31 Cultural Knowledge: the formal “you” in Egyptian Arabic: Hadritak/Hadritik حضرتك
Manners: Saying HiDirtak/ik instead of “you” in formal situations
In the Arab world, one’s elders are highly respected and revered. It is common for children to show respect to their elders through gestures such as kissing their hand or bowing their head. It is also customary for younger people to offer their seat to an elderly person on public transportation or in other situations. In general, elders are given a great deal of deference and are treated with kindness and respect in Middle Eastern societies.
When referring to an elder, or to an adult that you do not know instead of the more informal “inta/inti انت ” for “you,” Egyptians say the more formal “HDirtak – حضرتك” (literally, “your presence”).
