Egyptian

In Egyptian Arabic, the greeting for Christmas is عيد ميلاد مجيد (eid milad magid), used by Egypt’s Christian community.

The everyday “hi” in Egyptian Arabic is أهلاً (ahlan). Young people also say هاي (hāy), borrowed from English, and إزيك (izzayyak) asks “how are you”.

In Egyptian Arabic a star in the sky is نجمة (nigma). The plural is نجوم (nugūm).

In Egyptian Arabic, ‘hi, how are you’ said to a male is أهلا، إزيك؟ (ahlan, izzayak?). Said to a female, it becomes ahlan, izzayek?

The standard way to say goodbye in Egyptian Arabic is مع السلامة (maʿa s-salāma), “with safety”.

In Egyptian Arabic, ‘beautiful’ describing something masculine is جميل (gameel). Describing something feminine, it is جميلة (gamila).

In Egyptian Arabic, ‘okay’ is ماشي (mashi). Just as common is تمام (tamam), ‘fine’ or ‘perfect’, used the same way to agree to something or accept a plan.

In Egyptian Arabic, “dumb” in the sense of silly is عبيط (abeet). The word أهبل (ahbal) is also common. Both are insulting if said seriously.

In Egyptian Arabic “right” meaning “correct” is صح (ṣaḥḥ). For the direction, “right” is يمين (yimīn).

In Egyptian Arabic, “boss” is ريس (rayyis) in everyday talk. At an office the formal word is مدير (mudir), “manager”.