How to say “hello” in Egyptian Arabic
In Cairo you say ahlan (أهلاً). Tap play to hear it, then slow it down.
Read it your way:
- ahlanأهلاًHi / welcome
The everyday hello. Answer with "ahlan beek" (to a man) or "ahlan beeki" (to a woman).
When to use it
Ahlan works everywhere: with friends, shopkeepers and neighbours. Doubled, “ahlan ahlan!”, it sounds extra warm. With strangers or elders you can also open with “es-salamo 3aleko”.
Learn it with
es-salamo 3aleko
السلام عليكمPeace be upon you (hello)
- إزيّك؟
How are you? (to a man / to a woman)
el-7amdolellah
الحمد للهFine, thank God
kowayes / kowayesa
كويس / كويسةGood / fine (man / woman)
Say it out loud in a 6-minute lesson
“ahlan” is in Unit 1, Downtown: “Hello & how are you”. That unit is free. Practise with Egyptian audio, pronunciation feedback and an AI partner that talks like a Cairene.