الساعة كام قولنا؟

You can drop this phrase almost anywhere in a sentence. Put it at the beginning to start a conversation. Or, tack it onto the end of a question. It’s short and punchy. You don’t need complex grammar to make it work. Just say it with a slightly rising intonation at the end. It shows you're engaged but just need a quick memory jog.

Use it when you're texting a group chat to confirm dinner. Use it at the office when a colleague mentions a meeting you forgot. It’s perfect for those 'Wait, did we say 7 or 8?' moments. It works great with friends, family, and even coworkers you’re comfortable with. It’s the ultimate 'oops, I forgot' phrase that doesn't sound rude.

Don’t use this if you’re asking the time from a stranger on the street. They weren't part of your 'we,' so they won't know what you 'said.' Also, avoid it in high-stakes formal presentations. If you're speaking to a high-ranking official for the first time, stick to more formal structures. It’s a bit too 'chummy' for a first-time meeting with a CEO.

In many Arabic-speaking cultures, especially Egypt, social plans are fluid. We call it 'rubber time' sometimes. Because plans change often, re-confirming is a cultural necessity. This phrase is the glue that keeps social schedules from falling apart. It reflects a culture that values verbal agreement over rigid written calendars. It’s about the connection between the people making the plan.

You might hear الساعة كام اتفقنا؟ which means 'What time did we agree?'. Some people might just shorten it to قولنا كام؟ (We said how much?). In more formal Arabic (MSA), it would be أي ساعة قلنا؟, but that sounds very stiff. In the streets of Cairo, الساعة كام قولنا؟ is the undisputed king of confirmation.