Egyptian Arabic: Basic Greetings & Phrases

1. She makes your reservation for you and hands you the key - what would be the polite thing to say?

عفوا

الحمدلله تمام

شكرا

السلام عليكم

صباح النور

The polite thing to say in this situation would be "شكرا" which means "thank you" in Arabic. This response shows gratitude and appreciation for the person who made the reservation and handed over the key.

Explanation

The polite thing to say in this situation would be "شكرا" which means "thank you" in Arabic. This response shows gratitude and appreciation for the person who made the reservation and handed over the key.

2. The guest next door is entering their room at the same time as you are - they greet you with السلام عليكم. How would you reply?

و انت طيب

الله يبرك فيك

نهرك سعيد

مبروك

و عليكم السلام و رحمة الله و بركاته

The correct answer is "و عليكم السلام و رحمة الله و بركاته". This is the appropriate response to the greeting "السلام عليكم" which means "Peace be upon you". The reply translates to "And peace be upon you, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings". It is a common Islamic greeting used to reciprocate the initial greeting and extend well wishes.

Explanation

The correct answer is "و عليكم السلام و رحمة الله و بركاته". This is the appropriate response to the greeting "السلام عليكم" which means "Peace be upon you". The reply translates to "And peace be upon you, and the mercy of Allah and His blessings". It is a common Islamic greeting used to reciprocate the initial greeting and extend well wishes.

3. You walk into a hotel in the evening - a member of staff greets you. Which of the following would she say?

مساء الخير

صباح الخير

مع السلامة

صباح النور

مبروك

The correct answer is "مساء الخير" which translates to "Good evening" in English. This is the appropriate greeting to use when welcoming someone in the evening.

Explanation

The correct answer is "مساء الخير" which translates to "Good evening" in English. This is the appropriate greeting to use when welcoming someone in the evening.

4. You're leaving the hotel but you have made some friends who are staying longer than you - as you leave they call out...

مع السلامة

صباح النور

شكرا

كل سنة و انت طيبة

مساء الخير

As you're leaving the hotel, your friends call out "مع السلامة" which means "Goodbye" or "Take care". This is a common Arabic phrase used to bid farewell to someone. It is a polite and formal way of saying goodbye.

Explanation

As you're leaving the hotel, your friends call out "مع السلامة" which means "Goodbye" or "Take care". This is a common Arabic phrase used to bid farewell to someone. It is a polite and formal way of saying goodbye.

5. What should you reply?

الزيك

مساء الخير

كل سنة و انتي طيبة

مساء النور

و عليكم السلام

The given response "مساء النور" is an appropriate reply in Arabic to the greeting "الزيك" which means "Hi" or "Hello". "مساء النور" is a common response in Arabic that means "Good evening" or "Evening of light". It is a polite and friendly way to respond to a greeting and is commonly used in Arabic-speaking countries.

Explanation

The given response "مساء النور" is an appropriate reply in Arabic to the greeting "الزيك" which means "Hi" or "Hello". "مساء النور" is a common response in Arabic that means "Good evening" or "Evening of light". It is a polite and friendly way to respond to a greeting and is commonly used in Arabic-speaking countries.