Shopping and Bargaining in Egyptian Arabic
Key phrases for asking prices, bargaining at the sooq, and buying at the corner grocer.
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بكام ده؟ (bikaam da?)
How much is this? (masculine object) — 'di' for feminine
How do you ask 'How much per kilo?'
الكيلو بكام؟ — el-kiilu bikaam?
What is the difference between the بقّال (ba'aal) and the سوق (soo')?
The ba'aal (corner grocer) and supermarkets have fixed prices; the soo', bazaars and street vendors expect الفصال (el-fisaal) — bargaining.
عندك حاجة أرخص؟ (3andak Haaga arkhaS?)
Do you have something cheaper?
Give the comparative forms of: rikhiiS, kbiir, Sughayyar, kwayyis
arkhaS (cheaper), akbar (bigger), aSghar (smaller), aHsan (better) — compare with 'min': da arkhaS min da
How do you say 'Very expensive!' and 'That's a lot'?
غالي أوي! — ghaali awi! / ده كتير — da kitiir
آخر سعر كام؟ (aakhir si3r kaam?)
What's your final price?
What are نص كيلو, ربع كيلو, and كيلو ونص?
nuSS kiilu = half a kilo; rub3 kiilu = quarter kilo; kiilu w nuSS = a kilo and a half
Bargaining rule of thumb in tourist bazaars
Counter at about one-third to one-half of the opening price and settle near two-thirds; walking away ('la' shukran, ghaali') is the strongest move.
مفيش فكة؟ (mafiish fakka?)
No change? — you'll hear this constantly, so carry small notes
