Learning Arabic: Essential Phrases for Expats in Egypt

Moving to Egypt as an expat can be both exciting and challenging. While English is spoken in many parts of the country, learning some basic Arabic phrases can go a long way in helping you integrate into daily life and connect with the local culture. In this guide, we’ll explore some essential Arabic phrases, written in Fusha (Modern Standard Arabic) and Amiya (Egyptian Dialect), that will make your time in Egypt smoother and more enjoyable.

1. Greetings and Introductions

In Egypt, greetings are a big part of social interactions. Here are some common phrases to get you started:

- Hello (Modern Standard Arabic) and (Egyptian Dialect)

Arabic: السلام عليكم

Transliteration: As-salāmu ʿalaykum

Meaning: Peace be upon you. (A common greeting used everywhere)

- Response to Hello (Modern Standard Arabic) and (Egyptian Dialect)

Arabic: وعليكم السلام

Transliteration: Wa ʿalaykum as-salām

Meaning: And peace be upon you, too. (The polite response)

- Good Morning (Modern Standard Arabic) and (Egyptian Dialect)

Arabic: صباح الخير

Transliteration: Ṣabāḥ al-khayr

Meaning: Good morning

- Good Evening (Modern Standard Arabic) and (Egyptian Dialect)

Arabic: مساء الخير

Transliteration: Masāʾ al-khayr

Meaning: Good evening

- How are you? (Modern Standard Arabic)

Arabic: كيف حالك؟

Transliteration: Kayfa ḥāluka (m.) / ḥāluki (f.)?

Meaning: How are you? (Use ḥāluka for males and ḥāluki for females)

- How are you? (Egyptian Dialect)

  Arabic: إزيّك؟

  Transliteration: Izzayyak (m.) / Izzayyik (f.)?

  Meaning: How are you? (Use Izzayyak for males and Izzayyik for females)

- I am fine, thank you (Modern Standard Arabic)

Arabic: أنا بخير، شكراً

Transliteration: ʾAnā bi-khayr, shukran

Meaning: I am fine, thank you.

- I am fine, thank you (Egyptian Dialect)

  Arabic: أنا كويس، شكراً

  Transliteration: ʾAnā kuwayyis (m.) / kuwayyisa (f.), shukran

  Meaning: I am fine, thank you.

2. Basic Courtesy Phrases

Egyptians value politeness and respect, so knowing these basic courtesy phrases will help you make a good impression:

- Please (Modern Standard Arabic) and (Egyptian Dialect)

Arabic: من فضلك

Transliteration: Min faḍlik (m.) / faḍliki (f.)

Meaning: Please

- Thank you (Modern Standard Arabic) and (Egyptian Dialect)

Arabic: شكراً

Transliteration: Shukran

Meaning: Thank you

- You're welcome (Modern Standard Arabic)

Arabic: عفواً

Transliteration: ʿAfwan

Meaning: You’re welcome

- You're welcome (Egyptian Dialect)

  Arabic: العفو

  Transliteration: Il-ʿafw

  Meaning: You’re welcome

- Excuse me / Sorry (Modern Standard Arabic)

Arabic: عفواً

Transliteration: ʿAfwan

Meaning: Excuse me / Sorry (Used for both purposes)

- Excuse me / Sorry (Egyptian Dialect)

  Arabic: لو سمحت

  Transliteration: Law samaḥt (m.) / samaḥti (f.)

  Meaning: Excuse me / Sorry

3. Asking for Directions

Whether you’re wandering through the streets of Cairo or exploring new areas, knowing how to ask for directions is essential:

- Where is the…? (Modern Standard Arabic)

Arabic: أين الـ…؟

Transliteration: ʾAyna al-...?

Meaning: Where is the…? (Use al- followed by the location or object you’re asking about)

- Where is the…? (Egyptian Dialect)

  Arabic: فين الـ…؟

  Transliteration: Fēn il-...?

  Meaning: Where is the…? (Use **il-** followed by the location or object you’re asking about)

- Where is the bathroom? (Modern Standard Arabic)

Arabic: أين الحمام؟

Transliteration: ʾAyna al-ḥammām?

Meaning: Where is the bathroom?

- Where is the bathroom? (Egyptian Dialect)

  Arabic: فين الحمام؟

  Transliteration: Fēn il-ḥammām?

  Meaning: Where is the bathroom?

- Left (Modern Standard Arabic)

Arabic: يسار

Transliteration: Yasār

Meaning: Left

- Left (Egyptian Dialect)

  Arabic: شمال

  Transliteration: Shimāl

  Meaning: Left

- Right (Modern Standard Arabic) and (Egyptian Dialect)

Arabic: يمين

Transliteration: Yamīn

Meaning: Right

- Straight ahead (Modern Standard Arabic)

Arabic: إلى الأمام

Transliteration: ʾIlā al-ʾamām

Meaning: Straight ahead

- Straight ahead (Egyptian Dialect)

  Arabic: على طول

  Transliteration: ʿAla ṭūl

  Meaning: Straight ahead

4. Shopping and Numbers

When shopping in Egypt, being able to communicate prices and numbers is helpful:

- How much is this? (Modern Standard Arabic)

Arabic: بكم هذا؟

Transliteration: Bikam hādhā?

Meaning: How much is this?

- How much is this? (Egyptian Dialect)

  Arabic: بكام ده؟

  Transliteration: Bikām dah?

  Meaning: How much is this?

- Too expensive (Modern Standard Arabic)

Arabic: غالي جداً

Transliteration: Ghālī jiddan

Meaning: Too expensive

- Too expensive (Egyptian Dialect)

  Arabic: غالي قوي

  Transliteration: Ghāli awi

  Meaning: Too expensive

- Can you lower the price? (Modern Standard Arabic)

Arabic: هل يمكنك تخفيض السعر؟

Transliteration: Hal yumkinuka takhfīḍ al-siʿr?

Meaning: Can you lower the price?

- Can you lower the price? (Egyptian Dialect)

  Arabic: ممكن تخفض السعر؟

  Transliteration: Mumkin tikhafid il-siʿr?

  Meaning: Can you lower the price?

- Numbers (1-10): (Modern Standard Arabic)

Arabic:

1 - واحد (Wāḥid)

2 - اثنان (ʾIthnān)

3 - ثلاثة (Thalātha)

4 - أربعة (ʾArbaʿa)

5 - خمسة (Khamsa)

6 - ستة (Sitta)

7 - سبعة (Sabʿa)

8 - ثمانية (Thamāniya)

9 - تسعة (Tisʿa)

10 - عشرة (ʿAshara)

- Numbers (1-10): (Egyptian Dialect)

  Arabic:

  1 - واحد (Wāḥid)

  2 - اتنين (ʾItnein)

  3 - تلاتة (Talāta)

  4 - أربعة (ʾArbaʿa)

  5 - خمسة (Khamsa)

  6 - ستة (Sitta)

  7 - سبعة (Sabʿa)

  8 - تمانية (Tamanya)

  9 - تسعة (Tisʿa)

  10 - عشرة (ʿAshara)

5. Dining Out

When dining in Egypt, here are a few useful phrases:

- I would like… (Modern Standard Arabic)

Arabic: أود أن…

Transliteration: ʾAwaddu ʾan…

Meaning: I would like… (follow with your request)

- I would like… (Egyptian Dialect)

  Arabic: عايز…

  Transliteration: ʿAyez (m.) / ʿAyza (f.)…

  Meaning: I would like… (follow with your request)

- The bill, please (Modern Standard Arabic)

Arabic: الحساب، من فضلك

Transliteration: Al-ḥisāb, min faḍlik

Meaning: The bill, please

- The bill, please (Egyptian Dialect)

  Arabic: الحساب، لو سمحت

  Transliteration: Il-ḥisāb, law samaḥt

  Meaning: The bill, please

- Delicious (Modern Standard Arabic) and (Egyptian Dialect)

Arabic: لذيذ

Transliteration: Ladhīdh

Meaning: Delicious

6. Emergencies

In case of an emergency, these phrases could be crucial:

- Help! (Modern Standard Arabic)

Arabic: النجدة!

Transliteration: Al-najda!

Meaning: Help!

- Help! (Egyptian Dialect)

  Arabic: الحقوني!

  Transliteration: Ilḥaʾūnī!

  Meaning: Help!

- I am lost (Modern Standard Arabic)

Arabic: أنا ضائع

Transliteration: ʾAnā ḍāʾiʿ

Meaning: I am lost

- I am lost (Egyptian Dialect)

  Arabic: أنا تايه

  Transliteration: ʾAnā tāyeh (m.) / tāyha (f.)

  Meaning: I am lost

- Call the police (Modern Standard Arabic)

Arabic: اتصل بالشرطة

Transliteration: ʾIttiṣil bi-shurṭa

Meaning: Call the police

- Call the police (Egyptian Dialect)

  Arabic: كلم البوليس

  Transliteration: Kallim il-būlīs

  Meaning: Call the police

- I need a doctor (Modern Standard Arabic)

Arabic: أحتاج إلى طبيب

Transliteration: ʾAḥtāj ʾilā ṭabīb

Meaning: I need a doctor

- I need a doctor (Egyptian Dialect)

  Arabic: محتاج دكتور

  Transliteration: Miḥtāg duktūr

  Meaning: I need a doctor

Conclusion

Learning a few key Arabic phrases can help make your life in Egypt much more comfortable and engaging. Egyptians are known for their hospitality, and even making the smallest effort to speak the language will be greatly appreciated. Whether you’re ordering food, navigating the streets, or simply greeting a neighbor, these phrases will help you connect and immerse yourself in the local culture.

Feel free to print out this guide, practice these phrases, and don’t be afraid to use them! The more you practice, the more confident you’ll become in your interactions.

By mastering these essential phrases, you'll find that day-to-day life in Egypt becomes easier, and you'll gain a deeper understanding of the local culture.

Happy learning!