السلام عليكم (As-salamu alaykum) – This means “Peace be upon you” and is a common greeting in Arabic-speaking countries.
When entering a shop, it’s polite to say, “السلام عليكم” to the shopkeeper.
مرحبا (Marhaban) – An informal way to say “Hello.”
“مرحبا! كيف حالك؟” which translates to “Hello! How are you?”
شكرا (Shukran) – This is the Arabic word for “Thank you.”
After being served a meal, you might say, “شكرا جزيلاً للوجبة الرائعة” meaning “Thank you very much for the wonderful meal.”
لا شكر على واجب (La shukran ‘ala wajib) – This phrase means “No thanks needed” or “You’re welcome.”
If someone thanks you for your help, you can reply with “لا شكر على واجب”.
كم السعر؟ (Kam al-thaman?) – It translates to “How much is this?”
When shopping at a market, you might inquire, “كم السعر؟” while pointing at an item you are interested in.
أريد … (Ureed …) – This means “I want …”
If you want to order a coffee, you could say, “أريد قهوة من فضلك” which is “I want a coffee, please.”
أين الحمام؟ (Ayn al-hammam?) – Translates to “Where is the bathroom?”
If you’re in a restaurant and need to use the restroom, you can ask, “أين الحمام؟”
هل تتكلم الإنجليزية؟ (Hal tatakallam al-ingliziyya?) – This means “Do you speak English?”
When seeking assistance, you might question, “هل تتكلم الإنجليزية؟” to find someone who speaks English.
أنا لا أفهم (Ana la afham) – The phrase means “I do not understand.”
When you don’t comprehend what is being said, you can politely say, “أنا لا أفهم.”
مع السلامة (Ma’a al-salama) – This is how you say “Goodbye.”
When leaving a place, “مع السلامة” is a courteous way to bid farewell.
نعم (Na’am) – It simply means “Yes.”
If someone asks you if you would like something, you can reply with “نعم”.
لا (La) – This is the word for “No.”
In case you are offered something you don’t want, “لا, شكراً” meaning “No, thank you” will be useful.
مساعدة (Musa’ada) – Meaning “Help.”
In an emergency, shouting “مساعدة! مساعدة!” can attract attention.
لو سمحت (Law samaht) – It translates to “Excuse me” or “Please.”
To catch a waiter’s attention you might say, “لو سمحت, أود أن أطلب” which is “Excuse me, I would like to order”.
It is a good idea to practice these phrases before your trip or keep them handy as a quick reference. However, don’t be afraid to use them imperfectly—locals usually appreciate the effort to communicate in their language. In addition to these phrases, learning how to read Arabic numerals and understanding basic directions can also be extremely helpful. Happy travels, and enjoy the rich and diverse cultures that the Arabic language can unlock for you!
