أهلا بيك في مصر
ahlan bīk fi Maṣrto a man, Egyptian
To say "Welcome to Egypt" in Egyptian Arabic, tell a man أهلا بيك في مصر (ahlan bīk fi Maṣr), a woman أهلا بيكي في مصر (ahlan bīki fi Maṣr) and a group أهلا بيكم في مصر (ahlan bīkum fi Maṣr).
Meaning: greeting for a visitor arriving in Egypt (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Egyptian | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| أهلا بيك في مصر | ahlan bīk fi Maṣr | to a man, Egyptian |
| أهلا بيكي في مصر | ahlan bīki fi Maṣr | to a woman, Egyptian |
| أهلا بيكم في مصر | ahlan bīkum fi Maṣr | to a group, Egyptian |
Egyptians say it to tourists at the airport, in hotels and in shops. Visitors who try a few words of Egyptian Arabic are often thanked with a big smile.
Is it said differently in some regions?
Egyptians call their country مصر (Maṣr), and the same word is also used for Cairo in everyday talk.
When do people say it?
Another common line for guests is نورت مصر (nawwart Maṣr), "you lit up Egypt".
Did you know?
- The Arabic name مصر (Maṣr) has been used for Egypt for many centuries, and it is the same word in Egyptian speech for the whole country.
Examples in context
- أهلا بيكم في مصر، نورتوا.ahlan bīkum fi Maṣr, nawwartu.Welcome to Egypt, you light up the place.
Example conversation
Taxi driver Mahmoud greets tourist Mark at Cairo airport.
- Mahmoudأهلا بيك في مصر!ahlan bīk fi Maṣr!Welcome to Egypt!
- Markشكرا ليك.shukran lik.Thank you.
- Mahmoudأول مرة تيجي مصر؟awwil marra tīgi Maṣr?Is it your first time in Egypt?
