“Why?” in Egyptian Arabic

In Egyptian Arabic, “Why?” is written using the Latin script as:

Leh?

Using the Arabic script, it is written as:

ليه؟

Listen to this word pronounced (audio)

 

Examples in sentences or statements

 
“Why did you choose to visit Egypt?”

(m) Enta leh 25tart tzor masr?

(f) Enty leh 25tarty tzory masr?

انت ليه اختارت تزور مصر؟ (m)

انتي ليه اختارتي تزوري مصر؟ (f)

 
“Why did you choose to stay here?”

(m) Enta leh 25tart to23d hna?

(f) Enty leh 25tarty to23ody hna?

انت ليه اختارت تقعد هنا؟ (m)

انتي ليه اختارتي تقعدي هنا؟ (f)

 
“Why did you choose to study that field?”

(m) leh 25tart tedrs el magal dh?

(f) leh 25tarty tedrsy el magal dh?

ليه اختارت تدرس المجال ده؟ (m)

 ليه اختارتي تدرسي المجال ده؟ (f)

 
“Why did you choose to read that book?”

(m) leh 25tart te2ra el ketab dh?

(f) leh 25tarty te2ry el ketab dh?

ليه اختارت تقرأ الكتاب ده؟ (m)

ليه اختارتي تقري الكتاب ده؟ (f)

 
“Do you know why?”

(m) enta 3aref leh?

(f) enty 3arfa leh?

 انت عارف ليه؟ (m)

انتي عارفه ليه؟ (f)

 

In other Mediterranean languages and dialects

“Why” in Lebanese Arabic

“Why” in Tunisian Arabic

“Why” in Turkish