Language
In Egypt you will find many English speakers but mostly around touristic places. To deal with local Egyptians you need some words to be able communicate. It’s also useful with Taxis, Shops, Cafes, Restaurants and sometimes it’s a unique experience and joy that you would love to have. If you are willing to learn some words and phrases to use here, we go.
Note* (M= masculine, F = feminine, Pl = plural, and RSP = response)”
Language
| Hello (General greeting) | (salam ‘alaykum) RSP – (wa ‘alaykum el Salam) |
| Welcome | (ahlan wa sahlan) RSP- (ahlan beek) |
| How are you? | M- (izayyak) F- (izayyik) Pl – (izayyuku) – Alternative M – (‘aamil eh?) F – (‘amla eh?) Pl – (‘amleen eh?) |
| Fine and you? | M- (kwayyis (M), al hamdulillah. wenta(M)) F- (kwayyisa (F), al hamdulillah. wente (F)) |
| What’s your name? | M – (Ismak eh?) F – (Ismik eh?) |
| My name is … | (ismee …) |
| Where are you from? | M – (Inta minayn?) F – (Inti minayn?) |
| I’m from … | (ana min …) |
| Nice to meet you | (fursa sa’ida) RSP – (ana as’ad) |
| Good Morning | (ṣabah il kẖayr) RSP – (ṣabah il noor) |
| Good afternoon & Good evening | (misaa il khayr) RSP – (misaa il noor) |
| Good night | (Leila Sa’ida) RSP – (enta (M)/ ente (F) as’ad) |
| Good night when going to bed | (teṣbaḥ (M)/ tesbahi (F) ‘ala khayr) RSP – (wenta (M)/ wente (F) min ahlo) |
| Goodbye | (ma’is salāma) |
| Good luck! | (hazz sa’eed) |
| Cheers! Good Health! | (fee seḥtak (M)/ sehtek (F)/ sehtkum (PL)) |
| Have a nice day | (youm sa’eed) |
| Bon appetite / Have a nice meal | (bil hana wel shifa ) RSP – (allah yehanik (M)/ allah yehaniki (F)) |
| Have a good journey! | (rehla sa’eeda ) |
| I understand | M – (ana fahim) F – (ana fahma) |
| I don’t understand | M- (ana mesh fahim) F – (ana mesh fahma) |
| I don’t know | (ana ma’arafsh) |
| Please speak more slowly | (mumkin tetkallim (M)/tetkallimi (F) bilrrāha) |
| Please say that again | M – (mumkin t’oul taani) F – (mumkin t’ouli tani) |
| Please write it down | M – (mumkin tektibha ) F – (mumkin tektibiha) |
| Do you speak Arabic? | M – (bitetkallim ‘arabi?) F – (bititkallimi ‘arabi?) |
| I speak little bit of Arabic | (Batklem ‘arabi shwia shwia) |
| How to say…? | (izzay a’oul …?) إ |
| Excuse me | M – (b’ad iznak) F – (b’ad iznik) Pl – (b’ad izniku) |
| How much is that? | (bekam dah?) |
| How to go to ..? | (ezai arouh le …?) |
| Water | (Mayah) |
| Tea | (Shay) |
| Coffee/Café | (Ahwa) |
| Bus | (Autobes) |
| Metro | (Metro) |
| Train | (Attrr) |
| Taxi | (Taxi) |
| Station/Stop | (Mahatet) |
| Restaurant | (Mat’aam) |
| Grocery | (Be’aala) |
| Can you help me | (mumken tesa’dni?) |
| I’m lost | (ana taieh) |
| I’m allergic of that | (‘andi hasasia men dah) |
| I want | (ana ‘ayz (M)/ ‘ayza (F) …) |
| What time is it? | (el sa’a kam?) |
| I will be here for (number) days | (ana hakoun hena (number) ayam) |
| I’m staying at | (ana saken (M)/Sakna (F) fe …) |
| Do you have a map? | (‘andak kharita?) |
| I want to exchange money | (‘ayez (M)/ ‘ayza (F) aghair felous) |
| Where can I find … ? | (feen Ala’ay ….?) |
| Do you know …? | (te’raf (M)/ te’rafi (F) …?) |
| I would like to drink … | (ana ‘ayez (M)/ ‘ayeza (F) ashrab …) |
| I would like to eat …. | (ana ‘ayez (M)/ ‘ayeza (F) akoul …) |
| May I have the bill? | (Mumken el hesab?) |
| Sorry | M – (aasif) F – (asfa) |
| Please | (low samaht (M)/ samahti (F)) |
| Thank you | (shukran) RSP -(‘afwan) |
| Where’s the toilet / bathroom? | (el-ḥammam fain?) |
| I love you | M – (ana baħibak) F – (ana baħibik) |
| Leave me alone! | (sebnie f hali) |
| Birthday greetings | M- (kull sana wenta tayib) F- (kull sana wenti tayiba) RSP – M – (wenta tayib) F- (wenti tayiba) |
ma3 al salama, ashoufk 2ourib fe Masr
Egyptian Arabic