Basic Arabic Conversation Phrases

Arabic, a southern-central Semitic language, is spoken in a large area including North Africa, most of the Arabian Peninsula, and other parts of the Middle East. Classic or Literary Arabic is the language of the Qurʾān and Hadith and the religious language of all Muslims. Colloquial Arabic includes numerous spoken dialects, some of which are mutually unintelligible. The chief dialect groups are those of Arabia, Iraq, Syria, Egypt, and North Africa. With the exception of the dialect of Algeria, all Arabic dialects have been strongly influenced by the literary language. Arabic, in its standard form, is the official language of 26 states. The liturgical language of 1.8 billion Muslims, and Arabic is one of six official languages of the United Nations. The sound system of Arabic is very different from that of English and the other languages of Europe. Arabic words always start with a single consonant followed by a vowel, and long vowels are rarely followed by more than a single consonant. Clusters containing more than two consonants do not occur in the language. Arabic uses a completely new alphabet.

• Hello – Salam – سلام
• Welcome – Marhaban – مرحبا
• Hello, friend (female) – Ahlan sadiqati – أهلا صديقتي
• Hello, friend (male) – Ahlan sadiqi – أهلا صديقي
• Good morning – Sabah el kheer – صباح الخير
• Good evening – Masaa el kheer – مساء الخير
• How are you? (female) – Kaifa haloki? –  كيف حالك؟
• How are you? (male) – Kaifa haloka? –  كيف حالك؟
• I am fine, thank you – Ana bekhair, shokran –  أنا بخير شكرا؟
• I will be right back – Sa arje’o halan – سأرجع حالا

• Good bye – Ma’a salama – مع السلامة
• Good night – Tosbeho (male) / Tosbeheena (female) ‘ala khair – تصبحين على خير
• See you later – Araka (male) / Araki (female) fi ma ba’d – أراك في مابعد
• Where do you live? (female) – Ayna taskuneen? – أين تسكن؟
• Where do you live? (male) – Ayna taskun? – أين تسكنين؟
• What do you do for a living? (female) – Ma mehnatuki? –  ما مهنتك؟
• What do you do for a living? (male) – Ma mehnatuk? –  ما مهنتك؟
• Do you speak Arabic? – Hal tatakallam al-lughah al-‘arabīyah? – هل تتكلم اللغة العربية؟
• Happy birthday – Eid meelad sa’eed – عيد ميلاد سعيد
• Happy New Year – Sana sa’eedah – سنة سعيدة

• Merry Christmas – A’yaad meelad Saeedah – أعياد ميلاد سعيد
• Happy Ramadan – Ramadan mobarak – رمضان مبارك
• Happy Eid – Eid mobarak – عيد مبارك
• Good luck – Bettawfeeq – بالتوفيق
• Bless you – Rahimaka Allah – رحمك الله
• Good night, sweet dreams – Laila sa’eda wa ahlaam ladida – ليلة سعيدة و أحلام لذيذة
• I’m lost! – Ada’tu tareeqi! – أضعت طريقي!
• Can you help me? – Hal beemkanek mosa’adati? – هل بإمكانك مساعدتي؟
• Excuse me (passing by) – Alma’derah – المعذرة
• Where is the bathroom? – Ayna ajedu al merhaad? – أين أجد المرحاض؟

• Where is the pharmacy? – Ayna ajedu assaidaliah? –  أين أجد الصيدلية؟
• What is this? – Ma hatha? –  ما هذا؟
• How much is this? – Kam howa thamanoh? –  كم هو ثمنه؟
• Can you speak slowly? – Takalam bebot’ men fadlek (male) /fadleki (female)? –  تكلم ببطء من فضلك
• Can you say it again? – A’ed men fadlek! (male) A’eedi men fadleki (female) – تكلم ببطء من فضلك
• I don’t understand – La afham – لا أفهم
• I don’t know – La a’ref – لآ أعرف
• I’m sorry (didn’t hear something) – ‘Afwan – عفوا

In my opinion, the above-mentioned phrases, should help you whether you’re a tourist, or even if you’re on a business trip. Either way, these phrases should help you greet, initiate conversations, show gratitude, seek help, apologise or simply actively participate in a conversation held in Arabic. Memorizing these phrases should make your conversation with the Arabic speakers much easier.

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