If you are spending any time in Cairo, learning how to visit the pyramids in Egyptian Arabic is important.
Not only is it one of the most touristic spots in the world – but you don’t want to get overcharged. And in Egypt, getting overcharged is pretty much everywhere.
Today’s phrases will help you. It’s a guide to getting to the pyramids, navigating your way with tickets, and leaving with a taxi – all while enjoying just how cool it is to be there.
Today, Cleo Lingo will be explaining…. how to visit the pyramids in Egyptian Arabic.
Vocabulary To Visit the Pyramids in Egyptian Arabic
Getting to the Pyramids in Egyptian Arabic
First, you should know how to get a taxi in Egyptian Arabic. That will help you with some of the more basic phrases.
I want to go to the pyramids. : EYEizz awROOHH elAWhhuhruhMAWT.
عايز اروح الاهرامات
Do you know how I get to the pyramids? : TAW’ruff awROOHH elAWhhuhruhMAWT eeZAY?
تعرف اروح الأهرامات ازاي؟
Do you know the direction? : TAW’ruff eltawREE?
تعرف الطريق؟
Entrance at the Pyramids
When you try to visit the pyramids in Egyptian Arabic, the tickets can be quite confusing. No shame switching to English here – want to be sure that you’re actually getting the right one!
How much is entrance? : beeKEHM eldawKHOOL?
بكام الدخول؟
Do I need the passport? : mehhTAWG elbassPOOR?
محتاج الباسبور؟
How much is a ticket? : beeKEHM eltawzzKAWruh?
بكام التذكرة؟
Is this the cheapest ticket? : DEE AREkhawss tawzzKAWruh?
دي ارخص تذكرة؟
Is entrance inside the pyramid allowed with this ticket? : YEHNfaw’ eldawKHOOL elHAWrum bell-tawzzKAWruh DEE?
ينفع ادخل جوة الهرم بالتذكرة دي؟
Take a picture of me with the Sphinx : sowwWARnee MAW’ AWboo elHOOL?
.صورني مع ابو الهول
Yup – that’s how different the word for “Sphinx” is in Egyptian Arabic!
While at the Pyramids
It could help here to understand how to bargain in Egyptian Arabic. This will ensure you have a few phrases in your back pocket if somebody tries to overcharge you (which will 100 percent happen).
Just remember – you don’t have to buy anything if you don’t want to!
I don’t want anything. : MISH EYEizz HHAWgaw.
.مش عايز حاجة
Everything is good, thanks. : KOOloo tawMEHM, shoKRAWN.
.كله تمام، شكرا
I don’t want / want to ride a camel. : Ana MISH / EYEizz AREkubb GEHmll.
.انا مش عايز اركب جمل
.انا عايز اركب جمل
Can you please take a picture of us? : MOOMkin TEHsawWEARnuh LOH suhMAWHHT?
ممكن تصورنا لو سمحت؟
I don’t want to buy anything. : MISH EYEizz ehSHTEHree HHAWguh.
.مش عايز اشتري حاجة
Can I buy water? : MOOMkin ehSHTEHree MEYEyuh?
ممكن اشتري ماية؟
Is there a bathroom here? : FEE hhawMEHM HEHnuh?
في حمام هنا؟
Is my ticket needed (Lit: Need the ticket)? : mehhTEHG eltuzzKAWruh?
محتاج التذكرة؟
This last phrase could basically be used for “Do I need my ticket?” or “Do you need my ticket?”
Good to know – they actually check!
Some General Advice on Visiting the Pyramids
If you are going to try to visit the pyramids in Egyptian Arabic, we’ve also got some general advice for you. Here are some important things to remember when then.
- Vendors at the pyramids tend to be a bit “pushier” than other places – and that’s really saying something in Egypt. Just keep it in mind when going there.
- There’s not really easy access to bathrooms while visiting. You would think that the Egyptian government would put toilets everywhere, but that’s just not the case.
- The harassment isn’t the best. 🙁 Most especially if you are a woman. Something to remember when dressing for the trip.
- Different tickets will allow you to do different things, and can be quite confusing about which one you are actually buying. Just ask the ticket guy, or simply ask another foreigner.
- Getting out of the area and going back to your hotel can be quite the hassle. Plus, taxi drivers will charge you through the roof for a ride. Best to simply have somebody waiting for you, or to order an Uber ahead of time.
Expressing Your Feelings About the Pyramids in Egyptian Arabic
Back to some important phrases. Here are some things you can say about the pyramids in Egyptian Arabic if you want to express your opinion.
They look very good / great. : shchKLOHhome HHEHloo OWee.
.شكلهم حلو قوي
They are very big. : DOOL kohBAR OWee.
.دول كبار قوي
I cannot believe that I am here! : MISH mooSEHdaw EHnee HEHnuh!
.مش مصدق اني هنا
Leaving the Pyramids in Egyptian Arabic
Where is the exit? : FANE elkhawROOG?
فين الخروج؟
I want a taxi. : EYEizz TAWKsee.
.عايز تاكسي
I can call an Uber if the taxi is that expensive. : Ana MOOMkin awKEHlum OObrr low elTAKsee GHAWlee KHEduh.
.انا ممكن اكلم اوبر لو التاكسي غالي كده
Know how to order an Uber in Egypt as a backup plan. (reference post)
Cultural Insight
Today I just want to share a personal opinion. Not really anything specific about Egyptian culture, but more of “something I tell anybody who asks.”
The pyramids are better than you imagine, and the Sphinx is worse than you imagine. It’s something I’ve heard a million times, and something I myself 100 percent agree with.
The pyramids are just amazing. Absolutely massive, and difficult to believe ANYBODY actually building them….let alone people 5,000 years ago.
The Sphinx? Yeah, well…..kinda lame. It’s disappointingly small, and half of its nose is falling off.
But you’ll just have to experience that for yourself.
Good luck riding (or not riding) camels. 🙂
…
Happy learning,
Cleo Lingo
