likely to use colloquial terms like تمام to mean 'sounds good' or 'okay'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In many dialects, the word ماشي is a very common way to express agreement with a plan, functioning similarly to 'sounds good'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase يبدو جيدا is grammatically masculine and is used when referring to a masculine subject or a general concept. If the suggestion or plan being discussed is a feminine noun, the phrase changes to تبدو جيدة.
How do you pronounce it?
yabdu jayyidan
Did you know?
- In some Levantine dialects, you can say على راسي (ala rasi), which literally means 'on my head', to show enthusiastic agreement with a plan.
- The word ماشي (mashi), which literally means 'walking', is a ubiquitous way in many dialects to say 'sounds good' or 'alright'.
- Depending on the country, saying 'sounds good' with the word خلاص (khalas) can signal that the discussion is finished and the decision is final.
Examples in context
- هذا الجدول يبدو جيدا جدا.hadha al-jadwal yabdu jayyidan jiddan.This schedule sounds very good.
Example conversation
Ziad and Noor are deciding where to eat dinner.
- زياد Ziadهل تريدين الذهاب إلى مطعم إيطالي؟hal turidina al-dhahab ila mat'am itali?Do you want to go to an Italian restaurant?
- نور Nourنعم، يبدو جيدا يا زياد.na'am, yabdu jayyidan ya Ziyad.Yes, that sounds good, Ziad.
- زياد Ziadسأحجز طاولة للساعة الثامنة.sa-ahjuzu tawila lil-sa'a al-thamina.I will book a table for eight o'clock.
- نور Nourاتفقنا، أراك هناك.ittafaqna, araka hunak.Agreed, I'll see you there.
