How to Rent a Felucca in Egyptian Arabic

When you think of Egypt, you likely think of the Nile. That’s why knowing how to rent a felucca in Egypt is so important.

It’s fun, relaxing, and let’s you experience a part of Egypt you might otherwise just see in a taxi.

Plus, especially during the summer, it just feels really good. And the Nile River, as polluted as it may be sometimes, is really quite beautiful.

What’s not to like?!

Today, Cleo Lingo will be explaining….how to rent a felucca in Egypt.

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Phrases To Rent A Felucca in Egypt

Hi, I want to rent a feluca. : “suLAWM awLAYkome, Ana EYEizz uhUHgrr fuhLOOkuh.”

.سلام عليكم, انا عايز اجر فالوكة

How much is a felucca / per hour? : “beeKEHM illSEH’aw?”

بكام الساعة؟

First thing you need to know: these guys are everywhere.

Go to the river (obviously, dummy) and you will see guys with boats, usually wearing ghalibiyas. Probably, they will be shouting English at you to get your interest.

One tip: get the felucas without a motor. The ones that only have the sail are calmer and cleaner, and will also to save the environment.

That’s too expensive! : “Daw GHEHlee OWee!”

!ده غالي قوي

Can we get a cheaper price? : “YENfaw / MOOMkin YEHBaw AREkhuss khehduh?”

ممكن يبقى ارخص من كده؟

Remember, Egyptians don’t say the “qaff” usually.

Ok, that’s good. When do we leave? : “tawMEHM, huhNUHtuhHAWRick EMtuh?”

تمام, هنتحرك امتى؟

This (as well as below) is an example of how to to future tense in Egyptian.

Forgotten how?

Knowing how to bargain in Egyptian Arabic is essential in Cairo.

Some Extra Questions You Might Ask

Can we drink beer on the felucca? : “MOOmkin NEHshrub BEEruh fee feLOOkuh?”

ممكن نشرب بيرة في الفالوكة؟

And if you’ve forgotten how to buy beer in the first place?

It always helps to know how to deal with those pesky questions at Drinkies.

Yeah, we get it: Tarek and I are alcoholics.

But this is a very honest question, and in a place like Egypt, it can’t hurt to ask.

99 percent of the time they will say yes. They want your money.

Just don’t be a douche and throw your bottles into the river.

The Nile is polluted enough as it is!

Where are you taking us? : “hehtwuhDEEnuh awluh FANE?”

هتودينا على فين؟

Is there enough room? : “FEE mihKEHN kihFAYuh?”

في مكان كفاية؟

Can I kiss my girlfriend / boyfriend? : “MOOMkin awBOOS sawhBEHtee?

ممكن ابوس صاحبتي؟

Another serious question.

Can’t hurt to ask.

We want to go to…. : “EYEihZEEN nawROOH…”

…عايزين نروح

Not that this really matters. Most likely he will just take you to the middle of the river and you will float there.

This is actually pretty cool.

Can you play some music? : “MOOMkin TAWshuhGHEHLL mooZEEkuh?”

ممكن تشغل مزيكا؟

Can you turn down / off the music? : “MOOMkin tuhWUHtee SHWAYuh? Moomkin TEH’fill elmooZEEkuh?”

ممكن توطي شوية؟ ممكن تقفل المزيكا

When you rent a felucca in Egypt, quite often, your felucca guy is going to have a radio of some sort.

Usually, he will be playing shaabi music.

Shaabi music, for those who don’t know, is basically “ghetto love music” that minibus drivers just LOVE to play.

If you want a true “Egypt” experience, give it a try.

If it kills your eardrums, though, he won’t mind turning it off.

Go a little faster / slower. : “MOOMkin tuhSAWruh / tuhHEHduh SHWAYuh?”

ممكن تسرع شوية؟

ممكن تهدي شوية؟

Only applicable if you are actually moving.

If you want to feel the wind in your face, this is a solid question to ask.

After You Rent a Felucca in Egypt

Let’s go back. : “YAWluh NAIRguh?”

يلا نرجع؟

Can we have a little longer? We need an extra half an hour. : “MOOmkin NAWuhd SHWAYuh kuhMEHN? EYEihZEEN NUSS’SEHaw kuhMEHN.”

.ممكن نقعد شوية كمان؟ عايزين نص ساعة كمان

Depending on your experience up to this point, the 30 minutes / one hour might be too long or too short.

Just keep in mind: if you are already agreed to a price, going back earlier than planned won’t get you a discount.

If you want more….that’s what money can buy.

That was great. Thank you. : “KEHnit HEHLwuh OWee. shoKRAWN.”

كانت حلوة قوي. شكرا

Always nice to express your appreciation.

That said, it’s difficult for a boat driver to give you a bad feluca experience.

Really all he is doing is taking you out on the river and then taking you back to shore.

Unless he is stealing your beer and hitting on your girlfriend, there’s not a whole lot of things he can mess up.

It’s really on you to enjoy yourself.

We will each pay….. : “KOLE WAHduh FEEnuh heyeYEHDfuh…”

…كل واحد فينا هيدفع

Just in case he isn’t aware you are splitting the bill with your friends.

Our tip?

Pay in full, and figure it out with everyone once you are off the boat.

Do you have change? : “MAWuck FEHKuh?”

معاك فكة؟

Surprise, surprise.

This is Egypt.

He probably doesn’t.

Cultural Insight

While you as a foreigner are probably going to get your own felucca (the fancy pants that you are), it’s quite common for Egyptians to share a felucca with a bunch of strangers.

You might see this when you are out there yourself, with one of the huge boats holding several groups that, in their seclusion, seem to not know each other.

That’s because they don’t.

This ends up driving the price down to something like 5 Egyptian pounds per person.

Try it if you want….although the felucca guy will probably insist on you having your own so he can drive up the price!

Good luck with all your feluca parties! 🙂

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Happy learning,

Cleo Lingo