Egyptian Arabic phrases for your trip

Tap the speaker to hear the teacher say it. Every line shows the English, an easy transliteration (the way it sounds, in Latin letters) and the Arabic script. You don’t need to read Arabic to use these. Sentences use the form a man says (ayiz, “I want”). A woman says ayiza.

Getting started

• WelcomeAhlan wa sahlanأهلاً وسهلاًSaid to welcome a guest or someone who has just arrived. The reply is ahlan beek (to a man) or ahlan beeki (to a woman).
• Good morningSabah el kheyrصباح الخيرUntil around midday. The usual reply is sabah el noor, “morning of light”.
• How are you? (to a man)Ezzayak?إزيك؟The everyday “how are you?”. To a woman: ezzayek? A common answer is el hamdu lellah, kwayis, “thank God, fine”.
• Nice to meet youForsa saeedaفرصه سعيدهSaid when you first meet someone, often as you say goodbye. The reply is we ana asaad, “and I’m happier”.
• Can you speak English?Momken tetkalem englezi?ممكن تتكلم إنجليزي؟Momken (“could you”) makes almost any request polite.
• GoodbyeSalaamسلامThe everyday “bye”.

Food and drink

• I want hot tea.Ana ayiz shay sokhnأنا عايز شاي سخنTea usually comes sweet. For no sugar, add men gheyr sokkar.
• I want to order iced teaAna ayiz atlob shay metalegأنا عايز أطلب شاي مثلج
• I want to drink cold waterAna ayiz ashrab maya bardaأنا عايز أشرب ميه بارده
• I want to eat fresh breadAna ayiz akul eysh tazaأنا عايز آكل عيش طازه
• I want to eat grilled meat.Ana ayiz akul lahma mashweyaأنا عايز آكل لحمه مشويه
• I want to eat meat with rice.Ana ayiz akul lahma we rozأنا عايز آكل لحمه و رز
• I want a kilo of green grapesAna ayiz kilo enab akhdarأنا عايز كيلو عنب أخضر
• I eat at the restaurant.Ana bakol fil mataamأنا باكل في المطعم

Getting around

• I will go to the airport.Ana haruuh el mataarأنا هروح المطارAna haruuh means “I’m going to”. Add any place: ana haruuh el fondok, “I’m going to the hotel”.
• I want to book a ticket.Ana ayiz ahgez tazkarraأنا عايز أحجز تذكره
• I want to book a room in a hotel.Ana ayiz ahgez ooda fi fondokأنا عايز أحجز أوضه في فندق
• I want to go into the hotel.Ana ayez akhosh el fondokأنا عايز اخش الفندق
• I am at the hotel.Ana fil fondokأنا في الفندق
• I want to turn left.Ana ayiz alef shemaalأنا عايز ألف شمالShemaal is left. Right is yemeen.
• I want to go outside.Ana ayiz aruuh barraأنا عايز أروح بره
• I want to go to the bank.Ana ayez aruuh el bankأنا عايز أروح البنك

Shopping and bargaining

• I want to buy gifts.Ana ayiz ashtarree hadayaأنا عايز أشتري هدايا
• This item is expensive.El haga di ghalyaالحاجه دي غاليهIn markets and bazaars, the first price is often an opening offer.
• I want something cheap.Ana ayiz haga rekheesaأنا عايز حاجه رخيصهUseful in any shop when you’re shown something above your budget.
• I bargain with the seller.Ana bafasel ma el bayaaأنا بفاصل مع البياعBargaining is normal in markets and bazaars. It isn’t done in supermarkets or pharmacies.
• I will pay now.Ana hadfa delwatiأنا هدفع دلوقتي

At the beach

• The beach is beautiful.El shat gameelالشط جميل
• The sea is calm.El bahr hadyالبحر هادي
• I take a lot of photos.Ana basawar sowar kteerأنا بصور صور كتير
• The weather today is hot.El taqs ennaharda harrالطقس النهارده حر
• The weather is nice today.El taqs gameel ennahardaالطقس جميل النهارده

If you feel unwell

• I feel a bit unwell.Ana tabaan shwayaأنا تعبان شويه
• I have a fever.Ana andi hommaأنا عندي حمى
• I have a headache.Ana andi sodaaأنا عندي صداع
• I have a stomach ache.Ana andi maghasأنا عندي مغص
• I want medicine.Ana ayiz dawaأنا عايز دواء
• Can you come to the hospital?Momken tegee el mostashfa?ممكن تجي المستشفى؟
• I am going to the police station.Ana haruuh esm el boleesأنا هروح قسم البوليس

Hear these phrases inside real conversations on the listening practice page.