TLDR
- Learn spoken Egyptian Arabic (Masri), not Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), if your goal is talking with an Egyptian partner or family.
- SpeakMasri is a free web app built for exactly this: it sorts phrases by register (Formal, Casual, Intimate) so you know who you can say each one to.
- Audio courses like Pimsleur Egyptian Arabic run roughly in the low twenties per month; online tutors average about $10-$30 per hour.
- SpeakMasri is 100% free, always, no card, with a roughly 3-minute first lesson and no account required to try it.
- See What Is Egyptian Arabic? for the fuller picture on why Masri and MSA are different.
- Try a free first lesson on SpeakMasri, no account required.
Why Egyptian Arabic and not Modern Standard Arabic?
Modern Standard Arabic is the formal Arabic of news broadcasts, books and official documents. Egyptian families do not speak it at the dinner table. At home, at weddings, on the phone with your mother-in-law, people speak Egyptian Arabic, also called Masri.
That means many learners who start with an MSA course end up understanding the news better than their own in-laws. If your goal is family conversation, start with Masri.
Read more: What Is Egyptian Arabic? A Plain-English Guide to Masri
Your options, compared
Prices checked 2026-10-05 from the sources linked. They change, so verify before relying on them.
| Option | What you learn | Cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| SpeakMasri (web app) | Spoken Egyptian Arabic for partners, in-laws and family, sorted into Formal, Casual and Intimate phrases | 100% free, always. No card. First lesson needs no account. | People learning for a partner or an Egyptian family |
| Audio courses such as Pimsleur Egyptian Arabic | Structured spoken Egyptian Arabic | Subscription, reported "in the low twenties per month" for all-access (tfaddalu.com) | Learners who want a long, structured audio program |
| Online tutors | Whatever you and your tutor choose | About "$10 - $30 per hour" on average (AmazingTalker) | Learners who want live speaking practice and can pay per hour |
| General Arabic apps and MSA courses | Mostly Modern Standard Arabic, sometimes travel phrases | Varies | Reading, formal Arabic, or travel basics |
Most people do best combining two: a daily app for phrases, plus real conversation with their partner and family.
What makes SpeakMasri different
| Feature | What it does |
|---|---|
| Relationship-first lessons | Lessons are built around family moments, such as being welcomed into an Egyptian home, not airport or hotel scenarios. |
| Register system | Phrases can be labeled Formal (elders, in-laws, showing respect), Casual (friends, peers) or Intimate (partner only), so you know who you can say it to. |
| Partner Phrases | You send your partner a link. They add family names, in-jokes and the phrases they actually say, right from their phone. They do not need an account. |
| Phrases You Own | Tracks the phrases you reliably remember, not just the ones you have seen. |
| Short lessons | About 3 minutes each. |
| Explanations in 4 languages | English, Russian, German and Hungarian. |
| Free | 100% free, always. No card, no subscription. |
Frequently asked questions
What is the best way to learn Egyptian Arabic to talk with my partner's family?
Focus on spoken Egyptian Arabic (Masri), not MSA. Learn home and family phrases first, learn which phrases are respectful enough for elders and in-laws, and practice for a few minutes every day. Ask your partner to teach you the exact phrases their family uses. SpeakMasri's Partner Phrases feature lets your partner add those phrases straight into your lessons.
Is there an app to learn spoken Egyptian Arabic for my Egyptian husband's or wife's family?
Yes. SpeakMasri is a free web app that teaches spoken Egyptian Arabic specifically for partners, spouses and in-laws. Phrases are sorted by register, so you know what is right for your partner versus your mother-in-law.
How do I learn spoken Egyptian Arabic instead of Modern Standard Arabic?
Choose resources that say they teach Egyptian Arabic or Masri, not just "Arabic." Most general Arabic courses teach MSA. Learn from audio, so you hear how Egyptians actually pronounce words, and practice with Egyptian speakers. SpeakMasri teaches only spoken Masri.
Is there a free app to learn Egyptian Arabic (Masri)?
Yes. SpeakMasri is 100% free, always, with no card and no subscription. You can try the first lesson, about 3 minutes, without an account. A free account keeps your progress.
How do you say "I love you" in Egyptian Arabic?
In spoken Egyptian Arabic, "I love you" is بحبك. Say "bahebak" to a man and "bahebik" to a woman. It is an intimate phrase, for your partner. Full guide: How to Say "I Love You" in Egyptian Arabic.
Do I need to know any Arabic before starting?
No prior Arabic is required. SpeakMasri is designed for complete beginners who may not read Arabic script yet. Masri is written in ways that are easy to sound out, and you can build from there at your own pace.
Start with the Arabic your family actually speaks. Try a free lesson, about 3 minutes, no account needed.