Navigating the world of business often involves understanding the relevant terminology. For professionals looking to do business with Arabic-speaking partners or to work in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), a grasp of business-related terms in Arabic is indispensable. Here’s a rundown of some essential business terminology in Arabic that can help you communicate more effectively in a professional context.

شركة (sharika) – Company
In Arabic, a company is referred to as a “sharika.” This term can encompass businesses of various sizes, from small startups to multinational corporations.
هل أنت مالك الشركة؟
(Are you the owner of the company?)

مدير (mudeer) – Manager
The person in charge of managing an aspect of business or an entire business is known as a “mudeer.” They hold responsibility for the day-to-day operations.
المدير مسؤول عن فريق العمل.
(The manager is responsible for the team.)

تجارة (tijara) – Trade
“Trade” in Arabic is termed as “tijara,” which involves the act of buying, selling, or exchanging goods and services.
تعتبر التجارة جزءاً مهماً من اقتصادنا.
(Trade is an important part of our economy.)

استثمار (istithmar) – Investment
Investment, or “istithmar,” is putting money into something, such as property or stocks, with the expectation of generating a profit.
أخطط للاستثمار في السوق العقاري.
(I plan to invest in the real estate market.)

تسويق (tasweeq) – Marketing
Marketing, referred to as “tasweeq,” includes all activities a company undertakes to promote the buying or selling of a product or service.
يجب أن نضع خطة تسويق جديدة للمنتج.
(We need to develop a new marketing plan for the product.)

مبيعات (mubay’at) – Sales
“Sales,” or “mubay’at,” is the exchange of a commodity for money; the action of selling something.
زادت المبيعات هذا الربع.
(Sales increased this quarter.)

عميل (‘amiil) – Client
A business’s client is known as an “‘amiil.” This is the person or company that receives services or buys products from another business.
يجب أن نلبي توقعات العميل.
(We must meet the client’s expectations.)

مفاوضات (mufawadat) – Negotiations
In business, “negotiations” or “mufawadat” involve discussion aimed at reaching an agreement.
سنبدأ مفاوضات مع الشركة الأخرى الأسبوع المقبل.
(We will begin negotiations with the other company next week.)

عقد (‘aqd) – Contract
A “contract,” or “‘aqd,” is a formal agreement between two or more parties.
يجب أن نراجع العقد قبل التوقيع عليه.
(We need to review the contract before signing it.)

محاسبة (muhasaba) – Accounting
“Accounting,” or “muhasaba,” is the process of keeping financial accounts.
سيقوم قسم المحاسبة بإعداد التقارير المالية.
(The accounting department will prepare the financial reports.)

ميزانية (meezaneya) – Budget
A “budget” or “meezaneya” is an estimate of income and expenditure for a set period of time.
يجب أن نلتزم بالميزانية خلال المشروع.
(We should stick to the budget during the project.)

أرباح (arbah) – Profits
The “profits” or “arbah” are the financial gain made in a business transaction.
جنت الشركة أرباحاً عالية هذه السنة.
(The company made high profits this year.)

خسارة (khasara) – Loss
Opposite of profits, “loss” or “khasara” is when a business’s expenses exceed its revenues.
تكبدت الشركة خسارة بسبب سوء الإدارة.
(The company suffered a loss due to poor management.)

Understanding these terms will not only help in bridging cultural gaps but also contribute to smoother business transactions and partnerships. Language proficiency, combined with cultural awareness, paves the way for successful international relations and trade in the Arabic-speaking world.