É ايه

The Coptic Root: In the Coptic language, the standard question word used to ask "what?" is Ⲁϣ (Ash) or Ⲟⲩ (Ou). However, when making a direct inquiry or emphasizing a question, Coptic utilizes the relative/interrogative particle Ⲉ (É) or Ⲉⲓ (Ei), which means "what is it?"

In MSA, "what" is Ma (ما) or Madha (ماذا). Egyptians completely ignored those Semitic words. They kept their native Coptic vowel Ⲉ (É), added a soft breathing sound at the end for emphasis, and created إيه.

The Syntax Gun: In MSA, you say: Madha fa'alt? (What did you do?). In Masri, you twist it to the back, following Coptic syntax: عملت إيه؟ (3amalt é? / "You did what?").