Donya malhesh aman!
This is a world weary expression of woe that literally means “life is not safe.” Saying this will definitely catch people off guard and see you as not just the average tourist. This should be said with your best sad face and maybe a tear in your eye.
Ana badfah keda kol marra.
You will probably be lying when you say this phrase, but it is a very useful one to have in your arsenal. It means “I pay this way every time.” Say this when you are confident that you are being overcharged, and, as a foreigner in Egypt, you will be. In place of “keda,” you can also insert the number that you would like to pay.
Ana mish agnabee.
Another lie. This one will probably be said in conjunction with the phrase above and it means “I am not a foreigner.” Say this when you are trying to get the Egyptian price instead of the tourist rate anywhere. It will be met with a laugh or at least a chuckle if your target has a sense of humor. However, there is always the chance that irritation or confusion will occur instead. Say it with a smile and a firm tone.
Keda / mish keda / lay keda?
Keda and the expressions that go with are some of the most heard phrases in Arabic. Keda means “this,” mish keda means “not this,” and lay keda means “why are you doing this?” or “why is it like this?” A simple keda or mish keda is useful in many situations. A bewildered taxi driver will turn to you and say just keda to ask if he is going the right way. In a restaurant or a shop these phrases can help you pick out what you want and even haggle for the price.
Ha-olak haga!
In Egypt people will tell you that they are going to tell you something before they say it. That is what this expression is for. It literally means “let me tell you something” and you will hear it before any important piece of information or advice. Inserting this before the same when you speak will make people listen closely to what you are about to say.
Low samaht, mateshrabsh el sagayer hinna.
“Please don’t smoke.” Smoking is as common as chewing gum in Egypt. A pack of cigarettes is only 10LE, that’s less than 2 USD, so everybody smokes everywhere. People will light up in the taxi, the mall, around children, any restaurants, and, of course, in coffee shops. They will offer you a cigarette, but generally not ask if it bothers you. This can be a problem if you are traveling from a place where smoking is limited in public spaces. This is a polite way to try to protect yourself from secondhand smoke.
Egyptians will be welcoming with or without an attempt to speak Arabic, but an effort to speak their language can open many doors. As a tourist, you may also feel more comfortable if you can speak for yourself instead of letting someone else translate for you.