Cairo StreetCairo Street › Learn Egyptian Arabic
10 Egyptian Arabic words you will hear every day
Some words are the glue of Egyptian conversation. Learn these ten and you will understand far more of what people say, and sound much more natural.
| Arabic | Say it | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| يلا | Yalla | Let's go! / Come on! |
| معلش | Ma'lesh | Never mind / sorry / it happens |
| والله | Wallahi | Really! / I swear! |
| إن شاء الله | In sha' Allah | Hopefully / God willing |
| ما شاء الله | Ma sha' Allah | How wonderful! (a compliment) |
| تمام | Tamam | OK / great / perfect |
| طيب | Ṭayyeb | OK / alright |
| بس | Bas | But / only / enough! |
| أهو | Ahu | Here it is! |
| كفاية | Kifaya | Enough |
How Egyptians use them
Ma'lesh is magic: you bumped into someone, the bus is late, the shop is closed. Ma'lesh smooths it all over. In sha' Allah is about the future ("see you tomorrow, in sha' Allah"). Ma sha' Allah is said when admiring something beautiful, like a baby, a new car or good food.
Bas is three words in one: "but", "only" and, said firmly, "enough!"
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?
- Greetings in Egyptian Arabic: hello, good morning and goodbye
- 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
- 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