لا أعرف ماذا أفعل

The phrase is quite flexible but depends on your gender. If you are a man, you say مش عارف. If you are a woman, you say مش عارفة. The rest of the phrase أعمل إيه stays the same. You can use it as a standalone sentence. You can also add it to the end of a long story. It signals to the listener that you need advice or help.

Use it when you are staring at a massive restaurant menu. Use it when your laptop suddenly displays a blue screen. It works perfectly when you are venting to a friend about life. You can even use it when you're being playful. For example, if someone asks you a hard riddle. It’s common in texting, daily conversations, and casual work chats.

Avoid using this in a very formal job interview. It might make you sound unprepared or indecisive to a boss. Don't use it if you actually know what to do. In those cases, it might sound like you are fishing for attention. It is also too casual for a legal or official setting. Stick to more formal verbs like لا أدري in those rare cases.

Egyptians are known for their humor and expressive nature. Admitting you are lost is part of the social fabric. Often, saying مش عارف أعمل إيه will prompt a stranger to help. It’s a phrase that builds a quick bridge between people. People might respond with معلش (it’s okay) or offer a solution. It reflects a culture that values community and shared problem-solving.

You can add والله (by God) at the start for emphasis. This makes you sound more frustrated or sincere. If you want to say "we don't know," use مش عارفين. To ask someone else, say مش عارف تعمل إيه؟. If you are totally blank, say مش عارف حاجة خالص. This means "I don't know anything at all."