إحنا اتقابلنا قبل كده

You can say it as a statement or a question. Usually, you say it with a slightly tilted head. You are searching your memory while you speak. You can add صح؟ (right?) at the end. This makes it a friendly inquiry. It is very common in the Egyptian dialect. Other Arabs will understand you perfectly too.

Use it at a wedding when you see a guest. Use it at a business networking event. It works great when you see a neighbor you haven't spoken to. Even if you are wrong, it is a compliment. It shows you were paying attention to them. It is a great way to start a conversation with a stranger.

Do not use it if you are 100% sure you've never met. In some contexts, it can feel like a cheesy pickup line. Avoid using it in very high-stakes formal meetings. In those cases, wait for a formal introduction. Don't use it if the person looks busy or annoyed. You might just be bothering them with a memory test.

Arab culture, especially in Egypt, is very communal. People love finding 'circles' of friends. When you say إحنا اتقابلنا قبل كده, you start a game. You both list schools, jobs, and neighborhoods. Finding a common friend is like winning a prize. It builds immediate trust and warmth between strangers.

You might hear وشك مش غريب عليّ (Your face isn't strange to me). Or you could hear شفتك فين قبل كده؟ (Where did I see you before?). If you want to be more formal, use حضرتك (You, formal). For example: إحنا اتقابلنا قبل كده، صح يا فندم؟ (We met before, right sir?).