Top 15 Phrases in Egyptian Arabic for a Smoother Experience

Arabic is a complex and poetic language, that is very literary. While English may have just over half a million words, Arabic has around 12 million words, after all it has more than 20 words for the word "love" alone. While Arabic is the official language in the Middle East and North Africa, each country has its own dialect that completely differs. They become united in official meetings and documents by the main official Fusha Arabic, that of the religious texts of the sacred book, the Quran.

Egyptian Arabic, or Masri, has its own distinctive phrases and pronunciations that can make interactions in Egypt feel more natural. Here are some important phrases adapted to Egyptian Arabic that will make your experience in Egypt smoother:

Hello 

- أهلاً (Ahlan) or مرحبا (Marḥabā), both are common greetings. "Ahlan" is very casual, while "Marḥabā" is slightly more formal. More important and more often used is - السلام عليكم (As-salāmu ʿalaykum) that can be used in Egypt and all Arab countries. It is a common greeting meaning "Peace be upon you." The response is وعليكم السلام (Wa ʿalaykum as-salām), meaning "And upon you be peace."

Thank you

- شكراً (Shukran) or تسلم (Teslam) [to a male], تسلمي (Teslamī) [to a female]"Shukran" is standard, but "Teslam/Teslamī" is often used in everyday conversation.

Please

- لو سمحت (Law samaḥt) [to a male], لو سمحتي (Law samaḥtī) [to a female]Used for polite requests.

Yes

- آه (Āh) or أيوه (Aiwa)Both are common affirmations.

No

- لأ (Laʔ)A simple way to decline or refuse.     

Excuse me / Sorry

- عفواً (ʿAfwan) or آسف (Āsif) [to a male], آسفة (Āsifah) [to a female]"ʿAfwan" is used for both getting attention and apologizing, while "Āsif/Āsifah" is used for apologizing.

How much is this?

- بكم ده؟ (Bikam dah?)"Dah" means "this" in Egyptian Arabic.

Where is the bathroom?

- فين الحمام؟ (Fēn al-ḥammām?)"Fēn" is the Egyptian way to ask "where."

I don’t understand

- مش فاهم (Mish fāhim) [to a male], مش فاهمة (Mish fāhma) [to a female]Commonly used if you need clarification.

Do you speak English?

- بتتكلم إنجليزي؟ (Bititkallam Inglīzī?) [to a male], بتتكلمي إنجليزي؟ (Bititkallī Inglīzī?) [to a female]"Bititkallam" and "Bititkallī" are used to ask if someone speaks English.     

Help!

- النجدة! (An-najdah!) or مساعدة! (Musāʿadah!)Both can be used to call for help.

I need a taxi

- أنا محتاج تاكسي (Ana meḥtāj tāksī) or أنا عايز تاكسي (Ana ʿāyez tāksī)"Meḥtāj" or "ʿāyez" are both used for "need."

I’m lost

- أنا ضايع (Ana ḍāyiʿ) or أنا تايه (Ana tāyih)Both expressions are used for being lost.

Using these phrases will help you blend in more naturally with local speakers and make your trip to Egypt more enjoyable.

Egypt

@khaledzakariajr

The land that transcends time

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