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How to order food in Egyptian Arabic
Food is the happiest way to practise. From a ful cart at breakfast to a plate of koshari at lunch, these phrases get you fed in Cairo.
Ordering
| Arabic | Say it | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| عايز… | 'Ayez… | I want… (a man) |
| عايزة… | 'Ayza… | I want… (a woman) |
| لو سمحت | Law samaḥt | Please / excuse me |
| اتفضل | Itfaḍḍal | Here you are |
| الحساب | Il-ḥisab | The bill |
On the menu
| Arabic | Say it | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| كشري | Koshari | Koshari: rice, lentils and pasta |
| فول | Fool | Fava beans (breakfast) |
| عربية فول | 'Arabiyyit fool | A ful cart (street breakfast) |
| عيش | 'Eish | Bread |
| فتة | Fatta | Fatta: rice, bread and meat |
| شاي | Shai | Tea |
| قهوة | Ahwa | Coffee / café |
| ميه | Mayya | Water |
How was it?
| Arabic | Say it | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| جعان | Ga'an | I'm hungry (a man) |
| عطشان | 'Aṭshan | I'm thirsty (a man) |
| لذيذ | Laziz | Delicious |
| شبعان | Shab'an | I'm full (a man) |
Fun fact: 'eish, the word for bread, also means "life". In Egypt, bread is life.
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