Useful Arabic Phrases

If you're planning to visit a country where the majority of people speak Arabic, then it would be helpful if you learnt to say some Arabic phrases. In any language you should be able to greet people and be able to ask for directions. The following is a list of common phrases that you may need to know in the Arabic language:

•  Good Morning: Sabah el kheer

•  Good Night: Tosbeho khair (if you are speaking to a male) 
                     Tosbeheena khair (if you are speaking to a female)

•  Good-bye: Salama

•  Hi: Salam

•  Thank You: Shokran

•  How are you?: Kaifa haloka (male) 
                        Kaifa haloki (female)

•  Can you help me?: Hal beemkanek mosa dati?

•  How much is this?: Kam howa thamanoh?

•  Do you speak English?: Hal tatakallamu alloghah alenjleziah?

•  I'm sorry (not understanding): Fwan

•  I'm sorry (made a mistake): Aasef

•  I don't understand: La afham

There are lots of ways you can learn Arabic phrases. The most common is to buy a phrase book that gives them the English words and their Arabic translations. This is a good method however as you cannot hear the words being said you cannot be too sure of the pronunciation. Also you will have added problems if the Arabic is written in the Arabic alphabet because it is very complicated and not at all similar to the alphabet we use in English that you're used to.

You should take a course in how to read, write and speak the language in order to learn the basics. You can either attend classes or take an online course which is good if you prefer to study at your own pace. The online courses start at the beginning teaching you important phrases to get you on the right track to communicate in the language.

There are lots of websites online where you can see a phrase written in both English, Arabic (Arabic Alphabet and usually transliterated) so that you can learn its meaning. If you wish to learn online then you should, if possible, try and find a website which enables you to listen to a recording of a native Arabic speaker saying the phrases you‘re learning so you can learn to pronounce them. With most online courses and any other source you may use to learn Arabic, you will be taught standard Arabic, so everything would most likely be very formal, however if you would like to learn some less formal words and phrases you could look for colloquial lessons. If you're speaking to someone that speaks a slightly different dialect to the one you have learnt, you may have some difficulty understanding them but once you have the foundation in the language you should quickly learn to adapt the dialect.

Learning Arabic is no more difficult than learning any new language even though it looks a lot more difficult because of the writing system being very different to one you are familiar with. You start off by learning the alphabet and the system of writing, which may seem backwards to you. When you master simple words and phrases, you will gain a sense of the language and you will be surprised at how quickly you master them.