إحنا اتقابلنا قبل كده
We met before
بهطور تحتاللفظی: We met before like this
Use this phrase to bridge the gap with someone who looks familiar and start a friendly conversation.
در ۱۵ ثانیه
- Used when someone looks familiar but you aren't sure why.
- A friendly icebreaker to find common social connections.
- Commonly used in Egyptian dialect but understood everywhere.
معنی
This is the classic 'don't I know you?' phrase. Use it when someone's face looks familiar and you're trying to figure out where your paths crossed.
مثالهای کلیدی
3 از 6At a friend's birthday party
إحنا اتقابلنا قبل كده في عيد ميلاد سارة؟
Did we meet before at Sarah's birthday?
In a professional networking event
حضرتك وشك مش غريب، إحنا اتقابلنا قبل كده؟
Your face is familiar, sir; have we met before?
Texting a new contact
حاسس إن إحنا اتقابلنا قبل كده، صح؟
I feel like we've met before, right?
زمینه فرهنگی
In Egypt, this phrase is the start of a social ritual called 'finding mutuals.' Egyptians take pride in having a wide social network, so 'knowing someone' is a sign of being well-connected. It transitioned from a simple observation to a standard polite icebreaker in urban settings like Cairo.
The 'Sah' Add-on
Always add `صح؟` (Right?) at the end. It makes you sound less like you're accusing them and more like you're asking for help.
The Pickup Line Trap
In very touristy areas, this can sound like a scammer or a pickup line. Use it only when you genuinely feel a connection.
در ۱۵ ثانیه
- Used when someone looks familiar but you aren't sure why.
- A friendly icebreaker to find common social connections.
- Commonly used in Egyptian dialect but understood everywhere.
What It Means
This phrase is the ultimate social bridge. It is used when you recognize someone but can't quite place them. It is more than just a question. It is an invitation to find a shared history. You are saying, 'Your face is familiar to me.' It helps break the ice in any social setting.
How To Use It
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.
When To Use It
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.
When NOT To Use It
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.
Cultural Background
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.
Common Variations
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?).
نکات کاربردی
This phrase is perfectly safe for B1 learners. It sits in the 'neutral-informal' zone, making it ideal for daily life in any Arabic-speaking city.
The 'Sah' Add-on
Always add `صح؟` (Right?) at the end. It makes you sound less like you're accusing them and more like you're asking for help.
The Pickup Line Trap
In very touristy areas, this can sound like a scammer or a pickup line. Use it only when you genuinely feel a connection.
The 'Wasta' Connection
If someone says this to you, be prepared for a 5-minute conversation about your family tree. It's how Egyptians find common ground!
مثالها
6إحنا اتقابلنا قبل كده في عيد ميلاد سارة؟
Did we meet before at Sarah's birthday?
Adding a specific place helps the other person remember.
حضرتك وشك مش غريب، إحنا اتقابلنا قبل كده؟
Your face is familiar, sir; have we met before?
Using 'hadretak' adds a layer of professional respect.
حاسس إن إحنا اتقابلنا قبل كده، صح؟
I feel like we've met before, right?
The word 'hases' (I feel) makes it softer and more casual.
إحنا اتقابلنا قبل كده ولا أنت بتطاردني؟
Have we met before or are you stalking me?
A playful way to tease someone you keep running into.
أنا متأكد إن إحنا اتقابلنا قبل كده في المدرسة.
I am sure we met before in school.
Used when you are confident about the connection.
إحنا اتقابلنا قبل كده هنا؟
Did we meet here before?
Focuses the memory on the current location.
خودت رو بسنج
Complete the sentence to ask if you've met before politely.
يا فندم، حضرتك وشك مش غريب، إحنا ___ قبل كده؟
`اتقابلنا` means 'we met,' which fits the context of recognizing a face.
Choose the correct word for 'before' in this expression.
إحنا اتقابلنا ___ كده؟
`قبل` means 'before,' while `بعد` means 'after' and `فوق` means 'above.'
🎉 امتیاز: /2
ابزارهای بصری یادگیری
Formality Spectrum
Talking to a peer at a party.
إحنا اتقابلنا قبل كده؟
Standard social interaction.
إحنا اتقابلنا قبل كده، صح؟
Speaking to an elder or boss.
حضرتك إحنا اتقابلنا قبل كده؟
Where to use 'إحنا اتقابلنا قبل كده'
Weddings
Seeing a distant relative.
Workshops
Recognizing a fellow attendee.
Neighborhood
Greeting a familiar neighbor.
Cafes
Talking to a regular customer.
سوالات متداول
10 سوالWhile it is very Egyptian in its phrasing, the words إحنا and اتقابلنا are understood across the Levant and Gulf as well.
You can say ممكن، كنت فين؟ (Possible, where were you?) or لا، متهيألي لأ (No, I don't think so).
Yes, but keep your tone friendly and casual to avoid it sounding like a pickup line.
In this context, كده literally means 'like this,' but together with قبل (before), it just means 'previously' or 'before.'
Not at all! Just say الذاكرة خانتني، فكرني؟ (My memory betrayed me, remind me?).
The word إحنا is already neutral, but in very formal Arabic (MSA), you would say نحن (Nahnu).
Only if you actually have met the interviewer before. Otherwise, it's too casual for an interview setting.
You can just say اتقابلنا قبل كده؟ (Met before?) and drop the 'we' for a quicker vibe.
Say أنا متأكد إننا اتقابلنا (I am sure we met) to sound more confident.
Yes, if you want to say 'I saw you before,' you say أنا شفتك قبل كده (Ana shuftak abl keda).
عبارات مرتبط
وشك مش غريب عليّ
شفتك فين قبل كده؟
فاكرني؟
فرصة سعيدة
نظرات (0)
برای نظر دادن وارد شویدیادگیری زبانها را رایگان شروع کنید
شروع رایگان یادگیری