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Arabic

The Language

Arabic is the official language in Egypt. Egyptian Arabic is a separate dialect from the language spoken in other Arab countries; although standard Arabic in written form is used in newspapers and literature. However, most hotels, touristic and business facilities speak other languages such as English, French and sometimes German, Italian or Spanish. 

The table below will give you a quick idea about the basic Arabic words and phrases that are common in every day life in Egypt.

Basics

English

Arabic

I ana
You (singular m/f) inta/inti
He howa
She heya
Yes aiwa
No  la'/la'a
Maybe mumkin
Please (addressing m/f) min fadhlak/min fadhlik
Thank you shukran
You are welcome afwan
What is your name? (m/f) Esmak eh/Esmek eh?
Excuse me (addressing m/f) law samaht/law samahti
OK mashy or tayeb
No problem mafish mushkila

Greetings

Hello (peace be upon you) assalamu alaykum
Hello (response)  wa alaykum essalam
Goodbye ma'a esalama
Good morning sabah el-kheir
Good afternoon masa' el-kheir
Good night tisbah ala-kheir
Welcome ahlan wa sahlan
I do not speak Arabic ana mabatkalemsh arabi 

Commercial

Water Mayya
Tea Shai
Coffee Ahwa
Milk laban
With Milk bel-laban
How much?  Bekam?
How many?  Kam?

Small talk

How are you? (m/f) ezzayak/ezzayik
Fine (thank God) al-hamdulillah
What is your name? (m/f) ismak eh/esmek eh?
My name is … ismi …
I do not understand (m/f) mesh fahim/mesh fahma
English ingleezi
American Amrikani
French faransawi
German almani
Spanish aspani
Chinese Seeni
Japanese yabani
Explain to me fahemni

Getting Around

Where is the …? fein el … ?
When? Emta?
Airport el-matarr
Bank Bank
Money Feloos
Hotel otel
Bus Bus
Taxi taxi
Good kway-yes
Very Awy
Very Good kway-yes awy

Directions

Address 'enwan
Street share'
Number raqam
Here hena
There henak
Behind wara

Signs

Toilets Ham-mam
Hospital mustashfa
Police bolees

Days 

Monday  el etneen
Tuesday el talat
Wednesday el-arba'
Thursday el-khamees
Friday el-goma'a
Saturday el-sabt
Sunday el-had
Morning el sobh
Afternoon el dohr
Night bel-leil

Numbers

Zero sifr
One wahid
Two etnein
Three talata
Four arba'a
Five khamsa
Six sitta
Seven sab'a
Eight tamanya
Nine tis'a
Ten ashara

  

 

 


Bibliotheca Alexandrina - P.O. Box 138 - Chatby, Alexandria 21526, EGYPT
Phone: +(203) 4839999 General E-mail: cssp@bibalex.org