Egyptian Arabic Phrasebook

Common Greeting

Salaam Alaikum (السلام عليكم)

"Salaam Alaikum" is an Arabic greeting that translates to "Peace be upon you". It is a common greeting worldwide and is often used as a way to express well-wishes and respect for one another.

Response:
Walaikum Salam (وعليكم السلام) — "And upon you be peace."

Greetings

HelloAhlan
أهلا
Good morningSabah el-khair
صباح الخير
Good eveningMasa el-khair
مسا الخير
GoodbyeMa'a el-salama
مع السلامة
Thank youShukran
شكرا

Common Phrases

How much?Kam da?
كام دا؟
Where is...?Feen...?
فين...؟
I don't understandMesh fahem
مش فاهم
Do you speak English?Bititkallem inglizi?
بتتكلم إنجليزي؟
BeautifulHelwa
حلوة

Wedding & Celebration

CongratulationsMabrook
مبروك
Happy weddingAroos sa'eed
عرس سعيد
May God bless youAllah yibarik
الله يبارك
CheersFee sihhtak
في صحتك
WelcomeAhlan wa sahlan
أهلا وسهلا

Food & Dining

DeliciousLazeez
لذيذ
WaterMaya
مياه
CoffeeAhwa
قهوة
TeaShai
شاي
BreadAish
عيش

Egyptian Arabic Pronunciation Tips

Key Sounds:

  • • kh - like clearing your throat
  • • gh - like French "r" sound
  • • q - pronounced as "g" in Egyptian Arabic
  • • ain - like "uh" but deeper
  • • j - pronounced as "g" (like "goat")

Egyptian Dialect Tips:

  • • Stress is usually on the last syllable
  • • "A" sounds like "ah" in "papa"
  • • "I" sounds like "ee" in "see"
  • • "U" sounds like "oo" in "moon"
  • • "Th" often becomes "t" or "s"

Quick Reference

Numbers:

  • 1 - Waahid (واحد)
  • 2 - Itneen (اتنين)
  • 3 - Talata (تلاتة)
  • 5 - Khamsa (خمسة)
  • 10 - Ashara (عشرة)

Directions:

  • Left - Shimaal (شمال)
  • Right - Yameen (يمين)
  • Straight - Alaa tool (على طول)
  • Near - Orayeb (قريب)
  • Far - Ba'eed (بعيد)

Time:

  • Now - Dilwa'ti (دلوقتي)
  • Today - En-naharda (النهاردة)
  • Tomorrow - Bokra (بكرا)
  • Yesterday - Imbarih (إمبارح)
  • Later - Ba'deen (بعدين)