Quote:
Originally Posted by Sa'ada
Is there a difference in the meaning of the terms Shaabi and Baladi/Beledi? what's the distinction? or are they synonymous?
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All shaabi is beledi but only some beledi is shaabi.
"beledi" is the broad term for things/people/food/dance etc belonging to a community (or country). A warm positive term for those 98% of Egyptians at the bottom of the heap. A perjorative term for the upper classes.
"shaabi" is a more urban term "belonging to the people". Often used for edgy political music etc.