Praktisch · Kapitel 13
Arabic Phrasebook
Arabic is the official language of the UAE, but English is spoken and understood everywhere. A few Arabic words and phrases still open doors — and earn you respect and smiles.
Basic Phrases
The following phrases are in Gulf Arabic (Khaliji), the local dialect. It differs from Modern Standard Arabic (Fusha) and Levantine Arabic, which many Lebanese and Syrians in the UAE speak.
| German | Arabic (Transliteration) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Hello / Peace be upon you | As-salamu alaikum | THE standard greeting. Response: Wa alaikum as-salam |
| Hello (informal) | Marhaba | Casual, friendly |
| Good morning | Sabah al-khair | Response: Sabah an-noor |
| Good evening | Masa al-khair | Response: Masa an-noor |
| Thank you | Shukran | The most useful word ever |
| Thank you very much | Shukran jazilan | |
| Please / You're welcome | Afwan | |
| Yes | Na'am / Ee | Ee is more informal |
| No | La | |
| Sorry | Aasif | Male: Aasif, female: Aasifa |
| Goodbye | Ma'a salama | Literally: With peace |
| How are you? | Kaif halak? | Male: halak, female: halik |
| I'm fine | Al-hamdu lillah | Literally: Praise be to God |
| I don't understand | Ma afham | |
| Do you speak English? | Tatakallam inglizi? | |
| If God wills | Inshallah | Used for everything future-related |
| Great / Wonderful | Mashallah | Expression of admiration |
| Welcome | Ahlan wa sahlan |
Tipp
Learn at least "As-salamu alaikum," "Shukran," and "Inshallah" — these three words open more doors than any app. Emiratis are thrilled when tourists can speak even a few words of Arabic.
In the Restaurant
| German | Arabic (Transliteration) |
|---|---|
| The bill, please | Al-hisab, min fadlak |
| A table for two, please | Tawila li ithnayn, min fadlak |
| Water, please | Mai, min fadlak |
| Delicious! | Laziiz! |
| I'm a vegetarian | Ana nabati |
| No spice | Bidun harr |
| Coffee | Gahwa |
| Tea | Shai |
| Bread | Khubz |
| Rice | Ruz |
| Meat | Laham |
| Chicken | Dajaj |
| Fish | Samak |
Shopping & Bargaining
Bargaining is part of the culture in the souks — and with a few Arabic phrases, it's even more fun:
| German | Arabic (Transliteration) |
|---|---|
| How much does this cost? | Bikam hada? |
| This is too expensive! | Hada ghali ktir! |
| Can you lower the price? | Mumkin akhass? |
| Last price? | Akhir si'r? |
| I'm just looking | Bass batfarraj |
| I'll take it | Bakhud-ha |
| No, thank you | La, shukran |
Numbers
| Number | Arabic | Number | Arabic |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wahid | 6 | Sitta |
| 2 | Ithnayn | 7 | Saba |
| 3 | Thalatha | 8 | Thamania |
| 4 | Arba'a | 9 | Tis'a |
| 5 | Khamsa | 10 | Ashara |
| 100 | Mia | 1000 | Alf |
Emergencies
| German | Arabic (Transliteration) |
|---|---|
| Help! | Musaada! / Sa'adni! |
| Call the police! | Ittasil bil-shurta! |
| Call an ambulance! | Ittasil bil-is'af! |
| I need a doctor | Ahtaj tabib |
| Hospital | Mustashfa |
| Pharmacy | Saidaliyya |
| Where is the nearest ...? | Wayn aqrab ...? |
| I'm lost | Ana daa'i |
| My passport was stolen | Jawaz safari inasaraq |
| Embassy | Sifara |
Emergency numbers:
- Police: 999
- Ambulance: 998
- Fire brigade: 997
- Coast guard: 996
Important: In all emergency situations, English works perfectly — all police officers and rescue personnel speak English. But a few Arabic words can help you be understood more quickly in stressful situations.
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