Is Egyptian Arabic language like western Arabic language or eastern Arabic language?

Answer 1

Although the majority of linguists group it with the Eastern Arabic dialect group, it still shares many similarities with Western Arabic as well. Some linguists agree that Egyptian Arabic constitutes its own group because it is still different from both groups in terms of phonology and semantics.

Some similarities between Egyptian and Eastern,e.g,

Standard Arabic: Waqtun (time)

Eastern(Lebanese): Wa'et

Western(Moroccan): Weqt

Egyptian: Wa't

Standard Arabic: Men (who)

Eastern(Lebanese): meen

Western(Moroccan): Ashkoon

Egyptian: Meen

Standard Arabic: Anaa uHibbuka (I love you)

Eastern(Lebanese): Enaa bHibbaak

Western(Moroccan): Kanebgheek

Egyptian: Ana baHebbak

Some similarities between Egyptian and Western, e.g,

Standard Arabic: Rajulan (man)

Eastern(Lebanese): Zalame

Western(Moroccan): Rajel

Egyptian: Raagil

Standard Arabic: Ayna (where)

Eastern(Lebanese): Wein

Western(Moroccan): Feen

Egyptian: Fein

Standard Arabic: Lam yabda' (he didn't start)

Eastern(Lebanese): Ma ballesh

Western(Moroccan): Ma bida-sh

Egyptian: Ma bada'-sh

In some cases, although rarely, Eastern Arabic may share more with Western Arabic than Egyptian does, e.g,

Standard Arabic: Kayfa (how)

Eastern(Lebanese): Keef

Western(Moroccan): Kifash

Egyptian: Izzaay

Standard Arabic: Bakaa (he cried)

Eastern(Lebanese): Biki

Western(Moroccan): Bika

Egyptian: 'ayyat

Standard Arabic: Sagheerun

Eastern(Lebanese): Izgheer

Western(Moroccan): Sgheer

Egyptian: Sughayyar

These are just a few terms that reflect the similarities between Egyptian Arabic and these two Dialect groups. You will more than likely find speakers of Egyptian Arabic who can comprehend Eastern Arabic with ease rather than Western Arabic. In terms of the structure of Egyptian, it is more similar to the Western varieties as shown above ^ with verb conjugations. However in terms of vocabulary and to some extent phonology, Egyptian is more similar to Eastern Arabic.

Answer 2

Egyptian Arabic is more closely related to the eastern Arabic dialects, such as Levantine Arabic, than to the western Arabic dialects, like Moroccan Arabic. However, Egyptian Arabic also has its own unique features that distinguish it from other dialects in the region.