هذا غالٍ جداً
hadha ghalin jiddan
This is too expensive
Literally: This (is) expensive very
In 15 Seconds
- Used to express shock at a high price in Egypt.
- Essential for haggling and navigating local markets effectively.
- Can be adapted for masculine or feminine objects easily.
Meaning
This is the classic Egyptian way to say something is way too expensive. It's the ultimate 'sticker shock' expression used when a price makes your eyes pop or your wallet cry.
Key Examples
3 of 6Shopping for clothes at a mall
الفستان ده غالي أوي بصراحة.
This dress is too expensive, honestly.
Negotiating with a taxi driver
لا يا باشا، ده غالي أوي على المشوار ده.
No boss, that's too expensive for this trip.
Discussing a business proposal's cost
السعر ده غالي أوي بالنسبة للميزانية.
This price is too expensive relative to the budget.
Cultural Background
In Egyptian culture, expressing that something is expensive is a standard part of social and commercial interaction. It is deeply tied to the tradition of 'Fasala' (haggling), where the buyer and seller perform a rhythmic dance of offers and counter-offers. The word 'Ghali' also carries a dual meaning of 'precious,' reflecting a culture that equates high value with deep affection.
The Haggling Starter
Don't just walk away if it's expensive. Say `ده غالي أوي` and wait. The seller will often ask, 'Well, how much do you want to pay?'
Watch the Gender
Remember to use `دي غالية` for feminine objects. If you use the masculine version for a feminine object, people will understand you, but you'll sound like a beginner.
In 15 Seconds
- Used to express shock at a high price in Egypt.
- Essential for haggling and navigating local markets effectively.
- Can be adapted for masculine or feminine objects easily.
What It Means
When you hear ده غالي أوي, someone is feeling the pinch. It is the most common way to express that a price is higher than expected. In the Egyptian dialect, ده means 'this,' غالي means 'expensive,' and أوي means 'very' or 'too.' It is direct, honest, and incredibly useful. You aren't just stating a fact; you're often expressing a bit of disbelief or starting a negotiation. It is the verbal equivalent of raising your eyebrows at a price tag.
How To Use It
Using this phrase is as easy as pointing. You see an item, you hear the price, and you let it out: ده غالي أوي. If the item is feminine (like a car عربية or a watch ساعة), you change ده to دي and غالي to غالية. So, it becomes دي غالية أوي. You can say it to a shopkeeper, a friend, or even to yourself while scrolling through an online store. It’s often paired with a sigh or a slight shake of the head for maximum effect.
When To Use It
You will use this everywhere in Egypt. Use it at the local market (سوق) when the tomato prices spike. Use it at a high-end mall when you see a designer shirt that costs more than your rent. It’s also perfect for social situations. If a friend tells you they bought a coffee for 200 pounds, you can drop a ده غالي أوي to show you agree that it's overpriced. It’s a great way to bond over the rising cost of living.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid using this when someone gives you a gift. Even if you know the gift was pricey, saying it’s 'expensive' in that context can feel awkward or ungrateful. Also, be careful in very high-end, fixed-price boutiques. While not 'wrong,' saying it there won't get you a discount; it just makes you look like you're in the wrong shop. Finally, don't use it if you're trying to impress someone with your wealth—obviously!
Cultural Background
In Egypt, the price is rarely just a number; it’s the start of a conversation. Haggling is a national sport. Saying ده غالي أوي is often the 'opening move' in a market negotiation. It signals to the seller that you know the value of money and you aren't going to be an easy target. Interestingly, غالي also means 'dear' or 'precious.' So, if someone calls you يا غالي, they aren't calling you expensive—they're saying you're dear to their heart. It’s a beautiful linguistic double-meaning.
Common Variations
If 'very' isn't strong enough, you can say ده غالي نار (It’s expensive like fire). If you want to sound more formal or use Modern Standard Arabic, you’d say هذا غالٍ جداً. In slang, younger people might say ده غالي فشخ, though that’s very informal and should only be used with close friends. If you find something that is the opposite—a total bargain—you would say ده لقطة or يا بلاش.
Usage Notes
This phrase is neutral to informal. It is perfectly acceptable in shops, with friends, and in most daily interactions. The only 'gotcha' is the gender agreement—make sure to use 'di ghalia' for feminine nouns.
The Haggling Starter
Don't just walk away if it's expensive. Say `ده غالي أوي` and wait. The seller will often ask, 'Well, how much do you want to pay?'
Watch the Gender
Remember to use `دي غالية` for feminine objects. If you use the masculine version for a feminine object, people will understand you, but you'll sound like a beginner.
The 'Dear' Secret
If an Egyptian says `يا غالي` to you, they aren't calling you expensive! They are saying you are precious to them. It's a high compliment.
Examples
6الفستان ده غالي أوي بصراحة.
This dress is too expensive, honestly.
A common way to express hesitation to a salesperson or friend.
لا يا باشا، ده غالي أوي على المشوار ده.
No boss, that's too expensive for this trip.
Using 'Pasha' adds a touch of respect while still being firm on the price.
السعر ده غالي أوي بالنسبة للميزانية.
This price is too expensive relative to the budget.
A neutral way to bring up cost concerns in a professional setting.
إيه ده؟ ده غالي أوي! جبت الفلوس دي منين؟
What's this? This is too expensive! Where did you get this money from?
A playful, slightly shocked reaction between close friends.
شوفت التذكرة؟ دي غالية أوي 🤦♂️
Did you see the ticket? It's too expensive 🤦♂️
Using the feminine 'di' because 'ticket' (tazkara) is feminine.
أنت غالي أوي عندي يا صاحبي.
You are very dear to me, my friend.
Shows the emotional side of the word 'ghali'.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct demonstrative pronoun for a masculine item (e.g., a phone).
___ غالي أوي.
`ده` is used for masculine singular items like 'phone' or 'book'.
Complete the phrase to say 'This car is very expensive'.
العربية دي ___ أوي.
Since 'car' (arabeya) is feminine, the adjective must also be feminine: `غالية`.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality Spectrum of 'Da Ghali Awi'
Used with very close friends in the street.
ده غالي فشخ
Standard everyday Egyptian market talk.
ده غالي أوي
Polite but direct in a shop or mall.
السعر ده غالي شوية
Modern Standard Arabic for news or documents.
هذا السعر مرتفع جداً
Where to use 'Da Ghali Awi'
Khan el-Khalili Market
Haggling for a souvenir
Real Estate Office
Reacting to high rent
Coffee Shop
Complaining about a $10 latte
Car Dealership
Discussing the price of a new SUV
Practice Bank
2 exercises___ غالي أوي.
`ده` is used for masculine singular items like 'phone' or 'book'.
العربية دي ___ أوي.
Since 'car' (arabeya) is feminine, the adjective must also be feminine: `غالية`.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsNot at all! In Egypt, it's considered a normal part of commerce. It shows you are an informed buyer.
You can, but usually, you'd say it to your dining partner rather than the waiter, as prices in fancy places are usually fixed.
It means 'very' or 'a lot.' It's the Egyptian version of the standard Arabic جداً (jiddan).
You would say دول غاليين أوي (Dol ghalyeen awi). دول means 'these' and غاليين is the plural of expensive.
Yes, the word is رخيص (rakhees). You can say ده رخيص أوي if you find a great deal.
Because غالي also means 'dear' or 'precious.' It's a term of endearment like 'my dear friend.'
غالي is for masculine things (like a book), and غالية is for feminine things (like a bag).
They will understand you, but they have their own versions. In Lebanon, they might say ktīr ghāli instead of awi.
You can say ده غالي شوية (Da ghali shwaya). شوية means 'a little bit.'
They usually say عشان خاطرك... (For your sake...) followed by a slightly lower price.
No, أوي is strictly Egyptian dialect. In writing, you would use جداً.
You can stretch the word أوي to أوووووي (awwwi) to show you are really shocked by the price.
Related Phrases
بكام ده؟
نزل السعر شوية
ده لقطة
السعر نار
يا بلاش
