هذا موضوع مهم
This is an important topic
Literally: This topic important
Use this phrase to command attention and signal that the current subject requires serious focus.
In 15 Seconds
- Signals a shift from small talk to serious discussion.
- Essential Egyptian dialect phrase for emphasizing significance.
- Works in both professional meetings and personal heart-to-hearts.
Meaning
This phrase is used to signal that the subject at hand is serious, significant, or deserves everyone's full attention. It's like a verbal highlighter for your conversation.
Key Examples
3 of 6In a business meeting
يا جماعة، ده موضوع مهم لازم نناقشه دلوقتي.
Everyone, this is an important topic we must discuss now.
Giving advice to a friend
بص يا صاحبي، ده موضوع مهم لمستقبلك.
Look my friend, this is an important topic for your future.
Texting a sibling about family news
كلمني لما تخلص، عندي ليك موضوع مهم.
Call me when you're done, I have an important topic for you.
Cultural Background
In Egyptian social life, 'opening a topic' is a ritual often accompanied by tea or shisha. This phrase became a staple of Egyptian cinema and talk shows, often used by protagonists to signal a plot turning point. It reflects the community's preference for direct, heart-to-heart communication over vague small talk.
The Power Pause
After saying `ده موضوع مهم`, pause for 2 seconds. It builds anticipation and makes people lean in to hear what's next.
Don't Overuse It
If everything is an 'important topic,' then nothing is. Save it for things that actually require a shift in focus.
In 15 Seconds
- Signals a shift from small talk to serious discussion.
- Essential Egyptian dialect phrase for emphasizing significance.
- Works in both professional meetings and personal heart-to-hearts.
What It Means
ده موضوع مهم is your go-to phrase for shifting gears. It tells your listener that the small talk is over. You are now entering the zone of serious discussion. It literally translates to 'this is an important topic.' In Egyptian Arabic, ده (da) means 'this.' موضوع (mawdou') means 'subject' or 'topic.' مهم (mohem) means 'important.' Together, they create a powerful anchor for any dialogue. It’s simple, direct, and very effective.
How To Use It
You can use this phrase in two main ways. First, use it to introduce a new, serious subject. For example, 'Listen, this is an important topic.' Second, use it as a response to something someone else said. If a friend mentions a problem, saying ده موضوع مهم shows you are taking them seriously. You don't need complex grammar here. Just drop it into the conversation. It works perfectly at the start of a sentence. It also works as a standalone comment to show agreement.
When To Use It
Use it when you want to be heard. Use it in a business meeting to pivot to a key agenda item. Use it with your partner when discussing future plans. It’s great for texting when you want to warn someone a long message is coming. It’s also perfect for academic settings or debates. If you are at a cafe and the conversation gets deep, this is your phrase. It signals that you are engaged and value the current point.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for trivial things unless you are being funny. If you say it about which socks to wear, people might think you're joking. Avoid using it in high-stress emergencies where you need to be faster. For example, if a car is coming, don't say 'this is an important topic.' Just yell 'watch out!' Also, if you use it every five minutes, it loses its power. Save it for things that actually matter. Don't use it if you want to keep the mood light and breezy.
Cultural Background
Egyptians are famous for their love of long, deep conversations. A 'mawdou' (topic) isn't just a subject; it's often an event. People gather over tea or coffee specifically to 'open topics.' This phrase is the key that unlocks those deeper discussions. It reflects a culture that values social connection and intellectual exchange. When you say this, you aren't just talking. You are inviting the other person into a shared moment of focus. It shows respect for the gravity of the situation.
Common Variations
You might hear الموضوع ده مهم which just flips the order. It means 'this topic is important.' If you want to add extra weight, say ده موضوع مهم جداً (this is a very important topic). In more formal Modern Standard Arabic, you would say هذا موضوع مهم (hadha mawdou' mohem). If you are talking about a specific problem, you might say دي قضية مهمة (this is an important issue). But for daily life in Cairo or Alexandria, the original phrase is king.
Usage Notes
The phrase uses the Egyptian demonstrative `ده` (da). It is perfectly acceptable in all but the most rigid formal settings (like a legal court or a classical news broadcast).
The Power Pause
After saying `ده موضوع مهم`, pause for 2 seconds. It builds anticipation and makes people lean in to hear what's next.
Don't Overuse It
If everything is an 'important topic,' then nothing is. Save it for things that actually require a shift in focus.
The 'Mawdou' Culture
In Egypt, people often say 'I want you in a topic' (عايزك في موضوع) to mean they need a private, serious talk. It's a very common social hook.
Examples
6يا جماعة، ده موضوع مهم لازم نناقشه دلوقتي.
Everyone, this is an important topic we must discuss now.
Used to grab the attention of a group and set an agenda.
بص يا صاحبي، ده موضوع مهم لمستقبلك.
Look my friend, this is an important topic for your future.
Shows care and emphasizes the gravity of the advice.
كلمني لما تخلص، عندي ليك موضوع مهم.
Call me when you're done, I have an important topic for you.
Creates a sense of urgency and importance via text.
نوع الشطة اللي هنحطها ده موضوع مهم جداً!
The type of hot sauce we'll use is a very important topic!
Using a serious phrase for something trivial creates humor.
إحنا لازم نتكلم، ده موضوع مهم بالنسبة لي.
We need to talk, this is an important topic for me.
Sets a serious tone for an emotional conversation.
فعلاً يا دكتور، ده موضوع مهم جداً.
Indeed doctor, this is a very important topic.
Shows respect and intellectual engagement in a formal setting.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct word to complete the phrase for 'This is an important topic.'
ده ___ مهم.
`موضوع` means topic, which is the core of this expression.
How do you say 'This is a VERY important topic'?
ده موضوع مهم ___.
`جداً` is the most common way to say 'very' in this context, though `قوي` is also used in dialect.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality Spectrum of 'ده موضوع مهم'
Used with friends over coffee.
بقولك إيه، ده موضوع مهم.
Standard daily use in shops or offices.
ده موضوع مهم للشغل.
Shift to 'Hadha' for high-level speeches.
هذا موضوع مهم للغاية.
Where to use 'ده موضوع مهم'
Office Meeting
Discussing the budget.
Family Dinner
Planning a wedding.
WhatsApp Chat
Warning about big news.
University
Agreeing with a professor.
Frequently Asked Questions
11 questionsYes, while ده is specifically Egyptian dialect, the words موضوع and مهم are universal Arabic. Everyone will understand you.
No, you wouldn't call a person a 'topic.' For a person, you would say ده شخص مهم (this is an important person).
If you are talking about an 'issue' (قضية), which is feminine, you say دي قضية مهمة (di qadiya mohemma).
It's better to use the Modern Standard version هذا موضوع مهم or هذا أمر هام for formal writing.
You could say ده موضوع تافه (this is a trivial topic) or مش مهم (not important).
Yes, but do it politely. Say معلش، بس ده موضوع مهم (Sorry, but this is an important topic).
Mostly, but it can also mean 'subject,' 'matter,' or 'issue' depending on the context.
Just change your intonation: ده موضوع مهم؟ (Is this an important topic?).
You would say أهم موضوع (aham mawdou').
It's not slang, it's the standard demonstrative pronoun in Egyptian dialect. It's used by everyone from street vendors to presidents.
Yes, if you are discussing the themes of a book, you can say ده موضوع مهم في الرواية (this is an important topic in the novel).
Related Phrases
كلام كبير
نقطة مهمة
خلينا نركز
في غاية الأهمية
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