Arabic Language Basics
While Arabic is the official language of the UAE, given the large expatriate population, English is widely spoken and is commonly used in business and commerce. Roads and street signs in Dubai are in both Arabic and English. Meanwhile public services such as the automated telephone operators allow you to choose between the two languages.
A visitor does not need to learn Arabic to get by in the UAE, but learning some basic words, phrases and numbers that may come in handy might not be a bad thing afteral.
Everyday Phrases
Greeting|Assalamu alaikum**
Greeting (in reply)|Walaikum assalam**
Hello|Marhaba**
Hello (in reply)|Ahlan**
Goodbye|Ma’assalama**
How are you?|Keef halak / halek? (male / female)**
Fine, praise be to God|Al hamdu lillah**
Good Morning|Sabah al khair**
Good Evening|Masaa al khair**
OK|Tayeb**
Yes|Na'am**
No|La**
God willing|Insha Allah**
Excuse Me|Lao samaht / samahti (male / female) **
Please|Min fadlak / fadlik (male / female) **
How much?|Kam? **
How much is this?|Kam hatha? **
Where are you from?|Min fain inta / inti? (male / female) **
Do you speak English?|Tetkalam ingleezi? **
What is your name?|Shoo ismak / ismik? (male / female) **
My name is...|Ismi... **
Thank you|Shukran**
I am sorry|Mut‘assef**
Wait a moment|Lahtha shway**
Let’s go/ come on|Yallah**
Enough|Bas**
Finished|Khalas**
None, nothing|Ma fee**
Money|Floos**
Coffee|Qahwah**
Sugar|Sokkar**
Salt|Malh**
Water|Mai**
Tea|Shay**
Milk|Haleeb**
Car|Sayyara**
Hotel|Fondoq**
Restaurant|Matam**
Airport|Mataar**
Airplane|Tayarah**
Straignt on|Seeda**
Slow down|Shway shway**
Left|Yasaar**
Right|Yameen**
Stop|Waqif**
Roundabout|Duwaar**
Numbers
0 - Zero|Sifir**
1 - One|Wahid**
2 - Two|Ithnain**
3 - Three|Thalatha**
4 - Four|Arba'**
5 - Five|Khamsa**
6 - Six|Sitta**
7 - Seven|Saba'**
8 - Eight|Thamania**
9 - Nine|Tisa'**
10 - Ten|Ashra**
20 - Twenty|Ishreen**
30 - Thirty|Thalatheen**
40 - Forty|Arbaeen**
50 - Fifty|Khamseen**
60 - Sixty|Sitteen**
70 - Seventy|Sabeen**
80 - Eighty|Thamaneen**
90 - Ninety|Tiseen**
100 - Hundred|Miyya**
