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.