الرطوبة عالية جداً

You can drop this into almost any conversation. Use it as a standalone complaint or a conversation starter. It is very flexible. You can add a sigh before saying it for extra effect. It works perfectly when walking outside or entering a room without AC. You will hear it in elevators, offices, and on the street. It is the ultimate small talk filler for the summer months.

Use it during the humid months, especially in coastal cities like Alexandria. It is perfect for when you are sweating but not moving. Use it when you want to explain why you look tired. It is great for breaking the ice with a stranger. If you are late to a meeting, blame the humidity. It makes everything feel slower and more difficult. Everyone will sympathize with you immediately.

Do not use this in a dry desert heat. If it is 45 degrees but dry, this phrase sounds wrong. Avoid using it in a very formal speech or academic paper. It is a spoken, everyday expression. Do not use it if you are in a perfectly air-conditioned room. You will look like you are imagining things! Also, avoid it in the middle of a freezing winter.

Egyptians love to talk about the weather, especially the heat. Humidity is the true enemy of the summer. It is often linked to the 'Khamasin' winds or the peak of August. There is a cultural bond in suffering through the heat together. Complaining about it is a national pastime. It is a way to bond over shared physical discomfort. It reflects the social nature of Egyptian life.

You might hear el-gaw makhnuq which means 'the air is suffocating.' Another one is ana haran awi for 'I am very hot.' In some regions, they might just say rutuba with a groan. You can also say er-rutuba mawt meaning 'the humidity is death.' This adds a dramatic flair that Egyptians love. Use awi at the end to emphasize just how bad it is.