ليه
leih
In Egyptian Arabic, 'why' is ليه (leih).
ليه can start or end a sentence depending on tone: ليه مجيتش؟, 'why didn't you come', or more casually at the end, مجيتش ليه؟.
Meaning: the question word for why (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
ليه has no further breakdown, it is simply the Egyptian question word for 'why', replacing the Standard Arabic لماذا.
Which one should you use?
There is one everyday word, ليه. لماذا exists only in Standard Arabic and is not used in Egyptian speech.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ليه is used at every level of formality in speech.
How does it change in a sentence?
ليه can appear at the start or end of a question in Egyptian Arabic, unlike many other question words that usually go at the end.
How do you pronounce it?
ليه rhymes roughly with the English word 'play', said LEI with a soft final sound.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Using لماذا in casual conversation is understood but sounds formal and bookish compared to the natural Egyptian ليه.
Did you know?
- ليه is one of the few Egyptian question words that can comfortably open a sentence, unlike إيه and فين which usually come at the end.
- Standard Arabic لماذا is almost never heard in everyday Egyptian conversation, appearing mainly in news and formal writing.
Examples in context
- ليه مجيتش امبارح؟leih magiteesh embareh?Why didn't you come yesterday?
- بتضحك ليه؟betedhak leih?Why are you laughing?
- ليه عايز تمشي بدري كده؟leih ayez temshi badri keda?Why do you want to leave so early?
Example conversation
Nader asks his friend Seif why he looks upset.
- Naderليه شكلك زعلان كده؟leih shaklak za'lan keda?Why do you look upset like that?
- Seifفاتني الأتوبيس وتأخرت.fatni el-otobees w ta'akhart.I missed the bus and got late.
- Naderماشي، مفيش مشكلة.mashi, mafeesh mushkila.Okay, no problem.
- Seifبس مكنش لازم أتأخر ليه النهاردة بالذات.bas makansh lazem ata'khar leih en-naharda bez-zat.But I didn't need to be late today specifically.
