Immersing yourself in Arabic culture is an effective way to learn the language when traveling. You can learn colloquial phrases, how gestures impact meaning, and improve pronunciation. Before joining an Arabic immersion program, learning basic phrases for greetings and getting around will help you navigate interactions with locals. Here are a few practical Arabic phrases for travelers in Cairo:
Daily Greetings
Commonly used phrases like “hello” and “goodbye” are a good starting point if you’re new to Arabic. Learning how to introduce yourself politely allows you to break the ice and creates a chance to progress the conversation. As-salaam Alykum, which means “peace be upon you,” is a general greeting and can also be used as a parting goodbye. The suitable response is Wa ‘alaykum as-salaam, which means “and upon you peace.”
Marhaba is the official way to say “hello,” while ahlan is the informal option. SabaaH Alkhayr is the greeting for “good morning,” and masaa’ alkhayr is for “good evening.” Other greetings you might find in an Arabic immersion program include Kayfa halak, or “How are you?” and Ma ismuka, which is “What is your name?” You can also learn polite expressions, such as:
- Ana ismi: My name is:
- Tasharrafna: It’s a pleasure to meet you
- Ma’a as-salama: Goodbye
- Min faDlak (male) or Min faDlik (female): Please
- Shukran: Thank you
- El-‘afw: You’re welcome
- Na’am: Yes
- Laa: No
- Ana asif (male) or Ana asfa (female): Excuse me or sorry
- Mish fahim (male) or Mish fahma (female): I don’t understand
Getting Around
Getting around Cairo requires learning a few key phrases, such as how to find a bathroom or ask for an item’s price. When asking for help, start your sentence with the phrase feen, which means “where” or Momkin tsaʿedni, meaning “Can you help me?” Learning words for travel, such as otobis for bus, matar for airport, and alfunduq for hotel, helps when trying to reach your destination. Other phrases include:
- Ana muhtaj: I need
- Yalla: Let’s go
- Hal tatakallam al-inglizi: Do you speak English?
- Ana min: I am from
Learning numbers may also make communication easier if you need to call a place or when shopping. Master how to count one through ten, ask for prices, and express where you’ll buy an item. Bikam means “How much is this?” while Mumkin tanzil el-siʿr is “Can you lower the price?” Ghaaly awi means “too expensive,” and Haakhdo is for “I’ll take it.”
Requesting Assistance
Emergencies are unforeseen, but learning a few phrases will enhance communication if you ever need help. A key word for emergencies is Awni, which means “Help!” If you’re sick, use the phrases ana marîḍ for males and ana marîḍa for females. You may also ask for a doctor using the phrase anaa biHaaja ilaa Tabiib. Another phrase for requesting help includes Kallem el-bolees for “Call the police.”
Join an Arabic Immersion Program
Learning Arabic phrases will help enhance your interactions with locals during your visit to Cairo. You can also identify the differences between English transliterations and how native speakers pronounce words. Join an Arabic immersion program today to practice and improve your language skills.
