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30 Egyptian Arabic phrases for your first day in Cairo
You don't need hundreds of words to enjoy Cairo. These 30 phrases cover greetings, directions, taxis, food and money. Egyptians love it when visitors try, so use them even if your accent isn't perfect.
Greetings and polite words
| Arabic | Say it | Meaning |
|---|
| أهلاً | Ahlan | Hello / welcome |
| صباح الخير | Ṣabaḥ il-kheir | Good morning |
| إزيك؟ | Izzayyak? | How are you? |
| الحمد لله | Il-ḥamdu lillah | I'm fine, thank God |
| شكراً | Shukran | Thank you |
| لو سمحت | Law samaḥt | Excuse me / please |
| معلش | Ma'lesh | Never mind / sorry |
| مع السلامة | Ma'a is-salama | Goodbye |
Yes, no and understanding
| Arabic | Say it | Meaning |
|---|
| أيوه | Aywa | Yes |
| لأ | La' | No |
| تمام | Tamam | OK / great |
| مش عارف | Mish 'aref | I don't know |
| إيه؟ | Eh? | What? |
Getting around
| Arabic | Say it | Meaning |
|---|
| فين؟ | Fein? | Where? |
| على طول | 'Ala ṭool | Straight ahead |
| يمين | Yemeen | Right |
| شمال | Shmal | Left |
| هنا | Hena | Here |
| على جنب | 'Ala ganb | Pull over here! (to the driver) |
| المترو | Il-metro | The metro |
| محطة | Maḥaṭṭa | Station |
Food, drinks and money
| Arabic | Say it | Meaning |
|---|
| عايز | 'Ayez… | I want… (a man) |
| عايزة | 'Ayza… | I want… (a woman) |
| ميه | Mayya | Water |
| شاي | Shai | Tea |
| قهوة | Ahwa | Coffee / café |
| بكام؟ | Bi-kam? | How much? |
| غالي | Ghali | Expensive |
| الحساب | Il-ḥisab | The bill |
| يلا | Yalla | Let's go! |
Tip: start every request with law samaḥt ("please") and end with shukran. It opens doors everywhere, from taxis to kiosks.
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