Planning a trip to the UAE? Well, get ready to dive into a world where skyscrapers meet sand dunes, and the language is as rich as the culture. While English is widely spoken, a little Arabic can go a long way in earning you some local credit. So, whether you’re bargaining at the souk or enjoying a delicious shawarma, these essential Arabic words will help you navigate the UAE like a pro. Let’s start with the basics!
Greetings
- Marhaba meaning ‘hello’ so feel free to greet locals with this friendly word as you explore the UAE!
- Ahlan wa Sahlan which means ‘welcome’ used particularly for formal greetings. You can even say Ahlan in short. Usually, the locals and expats greet by saying Assalamualaikum which means ‘peace be upon you’ and reply with Walekumsalam that translates to ‘and with you be peace”.
- Start your day with a cheerful Sabaah Alkhayr (good morning) and wind it down with Masaa’ Alkhayr (good evening). When it’s time for bed, toss out a friendly Tusbih Alaa Khayr (good night) to wrap up the day!
- Maasalamah is the standard way of bidding ‘goodbye’, but you can also say Ilal Liqa which very politely means ‘until we meet again!’
General Conversations
- There is no better word other than Kayf Halak to continue the conversation – which means ‘how are you’.
- Kick things off by introducing yourself with Ismii… (my name is…), and when you’re wrapping up a conversation, seal the deal with a cheerful Saeid Biliqayik means ‘nice to meet you’. Before you know it, you’ll be making friends left and right!
- One word you’ll quickly master in Dubai is Shukran (thank you). Try it next time you haggle at the souk—it’s a small word that goes a long way!
- If you’re navigating through a bustling mall or sidestepping overly enthusiastic souk vendors, just toss out an Afwan ‘excuse me’ and ‘thank you’ after you are helped by someone while navigating a place or leave the souk after you purchase wanted items.
- And don’t forget the essentials: Na’am (yes) and La (no) – pair them with a smile, and you’ll breeze through daily interactions like a pro!
More Must-Know Magic Words
- Min fadlak – Please (to a male)
- Min fadlik – Please (to a female)
- Masa’ al-khayr – Good evening
- Sabah al-khayr – Good morning
- Ma’a as-salama – Goodbye
- Kam? – How much?
- Kayf? – How?
- Ayn? – Where?
- Madha? – What?
- Limadha? – Why?
- Mataa? – When
- Mann? – Who?
- Insha’Allah – God willing (used to express hope or intention)
- Tayyib – Okay/Good
(Contributed by Wajeeha Syed)