ساعة الخروج من الأوضة كام؟
Sa'at el khurooj min el ouda kam?
What time is checkout?
Literally: Hour of the exit from the room how much?
In 15 Seconds
- Used to ask for the hotel checkout time in Egypt.
- Combines 'hour', 'exit', and 'room' into one simple question.
- Best used at hotel reception desks or with Airbnb hosts.
Meaning
This is the standard way to ask a hotel or hostel receptionist what time you need to vacate your room. It is simple, direct, and uses common Egyptian Arabic vocabulary.
Key Examples
3 of 6At a hotel reception
Ya fandem, sa'at el-khoroug min el-oda kam?
Sir, what time is the checkout from the room?
Texting an Airbnb host
Momsen a'raf sa'at el-khoroug kam?
Can I know what the checkout time is?
Asking a friend who works at the hotel
Ya sa'bi, sa'at el-khoroug el-nharda kam?
My friend, what time is checkout today?
Cultural Background
Egyptians often add 'Ya fandem' (Sir/Madam) at the end of the phrase to be extra polite to staff. The word 'Oda' is a direct loan from Turkish, showing the deep historical links between the two cultures during the Ottoman era. In Egypt, '12 PM' might actually mean '12:15' or '12:30'. There is a cultural 'buffer' known as 'Egyptian Time'. If you ask this question politely, the receptionist might offer to keep your bags for free for the rest of the day.
Use 'Ya fandem'
Always add 'Ya fandem' at the end when talking to hotel staff. It instantly makes you sound more respectful and fluent.
Don't say 'Ghurfa'
If you say 'Ghurfa', they will know you learned from a formal textbook. Say 'Oda' to sound like a local.
In 15 Seconds
- Used to ask for the hotel checkout time in Egypt.
- Combines 'hour', 'exit', and 'room' into one simple question.
- Best used at hotel reception desks or with Airbnb hosts.
What It Means
This phrase is your golden ticket to avoiding late fees at a hotel. In Egyptian Arabic, sa'at means hour or time. El-khoroug means the exit. El-oda is the room. Finally, kam means how much or what. Put it all together and you are asking for the checkout deadline. It is a functional sentence designed for clarity.
How To Use It
You will mostly use this at the front desk. Walk up to the receptionist and start with a greeting. Say Salam or Sabah el-kheir. Then drop the phrase: sa'at el-khoroug min el-oda kam?. You do not need complex grammar here. It is a 'noun-phrase' style question. It is punchy and gets the job done quickly.
When To Use It
Use this when you are planning your last day of vacation. Use it when you want to sleep in but are worried about the maid knocking. It is perfect for hotels, boutique guest houses, or even Airbnbs in Cairo. If you are at a beach resort in Hurghada, this is your most-used sentence on Sunday morning.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for social appointments. If you are meeting a friend, do not call it a 'checkout.' Also, do not use it for leaving a restaurant. In a restaurant, you ask for the check, not the 'exit time.' It sounds very robotic if used outside of a lodging context. Avoid using it if you are just stepping out for lunch.
Cultural Background
Egyptians are famous for their hospitality and 'Insha'Allah' time. However, hotels in Egypt are quite strict about checkout. They usually set it at 12:00 PM. Asking this shows you are a respectful guest. It bridges the gap between relaxed local vibes and professional tourism standards. Interestingly, oda is the most common word for room in Egypt, borrowed from Turkish.
Common Variations
You might hear people say el-check-out emta?. Many Egyptians use the English word 'checkout' with an Arabic twist. You could also ask el-ma'ad kam? which means 'what is the appointment/time?'. If you want to be extra polite, add ya basha (boss) or ya fandem (sir/ma'am) at the end. It adds a nice local flavor to your request.
Usage Notes
This phrase is solidly in the 'neutral' category. It is suitable for both budget hostels and luxury hotels. In Egypt, the 'gh' in 'khoroug' is a gargled sound, similar to the French 'r'.
Use 'Ya fandem'
Always add 'Ya fandem' at the end when talking to hotel staff. It instantly makes you sound more respectful and fluent.
Don't say 'Ghurfa'
If you say 'Ghurfa', they will know you learned from a formal textbook. Say 'Oda' to sound like a local.
Negotiation is key
If the checkout time is too early, don't be afraid to ask for an extra hour. It's very common in Egypt.
Examples
6Ya fandem, sa'at el-khoroug min el-oda kam?
Sir, what time is the checkout from the room?
Adding 'ya fandem' makes it very polite and professional.
Momsen a'raf sa'at el-khoroug kam?
Can I know what the checkout time is?
A bit shorter and more direct for messaging.
Ya sa'bi, sa'at el-khoroug el-nharda kam?
My friend, what time is checkout today?
Uses 'ya sa'bi' for a casual, warm tone.
Sa'at el-khoroug kam? Momken akhrog bukra?
What time is checkout? Can I leave tomorrow instead?
A lighthearted way to ask for a very late stay.
Ana musta'gil! Sa'at el-khoroug kam?
I'm in a hurry! What time is checkout?
Shows urgency when you are running late.
Sabah el-kheir, sa'at el-khoroug min el-oda kam?
Good morning, what time is the room checkout?
A standard, respectful way to start the conversation.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing word to ask for the checkout time.
ساعة الخروج من _____ كام؟
In a hotel context, 'الأوضة' (the room) is the correct word.
Which of these is the most natural Egyptian way to ask for checkout time?
Choose the best option:
Option B is the standard dialectal expression.
Complete the dialogue at the reception desk.
Guest: لو سمحت، ساعة الخروج من الأوضة كام؟ Receptionist: _________.
The receptionist should respond with a time.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
Phrase: 'ساعة الخروج من الأوضة كام؟'
This phrase is specifically for vacating a room.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Hotel Vocabulary
Time
- • Sa'a (Hour)
- • Kam (What/How much)
- • Emta (When)
Action
- • Khoroug (Exit)
- • Dokhoul (Entry)
- • Hagz (Booking)
Practice Bank
4 exercisesساعة الخروج من _____ كام؟
In a hotel context, 'الأوضة' (the room) is the correct word.
Choose the best option:
Option B is the standard dialectal expression.
Guest: لو سمحت، ساعة الخروج من الأوضة كام؟ Receptionist: _________.
The receptionist should respond with a time.
Phrase: 'ساعة الخروج من الأوضة كام؟'
This phrase is specifically for vacating a room.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsNo, it's mainly used in Egypt, Sudan, and the Levant (Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Palestine). In the Gulf, they use 'Ghurfa'.
Yes, 'Sa'at el-khoroug emta?' is also very common and means 'When is the checkout hour?'.
Yes, it is perfectly neutral and polite for a hotel setting.
Just swap 'Khoroug' (exit) with 'Dokhoul' (entry): 'ساعة الدخول كام؟'
Related Phrases
ساعة الدخول
contrastCheck-in time
حجز أوضة
builds onTo book a room
فاتورة الفندق
similarHotel bill
تمديد الإقامة
similarExtending the stay
