Khan El Khalili is one of the most famous places in Cairo. It’s part history, part shopping, and you are missing out if you don’t go at least once. That’s what this blog post is for: everything you need to visit Khan El Khalili in Egyptian Arabic.
Read it, and you’ll have all the vocabulary and phrases you need to bargain like a boss. 🙂
Let’s check it out below…
Some Important Background Of Khan El Khalili
Even if you’ve never actually been there, you’ve most likely heard of Khan El Khalili. Here’s what you need to know:
- It dates back to the 14th century, when it was originally established as a type of roadside inn for traders and travelers
- The marketplace quickly grew into a giant hub of commerce at the heart of Islamic Cairo
- It’s named after the prince Jaharkas El-Khalili
- Over the centuries, it has evolved into a vibrant marketplace full of just about anything you’d want to buy – and still retains that “old world” charm
As for what it actually means?
In Arabic, Khan El Khalili is خان الخليلي.
- Khan / خان : originally a Persian word, khan refers to a type of inn or large building where merchants could rest and store their goods
- El Khalili / الخليلي : refers to Jaharkas El-Khalili (the prince who started it all)
Literally, Khan El Khalili could be translated to mean something like “The Trading Center Of Khalili.”
Khan El Khalili In Egyptian Arabic: Vocabulary
Market (masculine) / markets. : : so2 / aswa2.
.سوق / أسواق
Shop (masculine). : ma7al / ma7allat.
.محل / محلات
Price (masculine). : se3r / as3ar.
.سعر / أسعار
Expensive. : ghali.
.غالي
Cheap. : rakhees.
.رخيص
Discount (masculine). : takhefeed / khasm.
.تخفيض / خصم
Antique (feminine). : to7fa / to7af.
تُحفَة / تـُحـَف.
Spices (masculine). : tawaabel.
.توابل
Khan El Khalili In Egyptian Arabic: Example Phrases
How much is this? : Da bekam?
ده بكام؟
That’s too expensive! : Da ghali awi!
!ده غالي أوي
Can you give me a discount? : Momken te3melly khasm?
ممكن تعملي خصم؟
I just want to look. :
Ana bas 3ayez atfarag. (if you are a man).
.أنا بس عايز أتفرج
Ana bas 3ayza atfarag. (if you are a woman).
.أنا بس عايزة أتفرج
Check out the “Helpful Grammar Concepts” section for more information.
I’ll take it. : Haakhod da.
.هاخد ده
Khan El Khalili In Egyptian Arabic: Common Questions
Do you have this in another color? : 3andak dah beloon tany?
عندك ده بلون تاني؟
What’s the best price? : Eh a7san se3r?
إيه أحسن سعر؟
Is this handmade? : Dah shoghl eed?
ده شغل إيد؟
Can I pay by card? : Momken adfa3 bel kart?
ممكن أدفع بالكارت؟
Where’s the bathroom? : Fein el-7ammam?
فين الحمام؟
Khan El Khalili In Egyptian Arabic: Common Answers
Yes, I have many colors. : Aywa, 3andi alwan ketir.
.أيوه، عندي ألوان كتير
This is the final price. : Dah el-akher se3r.
.ده الآخر سعر
Sorry, cash only. : Asf, na2di bas.
.آسف، نقدي بس
The bathroom is over there. : El-7ammam henaak.
.الحمام هناك
Helpful Grammar Concepts
1) Asking “How much is this?” with “da” and “di”
The word da (ده) means “this” (masculine), and di (دي) means “this” (feminine).
Examples for “How much is this?”
- Da bekam? / ده بكام؟ (for a masculine noun like “shop” / ma7al)
- Di bekam? / دي بكام؟ (for a feminine noun like “antique” / to7fa)
Knowing which to use helps you sound more natural when shopping.
2) The verb “to want” = 3ayez / 3ayza
When saying “I want”, use:
- Ana 3ayez (أنا عايز) → for men
- Ana 3ayza (أنا عايزة) → for women
Examples:
- Ana 3ayez atfarag. : I (masc.) want to look. / .أنا عايز أتفرج)
- Ana 3ayza ashtree dah. : I (fem.) want to buy this. /.أنا عايزة أشتري ده
3) The polite “can you…?” structure = Moomkin + verb
This is how Egyptians make polite requests.
Examples:
Can you give me a discount? : Moomkin te3melly khasm?
ممكن تعملي خصم؟
Can I see other colors? : Momkin ashof alwan tanyah?
ممكن أشوف ألوان تانية؟
It’s a very useful and flexible structure, and usually sounds friendly. We made an entire post about the word moomkin so be sure to check it out!
Example Conversation
Tourist:
How much is this? : Da bekam?
ده بكام؟
Shopkeeper:
It’s 100 pounds. : Dah be meya geneeh.
.ده بـ١٠٠ جنيه
Tourist:
Really expensive! Can you give me a discount? : Ghali awi! Momken te3melly khasm?
غالي أوي! ممكن تعملي خصم؟
Shopkeeper:
Okay just for you, 80. : Tab 3ashan 3oyoonak, be tamanen.
.طب عشان عيونك، بـ٨٠
Tourist:
Nice, I’ll take it. Can I pay by card? : 7elw, haakhod da. Momken adfa3 bel karta?
حلو، هاخد ده. ممكن أدفع بالكارت؟
Shopkeeper:
No, sorry. Cash only. : La2, asf. Na2di bas.
.لأ، آسف. نقدي بس
Helpful Resources
Here are a few resources that will help you if you are visiting Khan El Khalili in Egyptian Arabic:
- Egyptian “Ahwa”: How To Order At An Egyptian Cafe
- How To Bargain In Egyptian Arabic
- How To Order Shisha In Egyptian Arabic
- Egypt’s Most Vibrant Market
Culture Corner
Visiting Khan El Khalili isn’t just about shopping – it’s also about enjoying the atmosphere.
One of the best ways to do that is by sitting down, doing a little people watching, and sipping on tea. And if you’re going to do that…
We recommend El Fishawy. This is an old cafe (open for over 200 years) that has been a gathering spot for tons of people throughout the years. Check it out!
…
Happy learning,
Cleo Lingo
