“Yalla, yalla, Habibi” (“Let’s go, darling ones”)

There is a Czech proverb:  You live a new life for every new language you speak.

Locals always appreciate when a tourist takes time to learn a few words in the mother tongue of their country.  In Egypt, this means Arabic — specifically, Modern Standard Arabic (roughly equivalent to “the King’s English”).  It’s not a romance language, so there are no words in common with English, except of course those borrowed from English!  Although Arabic is an ancient language, many of the sounds are familiar to western ears.  According to Wikipedia Arabic script is the second most commonly used alphabet after the Latin alphabet (used in English, French, German, Spanish…). Take a look at the phrases below in preparation for your Egypt trip.

hello — Salaam (or Asalaam wa Alaykum)
yes — Aiwa (or na’an)
no — Laa
Good morning. — Sabah al kayir.
Good evening. — Masah al kayir.
How are you? — Keef haluk?
Praise be to Allah (idiomatic for “I am fine”) — Al hamdu lillah
I am fine, thanks  — Ana bikhayr, shokran
Let’s go!  — Yalla
Dear one/beloved/friends — Habibi
today — il-yoom
tomorrow — bookra
thank you — Shokran (or Shokrun)
you’re welcome  — Ahf-wahn
What’s your name?  — Aysh ismuk?
My name is <John>  — Ismee <John>
Do you speak <English>? —  Titakellem <ingleezi>?
I don’t speak Arabic. — Ana laa atakellem al arabi.
Where are you from? — Inta min weyn?
I am from <America>.  — Ana min <Umreeka>.
Goodbye — Maa-salamah

What other useful phrases should we share with readers?