امتى
emta
In Egyptian Arabic, 'when' is امتى (emta).
امتى opens or ends a question about timing, such as هتيجي امتى؟, 'when will you come'.
Meaning: asking about time (adv)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is distinctly Egyptian, used instead of the Standard Arabic متى.
Which one should you use?
There is no separate casual form, امتى is the word Egyptians actually say in every setting.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
It is used in all registers of spoken Egyptian Arabic.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The word is standard and used the same way across Egypt.
How does it change in a sentence?
امتى does not change form for gender or number.
How do you pronounce it?
Said 'EM-ta', with stress on the first syllable.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Using متى in casual conversation sounds formal, Egyptians will understand but notice the shift in register.
Did you know?
- امتى is one of several Egyptian question words, like فين and إيه, that differ noticeably from their Standard Arabic equivalents.
Examples in context
- امتى الامتحان بتاعك؟emta el-emtihan betaak?When is your exam?
- هتتخرج امتى؟hatetkharrag emta?When will you graduate?
- مش عارف هرجع امتى بالظبط.mesh aaref harga' emta bel-zabt.I don't know exactly when I'll be back.
Example conversation
Lobna asks her friend Karim about an upcoming trip.
- Lobnaهتسافر امتى بالظبط؟hatesafir emta bel-zabt?When exactly are you traveling?
- Karimيوم الخميس الجاي إن شاء الله.yom el-khamees el-gay inshallah.This coming Thursday, God willing.
- Lobnaطيب هترجع امتى؟tayyib hatirga' emta?Ok, when will you be back?
- Karimبعد أسبوعين تقريبا.ba'd osboo'ein ta'reeban.After about two weeks.
