Arabic phrasebook

Arabic language in the World - Arabic speaking areas

The following phrasebook deals with Modern Standard Arabic. See the Egyptian Arabic phrasebook, Jordanian Arabic phrasebook, Moroccan Arabic phrasebook, Lebanese Arabic phrasebook, or Tunisian Arabic phrasebook for Arabic dialects relating to those regions/countries.

Arabic (العَرَبِيَّة‎) is a group of Semitic dialects spoken by more than 420 million people, mainly in North Africa and the Middle East. The literary form (Modern Standard Arabic, MSA) is the liturgical language for 1.6 billion Muslims and is the official written form of the language.

For communication purposes while traveling and using this guide, it is very important to note the differences between MSA and dialects since they are largely mutually unintelligible. Well-educated people will generally be able to understand MSA, but respond in their local dialects. Comprehension of dialects between different regions will drop significantly. It is therefore recommended that travelers focus on learning the relevant dialect for their destination for spoken communication, while using MSA as a written reference.

Pronunciation guide

Arabic script is written in a cursive script, even in print. Most letters change their shapes depending on their position (initial, medial or final).

Pronunciation varies regionally, but here is the loose description:

valign top a like hat and sometimes father {{IPA|/a/ aa (ا) is a longer version of a {{IPA|/aː/ b (ب) as in English t (ت) as in English th (ث) as in English thin {{IPA|/θ/ j (ج) as in jam {{IPA|/dʒ/(Gulf, Algeria), s as in measure {{IPA|/ʒ/(Levant, North Africa), g as in give (Egypt). H (ح) is a pharyngeal fricative sound at the back of the throat (IPA: /ħ/). It sounds like you are about to whisper the word hello. kh (خ) as in Scots loch or (German) Bach {{IPA|/x/ d (د) as in English dh (ذ) as in English them {{IPA|/ð/ r (ر) rolled like Italian or Spanish pero or perro. z (ز) as in English s (س) as in English sh (ش) as in English {{IPA|/ʃ/ S (ص) like s but with the back of the throat constricted (IPA: /sˤ/)

valign top D (ض) like d but with the back of the throat constricted (IPA: /dˤ/). Same vowel changes as S T (ط) like t but with the back of the throat constricted {{IPA|/tˤ/ Z (ظ) varies: like dh or z but with the back of the throat constricted. {{IPA|/ðˤ~zˤ `   (ع) A voiced version of H. {{IPA|/ʕ/ gh (غ) a fricative sound at the back of the throat {{IPA|/ɣ/ or kh while using the voice box. f (ف) as in English q (ق) like k but further back in the throat {{IPA|/q/ and is often pronounced like a glottal stop {{IPA|/ʔ/ or g. k (ك) as in English l (ل) as in English m (م) as in English n (ن) as in English h (ه) as in English w (و) as English we; as a vowel uu: as English boot; also o: close to English more (IPA: /oː/). y (ي) as English yes; as a vowel ii: as English bee; also ai: close to English main (IPA: /eː/). '   (ء أ آ ئ ؤ) as in Cockney bottle. A glottal stop (IPA: /ʔ/). Phrase list {{phrase Common signs OPEN – مفتوح (maftuuH) CLOSED – مغلق (mughlaq) ENTRANCE – دخول (dukhuul) EXIT – خروج (khuruuj) PUSH – ادفع (idfa`) PULL – اسحب (isHab) TOILET – حمام (Hammaam) MEN – رجال (rijaal) WOMEN – سيدات (sayyidaat) FORBIDDEN – ممنوع (mamnuu`) Basics Hello (informal)  مرحبا marhaba : سلام salaam Peace be with you. (formal)  السلام عليكم as-salaamu `alaikum (used only by muslims) How are you?  كيف حالك؟ kayfa haalak? (male singular) kayfa haalik? (female singular) kayfa haalukum? (plural) Please.  من فضلك : min faDlak (male) min faDlik (female) Thank you [very much.  [شكرا [جزيلا shukran [jaziilan. Yes.  نعم na`am No.  لا laa Maybe.  ممكن mumkin. Excuse me.  إسمحلي ismaHli Good morning.  صباح الخير sabaH al-khair Good evening.  مساء الخير masaa' al-khair good  جيد jayyid. very good  جيد جدا jayyid jiddan. Never mind.  ليس مهم lish muhim. Nothing.  لا شيء laa shay. Fine, thank you.  بخير ,شكرا bi-khair, shukran What is your name?  ما اسمك؟ masmuka? (to a male) masmuki? (to a female) My name is ______ .  _____ اسمي ismi _______ Nice to meet you.  تشرفنا tasharafna lit. "You honor us" You're welcome.  عفوا `afwan Excuse me. (getting attention)  لو سمحت lau samaHt Excuse me. (begging pardon)  انا اسفه / انا اسف ana aasif (male) / ana aasifah (female) I'm sorry.  انا اسفه / انا اسف ana aasif (male) / ana aasifah (female) Goodbye  مع السلامة ma`a as-salaamah Goodbye (informal)  سلام salaam I can't speak Arabic [well.  [لا اتكلم العربية [جيدا laa atakallam al-`arabiyyah [jayyidan Do you speak English?  هل تتكلم الانجليزية hal tatakallam al-ingliziyyah? Is there someone here who speaks English?  هل هنا اي شخص يتكلم الانجليزية؟ hal hunaa ayy shakhS yatakallam al-ingliziyya? Help!  مساعدة musaa`adah! Look out!  انتبه intabih Good night.  تصبح على الخير tiSbaH `alal-khair Good night (in response)  وانت من اهل الخير wa anta min ahl al-khair I don't understand.  لا افهم laa afham Where is the toilet?  اين الحمام؟ ayn al-Hammaam? Problems Leave me alone.  اتركني / اتركيني utrukni (to a male) / utrukiini (to a female) Don't touch me!  ما تلمسني ma tilmisni I'll call the police.  سأتصل بالشرطة sa'ataSal bashurTah Police!  شرطة shurtah! Stop! Thief!   !توقف! السارق tawqaf! assaariq! I need your help.  أحتاج مساعدة aHtaaj musaa`ada It's an emergency.  طوارئ Taware' I'm lost.  أضعت طريقي ada'tu tareeqi I lost my bag.  حقيبتي ضاعت Haqiibati Daa`at I lost my wallet.  محفظتي ضاعت maHafaZati Daa`at I'm sick.  انا مريض / انا مريضة ana mariiD (male) / ana mariiDah (female) I've been injured.  إنني مصاب innani muSabun I need a doctor.  احتاج دكتر aHtaaj duktur Can I use your phone?  هل ممكن استخدم التلفون؟ Hal mumkin astakhdim at-tilifun? Numbers 0  صفر Sifr 1  واحد waaHid 2  إثنان ithnaan 3  ثلاثة thalaatha 4  اربعة arba`a 5  خمسة khamsa 6  ستة sitta 7  سبعة sab`a 8  ثمانية thamaaniya 9  تسعة tis`a 10  عشرة `ashara 11  احد عشر aHad `ashar 12  اثنا عشر ithnaa `ashar 13  ثلاثة عشر thalaathata `ashar 14  اربعة عشر arba`ata `ashar 15  خمسة عشر khamsata `ashar 16  ستة عشر sittata `ashar 17  سبعة عشر sab`ata `ashar 18  ثمانية عشر thamaaniyata `ashar 19  تسعة عشر tis'ata `ashar 20  عشرون ishruun 21  واحد وعشرون waaHid wa-`ashruun 22  اثنان وعشرون ithnaan wa-`ashruun 23  ثلاثة وعشرون thalaatha wa-`ashruun 30  ثلاثون thalathuun 40  اربعون arba`uun 50  خمسون khamsuun 60  ستون sittuun 70  سبعون sab`uun 80  ثمانون thamanuun 90  تسعون tis`uun 100  مئة mi'a 200  مئتين mitayn 300  ثلاث مئة thalaath mi'a 1000  الف alf (as in The Thousand and One Nights - الف ليلة وليلةAlf Layla wa Layla) 2000  الفين alfayn 1,000,000  مليون milyon 1,000,000,000  مليار milyaar / بليون bilyon 1,000,000,000,000  تريليون triilyon number _____ (train, bus, etc.)  رقم / Raqm (...) half  نصف niSf less  اقل aqal more  اكثر akthar Transportation Directions Go  اذهب idh-hab Stop  قف qif Turn left  لف يسار lif yassar Turn right  لف يمين lif yameen straight ahead  على طول Ala Tool (Egyptian) or illal amaama الى الامام; dughri (Jordan); quduman (general) slowly  Shway Shway Wait or Stay  انتظر (intadhir) Show me.  ارني (areni) here  هنا huna there  هناك hunak before  قبل qabla after  بعد ba'da now  الأن al-aan from  من min to or at (a place)  الى ilah Wait one minute.  إنتظر دقيقه واحده intadhir daqeeqa waaheda. Just a moment.  لحظة /laH-dha Pronouns I  انا ana you (m)  انتَ anta you (f)  انتِ anti he  هو huwa she  هي hiya we  نحن naHnu you (two people)  انتما antuma you (m/mixed)  انتم antum you (f)  انتن antunna they (two people)  هما huma they (m/mixed)  هم hum they (f)  هن hunna Asking questions Who?  من man What?  ما/ماذا ma/madha When?  متى mata Where?  اين ayn Why?  لماذا li-madha How much?  بكم biKam How much is this?  بكم هذا biKam Hadha Where are you from?  من اين انت min ayn anta Understand?  Maf Hoom Do you speak English?  هل تتكلم الإنجليزية؟ hal tatakallam al-ingliziya? What is this? ma haadha? Useful "I"s I want  أريد (Uriid) I don't want  لا أريد (La Uriid) I have  لي lii / ladayya لدي / `indi عندي I don't have  ليس عندي (laysa `indi) I don't understand  Ana ma fehim أنا ما فاهم / ana laa afham أنا لا أفهم / Ana mesh fahem أنا مش فاهم I work at the _____.  Ana ashtaghel fi _____أنا اشتغل في / a'mal fi _____ _____أعمل في I don't speak Arabic لا اتكلم العربية laa atkallam al-arabiya / Ma bihki arabi ما باحكي عربي / Ma batkalemsh arabi ماباتكلمش عربي Things money  فلوس fuluus food  أكل akl; طعام Ta`aam coffee  قهوة qahwa (pronounced ah-way in Syrian Arabic) sugar  سكر sukkar salt  ملح milH vehicle  سيارة sayyaara hotel  فندق funduq / اوتيل ooteel museum  متحف matHaf hospital  مستشفى mustashfa water  ماء maa' tea  شاي shaay milk  حليب Haliib work  شغل shughl airplane  طائرة Taa'irah (pronounced "Tayyaara" in most dialects) train  قطار qiTaar bicycle  دراجة darraaja street  شارع shaari` building  مبنى mabna Time now  الآن (al-'aana) later  بعدين (ba`adayn) before  قبل (qabla) morning  صباح (SabaaH) afternoon  بعد ظهر (ba'ada Zuhur) evening  مساء (masaa') night  ليلة (laylah) Clock time one o'clock AM  one o'clock AM (sa'ati waHad) two o'clock AM  two o'clock AM (sa'ati ithnayn) noon  noon (ZuHur) one o'clock PM  one o'clock PM (...) two o'clock PM  two o'clock PM (...) midnight  midnight (muntasf al-laylah) Duration _____ minute(s)  _____ (دقيقة (دقائق (daqiiqah (daqaa'iq) ) _____ hour(s)  _____ hour(s)(saa) _____ day(s)  _____ يوم (أيام (yom (ayaam)) _____ week(s)  _____ week(s) (usbuu`) _____ month(s)  _____ month(s) (shahr) _____ year(s)  _____ سنة (سنوات (sanah (sanooaat)) Days today  البوم (al-yawm(a)) yesterday  امس (ams(i)) tomorrow  غداً (ghadan) this week  الاسبوع (al-'usbu`) last week  اسبوع الماضي (usbu`(u) 'l-maaDi) next week  اسبوع القادم (usbu`(u) 'l-qaadim) Days of the week Sunday  يوم الأحد ( (yawm) al'aHad) Monday  يوم الاثنين ( (yawm) al-ithnayn) Tuesday  يوم الثلاثاء ( (yawm) ath-thulaatha) Wednesday  يوم الأربعاء ( (yawm) al'arbi`a') Thursday  يوم الخميس ( (yawm) al-khamiis) Friday  يوم الجمعة ( (yawm) al-jum`a...) Saturday  يوم السبت ( (yawm) as-sabt) Months January  كانون الثاني (Kanoon al thani) February  February (.shubat شباط..) March  March (...آذار Aathar); April  April (..Nissan نيسان.) May  May (...أيار Ayyar) June  حزيران (Hzayraan) July  تموز (Tammouz) August  اّب (Ab) September  ايلول (Ayloul) October  تشرن الأول (Tishreen al awwal) November  تشرن الثاني (Tishreen al thani) December  كانون الأول (Kanoon al awwal) Writing time and date Even though Arabic is written from Right to Left, numbers in Arabic are written from Left to Right. Dates are written in an Arabic sentence from Left to Right as in English Colors black  أسود (Aswad) white  أبيض (Abyadh) gray  رمادي (Ramaadii) red  أحمر (AHmar) blue  أزرق (Azraq) yellow  أصفر (Asfar) green  أخضر (Akhdhar) orange  برتقالي (Burtuqaali) purple  أرجواني (Urjuwaan) brown  بني (Bunny) Transportation Bus and train How much is a ticket to _____?  adash tazkara ila ____? Bekam Tazkara ila......? One ticket to _____, please.  Tazkara wahida ila ___ law samaht Where does this train/bus go?  Hazal qitar/bus biyruh ila wayn? Ila Ayn Yazhab haza Alkitar/autobis? Where is the train/bus to _____?  Wein el-qitar/el-bus ila ___? Does this train/bus stop in _____?  hal biwa'ef hazal qitar/bus fi__ ? When does the train/bus for _____ leave?  emta btatla el-qitar/el-bus ila ___? When will this train/bus arrive in _____?  emta byusil hazal qitar/bus fi___? Directions How do I get to _____ ?  How do I get to _____ ? (Kayf bawsal la __) ...the train station?  ...the train station? (mahatet il qitar?) ...the bus station?  ...the bus station? (mawqif il bassat?) ...the airport?  ...المطار (al-matar?) ...downtown?  ...downtown? (West il balad?) ...the youth hostel?  ...the youth hostel? (Bayt El Shabab) ...the _____ hotel?  ...the _____ hotel? (otel?/ Al Fonduk) ...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate?  ...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate? (sefara Al Amrikia, Canadeia, ostralia, beritania) Where are there a lot of...  Where are there a lot of... (Wein fi kteer...) ...hotels?  ...hotels? (otelat/ Fanadek) ...restaurants?  ...restaurants? (mata'em) ...bars?  ...bars? (bars) ...sites to see?  ...sites to see? (amaken seyaheyeh?) Can you show me on the map?  Can you show me on the map? (momken tfarjeeni ala al khareeta?) street  شارع (shar'iah) Turn left.  لف يسار (lif yasaar) Turn right.  لف يمين (lif yameen) left  يسار (yasaar) right  يمين (yameen) straight ahead  على طول (ala tul) towards the _____  towards the _____ (bijehet il) past the _____  past the _____ (baed il) before the _____  before the _____ (abel il) Watch for the _____.  Watch for the _____. (intibeh la) intersection  intersection (taqato) north  شمال (shamaal) south  جنوب (janoob) east  شرق (sharq) west  غرب (gharb) uphill  uphill (talaa) downhill  downhill (nazleh) Taxi Taxi!  Taxi! (taxi!) Sayyara Take me to _____, please.  Take me to _____, please. (khodni il....., law Samaht) How much does it cost to get to _____?  How much does it cost to get to _____? (adeish?/ Bekam Azhab ila......) Take me there, please.  Take me there, please. (khodni ala __, law samaht) Lodging Do you have any rooms available?  Do you have any rooms available? (Endkom ghoraf(alternatively- owad) edafeyeh?) How much is a room for one person/two people?  How much is a room for one person/two people? (Adeish il ghorfeh li shakhs/shakhsein?) Does the room come with...  Does the room come with... (Il ghorfeh bteeji ma...) ...bedsheets?  ...bedsheets? (sharashef?) ...a bathroom?  ...a bathroom? (hammam?) ...a telephone?  ...a telephone? (tele-phown?) ...a TV?  ...a TV? (televis-yon?) May I see the room first?  May I see the room first? (Baqdar ashoof il ghorfeh abel?) Do you have anything quieter?  Do you have anything quieter? (Fi eshi ah-da?.) ...bigger?  ...bigger? (akbar?) ...cleaner?  ...cleaner? (andaf?) ...cheaper?  ...cheaper? (arkhas?) OK, I'll take it.  OK, I'll take it. (OK, bakhodha) I will stay for _____ night(s).  I will stay for _____ night(s). (Rah aba'a kaman ___ yom) Can you suggest another hotel?  Can you suggest another hotel? (...) Do you have a safe?  Do you have a safe? (fi khazneh?) ...lockers?  ...lockers? (...) Is breakfast/supper included?  Is breakfast/supper included? (...) What time is breakfast/supper?  What time is breakfast/supper? (ay sei-a il ftoor/asha?) Please clean my room.  Please clean my room. (momken tanadef il ghorfeh) Can you wake me at sds_____? | Can you wake me at _____? (momken tfaye'ni al __ ) I want to check out.  I want to check out. (beddi ashoofha) Money Matters & ATM's in Arabic phrasebook Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars?  Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? (Hal taqbal bi noqood Amreekeyah/Ostoraleyah/Canadeyah?) Do you accept British pounds?  Do you accept British pounds? (Hal Taqbal bi Jenehat Biritaneyeh?) Do you accept credit cards?  Do you accept credit cards? (...) Can you change money for me?  Can you change money for me? (Momken tsarefli masari?) Where can I get money changed?  Where can I get money changed? (Wein badar asaref masari?) Can you change a traveler's check for me?  Can you change a traveler's check for me? (...) Where can I get a traveler's check changed?  Where can I get a traveler's check changed? (...) What is the exchange rate?  What is the exchange rate? (...) Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)?  Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? (Wein fi ATM?) Eating A table for one person/two people, please.  A table for one person/two people, please. (Tawlah la wahed/tenein) Can I look at the menu, please?  Can I look at the menu, please? (Momken ashoof il menu?) Can I look in the kitchen?  Can I look in the kitchen? (Mumken ashuf il matbakh?) Is there a house specialty?  Is there a house specialty? (...) Is there a local specialty?  Is there a local specialty? (...) I'm a Vegetarian.  I'm a Vegetarian. (Ana nabati) I only eat Halal food.  I only eat Halal food. (Bas bakol akel hallal) Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard)  Can you make it "lite", please? (khaleeha khafeefeh) fixed-price meal  fixed-price meal (...) à la carte  à la carte (à la carte) breakfast  breakfast (ftoor) al iftar lunch  lunch (...) al ghada tea (meal)  tea (...) shay' supper  supper (...) al isha' I want _____.  ._____أريد (ooreed) I want a dish containing _____.  I want a dish containing _____. (...) Chicken  دجاج (dajaj) [ beef  بقر (baqar) fish  سمك (samak) ham  ham (khanzeer) Cheese  جبنة (jubneh) eggs  بيض (baid) salad  سَلَطَة (salata) (fresh) vegetables  (fresh) vegetables (...) (fresh) khudrawat (fresh) fruit  (fresh) fruit (fawakeh) (fresh) fawakat bread  bread (...) ayish OR khubz toast  toast (...) [ Noodles  [ Noodles (makarona) Rice  أرز ( 'roz) beans  beans (fool) fasoliyya May I have a glass of _____?  May I have a glass of _____? (Momken Kaset___) May I have a cup of _____?  May I have a cup of _____? (Momken finjan ___) May I have a bottle of _____?  May I have a bottle of _____? (...) coffee  coffee (qahweh) kah'wa tea (drink)  شاي ( shay' ) juice  عصير (Aseer) (bubbly) water  water (may) water  ماء ( maa' ) May I have some _____?  May I have some _____? (momken ___?) salt  ملح (malh) black pepper  فلفل أسود (filfil aswad) butter  زبدة (zibdeh) Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server) Excuse me, waiter? (...)garcoon I'm finished.  I'm finished. (khalast ) galaste It was delicious.  It was delicious. (Zaki) Al-akl mazboot! Please clear the plates.  Please clear the plates. (...) The check, please.  The check, please. (...)Leh'seb min fadlak Muslim Friendly Shopping in Arabic phrasebook Do you have this in my size?  Do you have this in my size? (Fi maqas?) How much is this?  بكم هذا؟ (bikam hatha) That's too expensive.  That's too expensive. (...) "ghali katheer!" Would you take _____?  Would you take _____? (...) expensive  غالي (ghali) affordable  رخيص (rakhees) I can't afford it.  I can't afford it. (...) I don't want it.  I don't want it. (ma beddi) You're cheating me.  You're cheating me. (harami) I'm not interested.  I'm not interested. (lust muhtam) OK, I'll take it.  OK, I'll take it. (ok) Can I have a bag?  Can I have a bag? (oreedo kees) Do you ship (overseas)?  Do you ship (overseas)? (...) I need...  I need... (...) Ahtaj ...toothpaste.  ...toothpaste. (ma'ajoon asnan) ...a toothbrush.  ...a toothbrush. (forshaat asnan) ...tampons.  ...tampons. (always) ...soap.  ...soap. (saboon) ...shampoo.  ...shampoo. (shamboo) ...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen)  ...pain reliever. (mussakin) ...cold medicine.  ...cold medicine. (dawa rash-h) ...stomach medicine.  ...stomach medicine. (dawa baten) ...a razor.  ...a razor. (shafra) ...an umbrella.  ...an umbrella. (shamseyeh) ...sunblock lotion.  ...sunblock lotion. (...) ...a postcard.  ...بطاقة بريدية (bitaqa bareedia) ...postage stamps.  ...postage stamps. (tawabe' bareed) ...batteries.  ...batteries. (batareyat) ...writing paper.  ...ورق للكتبة (waraq lil-kitaba) ...a pen.  ...قلم (qalam) ...English-language books.  ...كتب إنجليزية (kutub ingliziya) ...English-language magazines.  ... مجلات انكليزية (majalat engiliziya) ...an English-language newspaper.  ...جرائد إنجليزية (jara'id ingliziya) ...an English-English dictionary.  ...an English-English dictionary. (qamoos ingilizi-ingilizi) Driving I want to hire a car.  I want to hire a car. (beddi astajer sayarah) Can I get insurance?  Can I get insurance? (fi tameen?) stop (on a street sign)  stop (qif) one way  one way (tho itjah wahed) yield  yield (atti alaolwyeh) no parking  no parking (mamnoo alistifaf) speed limit  speed limit (alsuraa alkanooniya) gas (petrol) station  gas station (mahatet banzeen) petrol  petrol (betrol) diesel  diesel (diesel) Authority I haven't done anything wrong.  I haven't done anything wrong. (Ma emelet eshi ghalat) It was a misunderstanding.  It was a misunderstanding. (kan so' tafahom ) Where are you taking me?  Where are you taking me? (wein akhedni?) Am I under arrest?  Am I under arrest? (ana motaqaleh?) I am an Malaysian/Indonesian/Emirati/Singaporean citizen.  I am an Malaysian/Indonesian/Emirati/Singaporean citizen. (Ana American/...) I want to talk to the Malaysian/Indonesian/Emirati/Singaporean embassy/consulate.  I need to talk to the Malaysian/Indonesian/Emirati/Singaporean embassy/consulate. (...) I want to talk to a lawyer.  I want to talk to a lawyer. (beddi ahki ma mohami) Can I just pay a fine now?  Can I just pay a fine now? (ba2dar adfa?) Arabic Numerals 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Eastern Arabic numerals ٠ ١ ٢ ٣ ٤ ٥ ٦ ٧ ٨ ٩