From the following :
حيفا مدينة كبيرة وحلوة كمان.
طيّب، بكفّي
What is the correct translation of بكفّي and what is the root /source of this word please? Also what is the best way to find an answer to this without troubling this forum? I can see that Google translate gives “enough” and I am aware of the word كفاية (sp??) but don’t feel this is correct. Levantine Arabic: خلصنا بكفي | WordReference Forums
give a bit more info but I don’t see why the speaker would be saying “enough” . I feel this is a common expression so don’t want to misuse it.
this seems to be levantine arabic dialect
the MSA quivelent will be: حسنا، هذا يكفي
in the one you posted " بكفّي " implied almost always a negative meaning
so in that it differs from the word كفاية which has a neutral meaning + it is a noun
where the other one can be translated to “enough of that !”
the root is كَفَّى.
If you check the online livingarabic dictionary you will find the following example (under meaning no. 3): بِيْكَفِّي [L] that’s enough! often used like an imperative, meaning stop! that’s enough of that!
Bedankt! شكراً Thank you - that is very helpful. I can see now how useful the online livingarbic dictionary can be and will make more use of it in future.
Hello Mary,
I think most dictionaries including google translate use only MSA and not the dialects, but some words can be found both in MSA and in the dialects. We learn MSA at school and the dilatlects at home from our parents and family.