Egypt has been receiving foreign visitors for thousands of years, and its population is well-practised at bridging language gaps. English is functional in most tourist contexts - at hotels, Pyramids ticket booths, Luxor Temple, and organised tours. But the moment you leave those zones, Arabic takes over entirely. And even within tourist areas, making an effort with a few phrases transforms the dynamic completely.
A felucca captain on the Nile, a stallholder in Khan el-Khalili, a tea-seller in a backstreet souk - all respond to the same stimulus: a foreigner attempting Egyptian Arabic, however imperfectly. The reward is not just warmth but practical help, better prices, and access to a side of Egypt that most visitors never reach.
The Language: Egyptian Arabic
Egypt’s official language is Modern Standard Arabic (fusha - فصحى), the formal written language used in newspapers, official documents, and formal speeches. But nobody speaks it in daily life. The language Egyptians actually use is Egyptian Arabic (Masri - مصري), a dialect that has diverged significantly from the formal written form.
Egyptian Arabic is the most widely understood Arabic dialect in the Arab world, largely because of Egypt’s dominance in cinema, television, and music throughout the 20th century. This is a practical advantage: the Egyptian Arabic phrases you learn here will serve you across most of the Arab world, whereas Gulf Arabic or Moroccan Darija would not.
The Arabic Script
Arabic is written right to left in a cursive script where letters change form depending on their position in a word. It looks like this:
| English | Arabic script |
|---|---|
| Hello | مرحبا |
| Thank you | شكراً |
| Please | من فضلك |
| How much? | بكام؟ |
| Yes / No | نعم / لا |
You don’t need to read Arabic script as a tourist - but recognising a few key characters helps with signs, menus, and labelled items. The transliterations throughout this guide use a straightforward phonetic system: capital letters indicate the stressed syllable.
Pronunciation Notes
Egyptian Arabic has a few sounds that don’t exist in English:
- The letter ‘ain (ع): A voiced pharyngeal - made deep in the throat, like a constricted vowel. We write it as ’ in this guide (e.g., ‘aysh for bread). Say it as a constricted “ah” from the back of your throat.
- Ghayn (غ): Similar to the French “r” in Paris - a back-of-throat growl. We write it as gh.
- Kha (خ): A rasping “kh” as in the Scottish “loch.” We write it as kh.
- Qaf (ق): In Cairo dialect, this is often pronounced as a glottal stop (like the “tt” in the Cockney pronunciation of “butter”), written here as ’ or omitted.
- Long vowels: Written with double letters (aa, ee, oo). Hold them slightly longer than short vowels.
In practice, Egyptians understand attempts with a strong English accent - correct stress and rhythm matter more than perfect phoneme reproduction.
Essential Phrases by Situation
Greetings and Basic Courtesy
| Phrase | Arabic | Pronunciation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hello (Islamic greeting) | السلام عليكم | as-sa-LA-mu A-lay-kum | Universal greeting; response is wa alaykum as-salaam |
| Hello (informal) | أهلاً | AH-lan | Casual hello; response is ahlan beek (m) / ahlan beeki (f) |
| Hello (Cairo casual) | مرحبا | mar-HA-ba | Widely understood; borrowed from Levantine Arabic |
| Good morning | صباح الخير | sa-BAH el-KHAYR | Response: sabah en-noor (morning of light) |
| Good evening | مساء الخير | ma-SA el-KHAYR | Response: masa en-noor |
| How are you? (m) | إزيك؟ | iz-ZAY-ak | Specifically Cairo dialect |
| How are you? (f) | إزيك؟ | iz-ZAY-ik | |
| Fine, thank you | كويس، شكراً | KWAYyis, SHOOK-ran | Kwayyis (m) / kwayyisa (f) |
| Welcome | أهلاً وسهلاً | AH-lan wa-SAH-lan | A genuine, warm welcome expression |
| Goodbye | مع السلامة | ma’a sa-LA-ma | Literally “with safety”; very common farewell |
| Please (to a man) | من فضلك | min FAD-lak | Change ending by gender |
| Please (to a woman) | من فضلك | min FAD-lik | |
| Thank you | شكراً | SHOOK-ran | Use constantly - Egyptians appreciate it |
| Thank you very much | شكراً جزيلاً | SHOOK-ran ga-ZEE-lan | For genuine gratitude |
| You’re welcome / Pardon | عفواً | AF-wan | Also used as “excuse me” (passing through a crowd) |
| Yes / No | أيوا / لأ | AY-wa / la’a | Aiwa for yes; la’a for no (glottal stop at end) |
Etiquette note: The Islamic greeting as-salamu alaykum is not just for Muslims - it is used between all Egyptians and the expected response always earns respect. If someone greets you with it, the correct reply is wa alaykum as-salaam (وعليكم السلام). Getting this right reliably produces smiles.
Shopping, Bargaining, and Markets
Egyptian markets run on negotiation. The phrases below are essential for Khan el-Khalili in Cairo, the Luxor souk, and any craft market.
| Phrase | Arabic | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| How much does this cost? | بكام ده؟ | bi-KAM da? |
| Too expensive | غالي أوي | GHA-li AW-wi |
| Can you make it cheaper? | ممكن أرخص؟ | MUM-kin AR-khas? |
| I’ll give you [X] | هاديلك [X] | HA-dee-lak [X] |
| This is my final price | ده آخر كلام | da A-khir ka-LAM |
| No thank you | لأ شكراً | la’a SHOOK-ran |
| I’m just looking | بس بتفرج | bass bit-FAR-rag |
| I don’t want it | مش عاوزه | mish A-wiz-ha |
| That’s the deal / agreed | اتفقنا | it-FA’-na |
| Do you have smaller? | عندك أصغر؟ | ‘AN-dak AS-ghar? |
| Do you accept card? | بتقبل كارت؟ | bit-‘AB-bil KART? |
Tip: Opening a bargaining exchange with a smile and ahlan before you start negotiating dramatically changes the tone. Walking away is a legitimate tactic - call it out with ma’a salama (goodbye) and expect to be called back at a lower price roughly 40% of the time.
Transport and Directions
| Phrase | Arabic | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Where is…? | فين…؟ | FAYN…? |
| The airport | المطار | el-ma-TAR |
| The train station | محطة القطر | ma-HAT-tet el-‘ATR |
| The hotel | الفندق | el-FUN-du’ |
| Stop here, please | وقف هنا، من فضلك | WA’-if HI-na, min FAD-lak |
| How much to [place]? | بكام لـ [مكان]؟ | bi-KAM li…? |
| Go straight | على طول | ’ala TUL |
| Turn right | لف يمين | LIF ya-MEEN |
| Turn left | لف شمال | LIF shi-MAL |
| Is it far? | بعيد؟ | ba-‘EED? |
| I want to go to… | عاوز أروح لـ… | A-wiz A-ruh li… |
| By taxi | بالتاكسي | bit-TAK-si |
Practical note: In Cairo, Uber works in English and eliminates most transport negotiation. When using unlicensed taxis or microbuses, these phrases are essential - especially bikam li…? (how much to…?) to establish the fare before you get in.
At Restaurants and Cafes
| Phrase | Arabic | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| A table for two, please | ترابيزة لاتنين، من فضلك | ta-RA-be-za li-it-NAYN, min FAD-lak |
| The menu, please | المينيو، من فضلك | el-me-NYU, min FAD-lak |
| I’d like… | عاوز… (m) / عايزة… (f) | A-wiz… / A-yi-za… |
| Without meat | من غير لحمة | min GHAYR LAH-ma |
| Is this spicy? | ده حار؟ | da HAR? |
| Delicious | لذيذ | la-ZEEZ |
| The bill, please | الحساب، من فضلك | el-hi-SAB, min FAD-lak |
| Water | مية | MAY-ya |
| Tea | شاي | SHAY |
| Coffee | قهوة | AH-wa (Cairo dialect drops the ‘q’) |
| Without sugar | من غير سكر | min GHAYR SUK-kar |
| With sugar | بسكر | bi-SUK-kar |
Egyptian food vocabulary: Knowing the names of local dishes helps with ordering at no-menu street stalls:
| Dish | Pronunciation | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| كشري | KOSH-ari | Lentils, rice, pasta, crispy onions, tomato sauce - Egypt’s comfort food |
| فول مدمس | FUL me-DAM-mes | Slow-cooked fava beans with oil and cumin |
| طعمية | TA-‘a-mey-ya | Egyptian falafel, made from fava beans (not chickpeas) |
| حواوشي | ha-WA-wi-shi | Spiced minced meat baked inside bread |
| ملوخية | mo-lu-KHEY-ya | Leafy green stew - a national staple |
| أم علي | umm A-li | Egyptian bread-pudding dessert with cream and nuts |
Accommodation
| Phrase | Arabic | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Do you have a room? | عندك أوضة؟ | ‘AN-dak O-da? |
| How much per night? | بكام الليلة؟ | bi-KAM el-LAY-la? |
| Can I see the room? | ممكن أشوف الأوضة؟ | MUM-kin A-shuf el-O-da? |
| With air conditioning | بالتكييف | bit-tak-YEEF |
| The WiFi password | باسورد الواي فاي | PAS-wurd el-WAY-fay |
| There’s a problem | في مشكلة | fi mush-KI-la |
| Hot water isn’t working | المية الساخنة مش شغالة | el-MAY-ya es-SAK-hna mish sha-GHA-la |
| Key | مفتاح | mif-TAH |
| Checkout is at… | الشيك آوت الساعة… | esh-SHEEK AWT es-SA-‘a… |
Emergencies and Health
| Phrase | Arabic | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Help! | النجدة! | en-NAG-da! |
| Call a doctor! | اتصل بدكتور! | IT-ta-sal bi-dok-TUR! |
| Call the police! | اتصل بالبوليس! | IT-ta-sal bil-bo-LEES! |
| I’m sick | أنا عيان | A-na AY-yan |
| I have a stomach ache | معدتي بتوجعني | ma-‘AD-ti bit-WA’-ga-ni |
| Hospital | مستشفى | mus-TASH-fa |
| Pharmacy | صيدلية | say-da-LEY-ya |
| Police station | قسم البوليس | ’IS-met el-bo-LEES |
| I’ve lost my passport | ضيعت جوازي | DAY-ya’t ga-WA-zi |
| I need help | محتاج مساعدة | muh-TAJ mu-SA-‘a-da |
| Where is the hospital? | فين المستشفى؟ | FAYN el-mus-TASH-fa? |
Numbers
Egyptian numbers are essential for prices, floor numbers in hotels, and transport fares.
| Number | Arabic | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | صفر | SIFR |
| 1 | واحد | WA-hid |
| 2 | اتنين | it-NAYN |
| 3 | تلاتة | ta-LA-ta |
| 4 | أربعة | AR-ba-‘a |
| 5 | خمسة | KHAM-sa |
| 6 | ستة | SIT-ta |
| 7 | سبعة | SAB-‘a |
| 8 | تمانية | ta-MAN-ya |
| 9 | تسعة | TIS-‘a |
| 10 | عشرة | ’ASH-ra |
| 20 | عشرين | ’ISH-reen |
| 50 | خمسين | kham-SEEN |
| 100 | مية | MEY-ya |
| 500 | خمسمية | khams-MEY-ya |
| 1,000 | ألف | ALF |
For amounts, Egyptians usually state the number then ginay (جنيه) for Egyptian pounds. So EGP 50 is khamseen ginay. EGP 100 is meyyet ginay.
How Widely Is English Spoken?
In tourist zones - very widely. Staff at all major hotels (three-star and above), Egyptologist guides, ticket staff at the Pyramids, Karnak, Valley of the Kings, and the Grand Egyptian Museum speak functional to fluent English. Most restaurant menus in tourist areas are bilingual. English signs appear alongside Arabic at major transport hubs.
Outside tourist zones - much less. Local microbuses, small ahwa (coffee houses), neighbourhood bakeries, and the further you travel from Cairo’s tourist corridors, the more Arabic becomes essential. Upper Egypt - towns along the Nile south of Luxor - is largely Arabic-only outside the main sites. The Western Desert and Sinai Bedouin areas have limited English beyond established guesthouses.
A practical summary by situation:
| Situation | English spoken? |
|---|---|
| Major hotel reception | Yes, reliably |
| Luxury Nile cruise staff | Yes, reliably |
| Egyptologist guides (licensed) | Yes, reliably |
| Airport and airline staff | Yes |
| Uber drivers (Cairo) | Often basic English |
| Unlicensed taxi drivers | Usually minimal |
| Khan el-Khalili stallholders | Variable - tourist traders often yes, deeper souk no |
| Local restaurants in cities | Basic menus sometimes bilingual |
| Rural Upper Egypt | Arabic only outside sites |
| Pharmacies | Often partial English |
| Local transport (microbuses) | Arabic only |
Language Etiquette: What Egyptians Appreciate
A few cultural notes on language that go beyond vocabulary:
1. Open with the greeting. Starting any interaction - with a stallholder, taxi driver, or a local asking directions - with ahlan or as-salamu alaykum signals respect. Diving straight into English with a question (even a polite one) is interpreted as brusque.
2. Match the formality. As-salamu alaykum is appropriate everywhere, including to older Egyptians, shopkeepers, and in religious contexts. The more casual ahlan and izzayak are fine for informal exchanges with younger people and service staff.
3. Gender agreement matters. Egyptian Arabic has masculine and feminine forms for most verbs and adjectives. The most common adjustment tourists need: kwayyis (I’m fine, male speaker) versus kwayyisa (I’m fine, female speaker). This is appreciated but not expected - getting it wrong causes amusement, not offence.
4. Religious expressions. Egyptians pepper daily speech with religious phrases that are not overtly religious in intent - they are cultural expressions. Inshallah (إن شاء الله - God willing) is used for anything future or uncertain, from “we’ll meet tomorrow” to “the taxi will arrive soon.” Alhamdulillah (الحمد لله - praise God) expresses gratitude or acknowledges good fortune. Using these naturally shows cultural intelligence; avoiding them entirely is also fine.
5. “La” works as a complete sentence. When declining persistent offers from touts around tourist sites, a firm but calm la’a (no) combined with eye contact and a continued walking pace is the most effective response. Adding shukran (no, thank you) softens it. Avoid long explanations - they invite further engagement.
6. Avoid raising your voice. In Egyptian social culture, loudness and visible frustration signal loss of control and make you less effective, not more. A quietly repeated la shukran accomplishes more than an impatient one.
7. Right-hand greetings. Handshakes are common when greeting men. Use your right hand for all greetings and exchanges - the left hand is traditionally considered unclean. If your right hand is occupied, place your right hand on your chest to acknowledge a greeting.
Useful Signs and Text to Recognise
Even a few Arabic words recognised on sight help with navigation:
| Arabic | What it means | Where you’ll see it |
|---|---|---|
| مدخل | Entrance (madkhal) | Site and building entrances |
| خروج | Exit (khuruj) | Airport, metro, buildings |
| حمام | Toilet (hammam) | Restaurants, sites |
| رجال | Men (rigal) | Toilets |
| سيدات | Women (sayyidat) | Toilets |
| تذاكر | Tickets (tazakir) | Ticket booths at sites |
| ممنوع | Forbidden / No (mamnoo’) | Signs prohibiting photography, entry |
| صيدلية | Pharmacy (saydaleyya) | Green cross sign, shops |
| مستشفى | Hospital (mustashfa) | Road signs |
| بوليس | Police (bolees) | Stations and vehicles |
Arabic numerals used in Egypt alongside the standard Hindu-Arabic numerals: ٠١٢٣٤٥٦٧٨٩ (0–9). These appear on some receipts, menus, and signs - learning to recognise them speeds up price negotiation.
A working knowledge of 20 Arabic phrases - the greetings, shukran, bikam, la shukran, and the numbers 1 to 10 - is enough to navigate most daily interactions. Every additional phrase is a bonus that deepens the experience. The Egyptian response to any effort with the language is disproportionately warm: small gestures of linguistic respect are met with generous hospitality that money cannot buy.
Before You Go
A few practical things to arrange before arriving in Egypt:
- Stay connected: Get an eSIM for Egypt before departure so Google Maps and translation apps work from the moment you land.
- Airport transfer: Book a private transfer from Cairo Airport to avoid negotiating a fare in a busy arrivals hall.
- Travel insurance: Egypt travel insurance with 24/7 emergency support is worth having for medical situations where language barriers add to the stress.