Masri Translator
Learn to speak Egyptian Arabic
Real phrases, proverbs and a dictionary — written in Arabic script and in Latin letters, so you can start speaking before you can read.
Start with the phrases you will actually use
68 phrases grouped by situation. Each one shows the Masri as Egyptian speakers write it, plus a plain-letter spelling with no digits.
- Local Expressions9 phrases
- Greetings8 phrases
- First Encounters8 phrases
- Food8 phrases
- Help7 phrases
- Shopping7 phrases
- Transport7 phrases
- Hotel7 phrases
- Health7 phrases
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Common questions
Is Egyptian Arabic the same as Modern Standard Arabic?
No. Masri is the everyday spoken Arabic of Egypt. It shares its roots with Modern Standard Arabic but differs in vocabulary, pronunciation and grammar. Because of Egypt's film and music industries it is the dialect most widely understood across the Arab world, which makes it a practical first dialect to learn.
Do I need to read Arabic script to learn Masri?
No. Egyptians write their dialect in Latin letters constantly, especially in messages. Every entry on this site shows the Arabic script alongside a Latin spelling, so you can start speaking without learning the alphabet first.
What do the numbers in words like 3ayez and 7aga mean?
They are Arabizi, a texting convention where digits stand in for Arabic sounds that have no Latin letter: 3 is ع, 7 is ح and 5 is خ. Every page here also gives a plain-letter spelling if you would rather read it without digits.
How long does it take to hold a basic conversation?
Greetings and courtesy phrases take days. Ordering food, haggling in a market and small talk are realistic within a few months of steady practice, particularly if you have someone to speak with.