How to say "good evening" in Egyptian Arabic
مَسَاء الخَيْر
masa el kheer
- Without tashkeel
- مساء الخير
- Franco / chat alphabet
- masa2 el 5eir
- Literally
- evening the goodness
When to use it
This is the standard greeting used from late afternoon until the end of the night. It is universally understood and used in both formal and informal contexts across Cairo. The phrase does not change based on the gender or number of people being addressed.
Other ways to say it
warm and enthusiastic
يا مساء الخير
ya masa el kheer
good evening!
Add the vocative particle ya at the beginning to make the greeting sound warmer and more welcoming.
affectionate
مساء الجمال
masa el gamal
evening of beauty
Used with close friends or romantic partners as a flattering alternative.
very casual slang
مسا مسا
mesa mesa
evening evening
A highly informal, slangy way to greet close friends, often accompanied by a hand gesture.
How people reply
مساء النور
masa el noor
good evening (evening of light)
مساء الفل
masa el foll
good evening (evening of jasmine)
مساء الورد
masa el ward
good evening (evening of roses)
In a sentence
مساء الخير يا جماعة، عاملين إيه؟
masa el kheer ya gama3a, 3amleen eeh?
Good evening guys, how are you doing?
مساء الخير يا فندم، أقدر أساعد حضرتك إزاي؟
masa el kheer ya fandem, a2dar asaa3ed 7adretak ezay?
Good evening sir, how can I help you?
مساء الخير، ممكن منيو المشروبات لو سمحت؟
masa el kheer, momken menu el mashroubat law sama7t?
Good evening, could I have the drinks menu please?