Arabic Phrasebook for the UAE (with Audio)

Do you need to speak Arabic in the UAE?

Not to get by. Arabic is the official language, but English is widely spoken in shops, hotels, restaurants, offices and on road signs. Still, a few words of Arabic are always appreciated. A simple "shukran" or "as-salamu alaykum" often earns a warm smile, especially from Emiratis and older people. Read more in our post on the languages spoken in the UAE.

How does this phrasebook work?

There are 60 phrases sorted into eight topics: greetings and basics, polite words, everyday expressions, shopping and money, food and drink, getting around, help and health, and numbers. Each phrase shows the Arabic script, a simple transliteration, the meaning and, where it helps, a short note on how it is used.

Type in the search box in your own language, for example "thank you" or "how much", or pick a topic to narrow the list. The listen button reads the Arabic aloud with your device's own speech voice. The quality depends on your phone or computer, and if no Arabic voice is installed you will hear nothing. You can usually add one in your device's language or accessibility settings.

Standard Arabic or Emirati dialect?

The list mixes Modern Standard Arabic, the form used in writing, news and official settings, with common Gulf and Emirati words you will hear every day. For example, "wain" means "where" in the dialect, while standard Arabic says "ayna". "Shlonak?" is the Emirati way to ask a man how he is, and "shlonich?" is the form for a woman. "Gahwa" is Arabic coffee and "seeda" means straight on.

Many phrases change slightly depending on who you speak to, or on whether a man or a woman is speaking. Where that happens, the meaning shows both, such as "to a man / to a woman". Use whichever fits; nobody minds a small mistake from a visitor who is trying.

A worked example: coffee in a majlis

Here is how a short, polite visit might go using phrases from the list:

1. Greet your host with "as-salamu alaykum". The reply is "wa alaykum as-salam".
2. You will often hear "marhaba" or "ahlan wa sahlan", both ways of saying hello and welcome.
3. When Arabic coffee is poured, take the small cup with your right hand. When you have had enough, shake it gently from side to side before handing it back.
4. Thank your host with "shukran", or "shukran jazeelan" for thank you very much.
5. If you admire the home or meet the children, say "mashallah". It is the polite way to pay a compliment.

Pronunciation tips

• The transliteration is a simple guide, not a strict system. Read it as it looks and you will be understood.
• kh is a rough sound from the back of the throat, like the "ch" in the Scottish word "loch", as in "khalas".
• gh sounds close to a French "r".
• A double letter, as in "yalla", is held a little longer.
• Arabic has a few deep throat sounds with no English equivalent. Do not worry about them; context does the rest.

Etiquette tips that go with the words

• "Inshallah" (God willing) is used for anything in the future, from meetings to deliveries.
• "Habibi" is common between friends, but avoid it with strangers of the opposite sex.
• Bargaining is normal in souqs, not in malls. "Is there a discount?" is a friendly way to start.
• During the holy month, greet people with "Ramadan kareem"; the usual reply is "Allahu akram". Our Ramadan in the UAE guide covers the rest.
• Emergency numbers are 999 for police, 998 for an ambulance and 997 for fire.

For more on greetings, dress and good manners, see our etiquette and dress code guide and the Visit Dubai culture and customs page.