كم كانت النتيجة؟
kam kanat alnatiajah?
What was the score?
Literally: The result was how much?
In 15 Seconds
- Standard way to ask for a sports score in daily Arabic.
- Uses the word 'kam' for 'how much' in a casual way.
- Essential for social interactions in cafes and with sports fans.
- Simple three-word structure that is easy for beginners to memorize.
Meaning
This is the most common way to ask 'What was the score?' after a game or a match. It is simple, direct, and essential for any sports fan in the Arabic-speaking world.
Key Examples
3 of 6Walking into a cafe during a football match
يا جماعة، النتيجة كانت كام؟
Hey guys, what was the score?
Texting a friend who watched the game
النتيجة كانت كام في الآخر؟
What was the score in the end?
Asking a colleague about a company tournament
النتيجة كانت كام في ماتش النهاردة؟
What was the score in today's match?
Cultural Background
In Egypt, football is a national obsession. You will hear 'Eih el-natija?' in every street cafe. People are very passionate about Al Ahly and Zamalek. With the recent growth of the Saudi Pro League, sports talk is everywhere. 'Kam el-natija?' is a common icebreaker in social gatherings (Majlis). Moroccans use 'Sh-hal' for 'how much'. You might hear 'Sh-hal kanat el-natija?' especially after their historic World Cup run. In the Levant, 'Shu' is the preferred word for 'What'. 'Shu al-natija?' is the standard casual way to ask.
The 'Kam Kam' Shortcut
If you are in a hurry or in a loud place, just say 'Kam kam?' while gesturing towards the TV. Everyone will understand you want the score.
Winning Team First
When someone answers you, they will usually say the winning score first. For example, '2-1' means the team they support or the home team won.
In 15 Seconds
- Standard way to ask for a sports score in daily Arabic.
- Uses the word 'kam' for 'how much' in a casual way.
- Essential for social interactions in cafes and with sports fans.
- Simple three-word structure that is easy for beginners to memorize.
What It Means
This phrase is your go-to for checking the outcome of a competition. The word النتيجة (al-natija) means 'the result' or 'the outcome.' The word كانت (kanat) is the past tense of 'to be' for feminine nouns. Finally, كام (kam) is the Egyptian and Levantine way of saying 'how much' or 'how many.' Put it all together, and you are asking for the final tally. It is punchy and gets straight to the point.
How To Use It
You use this phrase exactly like you would in English. You can say it as a standalone question when you walk into a room. If you see your friend looking sad after a football match, just drop this line. It works for football, basketball, or even a board game. You do not need to add much else to it. It is grammatically complete and culturally perfect.
When To Use It
Use it whenever a score is involved. It is perfect for checking the scores of the Egyptian Premier League. Use it when you missed the first half of a game. It is also great for checking exam results in a casual way. If a friend just finished a job interview, you might use a variation of this. It is most at home in a cafe or a stadium. Basically, anywhere people are competing, this phrase belongs.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this in a highly academic or scientific setting. If you are asking for the 'result' of a chemistry experiment, use more formal Modern Standard Arabic. Avoid using it if the 'result' is something sensitive, like a medical diagnosis. In those cases, the word النتيجة is the same, but the phrasing should be more gentle. Also, do not use it if the game is still happening. For an ongoing game, you would ask 'What is the score now?' instead of 'What was the score?'
Cultural Background
Football (soccer) is essentially a second religion in many Arabic-speaking countries, especially Egypt. Cafes are often packed with people watching matches. Asking النتيجة كانت كام؟ is the ultimate icebreaker with strangers. It shows you are part of the community and interested in the game. It bridges the gap between people of all ages. You will hear it shouted across streets or whispered in offices during big tournaments like the Africa Cup of Nations.
Common Variations
You might hear النتيجة إيه؟ (What is the result?) which is even shorter. In more formal settings, you might hear كم كانت النتيجة؟ (Kam kanat al-natija?). In the Gulf, people might say كم النتيجة؟ without the 'was' part. If you want to be specific about who won, you can ask مين اللي فاز؟ (Who won?). But for the raw numbers, النتيجة كانت كام؟ remains the undisputed king of the conversation.
Usage Notes
This phrase is neutral to informal. It is perfectly safe to use with friends, family, and even strangers in a casual setting like a cafe or stadium. Avoid it in formal writing or news reporting.
The 'Kam Kam' Shortcut
If you are in a hurry or in a loud place, just say 'Kam kam?' while gesturing towards the TV. Everyone will understand you want the score.
Winning Team First
When someone answers you, they will usually say the winning score first. For example, '2-1' means the team they support or the home team won.
Gender Agreement
Always use 'kanat' (feminine) because 'natija' ends in a 'ta marbuta'.
Examples
6يا جماعة، النتيجة كانت كام؟
Hey guys, what was the score?
Adding 'ya jama'a' makes it a friendly address to the group.
النتيجة كانت كام في الآخر؟
What was the score in the end?
'Fi al-akher' adds the sense of 'finally' or 'at the end'.
النتيجة كانت كام في ماتش النهاردة؟
What was the score in today's match?
A polite way to show interest in workplace social events.
مش عايز أعرف النتيجة كانت كام!
I don't even want to know what the score was!
Used sarcastically when the loss is embarrassing.
طمني، النتيجة كانت كام؟
Tell me, what was the score?
'Tamenni' means 'reassure me' or 'give me the news'.
كم كانت النتيجة النهائية؟
What was the final score?
This uses 'Kam' at the start, which is more standard/formal.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing verb in the past tense.
كم ____ النتيجة في مباراة أمس؟
We use 'كانت' because 'النتيجة' is a feminine noun.
Which question word is used to ask for a score?
____ كانت النتيجة؟
'كم' is used for quantities and scores.
Match the Arabic phrase to its English meaning.
1. كم كانت النتيجة؟ 2. من فاز؟ 3. هل كانت مباراة جيدة؟
These are essential sports-related questions.
Complete the dialogue.
أحمد: شاهدتُ المباراة. سارة: حقاً؟ ____؟ أحمد: كانت ثلاثة - صفر لصالحنا.
The answer provides a score, so the question must ask for one.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Sports Vocabulary
Match
- • مباراة
- • نتيجة
- • هدف
Practice Bank
4 exercisesكم ____ النتيجة في مباراة أمس؟
We use 'كانت' because 'النتيجة' is a feminine noun.
____ كانت النتيجة؟
'كم' is used for quantities and scores.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are essential sports-related questions.
أحمد: شاهدتُ المباراة. سارة: حقاً؟ ____؟ أحمد: كانت ثلاثة - صفر لصالحنا.
The answer provides a score, so the question must ask for one.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, but it's more common to ask 'How did you do?' (Kayfa fa'alta?). 'Kam kanat al-natija?' sounds like you are asking for the specific numerical grade.
Both are understood, but 'Kam' is much more natural for scores because it implies a quantity.
You say 'Al-natija ithnan - sifr'.
You can say 'Al-natija ta'adul' (The result is a draw).
Yes, because you are asking about 'the' specific result of 'the' game.
Yes, though they might say 'Sh-hal' instead of 'Kam', they will perfectly understand 'Kam'.
Say 'Kam al-natija al-aan?' (What is the score now?).
Yes, it is perfectly appropriate for elections or committee votes.
Because 'Natija' is a feminine noun in Arabic.
The most common slang is 'Eih el-nezaam?' (What's the system/situation?) or simply 'Kam kam?'.
Related Phrases
من فاز؟
similarWho won?
النتيجة النهائية
builds onThe final score
تعادل
contrastA draw/tie
كم كم؟
specialized formHow much-how much?
