How to say "how are you?" in Egyptian Arabic
إِزَّيَّك؟
ezzayyak?
- Without tashkeel
- ازيك؟
- Franco / chat alphabet
- ezayak?
- Literally
- how-your
When to use it
This is the standard, everyday greeting in Cairo used to ask how someone is doing. It is appropriate for almost all situations, from casual chats with friends to everyday interactions with shopkeepers or colleagues. For highly formal situations, such as speaking to a boss or an elder, Egyptians add the word for respect, 7adretak.
Other ways to say it
to a man
إِزَّيَّك؟
ezzayyak?
How are you?
The standard casual greeting addressed to a single male.
to a woman
إِزَّيِّك؟
ezzayyik?
How are you?
The standard casual greeting addressed to a single female.
to a group
إِزَّيُّكُوا؟
ezzayyoko?
How are you?
Used when addressing two or more people.
formal to a man
إِزَّي حَضْرِتَك؟
ezzayy 7adretak?
How are you?
Used to show respect to an older man, a boss, or a stranger.
casual alternative
عامِل إيه؟
3amel eh?
How are you doing?
A very common, slightly more conversational alternative meaning what are you doing.
How people reply
الحَمْدُ لِله
el 7amd lellah
Praise be to God (Fine).
كُوَيِّس، الحَمْدُ لِله
kwayyes, el 7amd lellah
Good, praise be to God.
كُلُّه تَمام
kollo tamam
Everything is great.
In a sentence
إِزَّيَّك يا أَحْمَد؟ عاش مِين شافَك.
ezzayyak ya a7med? 3ash men shafak.
How are you, Ahmed? Long time no see.
إِزَّي حَضْرِتِك يا مَدام مُنى؟
ezzayy 7adretik ya madam mona?
How are you, Mrs. Mona?
إِزَّيُّكُوا يا شَباب؟ إيه الأَخْبار؟
ezzayyoko ya shabab? eh el akhbar?
How are you guys? What is the news?