هذا صديق قديم
hadha sadeeq qadeem
This is an old friend
शाब्दिक अर्थ: This [is] friend old
15 सेकंड में
- Used to introduce a long-term friend to others.
- The word 'old' implies loyalty and shared history.
- Common in Egyptian dialect using 'dah' for 'this'.
मतलब
This is a warm way to introduce someone you've known for a long time. It implies a deep bond, shared history, and a level of trust that only comes with years of friendship.
मुख्य उदाहरण
3 / 6Introducing a childhood friend at a party
يا جماعة، ده أحمد، ده صديق قديم من أيام المدرسة.
Hey everyone, this is Ahmed, he's an old friend from school days.
Explaining a connection to a colleague
أنا وعمر اشتغلنا مع بعض زمان، ده صديق قديم.
Omar and I worked together a long time ago; he's an old friend.
Texting a photo of a reunion
شوفوا مين قابلت النهاردة! ده صديق قديم جداً.
Look who I met today! This is a very old friend.
सांस्कृतिक पृष्ठभूमि
Friendship in Arabic-speaking cultures is often considered as strong as blood ties. The word 'old' (qadeem) in this context is a high compliment, suggesting the person is reliable and has 'seen it all' with you. It is often linked to the concept of 'bread and salt,' meaning you have shared many meals and life experiences together.
Gender Matters
Always remember to switch 'dah' to 'di' and 'sadeeq' to 'sadiqa' when talking about a woman. Arabic is very gender-specific!
Don't use for objects
While 'qadeem' means old, don't use this specific phrase for an old car or phone. For objects, you just say 'dah qadeem' without 'sadeeq'.
15 सेकंड में
- Used to introduce a long-term friend to others.
- The word 'old' implies loyalty and shared history.
- Common in Egyptian dialect using 'dah' for 'this'.
What It Means
This phrase is your go-to for introducing a long-term companion. It tells the listener that this person isn't a stranger. You share history, secrets, and probably a few embarrassing stories. In Arabic culture, time spent together builds a 'bread and salt' bond. Calling someone an قديم (old) friend is a badge of honor. It means they have stood the test of time.
How To Use It
Start with ده (this) for a male or دي for a female. It’s a simple subject-predicate structure. You can add it at the start of a conversation. It helps set the tone for the third person. It explains why you might be acting so familiar with them. It’s like giving them a VIP pass to your social circle. You don't need a verb here; the 'is' is implied.
When To Use It
Use it at a wedding when introducing your childhood neighbor. Use it at a cafe when you bump into a college buddy. It’s perfect for those 'small world' moments. It also works in professional settings to explain a close rapport. If you’re texting a group chat, it clarifies who the 'new' person is. It’s a warm, welcoming phrase that puts everyone at ease.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for someone you met last week at the gym. That would be confusing or even a bit creepy. Avoid it if the relationship is strictly professional and new. Don't use it if you’ve actually forgotten their name—it won't save you! Also, be careful with the word قديم if you’re talking about objects. For people, it’s about duration, not age or condition.
Cultural Background
In the Middle East, friendship is often seen as a secondary family. The concept of عشرة (long association) is huge. People value loyalty over almost everything else. An 'old' friend is someone who knows your family and your roots. This phrase reflects the high value placed on social continuity. It’s a testament to your own loyalty as a friend too.
Common Variations
In Cairo, you might hear صاحبي من زمان (my friend from a long time). If it’s a very deep bond, try عشرة عمر (a lifetime's association). In more formal Modern Standard Arabic, you'd say هذا صديق قديم. If they are like a brother, say زي أخويا (like my brother). Each variation adds a slightly different flavor of closeness and regional identity.
इस्तेमाल की जानकारी
This phrase is primarily informal/neutral due to the use of 'dah'. It is perfectly acceptable in most social and semi-professional situations in Egypt.
Gender Matters
Always remember to switch 'dah' to 'di' and 'sadeeq' to 'sadiqa' when talking about a woman. Arabic is very gender-specific!
Don't use for objects
While 'qadeem' means old, don't use this specific phrase for an old car or phone. For objects, you just say 'dah qadeem' without 'sadeeq'.
The Bread and Salt Rule
If you call someone a 'sadeeq qadeem', it often implies you've shared 'bread and salt' (eish we malh), a cultural metaphor for a bond that cannot be broken.
उदाहरण
6يا جماعة، ده أحمد، ده صديق قديم من أيام المدرسة.
Hey everyone, this is Ahmed, he's an old friend from school days.
Sets a nostalgic and friendly tone for the introduction.
أنا وعمر اشتغلنا مع بعض زمان، ده صديق قديم.
Omar and I worked together a long time ago; he's an old friend.
Used to explain why there is a pre-existing rapport in a professional setting.
شوفوا مين قابلت النهاردة! ده صديق قديم جداً.
Look who I met today! This is a very old friend.
The addition of 'jiddan' (very) emphasizes the length of the friendship.
ده صديق قديم... قديم لدرجة إننا نسينا اتقابلنا فين!
This is an old friend... so old that we forgot where we even met!
A lighthearted way to emphasize the passage of time.
مش مصدق إني شوفتك، ده أغلى صديق قديم عندي.
I can't believe I saw you; this is my dearest old friend.
Using 'aghla' (dearest/most precious) adds deep emotional weight.
دي سارة، دي صديقة قديمة من الجامعة.
This is Sarah; she's an old friend from university.
Shows the feminine version of the phrase using 'di' and 'sadiqa'.
खुद को परखो
Choose the correct word to complete the introduction for a male friend.
___ صديق قديم من القاهرة.
'ده' (dah) is the masculine 'this' in Egyptian dialect, matching 'صديق' (sadeeq).
How do you say 'old friend' for a female?
دي ___ قديمة.
'صديقة' (sadiqa) is the feminine form of friend.
🎉 स्कोर: /2
विज़ुअल लर्निंग टूल्स
Formality of 'Dah Sadeeq Qadeem'
Using 'sahbi' or 'akhoya'.
ده صاحبي من زمان
Standard Egyptian dialect for friends/family.
ده صديق قديم
Modern Standard Arabic for official introductions.
هذا صديق قديم
Where to use 'Dah Sadeeq Qadeem'
At a Wedding
Introducing a guest to your spouse.
At a Cafe
Running into someone while with others.
In the Office
Explaining a visitor's presence.
On Social Media
Captioning a throwback photo.
अभ्यास बैंक
2 अभ्यास___ صديق قديم من القاهرة.
'ده' (dah) is the masculine 'this' in Egyptian dialect, matching 'صديق' (sadeeq).
دي ___ قديمة.
'صديقة' (sadiqa) is the feminine form of friend.
🎉 स्कोर: /2
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल
11 सवालNo, 'qadeem' refers to the duration of the friendship, not the age of the person. You can have a صديق قديم who is only 20 years old if you've known them since kindergarten.
The word ده (dah) is specific to Egypt. In other regions, you might hear هذا (haza) or هاد (had), but صديق قديم is understood everywhere.
Yes, if you have a friendly relationship. It helps humanize the professional connection by saying ده صديق قديم قبل ما يكون شريك عمل (He's an old friend before being a business partner).
صديق (sadeeq) is slightly more formal and implies 'truthfulness' (sidq), while صاحب (sahib) is more common in daily Egyptian speech.
Not at all in this context! In Arabic, calling a friendship 'old' is a sign of its strength and value.
You would say احنا أصدقاء قدام (Ihna asdiqa' odam). Note that the adjective 'qadeem' changes to the plural 'odam'.
Absolutely. It’s the perfect phrase for a reunion after a long absence.
You would use أعز صديق (a'azz sadeeq), which means 'dearest friend'.
No, ده is part of the Egyptian dialect. For a formal setting, use Modern Standard Arabic هذا (haza).
Usually, you'd use the relative's title (like cousin), but you can add وهو كمان صديق قديم (and he is also an old friend) to show closeness.
Add من زمان قوي (min zaman awi) at the end, meaning 'from a very long time ago'.
संबंधित मुहावरे
صاحب عمري
عشرة طويلة
زي أخويا
من ريحة الحبايب
