If you want to really connect (and communicate) with Egyptians, having some beginner Egyptian Arabic phrases in your back pocket is useful. That’s why we made this latest post.
And instead of the same old tired list (“yes”, “hello”, “thank you”), we wanted to give you things that were just a little bit more complex. Thing “beginner, but cool beginner.”
Enjoy!
Posts You Can Check Out
One thing about the beginner Egyptian Arabic phrases below: they cover a wide range of topics that we’ve already written about on the blog. Here are some of those posts if you want to check them out:
- How To Say Thank You In Egyptian Arabic
- 25 Most Common Egyptian Arabic Phrases
- How To Talk About Egypt In Egyptian Arabic
- How To Talk About Languages In Egyptian Arabic
- How To Order At A Restaurant In Egyptian Arabic
10 Beginner Egyptian Arabic Phrases
1) Of course, that’s a good idea.
Tab3an, di fekra kwayyisa. / .طبعًا، دي فكرة كويسة
Mini Conversation:
Do we go early? : Nro7 badry?
نروح بدري؟
Of course, that’s a good idea. : Tab3an, di fekra kwayyisa.
.طبعًا، دي فكرة كويسة
2) I love Egypt.
Ba7eb masr. : .بحب مصر
Mini Conversation:
Do you like Egypt? : bete7eb masr?
بتحب مصر؟
Yes! I love Egypt. : Aywa! Ba7eb masr.
.أيوه! بحب مصر
(Egyptian national pride is definitely something you should read up on.)
3) The taxi driver is crazy.
Sawa2 el taxi magnoun! : !سواق التاكسي مجنون
Mini Conversation:
How was the ride (Lit. The road was how)? : Eltaree2 kan 3amel ezai?
الطريق كان عامل ازاي؟
The taxi driver is crazy! : Sawa2 el taxi magnoun!
!سواق التاكسي مجنون
4) There is so much traffic in Cairo.
Fe z7ma kteeer fe el 2ahra2. / .في زحمة كتير في القاهرة
Mini Conversation:
Why are you late? : Leeh it2a5art?
ليه اتأخرت؟
There is so much traffic in Cairo. : Fe z7ma kteeer fe el 2ahra2.
.في زحمة كتير في القاهرة
5) Do you understand what I’m saying?
- To a male: fahim ana ba2ool eh? / فاهم أنا بقول إيه؟
- To a female: fahma ana ba2ool eh? / فاهمة أنا بقول إيه؟
Mini Conversation:
Do you (masc.) understand what I’m saying? : Fahim ana ba2ool eh?
فاهم أنا بقول إيه؟
Yes, I understand. : Aywa, fahim.
.أيوه، فاهم
6) I have been learning Arabic for half a year.
Bat3lem 3araby ba2aly nos sana. / .بتعلم عربي بقالي نص سنة
Mini Conversation:
How long have you been learning Arabic? : Ba2alk ad eh betet3alem 3araby?
بقالك قد إيه بتتعلم عربي؟
I’ve been learning Arabic for half a year. : Bat3lem 3araby ba2aly nos sana.
.بتعلم عربي بقالي نص سنة
7) Do I pay cash or can I pay with card?
Adfa3 cash wala momken adfa3 bel cart? / أدفع كاش ولا ممكن أدفع بالكارت؟
Mini Conversation:
Ready? : Gahiz?
جاهز؟
Do I pay cash or can I pay with card? : Adfa3 cash wala momken adfa3 bel cart?
أدفع كاش ولا ممكن أدفع بالكارت؟
8) The bill, please.
El 7esab law sama7t. / .الحساب لو سمحت
Mini Conversation:
Are you finished eating? : 5alasty el akl?
خلصتي الأكل؟
Yes. The bill, please. : Aywa. el 7esab law sama7t.
.أيوه. الحساب لو سمحت
9) There are many places in Cairo I still haven’t seen.
Fe amaken kteeer fe el qahera lissa mashoftahaash. /
.في أماكن كتير في القاهرة لسه ما شوفتهاش
Mini Conversation:
Have you seen (explored) Cairo? : shofet el qahera?
شفت القاهرة؟
Not yet there are many places I still haven’t seen. : Lissa fe amaken kteeer lissa mashoftahaash
.لسه في أماكن كتير لسه ما شوفتهاش
10) Can you explain this word to me?
- To a male: momken teshra7li el kalema di? / ممكن تشرحلي الكلمة دي؟
- To a female: momken teshra7ily el kalema di / ممكن تشرحيلي الكلمة دي؟
Mini Conversation:
Can you explain this word to me? : Momken teshra7li el kalema di?
ممكن تشرحلي الكلمة دي؟
Yes, it means “problem.” : Aywa, ya3ni “moshkelah”.
.”أيوه، يعني “مشكلة
…
Happy learning,
Cleo Lingo