Arabic is the official language of the UAE, though the country’s demographic makeup means you will hear a remarkable variety of languages daily. With over 88% of the population being expatriates, Hindi, Urdu, Tagalog, Malay, and English echo through malls, construction sites, and restaurant kitchens in equal measure. A few words of Gulf Arabic, however, cut through all of this and land differently - Emiratis light up when a visitor makes the effort, even imperfectly.
Arabic in the UAE: Background
The language situation in the UAE is unlike most countries. Emirati nationals make up around 11–12% of the population, which means Arabic is the minority language in daily life on the street. Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) - the formal version taught in schools and used in news broadcasts - is what most learners encounter first. Gulf Arabic, the dialect spoken by Emiratis, is something else: softer, faster, with distinct vocabulary influenced by Persian (Farsi), Portuguese, Urdu, and increasingly English.
The two differ in practice. MSA gives you formal vocabulary that educated Emiratis understand perfectly, but in markets, taxis, and casual conversation, Gulf dialect is what you actually hear. The phrase tables below use Gulf dialect where it differs from MSA - so “coffee” appears as gahwa (the Gulf form) rather than qahwa (the standard Arabic transliteration). Both are understood; the Gulf form signals you did your homework.
The Arabic script is written right to left and consists of 28 letters. Every letter changes form depending on where it falls in a word - initial, medial, final, or isolated. Unlike European scripts, short vowels are usually omitted from written text, which is one reason Arabic can look impenetrable to newcomers. All phrase tables below include phonetic transliteration so you can read and use them immediately without needing to learn the script.
The Arabic Script: A Quick Orientation
You will see Arabic everywhere in the UAE - road signs (always bilingual), menus, product labels, shop fronts. Learning to recognise a few common words helps even without full literacy.
| Arabic | Transliteration | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| مدخل | mad-KHAL | Entrance |
| مخرج | mak-RAJ | Exit |
| رجال | ri-JAAL | Men |
| نساء | ni-SAA | Women |
| مفتوح | maf-TOOH | Open |
| مغلق | mugh-LAK | Closed |
| حلال | ha-LAAL | Halal |
| بوليس | bu-LEES | Police |
The direction of Arabic text is right to left, but numbers are written left to right - the same as in English. On bilingual signs, Arabic typically appears at the top or right side.
Pronunciation Guide
Gulf Arabic has several sounds that do not exist in English. Getting these right takes practice, but even an approximation is understood and appreciated.
| Symbol | How to say it | Example word | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| kh | Like the Scottish “loch” | khayr (good) | Back of throat, like clearing gently |
| gh | Softer than kh, slightly gargled | ghali (expensive) | Similar to a French R |
| q | Gulf speakers say this as a hard “g” | gahwa (coffee) | Differs from MSA where it sounds like “k” at the back |
| aa | Long “a” as in “father” (held) | saalam (peace) | Hold the vowel twice as long as a short a |
| ay | As in “day” | khayr (good) | Diphthong, not a single vowel |
| aw | As in “now” | yawm (day) | Not like “aw” in “paw“ |
| ‘ | Brief glottal stop | ma’a (with) | Like the pause in the middle of “uh-oh” |
| uu | Long “oo” as in “boot” | nuur (light) | Holds longer than a short u |
Six practical pronunciation rules:
- Capital letters in transliterations signal stress - SAH-ba means emphasis falls on SAH.
- Double consonants are held slightly longer - SIT-ta (six) has a noticeable pause on the t-t.
- The letter “r” is rolled slightly - one flap of the tongue, not the heavy English R or the French silent R.
- Never merge a final consonant with the next word - each word has a clear ending.
- Gulf speakers often drop short vowels - mafi (there is not) can sound like mfi in rapid speech.
- English borrowings are widespread - taxi, hotel, mall, mobile are all used exactly as in English and universally understood.
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 (informal) | مرحبا | MAR-ha-ba |
| Good morning | صباح الخير | sa-BAH al-KHAYR |
| Reply: good morning | صباح النور | sa-BAH an-NOOR |
| Good evening | مساء الخير | ma-SAA al-KHAYR |
| Reply: good evening | مساء النور | ma-SAA an-NOOR |
| How are you? | كيف حالك؟ | KAY-fa HAA-lak? |
| Fine, thank you | بخير شكراً | bi-KHAYR SHUK-ran |
| Thank you | شكراً | SHUK-ran |
| Thank you very much | شكراً جزيلاً | SHUK-ran ja-ZEE-lan |
| Please | من فضلك | min FAD-lak |
| You’re welcome | عفواً | AF-wan |
| Yes | نعم | NA-am |
| No | لا | LAA |
| Excuse me | لو سمحت | law sa-MAHT |
| I’m sorry | آسف | AA-sif |
| Goodbye | مع السلامة | ma-as-sa-LAA-ma |
| God willing | إن شاء الله | in-SHAA al-lah |
| My name is… | اسمي… | IS-mee… |
Note on Inshallah: This phrase appears constantly in conversation - when someone agrees to meet, when a request is made, when anything in the future is discussed. It is not vague or evasive; it reflects a sincere acknowledgment that outcomes are not fully in human control. Do not interpret it as “probably not.”
Getting Around
| English | Arabic | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Where is…? | وين…؟ | WAYN…? |
| How do I get to…? | كيف أروح…؟ | KAY-fa a-ROOH…? |
| How much? | كم؟ | KAM? |
| Too expensive | غالي وايد | GHAA-lee WAA-yid |
| Is there a meter? | في عداد؟ | fee AA-daad? |
| Left | يسار | ya-SAAR |
| Right | يمين | ya-MEEN |
| Straight ahead | سيدا | SEE-da |
| Stop here | وقف هني | WA-gif HNI |
| Taxi | تكسي | TAK-see |
| Metro | مترو | MET-ro |
| Airport | مطار | ma-TAAR |
| Hotel | فندق | FUN-duk |
| Mall | مول | MOOL |
| Beach | شاطئ | SHAA-tii |
| Hospital | مستشفى | mus-TASH-fa |
Dubai’s taxis are metered - the phrase fee aa-daad? (is there a meter?) is mainly useful in older emirate towns like Ajman or Umm Al Quwain where private cabs still operate on negotiated fares. RTA taxis in Dubai are metered by law.
Accommodation
| English | Arabic | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| I have a reservation | عندي حجز | IN-dee ha-JIZ |
| My name is… | اسمي… | IS-mee… |
| Do you have a room? | عندكم غرفة؟ | IN-da-kum GHUR-fa? |
| What is the price? | كم السعر؟ | KAM as-SI-ir? |
| Per night | في الليلة | fil LAY-la |
| Air conditioning | تكييف | tak-YEEF |
| WiFi | واي فاي | WAY-fay |
| Key | مفتاح | mif-TAAH |
| Room | غرفة | GHUR-fa |
| Bathroom | حمام | ha-MAAM |
| Hot water | ماي حار | MAY HAAR |
| Can I see the room? | ممكن أشوف الغرفة؟ | mum-KIN a-SHOOF al-GHUR-fa? |
| Too noisy | ضوضاء وايد | DAW-daa WAA-yid |
| I’d like to check out | بدي أسيب الغرفة | BID-dee a-SEEB al-GHUR-fa |
Outside of international chain hotels, where English is guaranteed, these phrases are useful in aparthotels, smaller desert camps, and guesthouses in the northern emirates where front desk staff may be more comfortable in Hindi or Arabic than English.
Shopping and Bargaining
| English | Arabic | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| How much is this? | كم سعره؟ | KAM si-AH-ro? |
| Too expensive | غالي وايد | GHAA-lee WAA-yid |
| Can you give a discount? | تعطيني خصم؟ | ta-a-TI-ni KHASM? |
| Last price? | آخر سعر؟ | AA-khir SI-ir? |
| I’ll take it | آخذه | AA-khith-ho |
| I don’t want it | ما أبيه | maa a-BEE-ya |
| I’m just looking | بس أتفرج | BASS at-FAR-raj |
| Do you have this in another colour? | عندك بلون ثاني؟ | IN-dak bi-LOON THAA-ni? |
| Cash | كاش | KAASH |
| Credit card | كريدت كارد | KREE-dit KAAD |
Bargaining is appropriate in traditional souks - the gold souk, spice souk, and textile markets in Deira, Dubai. It is not appropriate in malls or branded retail. Opening with ghali waayid while putting the item down with a slight smile is the standard move. Shopkeepers in the souks speak Arabic, Urdu, Hindi, and English; starting in Arabic and switching to English is perfectly normal.
Food Ordering
| English | Arabic | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| The menu, please | القائمة لو سمحت | al-QAA-ima law sa-MAHT |
| What do you recommend? | شو تنصحني؟ | SHOO tin-SAH-ni? |
| Water | ماي | MAY |
| Still water | ماي بدون فقاعات | MAY bi-DOON fu-QAA-aat |
| Sparkling water | ماي فيها فقاعات | MAY FEE-ha fu-QAA-aat |
| The bill, please | الحساب لو سمحت | al-hi-SAAB law sa-MAHT |
| Delicious! | لذيذ! | la-ZEEZ |
| Arabic coffee | قهوة عربية | GAH-wa a-ra-BEE-ya |
| Tea | شاي | SHAY |
| Bread | خبز | KHUBZ |
| Meat | لحم | LA-ham |
| Chicken | دجاج | da-JAAJ |
| Fish | سمك | SA-mak |
| Rice | رز | RUZ |
| Vegetables | خضار | khu-DAAR |
| I don’t eat pork | ما آكل لحم خنزير | maa AA-kil la-ham khan-ZEER |
| I’m vegetarian | أنا نباتي | a-na na-BAA-ti |
| No spice please | بدون حار لو سمحت | bi-DOON HAAR law sa-MAHT |
| Halal? | حلال؟ | ha-LAAL? |
All food served in the UAE is halal by default - pork products must be specifically sought out and are only available in hotels and a limited number of licensed venues. The halal? question is redundant in most restaurants but occasionally useful when buying packaged food from international brand stores.
Numbers
| Number | Arabic numeral | Arabic word | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | ٠ | صفر | SIF-er |
| 1 | ١ | واحد | WAA-hid |
| 2 | ٢ | اثنين | ith-NAYN |
| 3 | ٣ | ثلاثة | tha-LAA-tha |
| 4 | ٤ | أربعة | ar-BA-ah |
| 5 | ٥ | خمسة | KHAM-sa |
| 6 | ٦ | ستة | SIT-ta |
| 7 | ٧ | سبعة | SAB-ah |
| 8 | ٨ | ثمانية | tha-MAAN-ya |
| 9 | ٩ | تسعة | TIS-ah |
| 10 | ١٠ | عشرة | ASH-ra |
| 20 | ٢٠ | عشرين | ash-REEN |
| 50 | ٥٠ | خمسين | kham-SEEN |
| 100 | ١٠٠ | مية | MIA |
| 1,000 | ١٠٠٠ | ألف | ALF |
The numerals shown in the middle column are Eastern Arabic numerals - the ones you see on UAE street signs, some menu prices, and official documents. Western numerals (0–9) are also widely used and are what you find in malls, taxis, and most commercial settings.
Emergency Phrases
| English | Arabic | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Help! | مساعدة! | mu-SAA-a-da! |
| Call the police! | اتصل بالشرطة! | IT-ta-sal bil-SHUR-ta! |
| Call an ambulance! | اتصل بالإسعاف! | IT-ta-sal bil-is-AAF! |
| I need a doctor | أحتاج دكتور | ah-TAAJ duk-TOOR |
| I am lost | أنا ضايع | ANA DAA-yi |
| I’ve been robbed | سرقوني | sa-ra-QOO-ni |
| Where is the hospital? | وين المستشفى؟ | WAYN al-mus-TASH-fa? |
| I need the police | أحتاج شرطة | ah-TAAJ SHUR-ta |
| Emergency | طوارئ | ta-WAA-ri |
| Fire! | حريق! | ha-REEQ! |
| I am injured | أنا متأذي | ANA muta-ATHI |
| I am allergic to… | عندي حساسية من… | IN-dee ha-SAA-see-ya min… |
UAE emergency numbers: Police 999 | Ambulance 998 | Fire 997 | All-purpose emergency 911. All operators speak English.
Language Etiquette in the UAE
Opening with As-salaam alaikum is the single most effective cultural gesture a visitor can make. Use it when entering a shop, greeting a hotel receptionist, or starting any conversation with a UAE national. The standard response - wa-alaikum as-salaam - will come back automatically and sets a warm tone for everything that follows.
Inshallah, Alhamdulillah, Mashallah are religious expressions woven into everyday speech. Inshallah (God willing) accompanies any future event. Alhamdulillah (praise God) is the standard response to “how are you.” Mashallah (what God has willed) is used to express admiration or appreciation without invoking envy. Visitors who use these phrases correctly are met with genuine warmth; mispronouncing or misusing them is rarely taken badly - the effort is what counts.
Using titles matters. Emirati men are addressed as Sheikh if they hold that title; otherwise Ustaad (sir, a polite form) works. Women are addressed as Ustaaza. In government offices or formal settings, getting this right signals cultural competence.
“Habibi” and “habibti” (my dear / my love, male and female forms respectively) are warm terms of endearment you will hear constantly between friends. They can be used playfully across nationalities in casual settings but should not be used toward Emirati nationals you have just met - it implies a familiarity that needs to be established first.
Do not use Arabic to haggle aggressively. In the souks, a relaxed tone in Arabic gets better results than a confrontational one. Emiratis and Arab shopkeepers negotiate as a social activity, not a combat sport.
Ramadan language customs: During Ramadan, Ramadan Kareem (generous Ramadan) and Ramadan Mubarak (blessed Ramadan) are the standard greetings. If someone says this to you, Kareem or Mubarak in return is the correct response. Offering food or drink to someone observing the fast - even accidentally - is considered disrespectful, so being aware of the holiday and acknowledging it verbally goes a long way.
Is English Widely Spoken?
Yes - emphatically. English is the working language of the UAE in practice. Road signs are bilingual (Arabic and English). Government websites run in both languages. Mall directories, menus, and transport apps are all in English. In Dubai specifically, you can go weeks without needing a word of Arabic for practical tasks.
By sector:
- Hotels and hospitality: English is standard at every international chain and most mid-range properties. Staff in luxury hotels speak English as a professional requirement.
- Taxis and ride-hailing: Uber and Careem operate throughout Dubai and Abu Dhabi - the apps handle all communication. RTA taxi drivers speak varying levels of English; Careem drivers are more reliably English-fluent since they are screened through the app platform.
- Restaurants: Menus in tourist-facing restaurants are in English. In worker districts like Al Quoz or Deira’s residential streets, menus may be in Hindi or Urdu - Google Translate’s camera function handles this well.
- Shops and markets: In malls, English is universal. In traditional souks, shopkeepers speak enough English to complete any transaction; many also speak Hindi, Urdu, and basic Mandarin.
- Government services: GDRFA (immigration), tourist police, and customer service departments all operate bilingually. Signage is always bilingual.
- Northern emirates (Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain): English is less pervasive outside of resorts and main commercial areas. A few Arabic words go further here than in Dubai.
The one area where Arabic makes a genuine practical difference is in navigating traditional districts - old Deira, the Al Ain old town, and inland areas of Sharjah - where a phrase of local language opens doors, literally and figuratively.
GetYourGuide lists cultural experiences including mosque visits, cooking classes, and guided souk tours - useful for getting oriented on your first visit. VisitorsCoverage is a solid travel insurance option for UAE visitors; check their policy wording covers your planned activities before purchasing.
See Also
- Dress code in the UAE
- Ramadan in the UAE: what visitors need to know
- First time in the UAE: complete beginner guide
- UAE safety guide
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