Cairo StreetCairo Street › Learn Egyptian Arabic
Greetings in Egyptian Arabic: hello, good morning and goodbye
Egyptians greet warmly and often. Many greetings come in pairs: someone says one phrase, and you answer with its partner.
| Arabic | Say it | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| أهلاً | Ahlan | Hello / welcome |
| أهلاً وسهلاً | Ahlan wa sahlan | A warm welcome! |
| أهلاً بيك | Ahlan bik | Welcome to you (to a man) |
| أهلاً بيكي | Ahlan biki | Welcome to you (to a woman) |
| صباح الخير | Ṣabaḥ il-kheir | Good morning |
| صباح النور | Ṣabaḥ in-noor | Good morning (the reply: "morning of light") |
| ألو | Alo | Hello? (on the phone) |
| مع السلامة | Ma'a is-salama | Goodbye |
Pairs to remember
When someone says ṣabaḥ il-kheir ("morning of goodness"), answer ṣabaḥ in-noor ("morning of light"). When someone welcomes you with ahlan wa sahlan, answer ahlan bik (or ahlan biki to a woman).
Names
| Arabic | Say it | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| اسمك إيه؟ | Ismak eh? | What's your name? |
| اسمي… | Ismi… | My name is… |
| منين؟ | Minein? | From where? |
More guides
- How to say "How are you?" in Egyptian Arabic
- 30 Egyptian Arabic phrases for your first day in Cairo
- Egyptian Arabic vs Modern Standard Arabic: which should you learn?
- Numbers 1 to 10 in Egyptian Arabic (and how to ask the price)
- How to order food in Egyptian Arabic
- How to take a taxi in Egyptian Arabic
- 10 Egyptian Arabic words you will hear every day
- Egyptian Arabic pronunciation: why ج is a "g" and ق disappears
- Talking to a man or a woman in Egyptian Arabic
- The Arabic alphabet for beginners: all 30 letters
- The best way to learn Egyptian Arabic in 2026