Summary
You can travel around Egypt in English, but a few words of Egyptian Arabic change how people respond to you. A simple “shukran” at a tea stall or “sabah el-kheir” to your driver often earns a smile. This guide gives you the phrases visitors use most, written the way Egyptians say them, with the Arabic script beside each one so you can show it if your pronunciation fails.
The spellings are a guide to sound, not a fixed standard, so you will see other versions on signs and menus.
How to Say the Words
Egyptian Arabic has a few sounds that differ from other dialects and from English. These four cover most of the words below.
- g: Egyptians pronounce the letter ج as a hard g, as in “go”. This is why you hear “gamal” for camel.
- kh: a soft rasp at the back of the throat, like the ch in Scottish “loch”.
- gh: close to a French r.
- ‘: a short catch in the voice, like the break in “uh-oh”. You see it in words such as “ma’a”.
Some phrases change depending on who you speak to or who is speaking. Where that happens, the table gives both forms. If you use the wrong one, people will still understand you.
Greetings and Polite Words
| English | Say it | Arabic |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Ahlan | أهلًا |
| Welcome | Ahlan wa sahlan | أهلًا وسهلًا |
| Peace be upon you | As-salamu alaykum | السلام عليكم |
| Reply: and upon you, peace | Wa alaykum as-salam | وعليكم السلام |
| Good morning | Sabah el-kheir | صباح الخير |
| Reply to good morning | Sabah en-nour | صباح النور |
| Good evening | Masa el-kheir | مساء الخير |
| Reply to good evening | Masa en-nour | مساء النور |
| How are you? (to a man / a woman) | Izzayak? / Izzayik? | إزيك؟ |
| Fine, thank God (man / woman) | Kwayyis / Kwayyisa, el-hamdu lillah | كويس / كويسة، الحمد لله |
| Thank you | Shukran | شكرًا |
| You’re welcome | Afwan | عفوًا |
| Please, excuse me (to a man / a woman) | Law samaht / Law samahti | لو سمحت / لو سمحتي |
| Sorry (man / woman speaking) | Asif / Asfa | آسف / آسفة |
| Yes | Aywa | أيوه |
| No | La | لأ |
| No, thank you | La, shukran | لأ، شكرًا |
| My name is… | Ismi… | اسمي… |
| Goodbye | Ma’a salama | مع السلامة |
“Law samaht” is the phrase to learn first. It works for getting attention, asking for something and passing through a crowd.
When You Do Not Understand
| English | Say it | Arabic |
|---|---|---|
| I don’t speak Arabic | Ana mish batkallim Arabi | أنا مش بتكلم عربي |
| Do you speak English? (to a man / a woman) | Bitetkallim / Bitetkallimi Ingilizi? | بتتكلم / بتتكلمي إنجليزي؟ |
| I don’t understand (man / woman) | Mish fahem / Mish fahma | مش فاهم / مش فاهمة |
| Slowly, please | Bir-rahah, law samaht | بالراحة لو سمحت |
| Again, please | Tani, law samaht | تاني لو سمحت |
Shopping and Bargaining
These are the phrases to use in the bazaars of Cairo, Luxor and Aswan. The busiest place to try them is Khan el-Khalili, where haggling is part of the visit and a friendly tone works better than a hard one.
| English | Say it | Arabic |
|---|---|---|
| How much is this? | Bikam da? | بكام ده؟ |
| It’s too expensive | Ghali awi | غالي أوي |
| Can you lower the price a little? | Momken tekhsem shwayya? | ممكن تخصم شوية؟ |
| What is your final price? | Akher kalam kam? | آخر كلام كام؟ |
| I’m just looking | Batfarrag bas | بتفرج بس |
| I’ll take it | Hakhdo | هاخده |
| That’s all, enough | Khalas | خلاص |
“Bikam da?” is for most objects. You may hear “bikam di?” for words that are feminine in Arabic, but sellers will understand either one.
Getting Around
| English | Say it | Arabic |
|---|---|---|
| Where is…? | …feen? | …فين؟ |
| Where is Al-Azhar Mosque? | Gami’ el-Azhar feen? | جامع الأزهر فين؟ |
| Is it far? | Be’eed? | بعيد؟ |
| Right | Yemeen | يمين |
| Left | Shemal | شمال |
| Straight ahead | Ala tool | على طول |
| Here, please | Hena, law samaht | هنا لو سمحت |
| Stop here | Wa”af hena | وقف هنا |
| Metro station | Mahattet el-metro | محطة المترو |
| Ticket | Tazkara | تذكرة |
| Where is the toilet? | El-hammam feen? | الحمام فين؟ |
Food and Drink
| English | Say it | Arabic |
|---|---|---|
| The bill, please | El-hesab, law samaht | الحساب لو سمحت |
| Water | Mayya | مية |
| Tea | Shai | شاي |
| Coffee | Ahwa | قهوة |
| Without sugar | Min gheir sokkar | من غير سكر |
| I don’t eat meat | Mabakolsh lahma | مباكلش لحمة |
| Delicious | Lazeez | لذيذ |
At Mosques and Religious Sites
These are useful in historic mosques such as Al-Azhar. Ask before you enter or take photos, and check our guide on what to wear in Egypt before you go.
| English | Say it | Arabic |
|---|---|---|
| Can I come in? | Momken adkhol? | ممكن أدخل؟ |
| Can I take a photo? | Momken asawwar? | ممكن أصور؟ |
| Where do I leave my shoes? | Aseeb el-gazma feen? | أسيب الجزمة فين؟ |
| Is it prayer time now? | Dilwa’ti wa’t es-salah? | دلوقتي وقت الصلاة؟ |
Three Words You Will Hear Every Day
- Inshallah (إن شاء الله): “God willing”. People use it for almost anything in the future, from a meeting tomorrow to a safe journey.
- El-hamdu lillah (الحمد لله): “Thanks be to God”. This is the usual answer when someone asks how you are.
- Masha’allah (ما شاء الله): said to admire something good, such as a child, a new home or a beautiful view.
Numbers and Prices
Most tourist prices use the numbers you already know, but local buses, street stalls and some shops use Arabic numerals. It helps to recognise them.
| Number | Say it | Arabic numeral |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wahid | ١ |
| 2 | Etnein | ٢ |
| 3 | Talata | ٣ |
| 4 | Arba’a | ٤ |
| 5 | Khamsa | ٥ |
| 6 | Setta | ٦ |
| 7 | Sab’a | ٧ |
| 8 | Tamanya | ٨ |
| 9 | Tes’a | ٩ |
| 10 | Ashara | ١٠ |
| 20 | Eshreen | ٢٠ |
| 50 | Khamseen | ٥٠ |
| 100 | Meyya | ١٠٠ |
| 1,000 | Alf | ١٠٠٠ |
Help and Emergencies
| English | Say it | Arabic |
|---|---|---|
| Help! | El-ha’ni! | الحقني! |
| I’m lost (man / woman) | Ana tayeh / Ana tayha | أنا تايه / أنا تايهة |
| I need a doctor (man / woman) | Ayez doktor / Ayza doktor | عايز دكتور / عايزة دكتور |
| Hospital | Mostashfa | مستشفى |
| Pharmacy | Agzakhana | أجزاخانة |
| Police | Shorta | شرطة |
In an emergency in Egypt, dial 123 for an ambulance, 122 for the police and 126 for the Tourist Police.
FAQ
Do I need to speak Arabic to visit Egypt?
No. Hotels, guides and most people working in tourism speak English. Arabic is not necessary, but a few phrases help with taxis, markets and small local shops.
Is Egyptian Arabic different from Modern Standard Arabic?
Yes. Modern Standard Arabic is used in news, books and formal speech, while Egyptians speak their own dialect in daily life. This guide uses the Egyptian dialect, because that is what you will hear on the street.
How do you say thank you in Egypt?
Say “shukran”. You may also hear “teslam” to a man and “teslami” to a woman, which are warm everyday ways to thank someone.
Can a non-Muslim say as-salamu alaykum?
It is a common greeting in Egypt and visitors can use it. If you prefer a neutral option, “ahlan” or “sabah el-kheir” work well anywhere.
What is the most useful Arabic phrase for tourists?
“Law samaht” is the most useful, followed by “shukran” and “bikam da?”. With these three you can get attention, thank someone and ask a price.
Plan Your Egypt Trip
- Before you go: the complete guide
- Best time to visit Egypt
- Egypt visa: e-Visa, visa on arrival & cost
- Is Egypt safe? Travel advice & tips
- Travel insurance for Egypt
- How much a trip to Egypt costs
- Money, cards & tipping
- SIM cards, eSIM & internet
- What to wear in Egypt
- Packing list for women
- Summer packing list
- Winter packing list
- What to pack for a Nile cruise

































