Basic Words

1. أيوه

   Aywa

   Yes

   Usage

   The ordinary way to say yes. It is also written "ايوا" with the same sound. The negative is "لا"

   Grammar Note

   Standard Arabic "نعم" is not used in speech

2. لا

   La

   No

   Usage

   The plain reply for "no". Said short and firm it works as a refusal

3. من فضلك

   Min faḍlak

   Please

   Usage

   A polite word added before or after a request. More casually "لو سمحت" is also said

   Grammar Note

   Vowels in the romanization are estimated. The ending "-ك" is the "you" suffix. Imperative verbs change for a woman, but this fixed phrase stays the same. A polite expression shared with Modern Standard Arabic

4. شكرا

   Shukran

   Thank you

   Usage

   The everyday word of thanks. A common answer to it is "ما في مشكلة"

   Grammar Note

   Vowels in the romanization are estimated. Used in speech but of standard origin. It is written with a final alif, not the tanwin sign

5. لو سمحت

   Law samaḥt

   Excuse me

   Usage

   Used to get someone's attention, such as a shop assistant or a passer-by. It also means "please"

   Grammar Note

   Vowels in the romanization are estimated. It literally means "if you permit" and goes before or after a request. It is unrelated to the adjective "سمح" (good)

6. معليش

   Maʿlēsh

   Sorry

   Usage

   The most common light apology, also meaning "never mind". Used when you bump into someone or keep them waiting

   Grammar Note

   Vowels in the romanization are estimated. One word works both for apologising and for comforting. For a serious apology "اسف" is used

7. ما في مشكلة

   Ma fī mushkila

   No problem

   Usage

   A reply meaning "no problem" to a request or an apology

   Grammar Note

   Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended. Vowels in the romanization are estimated. "ما في" is the usual "there is no". "مشكلة" has the same form as standard Arabic

8. أنا ما فاهم

   Ana ma fāhim

   I don't understand

   Usage

   Said when you do not follow what is being said. A woman says "فاهمة"

   Grammar Note

   Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended. "فاهم" is a participle that changes by gender and number (feminine فاهمة, plural فاهمين). Negation puts "ما" before it

9. أنا فاهم

   Ana fāhim

   I understand

   Usage

   Says you have understood an explanation. A woman says "فاهمة"

   Grammar Note

   Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended. The participle "فاهم" expresses the state of understanding, so no past verb is needed. "أنا" can be dropped

10. خلصت

    Khalaṣt

    I'm finished

    Usage

    Said when you have finished a meal or a task

    Grammar Note

    Vowels in the romanization are estimated. A past form where "-ت" means "I". The spelling is the same for "you", so context decides

11. استنى لو سمحت

    Istanna law samaḥt

    Please wait

    Usage

    A polite way to ask someone to wait. To several people say "استنوا"

    Grammar Note

    Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended. Vowels in the romanization are estimated. "استنى" is the imperative for a man. For a woman it is "استني"

12. استنى شوية

    Istanna shuwayya

    Just a moment

    Usage

    A short request to wait a moment

    Grammar Note

    Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended. Vowels in the romanization are estimated. "شوية" means "a little" and is used for both time and quantity

13. ما عندي حجز

    Ma ʿindi ḥajz

    I don't have a reservation

    Usage

    Tells a hotel or restaurant that you have no booking

    Grammar Note

    Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended. Vowels in the romanization are estimated. "عندي" expresses "I have" and "ما" in front negates it. "حجز" is shared with standard Arabic

14. عندي حجز

    ʿIndi ḥajz

    I have a reservation

    Usage

    Tells a hotel or restaurant that you have booked

    Grammar Note

    Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended. Vowels in the romanization are estimated. "عندي" literally "at me" expresses having. To give the name, follow with "باسم" (under the name)

15. ساعدني لو سمحت

    Sāʿidni law samaḥt

    Please help me

    Usage

    Asks for help when you are in trouble. To several people say "ساعدوني"

    Grammar Note

    Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended. Vowels in the romanization are estimated. The imperative for a man. For a woman it is "ساعديني". "-ني" means "me"

16. قول مرة تانية لو سمحت

    Gōl marra tānya law samaḥt

    Once more, please

    Usage

    Asks someone to repeat what you did not catch

    Grammar Note

    Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended. Vowels in the romanization are estimated. "قول" is the imperative of "say", and "ق" is pronounced "g". "مرة تانية" means "once more"

17. اتكلم براحة لو سمحت

    Itkallim barāḥa law samaḥt

    Please speak slowly

    Usage

    Used when someone speaks too fast to follow

    Grammar Note

    Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended. Vowels in the romanization are estimated. "براحة" is an adverbial phrase meaning "slowly, at ease"

18. أنا بتكلم شوية

    Ana batkallam shuwayya

    I speak a little

    Usage

    Tells people you speak only a little of the language

    Grammar Note

    Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended. Vowels in the romanization are estimated. The present tense puts "ب" before the verb. "شوية" softens the degree

19. انت بتتكلم انجليزي؟

    Inta bititkallam ingilīzi?

    Do you speak English?

    Usage

    Asks whether someone speaks English. To a woman say "انتي"

    Grammar Note

    Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended. Vowels in the romanization are estimated. A question keeps the statement word order and just rises at the end. "انجليزي" means "English"

20. دا

    Da

    This

    Usage

    Points at something near. For a feminine noun say "دي"

    Grammar Note

    A demonstrative follows the noun ("العربية دي" is "this car"). The plural is "ديل"

21. داك

    Dāk

    That one over there

    Usage

    Points at something farther away. For a feminine noun say "ديك"

    Grammar Note

    Vowels in the romanization are estimated. Used for things farther than "دا". It follows the noun

22. هنا

    Hina

    Here

    Usage

    Points to where you are, as in "stop here"

    Grammar Note

    An adverb that gives a place without any preposition

23. هناك

    Hināk

    There

    Usage

    Points to a place away from you. Pointing with a hand helps

    Grammar Note

    An adverb that gives a place without any preposition

24. أنا

    Ana

    I, me

    Usage

    Refers to yourself. It can be dropped when the verb already shows the person

    Grammar Note

    The same for men and women. "نحنا" is "we"

25. انت

    Inta

    You

    Usage

    "You" to a man. To a woman say "انتي", to several people "انتو"

    Grammar Note

    The second person changes with gender and number

26. سوا

    Sawa

    Together

    Usage

    Used for doing something together. "مع بعض" is also said

    Grammar Note

    Vowels in the romanization are estimated. An adverb placed after the verb ("نمشي سوا" is "let's go together")

Browse all TravelPhrases languages