Learning a few essential Arabic phrases can greatly enhance your travel experience in Egypt and facilitate communication with locals. While many Egyptians working in the tourism industry speak English, making an effort to use some basic Arabic phrases is appreciated. Here are some key phrases to learn:
Greetings:
Hello, مرحباً (Marhaban)
Good morning, صباح الخير (Sabah al-khayr).
Good evening (Masa' al-khayr)
Goodbye (Wada'an)
How are you? - كيف حالك؟ (Kayfa haluk/haluki for males and females)
I'm fine, thank you. (Ana bikhair, shukran)
Polite Expressions: 7. Please (Min Fadlik)
Thank you, شكراً (Shukran).
Yes, نعم (Na'am).
No - لا (La)
Excuse me, عفواً (Afwan).
I'm sorry: آسف (Asif) for males and آسفة (Asifah) for females.
Basic Phrases: 13. What is your name? - ما اسمك؟ (Ma ismuk/ismuki for males and females)
My name is [Your Name] - اسمي [اسمك]. (Ismi [your name])
Where is...? - أين...؟ (Ayna...?)
How much does this cost? - كم سعر هذا؟ (Kam sa'ar hadha?)
I need help. (Ahtaj musa'adah)
I don't understand. (La afham)
Can you help me? - هل يمكنك مساعدتي؟ (Hal yumkinuka musa'adati?)
I don't speak Arabic. (La atahaddath al-'arabiyya)
Directions: 21. Where is the bathroom? - أين الحمام؟ (Ayna al-hammam?)
Left: يسار (Yasar)
Right: يمين (Yamin)
Straight ahead: مباشرة (Mubashirah)
Stop here: توقف هنا (Tawaqaf huna)
Numbers: 26. 1 - واحد (Wahid)
2: اثنان (Ithnan)
3: ثلاثة (Thalatha)
10: عشرة (Ashara)
100: مئة (Mi'ah)
Food and Dining: 31. Menu (Al-Qa'imah)
Water: ماء (Ma')
I would like... (Awad)
The bill, please: الفاتورة، من فضلك (Al-fatourah, min fadlik)
Delicious: لذيذ (Lazez)
Shopping: 36. How much is this? - بكم هذا؟ (Bikam hadha?)
Can you give me a discount? - هل يمكنك أن تعطيني خصم؟ (Hal yumkinuka an ta'tini khasm?)
Emergency Phrases: 38. Help! - النجدة! (Al-najdah!)
I need to see a doctor - (Ahtaj tabib)
Call the police - اتصل بالشرطة (Ittasil bish-shurta)