top of page

Basic Arabic

 

Greeting                             Pronunciation                Traditional Response             Pronunciation

Peace be upon you.          as-salaam ‘alaykum           Upon you be peace              wa ‘alaykum salaam

(formal/group)

Good morning                  SabaaH al-khayr                  Morning of light                  SabaaH an-nuur

Good evening                    Masaa‘ al-khayr                   Evening of light                    Masaa‘ an-nuur

Source : http://www.dummies.com/languages/arabic/creating-simple-verb-free-sentences-in-arabic/

ahlan (hello),                   marHaban (hello; greetings)       ahlan wa sahlan (welcome)

 

more to come:

  • ·Thank you.                                                 shukran.

  •   Thank you very much.                           shukran jaziilan.

  •   You're welcome.                                     ’ahlan wa sahlan.

  •   Please.                                                      rajaa’an.

  •   Yes.                                                           ’ajal./naxam.

  •   No.                                                            kalla./laa.

  •   Excuse me.                                              xafwan.

  •   Pardon me.                                           xafwan./xuzran.

  •   I'm sorry.                                               ’anaa ’aasif.

  •   I don't understand.                             la ’afham.

  •   I don't speak Arabic.                           anaa la ’atakallam al- xarabiyya.

  •   I don't speak Arabic very well.           ’anaa laa ’atakallam al- xarabiyya jayyidan.

  •   Do you speak English?                        hal tatakallam ’ingilizi?

  •   Speak slowly, please.                          rajaa’an takallam bi biT’.

  •   Repeat, please.                                   ’axid, min faDlak.

  •   What's your name?                            ma ’ismuk?

  •   How are you?                                      kayfa Haaluka? (m.) (kayfa Haaluki? (f.))

  •   Do you speak English?                      hal tatakallam ’ingilizi?

  •   Where is the subway?                       ’ayna metro al-’anfaaq?

  •   Where is a good restaurant?           hal hunaaka maTxamun jayyidun?

  •   Is the tip included?                           hal al-baqshiish maHsuub?

  •   How much does that cost?              kam huwa th- thaman?

  •   Is there a public phone here?         hal hunaaka haatifun ’umuumiyyun huna?

  •   Can I get on the internet?               hal ’astaTiixa ’an ’astaxmil al-’internet?

  •   Can you help me?                            hal tastaTiixa ’an tusaaxidani?

Source: http://www.fodors.com/language/arabic/basic-phrases/

You want more Arabic? just click More

Arabic food - names of Arabic meals


Ackawi - white cheese originating from the Palestinian town of Akka now called Acre or Akko
Baba ghanouj - char-grilled aubergine (eggplant), tahina, olive oil, lemon juice, and garlic puree—served as a dip.
Baklava - a dessert of layered pastry filled with nuts and steeped in Attar Syrup (orange [or] rose water and sugar), usually cut in a triangular or diamond shape.
Balila - known as Cumin Chickpeas.
Batata harra - literally "spicy potatoes".
Fattoush - 'peasant' salad of toasted pita bread, cucumbers, tomatoes, chickweed, and mint.
Falafel - small deep-fried patties made of highly-spiced ground chick-peas.
Fried cauliflower
Fried eggplant
Fuul (Vicia faba) slow cooked mash of brown beans and red lentils dressed with lemon olive oil and cumin.
Halva - sesame paste sweet, usually made in a slab and studded with fruit and nuts.
Hummus - dip or spread made of blended chickpeas, sesame tahini, lemon juice, and garlic, and typically eaten with pita bread
Kunafi - shoelace pastry dessert stuffed with sweet white cheese, nuts and syrup.
Kibbeh - the national dish, mainly stuffed, can be made in different form like (fried,uncooked,cooked with yogurt)
Kibbeh nayye - raw kibbeh eaten like steak tartar.
Kofta or Kafta - fingers, stars or a flat cake of minced meat and spices that can be baked or charcoal-grilled on skewers.
Kousa Mahshi- stuffed squash, many varieties are used
Kubideh - served with pivaz (a mix of minced parsley, onions, ground cumin and sumac).
Labneh- strained yogurt, spreadable and garnished with good olive oil and sea salt.
Znood Es-sett - filo pastry cigars with various fillings
Lahm bil ajĩn a pastry filled with minced meat, onions, and nuts.
Ma'amoul - date cookies shaped in a wooden mould called a tabi made specially for Ramadan or other Muslim holidays.
Manaeesh - mini pizzas that are made in any number of local bakeries or Furns (Furn Assalam, Ain El Hilwe, Saida), traditionally garnished with cheese, Zaatar, or minced meat and onions. some bakeries allow you to bring your own toppings and build your own or buy the ones they sell there. Breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Mujaddara (Imjaddarra) - cooked lentils together with wheat or rice, garnished with onions that have been sauteed in vegetable oil.
Mutabbel - made from eggplant
Pastirma or Bastirma
Samkeh harra- literally translated to "hot fish", grilled fish that has been marinated with chilis, citrus,and cilantro
Shanklish-string cheese
Shawarma- marinated meat (either chicken or lamb) that is skewered on big rods and cooked slowly, then shaved and placed in a 10 inch pita roll with pickles, tomatoes, and other tangy condiments.
...MORE

Still Hungry? Just check the following websites for more arabic food

Falafel & more

Shish Taouk .......   

Arabic Cooking

Arabic Spices

Sumac, Zaater,Cumin, Cardamom

Arabic Spices and their usage
Halwa from scratch & more
Date and orange jam bars .......
Middle Eastern Cooking

Arabic Drinks

Karkade Hibiscus Tea and more

Back to Oman  / Muscat                     Back  to UAE / Dubai   

bottom of page