Talk like an Egyptian
September 21 2006

If you're visiting Egypt, Sarah, our Egypt correspondent, recommends that you know at least a few words of the language.

If you are a tourist in Egypt you will get hassle, it’s inevitable, but it shouldn’t be threatening and most will be very good natured.

Sarah (right) and friend

In the street the best way to deal with things is to lose your manners and keep walking, ignoring them, or just say ‘ La, shokran’. You will get people in the street asking if you want a caleche, which is a horse, drawn carriage, a taxi, or a felluca (which is a sailboat). If you don’t want it, just walk on.

Things you’ll hear all the time:

• La – No
• Aiwa – Yes
• Shokran – Thank you
• Min Fadlak – Please
• Salam – Hello/Peace
• Sabah al Khayr – Good Morning
• Bukra – Tomorrow
• Habibi – my darling
• Gameela – beautiful

By Sarah for Extrageographic, 21 September 2006.

See also: Sarah's Insider guide to Luxor (Extrageographic)