Egypt runs on Egyptian Arabic - the dialect the whole Arab world understands from films and songs. English works at the big sights, hotels and Red Sea resorts, but a few Arabic words change how people treat you: Salam aleikum (peace be upon you) earns a warm "we aleikum es-salam" back, and shukran (thank you) opens every door. Learn aywa (yes), la (no), bekam? (how much?), mumkin (may I?) and law samaht (please) and you are set. For emergencies dial 123 for an ambulance. Prices in bazaars are a negotiation - a smiling "la, shukran" (no, thank you) is the essential survival phrase.
The five phrases that matter most
السلام عليكم
es-sa-LAHM ah-LAY-koom
Hello (peace be upon you)
नमस्ते
لو سمحت
law sa-MAHT
Please
कृपया
شكرا
SHOOK-ran
Thank you
धन्यवाद
لأ شكرا
la SHOOK-ran
No, thank you (to pushy sellers)
नहीं, धन्यवाद
بكام؟
be-KAHM
How much?
कितना?
All the phrases
Greetings and thanks
English
Local script
How to say it
हिन्दी
Hello (peace be upon you)
السلام عليكم
es-sa-LAHM ah-LAY-koom
नमस्ते
Reply to the greeting
وعليكم السلام
we ah-LAY-koom es-sa-LAHM
नमस्ते (उत्तर)
Good morning
صباح الخير
sa-BAH el-KHEHR
सुप्रभात
Good evening
مساء الخير
ma-SAH el-KHEHR
शुभ संध्या
Getting help
English
Local script
How to say it
हिन्दी
Please
لو سمحت
law sa-MAHT
कृपया
Thank you
شكرا
SHOOK-ran
धन्यवाद
Yes
أيوة
AI-wa
हाँ
No
لأ
la
नहीं
Do you speak English?
بتتكلم إنجليزي؟
bet-TET-kel-lem in-GEE-lee-zee
क्या आप अंग्रेज़ी बोलते हैं?
I do not understand
مش فاهم
mish FAH-hem
मैं नहीं समझा/समझी
Food (vegetarian, Jain, allergies)
English
Local script
How to say it
हिन्दी
The bill, please
الحساب لو سمحت
el-he-SAHB law sa-MAHT
बिल लाइए
I am vegetarian
أنا نباتي
ah-nah nah-BAH-tee
मैं शाकाहारी हूँ
Without meat
من غير لحمة
min GHEHR LAH-mah
बिना मांस
Water
مياه
MAI-ya
पानी
Directions and transport
English
Local script
How to say it
हिन्दी
Where is the toilet?
فين الحمام؟
fehn el-ham-MAHM
शौचालय कहाँ है?
Where is...?
فين...؟
fehn
कहाँ है...?
The train station
محطة القطر
ma-HAT-tet el-ATR
रेलवे स्टेशन
Shopping and numbers
English
Local script
How to say it
हिन्दी
No, thank you (to pushy sellers)
لأ شكرا
la SHOOK-ran
नहीं, धन्यवाद
How much?
بكام؟
be-KAHM
कितना?
Too expensive!
غالي أوي
GHAA-lee A-wee
बहुत महंगा!
Emergency
English
Local script
How to say it
हिन्दी
Help!
الحقوني!
il-HA-OO-nee
मदद!
I need a doctor
عايز دكتور
AA-yiz dok-TOR
मुझे डॉक्टर चाहिए
Save or print
Save the top phrases as a picture to send to your parents, or print the whole sheet.
The five phrases that matter most
Hello (peace be upon you) / नमस्ते
السلام عليكم (es-sa-LAHM ah-LAY-koom)
Please / कृपया
لو سمحت (law sa-MAHT)
Thank you / धन्यवाद
شكرا (SHOOK-ran)
No, thank you (to pushy sellers) / नहीं, धन्यवाद
لأ شكرا (la SHOOK-ran)
How much? / कितना?
بكام؟ (be-KAHM)
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Not for survival - the Pyramids, big hotels and Red Sea resorts run on workable English, and guides speak many languages. But five words change the trip: Salam aleikum (hello), shukran (thank you), law samaht (please), bekam? (how much?) and la shukran (no, thank you - essential in bazaars). Egyptians light up when visitors try even a word.
What are the most useful Egyptian Arabic words?
Salam aleikum (the standard greeting everywhere), aywa (yes), la (no), shukran (thank you), law samaht (please/excuse me), bekam? (how much?), maashi (OK/alright) and mumkin (may I?). These are listed above with pronunciations.
Is Egyptian Arabic different from other Arabic?
Yes - Egyptian is its own dialect, understood across the Arab world because of Egypt's films and music. Visitors notice it most in aywa (yes, instead of naam) and bekam (how much). Standard Arabic phrases still work, but Egyptian ones get the smiles.
How do I handle bazaar haggling?
Expect the first price to be a starting offer - halving it is normal and nobody is offended. Stay smiling, say "ghali awi" (too expensive) and walk a step away; the real price appears fast. A friendly "la, shukran" ends conversations you do not want. Fix taxi fares before getting in, or use ride apps in Cairo.
Are signs and menus in English in Egypt?
At the main archaeological sites, airports and bigger hotels, yes - English signs and menus are standard. In local streets and koshari shops, Arabic only, which is where the phrase list and pointing earn their keep. Numbers are the surprise: Egypt uses Eastern Arabic numerals (٠١٢٣٤٥٦٧٨٩) on prices and plates, worth learning from the phrasebook table.
What is the emergency number in Egypt?
Ambulance 123, police 122, tourist police 126. Save your hotel's address in Arabic on your phone for taxi rides, and keep the tourist police number for any hassle at sights.
