هل يمكنني الخروج؟

Cultural Background

Leaving a gathering without asking permission or saying goodbye is known as 'Al-Khuruj al-Faransi' (The French Exit), though it is generally considered rude in Arab social etiquette. In Egypt, people often add 'ba'd iznak' (with your permission) before or after the phrase to add an extra layer of local politeness. In the Levant, the word 'Dastur' (literally 'constitution' but used as 'by your leave') was historically used when entering or exiting spaces, though 'yumkinuni' is the modern standard. In very traditional settings, one might ask the eldest person in the room for permission specifically, acknowledging the social hierarchy.