سكر
sukkareveryday, Egyptian
The Egyptian Arabic word for "sugar" is سكر (sukkar). With the article it is السكر (es-sukkar).
You hear it most when ordering tea or coffee. سكر زيادة (sukkar ziyāda) is extra sugar and من غير سكر (min ghēr sukkar) is no sugar.
Meaning: sugar (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
People also use سكر (sukkar) as a pet name for someone sweet, as in يا سكر (yā sukkar).
When do people say it?
Egyptians order tea with a set amount of sugar, and at cafes the waiter may ask سكر برة (sukkar barra), which means the sugar comes on the side.
Did you know?
- Egypt grows a lot of sugarcane, and the word قصب السكر (ʾaṣab es-sukkar) means sugarcane. Fresh cane juice is a popular street drink.
Examples in context
- كوباية شاي بسكر.kubbāyit shāy bi-sukkar.A glass of tea with sugar.
- من غير سكر لو سمحت.min ghēr sukkar law samaḥt.No sugar please.
- هات السكر من المطبخ.hāt es-sukkar min el-maṭbakh.Bring the sugar from the kitchen.
Example conversation
Waiter Sherif takes an order from customer Heba at a cafe in Cairo.
- Sherifتشربي إيه؟tishrabi ēh?What will you drink?
- Hebaشاي، وسكر برة لو سمحت.shāy, wi sukkar barra law samaḥt.Tea, and sugar on the side please.
- Sherifحاضر.ḥāḍir.Right away.
