What Language Is Spoken in Egypt? Plus Handy Phrases

Travel Tips · 5 min read · Published 2025-07-15

Arabic is the official language, but you'll get by easily in English at the sights. Here's what to know, with phrases to learn.

Wondering whether you'll be able to communicate in Egypt? The short answer is yes, easily, especially in the tourist areas. Here's the fuller picture, with a few phrases worth learning.

The official language The official language is Arabic, and Egyptians speak a distinctive dialect called Egyptian Arabic, which is widely understood across the Arab world thanks to Egypt's film and music industries. You'll hear it everywhere, and it's a beautiful language to catch snippets of.

How much English you'll find Plenty. In hotels, at the major sights, on cruises and in tourist restaurants, English is widely spoken, and your guide will of course be fluent. Away from the tourist trail, English thins out, but you'll rarely be stuck during a normal trip.

A few phrases worth learning A little Arabic goes a long way and always earns a warm response. Try "salam alaikum" (peace be upon you, a standard greeting), "shukran" (thank you), "min fadlak" (please), "aywa" (yes) and "la" (no). The most useful of all might be "la shukran" (no thank you), perfect for politely declining persistent sellers.

Numbers and haggling Learning the numbers one to ten in Arabic is genuinely handy in markets, where haggling is part of the fun. Even getting them slightly wrong is charming and breaks the ice.

Don't stress about it You really don't need Arabic to have a wonderful trip, but a few words add warmth to every interaction. With a private guide smoothing the way, communication is never a worry. Browse our <a href="/tours">Egypt tours</a>, or see our <a href="/blog/first-time-egypt-tips">first-timer tips</a>.