Arabic is the official language of the UAE, but the country’s international character means English is spoken almost everywhere. With over 80% of the population being expatriates, you will hear Hindi, Urdu, Tagalog, and many other languages daily. That said, a few Gulf Arabic phrases show cultural awareness and are always warmly received by Emirati locals.
Greetings and Basics
| English | Arabic | Pronunciation |
|---|
| Peace be upon you | السلام عليكم | as-sa-LAAM a-LAY-kum |
| Reply to greeting | وعليكم السلام | wa-a-LAY-kum as-sa-LAAM |
| Hello | مرحبا | MAR-ha-ba |
| Good morning | صباح الخير | sa-BAH al-KHAYR |
| Good evening | مساء الخير | ma-SAA al-KHAYR |
| Thank you | شكراً | SHUK-ran |
| Please | من فضلك | min FAD-lak |
| Yes | نعم | NA-am |
| No | لا | LAA |
| Excuse me | عفواً | AF-wan |
| Goodbye | مع السلامة | ma-as-sa-LAA-ma |
| God willing | إن شاء الله | in-SHAA-al-lah |
Getting Around
| English | Arabic | Pronunciation |
|---|
| Where is…? | وين…؟ | WAYN…? |
| How much? | كم؟ | KAM? |
| Too expensive | غالي وايد | GHAA-lee WAA-yid |
| Left | يسار | ya-SAAR |
| Right | يمين | ya-MEEN |
| Straight ahead | سيدا | SEE-da |
| Stop here | وقف هني | WA-gif HNI |
| Taxi | تكسي | TAK-see |
| Airport | مطار | ma-TAAR |
| Hotel | فندق | FUN-duk |
Food and Dining
| English | Arabic | Pronunciation |
|---|
| Food | أكل | A-kil |
| Water | ماي | MAY |
| The bill, please | الحساب لو سمحت | al-hi-SAAB law sa-MAHT |
| Delicious | لذيذ | la-ZEEZ |
| Coffee | قهوة | GAH-wa |
| Tea | شاي | SHAY |
| Bread | خبز | KHUBZ |
| Meat | لحم | LA-ham |
| Rice | رز | RUZ |
| I don’t eat pork | ما آكل لحم خنزير | maa AA-kil la-ham khan-ZEER |
Numbers
| Number | Arabic | Pronunciation |
|---|
| 1 | واحد | WAA-hid |
| 2 | اثنين | ith-NAYN |
| 3 | ثلاثة | tha-LAA-tha |
| 4 | أربعة | ar-BA-ah |
| 5 | خمسة | KHAM-sa |
| 6 | ستة | SIT-ta |
| 7 | سبعة | SAB-ah |
| 8 | ثمانية | tha-MAAN-ya |
| 9 | تسعة | TIS-ah |
| 10 | عشرة | ASH-ra |
Emergency Phrases
| English | Arabic | Pronunciation |
|---|
| Help! | مساعدة! | mu-SAA-a-da |
| Police | شرطة | SHUR-ta |
| Hospital | مستشفى | mus-TASH-fa |
| I need a doctor | أحتاج دكتور | ah-TAAJ duk-TOOR |
| I am lost | أنا ضايع | ANA DAA-yi |
| Emergency | طوارئ | ta-WAA-ri |
Cultural Tips for Using Arabic in the UAE
The phrase “Inshallah” (God willing) is used constantly in daily life — when discussing future plans, appointments, or anything uncertain. It is not evasive; it reflects genuine cultural belief. “Habibi” (my dear, for males) and “Habibti” (for females) are common terms of endearment you will hear frequently. When offered Arabic coffee (gahwa) or dates, accepting is a sign of respect — and “Shukran” as you receive the cup goes a long way. In souks and older neighbourhoods, Arabic will get you better prices and friendlier service than English alone.
Gulf Arabic has a few sounds not found in English. The “kh” is a raspy sound from the back of the throat (like clearing your throat gently), and the “gh” is a softer gargled version of the same. The letter “q” in formal Arabic becomes a hard “g” in Gulf dialect — so “qahwa” (coffee) is pronounced “gahwa” locally. We recommend not worrying about perfect pronunciation — Emiratis are generous with encouragement and will appreciate any effort to speak their language.
