Culture & Etiquette

1. أم كلثوم

   Umm Kalsūm

   Umm Kulthum (singer)

   Usage

   Egypt's most famous singer, still widely listened to; her songs are often played in cafes and taxis.

   Grammar Note

   ث is read s in Cairo (Kalsūm).

2. نجيب محفوظ

   Nagīb Maḥfūẓ

   Naguib Mahfouz (novelist)

   Usage

   Novelist known for stories set in Cairo; winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1988. Some cafes carry his name.

   Grammar Note

   ج is g; ظ is read ẓ in this name.

3. عبد الحليم حافظ

   ʿAbd il-Ḥalīm Ḥāfiẓ

   Abdel Halim Hafez (singer and actor)

   Usage

   Singer and actor famous in the 1950s-70s, with many songs still loved today.

   Grammar Note

   عبد الحليم is a name meaning "servant of the Forbearing".

4. تحية كاريوكا

   Taḥiyya Kāryōka

   Tahia Carioca (dancer and actress)

   Usage

   Egyptian dancer and actress famous from 20th-century films.

   Grammar Note

   تحية means "greeting" and is also a name.

5. دار الأوبرا المصرية

   Dār il-Ubira l-Maṣriyya

   Cairo Opera House

   Usage

   Theatre on Gezira island for concerts, ballet and opera; dress a bit smartly.

   Grammar Note

   دار means "house"; the adjective is feminine -iyya.

6. الهيروغليفية

   Il-Hirughlifiyya

   Hieroglyphs

   Usage

   The writing of ancient Egypt, carved on temple and tomb walls; guides can explain how to read it.

   Grammar Note

   A loan from Greek; note the gh and l in a row.

7. الجنيه المصري

   Il-Ginēh il-Maṣri

   Egyptian pound

   Usage

   Egypt's currency, 100 qirsh (piastres) to the pound; seen on signs and price tags.

   Grammar Note

   The ج in جنيه is read g.

8. التحطيب

   It-Taḥṭīb

   Tahtib (stick fighting dance)

   Usage

   Traditional stick martial art and dance performed at celebrations, especially in Upper Egypt.

   Grammar Note

   Contains ṭ twice; ḥ is a throat h.

9. الأراجوز

   Il-Aragōz

   Aragoz (hand puppet theatre)

   Usage

   Traditional popular show with hand puppets, seen at festivals and children's events.

   Grammar Note

   ج is read g; the ā is long.

10. رقصة التنورة

    Raʾṣit it-Tannūra

    Tanoura dance (whirling skirt dance)

    Usage

    Dance of spinning in a colourful layered skirt, seen at Cairo shows.

    Grammar Note

    رقصة is in the construct state.

11. دربوكة

    Darbukka

    Darbuka (goblet drum)

    Usage

    Goblet-shaped drum with one skin, played at weddings and live cafe sets.

    Grammar Note

    The k is doubled.

12. العود

    Il-ʿŪd

    Oud (lute)

    Usage

    The classic string instrument of Arabic music, pear-shaped and played solo or in ensembles.

    Grammar Note

    Contains ʿ.

13. الربابة

    Ir-Rabāba

    Rababa (bowed fiddle)

    Usage

    Simple bowed instrument with one or two strings, traditionally accompanying storytelling.

    Grammar Note

    The article assimilates to ir- before r.

14. الطربوش

    It-Tarbūsh

    Tarboush (fez)

    Usage

    Red cylindrical hat once worn by men in formal dress; today mostly seen on hotel staff or as a souvenir.

    Grammar Note

    A loan word from Persian.

15. السبوع

    Is-Subūʿ

    Sebou' (newborn's seventh-day celebration)

    Usage

    Egyptian family celebration on the seventh day after a baby's birth.

    Grammar Note

    From the root meaning "seven".

16. الطاولة

    Iṭ-Ṭāwla

    Tawla (backgammon)

    Usage

    Board game played in cafes where dice decide the moves.

    Grammar Note

    Contains ṭ twice.

17. الدومينو

    Id-Dōminō

    Dominoes (cafe game)

    Usage

    A classic cafe game.

    Grammar Note

    A loan word read with ō.

18. فلوكة

    Falūka

    Felucca (Nile sailboat)

    Usage

    Traditional sailboat on the Nile; evening rides are popular and price and time should be agreed first.

    Grammar Note

    ū is long.

19. الكنيسة القبطية

    Il-Kanīsa l-ʾubṭiyya

    Coptic Church

    Usage

    Egypt's Christian church (Coptic Orthodox); visit quietly and dress modestly.

    Grammar Note

    كنيسة is feminine, so the adjective takes -iyya.

20. اللغة القبطية

    Il-Lugha l-ʾubṭiyya

    Coptic language

    Usage

    Language descended from ancient Egyptian, used today mainly in Coptic church liturgy.

    Grammar Note

    لغة is feminine.

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