Talk basic Arabic words, phrases, common sentences

Basic Arabic Words

UAE is an Arabic country. However, it is very sad to notice that most of the majority of expatriates living here do not know how to converse in basic Arabic. In one way it can be viewed as a tolerance of the UAE and its rulers to allow foreign language to be dominant and on the other hand it can be viewed as lack of interest from expatriates.

English and Hindi are widely spoken and English is used in all the official documentation or press releases.

In any case, we lose a golden opportunity to learn a new language!

I remember when I went to Madras(now Chennai), India in late 1990’s for higher studies and I had to learn Tamil because people seldom talk any other language but Tamil.

It made me ponder….why not I learn at least basic Arabic words. I started my lessons and I am proud today that I have learnt at least 15 new words in the last 1 month and use it wherever I get an opportunity to talk to an Arabic speaking person in basic Arabic words.

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Here are the basic Arabic words that I learnt and some in the process of learning:

Basic Arabic Words for conversation:

ARABIC                                                                             ENGLISH
Assalam Alaikum                                               Peace be Upon you
Reply: Wa Alaikum Assalam                                    And Peace be Upon you
We Aleikom Elsalam                                               Greetings
MarhabaHello
Reply: Marhabteen
Sabah Al Khair                                                             Good Morning
Reply: Sabah Al Noor
Masah Al Khair                                                         Good Afternoon
Reply: Masah Al Noor
Kaifa Haalik? (also Keefak)                                    How are You?
Reply: Bi Khair, Zayn or Al Hamdu Lillah           Fine and Praise be to Allah
Ahlan wa Sahlan                                                     Hello
Shukran                                                                          Thank you
Reply: Aafwaan                                                              You are welcome.
La Shukran                                                                   No Thank You
Mabrook                                                                           Congratulations
Masjid                                                                                 Mosque
A Ed min Fadlik                                                           Kindly repeat
Ma’assalama                                                               Good Bye
Kam Alsaa’a                                                                     What is the time?
Sayyarah                                                                         Car
Titakkellem ingleezi?                                            Do you speak English
Inta Min Weyn?                                                         Where are you from
Reply: Ana min India or Amreeka
Yaallah –Come on or let’s go
Mafi Mushkil –No problem.
Yani is a phrase used to mean “like” or “you know”
Wayn al hammam –where is the washroom or bathroom or toilet?
Inshallah –If Allah wishes
This word is heard the most. It denotes that if Allah wishes, our arrangement or deeds will be done.
Maashallah –What Allah Wishes.
This Is Used In Praise Of Someone Or Something Or As A Complement.

Conversational Arabic Words:

ARABIC                                                                            ENGLISH
Naam Yes
La No
Aywa Yes or OK
Min Fudluk Please
Shoo? -What?
Shoofi Mafi? What’s up?
Shoo Hada? What is this?
Tamaam Perfect
Baadin Later
Dilwaati Now
Ilyoum Today
Bukra Tomorrow
Taal Bukra Come tomorrow
Ashoofook Bukra See You Tomorrow
Aadhi It is normal
Jebli Shai Get Me Some Tea  or Can I Have Some Tea Please?
Kallemni Call Me or Talk To Me
Ma Adhri I Don’t Know
Maa- i- Khussni It’s Not My Problem
Inta Kida Thumbs Up
Intaa Tabaan  Thumbs Down
Areed Areef I Want To Know
Mumken Asaduq Can I Help You?

Miscellaneous Arabic Words: These Arabic words are used while having a conversation.

ARABICENGLISH
Tabaan Of Course
Andi I Have.
Kam How Much?
Kam Al Ijara How much is the rent?
Affwaan Excuse Me
Kullu Everything
Kullu Tamam Everything OK.
Wayn Where?
Maata When?
Shoo What?
Leysh Why?
Meen Who?

Useful basic Arabic words phrases when travelling :

ARABICENGLISH
Sida Straight
Yasar Left
Yameen Right
Shuwey ShuweySlower.(Slowly slowly)
Khallaas Finish
Awwal First or Number one.
Thanee Second
Thalith Third
Rabbea Fourth
Muffruq Turning
Shariya Road
Ishaara Traffic Signal
Min From
Fouq Up
That Down

I hope that soon everybody picks up some basic Arabic words and Arabic phrases and starts conversing in Arabic. It is a beautiful language, I learnt.

Other great sources to Learn basic Arabic:

BBCOpens in a new tab.

Learn Basic Arabic words and Arabic sentences through Videos:

Here are some great videos you could learn to speak basic Arabic words and phrases. Go through them in detail every day. I believe they are very useful for you to pick up some basic Arabic phrases/words:

I would like to thank MahaOpens in a new tab. for her excellent Arabic video lessons.

Speak Arabic Phrases: Video Playlist

How to say your name in Arabic?

How to say: Where are you from?

How to say in Arabic: How old are you?

How to say in Arabic: What is your Job?

How to say in Arabic: Good Morning.

How to say in Arabic: Different names of countries?

How to say in Arabic: Thank you.

How to say in Arabic: How are you?

How to say in Arabic: Names of different Jobs.

How to say in Arabic: I want….

How to say in Arabic: What is this?

How to say in Arabic: I don’t know!!

How to say in Arabic: There is…./ There are….

How to say in Arabic: Good Luck

How to say in Arabic: Hamza…

How to say in Arabic: Where are you going?

How to say in Arabic: Ma’ lesh

How to say in Arabic: Singular, Plural and Dual

How to say in Arabic: Adjectives

Deepak

Deepak is a passionate blogger with interests in bitcoin, online marketing, and writing.

66 thoughts on “Talk basic Arabic words, phrases, common sentences

  1. ASSALAMU ALAIKUM TR MAHA,

    I am really feel so happy to see your videos.
    thank you so much for you.
    please start new chapter of arabic lession
    we are waiting

  2. Dear Deepak,

    Thanks.

    I am trying to learn Arabic, Kindly include more and more situational based conversation and video.Also I am asking you if some one follow your Arabic tutorial tips how many days required to familiar in Arabic language.

  3. I instantly noticed that you’ve learned from an Egyptian teacher. That’s because I am an Arab 😀
    but in general, this list is awesome for beginners.

  4. Asalamolikoom i want to learn arabic in written read and speak can any one guide me ? Thanks

  5. Your word list has helped me out. Thanks for the share. Learnt what was necessary to get a job done.

    However no offense, I would like to mention a line which says you where compelled to speak Tamil, thats because you where in Madras. But seriously you cannot compare Madras with Dubai. The language barries have hold those cities back. If would have been in Mumbai aka Bombay, you would have noticed that it speaks same English and Hindi often same as Dubai. Marathi is local laguage of Mumbai but not mandatorily used by all.

    So to conclude here is Dubai and Mumbai are lively cities and you travel anywhere to such cities throughout the world you can only hear is English.

    To conclude its not about tolarance nor lack of intrest its all about International Standards thats upheld by Dubai.

  6. Assalamu alaykoum,
    I am an online native Arabic tutor and I am teaching students from different parts of the world.Have a look at my profile and see what students are saying!
    http://www.italki.com/teacher/1852808

    1. Assalamu alaykoum jaouad..
      My emirati friend always tease the word harakat and he is telling me its not a bad word… what is harakat? Is it really good to hear? Hope ull gonna answer me.. shukran

  7. Hi,
    I am indian female only know English, hindi and Punjabi but now I also want to learn Arabic language.

    Please guide me.

    1. Neeru,
      There are institutes that teach you Arabic here in UAE.
      Also you could go through the video tutorials in Youtube.
      I have posted the arabic tutorial videos: http://emiratesdiary.com/uae-tips/talk-basic-arabic-words-phrases-common-sentences

      1. Hi Deepak How are You..Plz u can guide me where i can Find Institues in Riyadh or Online or Whatsapp who can teach me Arabic…

    2. Hi. Neeru. Noted your Message.. I do teach ARABIC in DUBAI.. I am on Annual Leave in India.. Now .. You can refer me on my e-mail ( [email protected]) and refer me after I come back to Dubai.. I will guide you further.. I have been teaching Arabic since 1975 in various countries including Bombay, India – K.S.A all cities, Baghdad -Iraq, Oman and now in Dubai U.A.E. since 1991. You can refer me on my mobile no +971507780319 after I come back to Dubai or on my above e-mail ( [email protected])

    3. zia shakeel
      Sister, I am also trying nowadays to learn basic Arabic.
      There are lots of videos on YouTube.
      Very interesting.

  8. Thank you very much for the useful words and phrases. I absolutely agree that you should try to learn the language of the country you are in. I am finding this a frustrating process though! I moved to Abu Dhabi in December and have tried very hard to learn since I arrived. I have been taught Arabic at my work, but it turns out it’s Modern Standard, and when I try to use it, I am laughed at. This teacher was also using Maha. I have learned from a Jordanian and have also been laughed at (by another Jordanian) saying not all the words I learned are used here. I am now extremely confused and have little idea where to turn to now! I notice that your phrases and Maha’s are not always the same. I understand there are dialects but am fed up being laughed at and just want to be able to start communicating effectively! If anyone has any tips, I’d be very grateful, as this is the first site I’ve come across that tried to teach UAE Arabic.

    1. Dazzler,
      Yes, there are different dialects in Arabic.
      Like English the words used by Indians and Americans are different. An Indian could get laughed at while speaking to an American.
      But what is more important is that you persist with learning a language.
      I got laughed at when I was learning French. But I continued. ALthough I am still learning, I am improving the words.
      If you wanted to learn UAE Arabic, you could join an institute like Eton.

  9. Have lived in madras for 38yrs and I still don’t know how to read and write tamil. One can manage pretty well in madras with English. Please do clear this misconception. Shukraan.

    1. That was what I experienced Annu. For the kind of people I moved and lived with, I had to learn it!

    2. zia shakeel
      Sister, I am also trying nowadays to learn basic Arabic.
      There are lots of videos on YouTube.
      Very interesting.

  10. Thanks for the translation,pls I need more common daily useful sentences.thanks

  11. Thanks alot for the translations as i used a few words from these on my girlfriend who had her birthday today !

    I would appriciate it alot if you guys would help us by posting short basic daily life sentences.

    Rgds Azam

  12. so lame i understood nothing from this freaky ladie soooooooooooo lame website try to some thing good for people to understand

    1. Thomas,
      Thank you for the feedback. I will try to see how do I change the content to match your expectations. Please do not use pseudonyms while commenting.

  13. Very thanx …it is very useful to me.I am always interested to learn new language.I would like to improve Arabic writing skills also …

  14. Nice and very good any natughty style of teaching Arabic language.
    Please upload more and more Arabic language videos.
    I thankful to you i learn Arabic Language.I like you style of teaching Arabic nice and amazing.

  15. Hello Maha! I so love this! Thank you so much. I am really interested in learning Arabic and this is my first step.

  16. thank you very much madamme for uploading this video,hoping you upload more inshaallah. was hppy nd interested to learn and speak arabic inshaallah…

  17. thank you veru much madamme for the video,hoping you upload more inshaallah..i was happy and interested to learn and speak arabic inshaallah…

  18. this website is so helpful for beginners like me, I’m an eager student and yet find it hard to study Arabic, thank you especially for the videos. Mabrook Najah on this site, mashallah 🙂

  19. thanks but when i check from google translate it is showing some difference words which i unable to understand

    1. Hi Ejaz, Arabic has different dialects like any other language. It differs from place to place like Hindi. So a person from UAE may speak in different kind of Arabic than one from Egypt or Bahrain.

      1. Mr.Deepak , . This site gives me a little but a very useful knowledge . mashallah Sir,

        on the other hand , i want to learn how to speak Arabic , or to make a conversation to arabic people even . can you advice how to make this happen . .

        Ty ..

    2. Dear Ejaz, I have been to UAE since 2012 and have just started to research on Emarati dialect. As my understanding, There are three types of Arabic. One Quran Arabic which is the authentic and used for official and written Arabic. This type of Arabic can be translated from google translate.
      The second one is spoken Arabic. This is very different from Quaran Arabic and bit easy also to learn and to speak. For example.” I want to go to Dubai”, can be written in two ways one in Qran Arabic and in colloquial.
      Quran Arabic:- Ana ureed an ad-hab ila al Dubai
      Colloquial:- Ana abi arooh aDubai This one is popular and standard in UAE.
      The third one is broken Arabic which is being spoken by Indians and other foreigners. There is no grammar used in it only words attached each other. For example: I will go to Dubai can be in standard Emarati arabic like following:- Ana barooh aDubai
      But in broken Arabic foreigners speak as following :- Ana rooh Dubai.
      And even if a foreigner like indians, bengalies speak broken arabic fluently they cannot understand when two Emaratees speak in their colloquial Arabic. So it s always better to learn Emarati colloquial Arabic so that you will be respected when you speak with local people. And it will benefit you in many ways.

  20. Thanks alot for giving new vocabulary of arabic words its really great.Arabic is a very nice language its great to learn arabic .

  21. In Abu Dhabi and Dubai there is no dress code. But if you do not want to stand out too much then dont wear revealing ctohles eg. mini skirts, singlets. You wont get fined for it but you might feel uncomfortable. But dont worry, they are very popular tourist places and the people who live there know that you are not from their country and so will not bother you about it. And yes, you can wear knee length dresses and high heels. Its perfectly fine. Most hotels allow alcohol without a permit

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