Polite Words in Egyptian Arabic: Please, Thank You & Phrases Egyptians Love (2027)

Imagine finishing a plate of koshari in a busy Cairo restaurant. As the waiter clears your table, you smile and say “Teslam eedak!” – bless your hands. He stops, grins and says something back to the cook in the kitchen. The next time you come in, they remember you.

In Egypt, manners are spoken out loud. Egyptians thank, bless and welcome each other all day long, and a few polite words in Arabic will make you feel less like a tourist and more like a guest.

The short answer: the polite words you’ll use most in Egypt are Shokran (thank you), Afwan (you’re welcome), Law sama7t (please / excuse me), Asef (sorry) and Tfaddal (go ahead / please, have a seat). Add Teslam eedak after a good meal and you’ll make someone’s day.

Below you’ll find 11 polite words and phrases with pronunciation, real examples, the replies Egyptians expect, a little table etiquette and a cheat sheet to save on your phone. Tfaddal, let’s begin!

If you only learn five polite words, learn these. Together they cover most everyday situations in Egypt.

Shokran (SHOK-ran) means “thank you”. To say “thank you very much”, add giddan or awi: Shokran giddan 3ala kol haga – thank you so much for everything.

Afwan (AF-wan) is the standard reply, “you’re welcome”. Egyptians also say El 3afw (more formal) or simply Mafeesh mushkila – “no problem”.

Law sama7t (law sa-MAHT) is the most useful phrase in this guide. It means “please” and “excuse me” at the same time, and it’s how you start almost any request. Law sama7t, el 7esab – excuse me, the bill please. Say Law sama7ti to a woman.

Ba’d eznak (BA’D EZ-nak) means “with your permission”. Use it when you’re about to leave, interrupt or pass in front of someone. Ba’d eznak, ana hamshi – excuse me, I’m going to leave. To a woman it’s Ba’d eznek.

Asef (A-sef) means “I’m sorry”. A woman says Asfa. Ana asef, mish asdi – I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it.

Most of the time, the answer you’ll hear is Ma’lesh – “never mind, it’s fine”. It’s one of the most Egyptian words there is, and we’ll cover it in our slang lesson.

Egyptian hospitality has its own vocabulary. You’ll hear these phrases from shopkeepers, hosts and guides every day:

• Tfaddal (TFAD-dal) – “please, go ahead / have a seat / help yourself”. Tfaddal, o3od hena – please, sit here. To a woman: Tfaddali, to a group: Tfaddalu.
• Men 3enaya (men 3e-NA-ya) – literally “from my eyes”, meaning “with pleasure, gladly”. Men 3enaya, hagebholak – gladly, I’ll bring it for you.
• Bra7tak (BRAH-tak) – “take your time”. Bra7tak, mish mista3gel – take your time, no rush.

Food is at the heart of Egyptian life, and so are the phrases that go with it:

Teslam eedak ya osta, el akl gameel – bless your hands, chef, the food is delicious. Say this after any good meal and you’ll see the reaction for yourself.

Hungry already? See our guides to Egyptian dishes to try and where to eat in Cairo.

• Always greet first: start with Salām or Law sama7t before asking a question. Jumping straight to the question can feel rude.
• Use your right hand to give, take, eat and shake hands.
• Accept hospitality: tea, coffee and small snacks are offered often. Saying yes is part of the friendship.
• Compliment carefully: if you admire something in someone’s home, they may insist you take it! A simple Gameel awi (“very beautiful”) is enough.
• Tipping is part of saying thank you: small tips (baksheesh) are expected for many services. A Shokran with a tip goes a long way.

Read more in our guide to Egypt’s culture and customs.

Screenshot this table and keep it on your phone.

How do you say thank you in Egyptian Arabic?

Say Shokran. For “thank you very much”, say Shokran giddan or Shokran awi.

How do you say please in Egyptian Arabic?

Say Law sama7t to a man or Law sama7ti to a woman. It also means “excuse me”.

What does “Teslam eedak” mean?

It means “bless your hands”. Egyptians say it to thank someone who cooked, fixed or made something for them.

What do I say if someone says “Tfaddal”?

Just say Shokran and accept: sit down, go first or take what’s offered.

Do Egyptians expect tourists to speak Arabic?

No. English is widely spoken in tourist areas. But even one Shokran or Teslam eedak is always appreciated, and often rewarded with a big smile.

Polite words are small, but in Egypt they carry a lot of warmth. Say Shokran often, start your questions with Law sama7t, and don’t leave a good meal without a Teslam eedak. You’ll be surprised how quickly doors (and kitchens) open for you.

Next in our Egyptian Arabic series: how to say yes, no and “maybe” the Egyptian way.

Ready to Say “Shokran” in Egypt?

👉 Dinner Cruise on the Nile in Cairo: from $35 – practise your Bel hana wel shefa

👉 Giza Pyramids & Egyptian Museum Day Tour: from $50

👉 Egypt Tour Packages: multi-day trips across Egypt