Learning professional and office-related vocabulary in a new language can be quite useful, especially if you are planning to work in an environment where that language is spoken. Arabic, being one of the most spoken languages worldwide, is no exception. Below are some of the essential terms and phrases that can be beneficial for anyone looking to expand their Arabic vocabulary in a professional context.

مكتب (Maktab) – Office
This is a general term for “office,” a place where professional or clerical work is performed.
أنا ذاهب إلى المكتب الآن. (Ana dhahib ila al-maktab al-aan.) – I am going to the office now.

مدير (Mudeer) – Manager
This word refers to someone who is responsible for controlling or administering an organization or group of staff.
المدير مشغول في اجتماع. (Al-mudeer mashghool fi ijtima’.) – The manager is busy in a meeting.

موظف (Mawthaf) – Employee
An employee is a person employed for wages or salary, especially at non-executive level.
عدد الموظفين في الشركة يتزايد. (‘Addad al-mawthafeen fi ash-sharikah yatazayad.) – The number of employees in the company is increasing.

اجتماع (Ijtima’) – Meeting
A meeting is an assembly of people, especially the members of a society or committee, for discussion or entertainment.
سوف يكون هناك اجتماع غداً. (Sawfa yakon hunak ijtima’ ghadan.) – There will be a meeting tomorrow.

مشروع (Mashroo’) – Project
This term refers to a planned piece of work that is designed to find information about something, to produce something new, or to improve something.
أعمل على مشروع ضخم هذه الأيام. (A’mal ‘ala mashroo’ dhakhm hadhih al-ayyam.) – I am working on a huge project these days.

عقد (‘Aqd) – Contract
A contract is a written or spoken agreement, especially one concerning employment, sales, or tenancy, that is intended to be enforceable by law.
وقّعنا عقداً جديداً مع الشركة. (Waqq’ana ‘aqdan jadidan ma’a ash-sharikah.) – We signed a new contract with the company.

راتب (Ratib) – Salary
Salary is the money paid or received for work or services, typically paid on a monthly basis.
تم تحويل الراتب إلى حسابي البنكي. (Tum tahweel ar-ratib ila hisabi al-banki.) – The salary has been transferred to my bank account.

عميل (‘Amil) – Client
A client is a person or organization using the services of a lawyer or other professional person or company.
لدينا اجتماع مع العميل بعد ظهر اليوم. (Ladayna ijtima’ ma’a al-‘amil ba’da dhuhr al-yawm.) – We have a meeting with the client this afternoon.

ترقية (Taruqiyyah) – Promotion
Promotion in the workplace refers to the advancement of an employee’s rank or position in a hierarchical structure.
حصلت على ترقية في عملي. (Hasaltu ‘ala taruqiyyah fi ‘amali.) – I received a promotion at my job.

مقابلة عمل (Muqabalah ‘amal) – Job interview
A job interview is a conversation between a job applicant and a representative of an employer which is conducted to assess whether the applicant should be hired.
أتممت مقابلة عمل ناجحة. (Atamamtu muqabalah ‘amal najihah.) – I completed a successful job interview.

By familiarizing yourself with these essential professional and office-related terms in Arabic, you’ll be better equipped to engage in a business setting in the Arab world. Whether you’re attending meetings, discussing projects, or negotiating contracts, these expressions will prove indispensable in your professional interactions.