Famous words and famous dishes
The words you will hear every day in Egypt, and the dishes every Egyptian will ask if you have tried.
Words you will hear everywhere
The most Egyptian word of all: to start a trip, hurry a friend or end a chat.
Said about anything in the future, from “see you tomorrow” to “the bus will come”.
For small mistakes, bumps in the street or a delay. Smile and say it back.
Use it to stop a seller politely or to say something is finished.
A compliment for a beautiful view, a baby, a meal or a new car.
Warm and friendly, used between friends and family all day long.
The classic Egyptian answer. Things usually do work out.
For slow driving, small portions or when you are learning Arabic.
Offering a seat, tea or food. To a woman: “Etfaddali”.
The normal answer to “How are you?”.
Agreeing to a price, a time or a plan.
Egyptians say “g” where other Arabs say “j”: gameel, not jameel.
“Fein el-hammam?” = Where is the toilet?
In cafés and restaurants. To a woman: “law samahti”.
Women say “mesh fahma”. People will switch to English or use gestures.
Said when food is served. Answer: “Allah yehanneek”.
Useful phrases
| English | Arabic | Say it | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hello (peace be with you) | السلام عليكم | Salam aleikum | Answer: 'Aleikum el salam' |
| Hi / welcome | أهلا / أهلا وسهلا | Ahlan / Ahlan wa sahlan | You will hear it everywhere |
| Good morning | صباح الخير | Sabah el kheir | Reply: 'Sabah el nour' |
| Good evening | مساء الخير | Masa' el kheir | Reply: 'Masa' el nour' |
| Thank you (very much) | شكرا (جزيلا) | Shukran (gazilan) | The most useful word! |
| Please | لو سمحت | Law samaht | 'Law samahti' to a woman |
| Yes / No | أيوه / لأ | Aywa / La' | |
| No, thank you | لأ شكرا | La' shukran | Polite way to refuse sellers |
| Sorry / excuse me | آسف / بعد إذنك | Asef / Ba'd eznak | |
| How are you? | إزيك؟ | Ezzayak? (m) / Ezzayek? (f) | Reply: 'Kwayes, el hamdulillah' |
| Goodbye | مع السلامة | Ma'a el salama | |
| How much? | بكام؟ | Bekam? | |
| Too expensive! | غالي أوي | Ghali awi! | Say it with a smile |
| Last price? | آخر كلام؟ | Akher kalam? | Bazaars only |
| I'm just looking | بتفرج بس | Batfarrag bas | |
| OK / fine | ماشي / تمام | Mashi / Tamam | |
| Water | ميه | Mayya | |
| Without sugar / little sugar | من غير سكر / سكر خفيف | Min gheir sokkar / Sokkar khafif | Egyptian tea is very sweet |
Famous Egyptian food
Street food & classics
Koshary
كشريRice, lentils, pasta & chickpeas with tomato sauce and crispy onions
Ful medames
فول مدمسSlow-cooked fava beans with oil, cumin, lemon
Ta'ameya
طعميةEgyptian falafel made with fava beans, green herbs
Hawawshi
حواوشيBread stuffed with spiced minced meat, baked crispy
Feteer meshaltet
فطير مشلتتFlaky layered pastry with honey, cheese or meat
Aish shamsi
عيش شمسيSun-risen sourdough bread of Upper Egypt
Home cooking & feasts
Molokhia
ملوخيةJute-leaf soup with garlic, served with rice, chicken or rabbit
Mahshi
محشيVegetables & vine leaves stuffed with herbed rice
Fatta
فتةRice & crispy bread with garlic-vinegar sauce and meat
Hamam mahshi
حمام محشيPigeon stuffed with spiced freekeh or rice
Tagines (tawagen)
طواجنClay-pot stews of meat, okra or vegetables
Kebda eskandarani
كبدة إسكندرانيSpicy liver strips with chili & garlic in bread
Sea, desert & regional
Sayadeya
صياديةFish on caramelised onion brown rice
Fresh fish by weight
سمك مشويChoose your fish, grilled or fried, with salads & tahini
Zarb
زربBedouin meat & vegetables cooked underground
Abu mardam
أبو مردمMeat buried and cooked in hot sand
Nubian cuisine
أكل نوبيOkra (bamia), gourrassa bread, lentils, grilled fish
Fesikh
فسيخFermented salted grey mullet
Dates & olives
بلح وزيتونOrganic dates, olives and olive oil
Mangoes
مانجوSome of the world's best mangoes
Sweets & drinks
Om Ali
أم عليBread pudding with milk, nuts and raisins
Konafa & basbousa
كنافة وبسبوسةSyrup pastries with nuts, cream or semolina cake
Roz bel laban
رز باللبنRice pudding with cinnamon
Karkadeh
كركديهHibiscus drink, hot or iced
Sugarcane juice
عصير قصبFreshly pressed sugarcane
Sahlab
سحلبHot milky drink with nuts & coconut
Mint tea & Turkish coffee
شاي بالنعناع وقهوةThe daily ritual in every café