Today we are discussing how to order delivery in Egyptian Arabic. By that we mean either online orders for things (think Amazon) or food.
This is useful if you live in Egypt and ever order delivery – which, for most people in Egypt, is a lot. Especially for food!
In this post we follow our usual “How To” format. First, we will give you the most important vocabulary and example phrases you need for ordering delivery (and talking about it) in Egyptian Arabic. After that we will cover the most important questions you need to know. Also included is an example conversation.
Order Delivery In Egyptian Arabic : Vocabulary
Here is the most important vocabulary you need to order delivery in Egyptian Arabic.
Food. : Akl.
.اكل
Delivery. : Tawseel.
.توصيل
Something. : 7aga.
.حاجة
Restaurant. : Mat3am.
.مطعم
Order. : Talab.
.طلب
Paid. : Madfa3.
.مدفوع
Confirmation. : Ta2keed.
.تأكيد
Keep in mind, a lot of this vocabulary is the same as ordering delivery on the phone.
It really just depends on what you are ordering!
Order Delivery In Egyptian Arabic : Example Phrases
I have a delivery for you. : Ana ma3ia tawseel leek/ l7adrtak.
.انا معايا توصيل ليك / لحضرتك
The order is confirmed and paid online. : El talbya et2akedet w madfo3a online.
.الطلبية اتأكدت و مدفوعة اونلاين
The order is not paid. : El talbia mesh madfo3a.
.الطلبية مش مدفوعة
I will be there in 1 hour. : Hakon henak kaman sa3a.
.هكون هناك كمان ساعة
Order Delivery In Egyptian Arabic : Common Questions
Let’s move on to common questions.
If you’re going to order delivery in Arabic, here are some questions you might ask.
Are you at home now? : Mawgod f elbeet dlwa2ti?
موجود في البيت دلوقتي؟
Can you please send me the location? : Momken teb3atli el makan?
ممكن تبعتلي المكان؟
Here you are technically saying “the place” (el makan / المكان). That’s a commonly used word for “the location.” Same thing with ordering an Uber in Egyptian Arabic.
Is it paid? : Eltalab madfo3?
الطلب مدفوع؟
Are you available tomorrow at the address? : Mawgod bokra f el3enwan?
موجود بكرة في العنوان؟
Keep in mind – if you are a woman and somebody is asking you this, the first word will be feminine: mawgoda / موجودة.
Example Conversation
And finally, here is an example conversation.
It’s between a man and a woman…
So keep an eye on the verb conjugations!
MAN: Good morning ma’am. I am Mahmoud I have a delivery for you. : Saba7 elkheer ya fandem. ana ma7moud, ma3ia tawseel l7adrtek.
.صباح الخير يا فندم. انا محمود معايا توصيل لحضرتك
WOMAN: Good morning. Is it a food delivery? : Saba7 elfoll. ma3ak tawseel akl?
صباح الفل. معاك توصيل اكل؟
MAN: No this is something from Amazon. : La2 de haga mn amazon.
.لا هي حاجة من امازون
WOMAN: Do you know what it is? : T3raf hya eh?
تعرف هي ايه؟
MAN: No but its for 350 EGP and its already paid online. Are you available at the address now? : La2 bas hya b 350 gneh w madfo3a online. 7adrtek mawgoda delwa2ti f el3enwan?
لا بس هي ب 350 جنيه ومدفوعة اونلاين. حضرتك موجودة دلوقتي في العنوان؟
WOMAN: No not now, I will be there in an hour. : La2 mesh dlwa2ti, hakon henak kaman sa3a.
.لا مش دلوقتي، هكون هناك كمان ساعة
MAN: Ok I will deliver it in an hour. Can you share your exact location via WhatsApp? : Tamam, hawslha l7adrtek ba3d sa3a, momken teb3teli el makan belzabt 3al wats?
تمام هوصلها لحضرتك بعد ساعة. ممكن تبعتيلي المكان بالضبط عل واتس؟
WOMAN: Alright I will send it to you now. Thanks. : 7ader hab3tlak dlwa2ti. shokran.
.حاضر هبعتلك دلوقتي. شكرا
MAN: You’re welcome ma’am. : El3afw ya fandem.
.العفو يا فندم
Cultural Insight
Egypt is largely a cash-based society.
You notice this as soon as you get there. You will rarely come across a taxi that can charge your credit card, most grocery stores will only accept cash, and just about any purchase will require a wad of bills (or a pocket of coins).
While that has historically been true (and still mostly is), online orders are changing things. More apps and websites are accepting card payments than ever before. Is this turning Egypt into a more “card-based culture” like the Western world?
Not really. Old habits die hard, after all.
But still, something to keep in mind next time you are ordering delivery in Egyptian Arabic!
…
Happy learning,
Cleo Lingo
