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How to ask the price and bargain in Egyptian Arabic
What to say at a market stall when the price seems high, and how to walk away politely.
At an Egyptian market the price is up for discussion, and nobody minds. People bargain calmly, with a smile. In a shop with price tags, you usually just decide whether you're buying or not.
Asking the price
The key phrase is short: bekam da?, "how much is this?". The answer will be in pounds, geneh.
If it's too expensive
Say ghali, "expensive", and ask about a discount. You can ask for a little off or ask straight out for the final price.
- fi khasm? — is there a discount?
- rakhkhasli shwayya — make it a bit cheaper
- akher kalam? — final price?
If the seller says da akher se3r, "that's the final price", it's your call: buy or walk away. Pushing further isn't the done thing.
Walking away politely
If you're just looking, say so: bas batfarrag. Want to think it over? hafakkar w arga3lak, "I'll think and come back". Nobody takes offence.
Paying
Before paying, ask whether a card is fine: bel feeza? At markets it's nearly always cash, kash, and small notes come in handy.
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