Getting your phone working is one of the most important things you can do in Cairo. It enables you to network with other foreigners at fancy Zamalek parties, to order Uber straight to your door, and to mindlessly scroll through Tinder interests while avoiding conversation with the taxi driver.
For a busy expat like you, a SIM card with data and minutes for calling might very well be the key to a functioning social life.
But how to do it? Where do you go, and what do you say? What can you expect to be paying every month, and how do you avoid getting ripped off? These are all valid questions, and we have some answers.
Today, Cleo Lingo will be explaining…….how to get your phone up and running in Cairo.
Vocabulary
First off, it’s important to know that there are a few main phone companies in Cairo:
Vodafone
Orange
TE Data
While there are no substantial differences in price or quality between these companies, I can personally vouch for Vodafone. I used them the entire time I lived in Cairo, and never had any major problems.
Number. : “RAWkem”
رقم
In the majority of phone centers, they will have a little booth where you take your number for the line. This is how they keep order amongst a bunch of people pissed off about non-functioning phones. Like most things, it’s best to go right after they open or right before they close.
Go ahead, can I help you? / Do you want help? : “ehtFUHthdll, moomkin ihSAW’duck? / EYEizz mooSAW’duh?”
اتفضل, ممكن اساعدك؟ / عايز مساعدة؟
This is likely what you will be asked if they ask you anything. Usually, it’s as simple as your number being called (hold onto that ticket), you walking up to the counter, and telling the guy what you want. In any case, here is what you are after:
I am new here. I want to get a SIM card. : “Ana guhDEED hehnuh. EYEizz ehshtEHree khut.”
.انا جديد هنا, عايز اشتري خط
We’ll just come out and say it: the majority of Egyptians working at these centers will be able to speak English. They are typically young, highly educated, and have language skills to back it up. If you want to conduct the majority of your phone appointment in English, we won’t blame you.
Best to be prepared though. I once went to a Vodafone store around closing time and was greeted by a guy that didn’t speak a word of English. There was nobody there but us, and it was a great opportunity to practice Arabic in a low-stress environment.
Your passport, please. : “Elpassport bihTAW’ck lo sumAWHT.”
.الباسبور بتاعك لو سمحت
I am from……. here you go. : “Ana men…..ehtFUHthdll.”
.انا من ….اتفضل
They will ask you r you and eveعايز مساعدة؟rt if you are a foreigner. No worries, as this is standard practice. They just need a copy for their records, and will usually scan it and hand it back to you in thirty seconds or less.
Pick a number. / Pick a number from these. : “EKHtar rawkehm. / EKHtar rawkem men dool.”
اختار رقم. / اختار رقم من دول
Usually they will pull out a little box of SIM cards that they have available. They will all have different numbers, and you will get to choose which one you prefer. If you are a weirdo and you actually have a preference, take a minute or two to check them out and then one set one aside.
If you are an average human being that couldn’t care less what your Egyptian phone number is, here’s what you can say.
There’s no difference. / Whatever. : “MIsh FAWruh….EYEuh haga. / AWdee. EYEuh haga.”
مش فارقة..اي حاجة. / عادي. اي حاجة
We have seen “awdee” before. It’s important to keep in mind that this is a word that pops up a lot. It has a ton of different meanings, with a ton of different of different appropriate contexts. It can also mean “normal”, “whatever”, or even “chill out and stop worrying about when the pizza guy is getting here”, among other things. When picking a number in Cairo, it means “whatever.”
We will be going over the different uses of the word “haga” in a future post.
I want internet data. : “Ana EYEizz internet data.”
انا عايز انترنت داتا
I want to buy some credit. : “EYEizz ehshTEhree rawSEED.”
.عايز اشتري رصيد
Assuming you already have a SIM card, here are the two main things you are after. We know you are probably a tech genius, but just in case this is your first rodeo, here’s some advice.
Data: this will allow you to use the internet without a wifi connection.
Credit: basically recharging your phone “minutes” when setting up your phone in Cairo.
How much data per month do you want? : “EYEizz data awd’ AY feelSHAWhrr?”
عايز داتا قد ايه في الشهر؟
This will vary from person to person. The majority of my data usage that I used in Cairo was due to WhatsApp. This is the messaging app 99% of Egyptians will use, and it doesn’t used much data at all. If you are a Facebook junkie, scale up accordingly. Data packages will cost you anywhere from 25 to 200 Egyptian pounds/month.
In this phrase (and many others), “awd’ AY” literally means “how much.”
What do you have? : “AWNduck ay?”
عندك ايه؟
This is the ever-present question you use to get something. It’s everywhere from restaurant orders to familial requests.
I want to call my friend and use WhatsApp. : EYEizz awKEHlmm SAWhuhbee wuh uhSTUKH’dehm whatss.”
.عايز اكلم صحابي و استخدم واتس
This is some extra information that you can throw out just to be absolutely sure the guy knows what you want. Foreigners usually all get the same sort of thing, so he will probably know exactly what to give you (Egyptians call WhatsApp “whatss”). Extra information can’t hurt, though, especially if he asks you something like:
What do you want? / What will you use it for? : “ENtuh EYEizz ay? / “HutuhSTAKHuhDEmoo fee ay?”
انت عايز ايه؟ / هتستخدمه في ايه؟
Once you have your SIM card picked out and you’ve told him how much data/credit you want, he might ask for your phone number.
What’s your number? : “RAWkumuck kehm?”
رقمك كام؟
My number is…. : “RAWkumee…”
….رقمي
This is so he has a working number to send the data/minutes to. After this, he needs to check some stuff (highly scientific, we know).
Can I have your phone, please? : “MOOmkin tellyFONEuck loh suhMAWht?”
ممكن تليفونك لو سمحت؟
He’s not trying to steal your phone and run out the door, but pressing some buttons. Usually, there is a text message that gets sent to your phone once the purchase has gone through. This is a confirmation text message that indicates you will, in fact, be able to use your data.
Go ahead. There is a message, or what? : “ehtFUHthdll….fee ruhSEHluck wawluh ay?”
اتفضل..في رسالة ولا ايه؟
This is after he has asked, and shows how knowledgeable you are about the process.
That’s good. It’s working. : “TawMEHM KEHduh. EhshTUgll.”
.تمام كده. اشتغل
Unless there is some horrible problem with your phone, the text message will pop up shortly after. The guy (or woman, but usually a guy) will press some things, and then you are usually done. The process of adding date or credit to your cell phone (assuming you have already switched SIM cards) only takes a few minutes.
After he smiles and hands back your phone, you can ask him:
Is that it? : “KhuhLAWss KEHduh?”
خلاص كده؟
Memorize this one quick. It’s everywhere.
Usually it is enough. Unless he asks you another question you have seen before:
Do you want anything else? : “EYEizz EYEuh haga TEHnee?”
عايز اي حاجة تاني؟
Pay him, and then you are on your way. Setting up your new SIM card and adding data/flex to is super easy in Cairo. It’s almost always “pay as you go” with new complicated contracts needed. If you’ve got the money, they’ve got the goods.
Culture Corner
The way your data package works will be pretty standard practice. You will either have to “top it off” at the end of the month, or when your data runs out. Whichever comes first. What we’ve just described to you is the way things work when you go to a physical location. And indeed, this is how it has to work at the beginning. Physical phone carrier locations are the only place you can buy a new SIM card and get data/flex started.
That being said, there’s an easier way. We’ve talked before about the miracle that is the Egyptian koshk. It’s the perfect place to go for refreshments, and acts as a savior of sorts when you are drunkenly stumbling home looking for a snack.
It’s also a carrier of “phone cards.” These are essentially “refill scratch offs.” You pay the koshk guy the amount that you want (plus a little extra as tax) and he will hand you either a 10, 25, or 50 LE card. You scratch the back off and follow the instructions, and you are good to go. The credit you buy can either be used towards data or your minutes.
This saves a lot of time, and has the potential to make your life much less stressful. Next time you are at a koshk, maybe you have something to buy besides your typical bags of cookies.
And as a final note, if you are REALLY lazy: use the “Ana Vodafone” mobile app. You can do anything and everything regarding getting internet data and credit through the app. Only catch is you need a credit card.
Good luck with all those WhatsApp conversations. 🙂
……
Happy learning,
Cleo Lingo
