Egyptians are generous with praise, and the words don't always match their dictionary entries. One of the most common ones means terrible.
The everyday ones
gaamed is awesome. Word for word it's solid, hard. It's what you say about a song you like, or a friend who came through. Young Egyptians say it all day.
is really nice. 7elw is sweet or pretty, 'awi is very, and 'awi always goes after the word it strengthens. This one is safe for anything.
- The beach is really nice.
- The baby's so sweet!
The strong ones
yegannen is stunning. Literally it drives you crazy. A dress, a view from a roof, anything that stops you for a second.
is honey, and it's said about people as much as things. A sweet kid is 3asal. So is a good cup of tea.
- Is there any rice and honey?
The trap and the top
faZee3 means terrible. It also means incredible. The word is the same, and the face is what tells you which. If someone eats your cooking, pulls a face and says faZee3, read the face. Usually it's the good kind.
to7fa is a masterpiece. It's for the best koshari you've had. Top of the ladder, so use it when you mean it.
Which one for koshari?
7elw 'awi if it was good. to7fa if you'd go back tomorrow. And if an Egyptian says faZee3 while reaching for a second plate, that's the highest praise there is.