What does it mean word for word?
The word has no direct link to the Standard Arabic أمس, it is one of the most distinctly Egyptian time words in the dialect.
Which one should you use?
There is no formal or informal split for this word, Egyptians of every background say إمبارح in daily speech and writing alike.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
إمبارح is used in all registers, it only sounds out of place in a formal written report, where أمس would appear instead.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Pronunciation shifts slightly by region, with some areas saying 'imbareh' with a shorter first vowel.
How does it change in a sentence?
إمبارح does not change form, 'the day before yesterday' is أول امبارح (awwel embareh).
How do you pronounce it?
Stress falls on the second syllable, 'em-BA-reh', with the r lightly rolled.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Using أمس in conversation is understood but sounds like reading from a newspaper rather than talking to a friend.
Did you know?
- إمبارح is shared, with small sound changes, by several dialects neighbouring Egypt, including parts of Sudan.
Examples in context
- إمبارح كان يوم تعبان.embareh kaan yom ta'baan.Yesterday was a tiring day.
- شوفتها إمبارح في السوق.shoftaha embareh fi el-soo'.I saw her yesterday at the market.
- مش فاكر حصل إيه إمبارح بالليل.mesh faaker hasal eih embareh bel-leil.I don't remember what happened last night.
Example conversation
Laila asks her coworker Omar about the meeting that took place the day before.
- Lailaالاجتماع إمبارح عدى كويس؟el-igtimaa embareh ada kwayyes?Did yesterday's meeting go well?
- Omarلأ، كان فيه مشاكل كتير.la2, kaan fih mashakel kiteer.No, there were a lot of problems.
- Lailaيا خسارة، مكنتش موجودة إمبارح.ya khasara, makontesh mawgooda embareh.What a shame, I was not there yesterday.
- Omarهنعيده النهاردة بعد الضهر.hana'ido en-naharda ba'd ed-dohr.We'll redo it today in the afternoon.
