Ultimate Egypt travel guide compilation
Arabic 101 For Egypt Visitors (Egypt travel)
If you want to travel to Egypt (Egypt travel) but don’t speak Arabic, I have good and bad news for you. First, bad news: Arabic is extremely difficult. There’s a completely different alphabet, phonetic sounds that have no English equivalent, and words that change their meaning completely with just a slightly different accent on the pronunciation (I can’t tell you how many times I’ve asked someone where their “pigeon” is when I meant to ask where to find a bathroom). Indeed, Arabic consistently ranks second on lists of the most difficult languages for English speakers to learn. But don’t worry, there is some good news, too! Egyptians realize that their language is difficult, and as a result, they are often
1) tolerant of poor pronunciation and
2) excited to hear guests attempt to utilize it!
More good news.
English is fairly widely spokenand comprehended in Egypt. (Many people speak and understand French.) Those employed in the travel and tourism sector, such as hotels, restaurants, large stores and stops, and so on, are more likely to speak fluent or near-fluent English.Most street people, small-business owners, and taxi drivers know a little bit of English and are willing to brush up on it (often to the cost of prospective Arabic learners!).
Egypt travel guide register now
With that in mind, here are a few helpful words and phrases in Egyptian Arabic that you should master before your trip!
Assalamu alaykum This is a Egyptian greetings in their customary form. React by “Wa alaykum asalam.
” Ma asalama A typical Egyptian goodbye…”Bye-bye” works too! Coming and going, Arabic speakers literally wish each other peace (salam). So, even if you don’t remember the entire phrase, a salutation, a wave, and a smile will usually suffice.
In terms of greeting gestures,
Egyptians typically greet one another with a “double kiss” on the cheeks, one on each side. (This is not a cheek kiss..) Similar to the air adjacent to the cheeks when they touch). Men greet men and women greet women in this manner; normally, men and women do not greet each other in this manner unless they are very familiar with one another.
As a foreigner, you will not be expected to initiate greetings and can simply shake hands. However, if someone extends a double kiss in greeting, be ready and prevent that awkward situation where someone advances for a traditional kiss and you only reach halfway for a handshake, realize at the last minute that something awkward is going to happen, move in closer to perhaps try a kiss, panic, and stop mid-gesture, leaving the other person awkwardly standing there. (Once more) I’ve been in this situation more than I’d like to admit!)
Egypt travel guide register now
Welcome, Ahlan wa sahlan. The word “welcome” is used just as frequently as “hello” in an Egyptian greeting. When entering a store or restaurant, walking down the street, or getting into a car, foreigners can anticipate hearing “welcome to Egypt.” It will always be with you! It is natural for someone who knows no other English word to be able to say “welcome to Egypt,” therefore learning the Arabic equivalent is only appropriate! When someone says “Ahlan wa Sahlan,” which means “welcome to Egypt” in Arabic, respond with Ahlan Beek for men and Ahlan bee-kee for women. They will be ecstatic!
Make sure to learn
Shokran. Shokran means “thank you.” (The response is Afwan; you’re welcome). But, aside from showing off your good manners, shokran can also be a highly practical method of gently but firmly refusing to purchase, gaze upon, consume, or take anything you do not desire. You’ll soon find that any refusal in English is taken as an invitation to continue, particularly with street vendors. interacting with you. A firm shokran, on the other hand, is more likely to convey the disinterested message quickly.
InShahAllah
This is probably the most common phrase you will hear in Arabic, along with shokran and “welcome to Egypt.” You can anticipate hearing it when inquiring about meeting times, opening and closing hours (we will return at 3 p.m., insha’Allah); the estimated time of travel (just one hour, insha’Allah); and whether a car is traveling in the correct direction (yes, we are heading in the correct direction, insha’Allah). actually in any sentence that uses a future tense conjugation of the verb.
This expression literally means “if God is willing,” which can be a lovely acknowledgement as well as a reminder of how the Almighty be seen and felt in all facets of daily existence. Nevertheless, there’s a joke that claims these are actually equivalent to an Arabic passive “no”—that is, “don’t I’m too nice to tell you that this thing you want will never happen, but be ridiculous.
Directions
Yameen’s interpretation Meaning of Right Shemal Straight is meant by left
Alatool.This is the meaning of henna.
heNEK signifying that
Often Heard
Mashi, or simply “mesh,” denotes “okay” or “that’s okay.”
Izayak? meaning: How are you? Izayik (to a woman) / (to a guy).
Qwayes definition: well
Kolo / Tamem Tamam means “fine” or “everything is okay.”
Meaning of shweya: a little (sometimes used twice (in the phrase “shweya shweya”).
Meaning of Kateer: a lot
Kefeya means sufficient.
Khalas, which means “enough” or “stop,” can be spoken firmly if the previous polite “shokran” didn’t work.
Egypt travel guide register now
Counts
This serves only as a reference for the inquisitive and the overachievers! Fear not: Arabic numerals and, well, the Western equivalent of Arabic numerals are typically used to identify prices and currency. Remember to give credit to the Arabic-speaking community for the development of the current numbering system!
Numbers
Π 0 Sifr \ One waaHid, two ithnaan, three thalaatha, four arbaa, five khamsa, six sitta, seven sabaa, and eight thamaaniya 9 tisaa 10 aashara
Even though it was enjoyable to place this blog post together, we really hope you enjoyed reading it. If you would like to interact with others or ask us any questions,
Egypt travel guide register now
