الباص بييجي كل قد إيه؟
al-bas bi-yiji kull add eh?
How often does the bus come?
Literally: The bus comes every how much?
In 15 Seconds
- Used to ask about the frequency of public transportation.
- Combines 'the bus' with 'every how much' for frequency.
- Essential for navigating cities without fixed bus timetables.
Meaning
This is the most common way to ask about the frequency of a bus or public transport. It's like asking 'What's the interval between buses?' in a casual, everyday way.
Key Examples
3 of 6Waiting at a bus stop in Cairo
لو سمحت، هو الباص بييجي كل قد إيه؟
Excuse me, how often does the bus come?
Asking a hotel receptionist about a shuttle
باص الفندق بييجي كل قد إيه؟
How often does the hotel bus come?
Texting a friend about their neighborhood
الميكروباص عندكم بييجي كل قد إيه؟
How often does the microbus come by your place?
Cultural Background
In Cairo, 'الباص' usually refers to the large public buses, while 'الميكروباص' refers to the faster, more chaotic white vans. Asking about frequency for a microbus is often met with 'when it's full'. In Beirut, you might hear 'السرفيس' (service) more often. These are shared taxis. The frequency is extremely high on main roads, so people rarely ask 'how often'—they just wait 30 seconds. In Amman, the 'Coaster' buses are common. People are generally very helpful and will give you a detailed estimate of the wait time if you ask this phrase. Time is often perceived as fluid. An answer of '5 minutes' could mean anything from 2 to 15 minutes. It's a social cue to be patient.
The 'Ya' Rule
Always start with 'Ya basha' or 'Ya fandem' or 'Law samaht' to be polite when asking a stranger.
Don't trust the first answer
People are often optimistic. If they say '5 minutes', expect 15.
In 15 Seconds
- Used to ask about the frequency of public transportation.
- Combines 'the bus' with 'every how much' for frequency.
- Essential for navigating cities without fixed bus timetables.
What It Means
This phrase is your bread and butter for navigating Middle Eastern cities. It uses بييجي (comes) and the clever phrase كل قد إيه (every how much). It focuses on frequency rather than a specific schedule time. In many places, buses don't follow a strict 10:05 AM timetable. They follow a 'every 15 minutes' rhythm instead. This phrase taps directly into that logic.
How To Use It
You can drop this into conversation with anyone at a bus stop. Just start with a polite لو سمحت (excuse me). Then say the phrase with a rising intonation at the end. You can swap الباص (the bus) for other things too. Try المترو (the metro) or even الميكروباص (the microbus). It is flexible and works perfectly in Egyptian or Levantine dialects.
When To Use It
Use it when you are standing on a dusty curb wondering if you have time for a coffee. Use it when checking into a hotel and asking about their shuttle. It is great for texting a friend who lives in a specific neighborhood. You are basically asking: 'Am I going to be waiting here forever?' It's a survival phrase for the urban explorer.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this in a very formal logistics meeting with a transport minister. In that case, use معدل التقاطر (frequency rate). Also, don't use it for things that happen once a day. If there is only one bus at 4 PM, asking 'how often' sounds a bit confused. It implies a repeating cycle.
Cultural Background
Time in many Arabic-speaking cities is seen as a flow, not just points on a clock. Public transport like microbuses often wait until they are full to move. Asking كل قد إيه acknowledges this fluid reality. It shows you understand that the 'when' depends on the 'how often.' It’s a very 'local' way to frame the question.
Common Variations
In some regions, you might hear كل قديش (Levantine style). Others might say بيمشي كل قد إيه (How often does it leave?). If you are in a hurry, you might just ask بيطول؟ (Does it take a long time?). But stick to the main phrase; it is understood everywhere from Cairo to Amman. It makes you sound like you’ve lived there for years.
Usage Notes
This is a neutral, everyday expression. It is perfectly safe for use with strangers, friends, and in semi-formal service environments like hotels or airports.
The 'Ya' Rule
Always start with 'Ya basha' or 'Ya fandem' or 'Law samaht' to be polite when asking a stranger.
Don't trust the first answer
People are often optimistic. If they say '5 minutes', expect 15.
The 'Insha'Allah' factor
If someone answers 'Insha'Allah' after you ask this, it means there is no schedule and the bus will come when it comes.
Examples
6لو سمحت، هو الباص بييجي كل قد إيه؟
Excuse me, how often does the bus come?
Standard polite way to ask a stranger.
باص الفندق بييجي كل قد إيه؟
How often does the hotel bus come?
Specific to a private service.
الميكروباص عندكم بييجي كل قد إيه؟
How often does the microbus come by your place?
Checking if their area is easy to reach.
هو الباص ده بييجي كل قد إيه؟ سنة؟
How often does this bus come? Once a year?
Adding 'a year' adds a sarcastic, humorous touch.
المترو بييجي كل قد إيه دلوقتي؟
How often does the metro come now?
Adding 'now' because frequency changes at night.
يا ترى الباص بييجي كل قد إيه؟ أنا متأخرة!
I wonder how often the bus comes? I'm late!
Expressing anxiety about the wait time.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing word to ask about the bus frequency.
الباص بييجي ____ قد إيه؟
'كل' (kull) is the required word to indicate 'every' in this frequency expression.
Which sentence is the most natural way to ask a local about the bus interval?
Choose the best option:
This is the standard idiomatic expression in dialect.
Complete the dialogue naturally.
Learner: الباص بييجي كل قد إيه؟ Local: ___________
The question asks for frequency, so 'Every quarter hour' is the logical answer.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
You want to know if you have time to buy a sandwich before the bus arrives.
Knowing the frequency helps you decide if you have enough time for other tasks.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Types of Transport to use with 'Kull ad eih'
Road
- • الباص
- • الميكروباص
- • التاكسي
Rail
- • المترو
- • القطر
- • الترام
Practice Bank
4 exercisesالباص بييجي ____ قد إيه؟
'كل' (kull) is the required word to indicate 'every' in this frequency expression.
Choose the best option:
This is the standard idiomatic expression in dialect.
Learner: الباص بييجي كل قد إيه؟ Local: ___________
The question asks for frequency, so 'Every quarter hour' is the logical answer.
You want to know if you have time to buy a sandwich before the bus arrives.
Knowing the frequency helps you decide if you have enough time for other tasks.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsYes! Just replace 'الباص' with 'القطر' (el- قطر). 'القطر بييجي كل قد إيه؟'
Not at all. It's a very common and expected question at any transit point.
'الباص' is more modern and common. 'الأوتوبيس' is slightly more formal or used by older generations.
You can say 'كل عشر دقايق' (Every 10 mins) or 'والله مش عارف' (I don't know, honestly).
They will understand you, but they might say 'الكار بيجي كل شحال؟' (El-kar bīji kull shḥāl?).
Related Phrases
الباص هيوصل إمتى؟
similarWhen will the bus arrive?
آخر باص إمتى؟
specialized formWhen is the last bus?
المحطة فين؟
builds onWhere is the station?
بياخد وقت قد إيه؟
similarHow much time does it take?
