Arabic phrasebook Voyage Tips and guide

Contents

The following phrasebook deals with Modern Standard Arabic. See the Egyptian Arabic phrasebook, Jordanian Arabic phrasebook, Moroccan Arabic phrasebook, Lebanese Arabic phrasebook, or Tunisian Arabic phrasebook for Arabic dialects relating to those countries and regions.

Arabic (العَرَبِيَّة‎) is a group of Semitic dialects spoken by more than 420 million people, mainly in North Africa and the Middle East. Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), known in Arabic as al-Fusha (الْفُصْحَى), is the official form of the language throughout the Arab world, and is very similar to Classical Arabic, the language of the Qur'an and the liturgical language for 1.6 billion Muslims around the world. Arabic has also strongly influenced many languages, including unrelated ones, throughout the Islamic world.

For communication purposes while traveling and using this guide, it is very important to note the differences between MSA and dialects since they are largely mutually unintelligible. Well-educated people will generally be able to understand MSA, but usually respond in their local dialects. Comprehension of dialects between different regions will drop significantly. It is therefore recommended that travelers focus on learning the relevant dialect for their destination for spoken communication, while using MSA as a written reference. That said, news broadcasts will almost always be in MSA.

Arabic script is written in a cursive script, even in print. Most letters change their shapes depending on their position (initial, medial or final). The Arabic script is an abjad, not an alphabet, meaning that only the consonants are written out, and the vowels are usually omitted.

Dialectal pronunciations differ significantly between regions, but here the standard literary pronunciation is described, with notes on dialectal differences where applicable:

Some phrases in this phrasebook still need to be translated. If you know anything about this language, you can help by plunging forward and translating a phrase.

Hello (informal)

مرحبا marhaba : سلام salaam : هلا hala (In Arabic Gulf Area)

Peace be with you. (formal)

السلام عليكم as-salaamu `alaikum

How are you?

كيف حالك؟

kayfa haalak? (male singular)

kayfa haalik? (female singular)

kayfa haalukum? (plural)

Please.

من فضلك : min faDlak (male)

min faDlik (female)

Thank you [very much].

[شكرا [جزيلا shukran [jaziilan].

Yes.

نعم na`am

No.

لا laa

Maybe.

ممكن mumkin.

Excuse me.

إسمحلي ismaHli

Good morning.

صباح الخير sabaH al-khair

Good evening.

مساء الخير masaa' al-khair

good

جيد jayyid.

very good

جيد جدا jayyid jiddan.

Never mind.

لا يهم. laa yahummu.

Nothing.

لا شيء laa shay.

Fine, thank you.

بخير ,شكرا bi-khair, shukran

What is your name?

ما اسمك؟

masmuka? (to a male)

masmuki? (to a female)

My name is ______ .

_____ اسمي ismi _______

Nice to meet you.

تشرفنا tasharafna lit. "You honor us"

You're welcome.

عفوا `afwan

Excuse me. (getting attention)

لو سمحت lau samaHt

Excuse me. (begging pardon)

عذرا eudhran

I'm sorry.

انا اسفه / انا اسف ana aasif (male) / ana aasifah (female)

Goodbye

مع السلامة ma`a as-salaamah

Goodbye (informal)

سلام salaam

I can't speak Arabic [well].

[لا اتكلم العربية [جيدا laa atakallam al-`arabiyyah [jayyidan]

Do you speak English?

هل تتكلم الانجليزية hal tatakallam al-ingliziyyah?

Is there someone here who speaks English?

هل هنا اي شخص يتكلم الانجليزية؟ hal hunaa ayy shakhS yatakallam al-ingliziyya?

Help!

مساعدة musaa`adah!

Look out!

انتبه intabih

Good night.

تصبح على الخير tiSbaH `alal-khair

Good night (in response)

وانت من اهل الخير wa anta min ahl al-khair

I don't understand.

لا افهم laa afham

Where is the toilet?

اين الحمام؟ ayn al-Hammaam?

Leave me alone.

اتركني / اتركيني utrukni (to a male) / utrukiini (to a female)

Don't touch me!

ما تلمسني ma tilmisni

I'll call the police.

سأتصل بالشرطة sa'ataSal bashurTah

Police!

شرطة shurtah!

Stop! Thief!

!توقف! السارق tawqaf! assaariq!

I need your help.

أحتاج مساعدة aHtaaj musaa`ada

It's an emergency.

طوارئ Taware'

I'm lost.

أضعت طريقي ada'tu tareeqi

I lost my bag.

حقيبتي ضاعت Haqiibati Daa`at

I lost my wallet.

محفظتي ضاعت maHafaZati Daa`at

I'm sick.

انا مريض / انا مريضة ana mariiD (male) / ana mariiDah (female)

I've been injured.

إنني مصاب innani muSabun

I need a doctor.

احتاج دكتر aHtaaj duktur

Can I use your phone?

هل ممكن استخدم التلفون؟ Hal mumkin astakhdim at-tilifun?

0

صفر Sifr

1

واحد waaHid

2

إثنان ithnaan

3

ثلاثة thalaatha

4

اربعة arba`a

5

خمسة khamsa

6

ستة sitta

7

سبعة sab`a

8

ثمانية thamaaniya

9

تسعة tis`a

10

عشرة `ashara

11

احد عشر aHad `ashar

12

اثنا عشر ithnaa `ashar

13

ثلاثة عشر thalaathata `ashar

14

اربعة عشر arba`ata `ashar

15

خمسة عشر khamsata `ashar

16

ستة عشر sittata `ashar

17

سبعة عشر sab`ata `ashar

18

ثمانية عشر thamaaniyata `ashar

19

تسعة عشر tis'ata `ashar

20

عشرون ishruun

21

واحد وعشرون waaHid wa-`ashruun

22

اثنان وعشرون ithnaan wa-`ashruun

23

ثلاثة وعشرون thalaatha wa-`ashruun

30

ثلاثون thalathuun

40

اربعون arba`uun

50

خمسون khamsuun

60

ستون sittuun

70

سبعون sab`uun

80

ثمانون thamanuun

90

تسعون tis`uun

100

مئة mi'a

200

مئتين mitayn

300

ثلاث مئة thalaath mi'a

1,000

الف alf (as in The Thousand and One Nights - الف ليلة وليلة Alf Layla wa Layla)

2,000

الفين alfayn

1,000,000

مليون milyon

1,000,000,000

مليار milyaar / بليون bilyon

1,000,000,000,000

تريليون triilyon

number _____ (train, bus, etc.)

رقم / Raqm (...)

half

نصف niSf

less

اقل aqal

more

اكثر akthar

Go

اذهب idh-hab

Stop

قف qif

Turn left

لف يسار lif yassar

Turn right

لف يمين lif yameen

straight ahead

على طول Ala Tool (Egyptian) or illal amaama الى الامام; dughri (Jordan); quduman (general)

slowly

Shway Shway

Wait or Stay

انتظر (intadhir)

Show me.

ارني (areni)

here

هنا huna

there

هناك hunak

before

قبل qabla

after

بعد ba'da

now

الأن al-aan

from

من min

to or at (a place)

الى ilah

Wait one minute.

إنتظر دقيقه واحده intadhir daqeeqa waaheda.

Just a moment.

لحظة /laH-dha

I

انا ana

you (m)

انتَ anta

you (f)

انتِ anti

he

هو huwa

she

هي hiya

we

نحن naHnu

you (two people)

انتما antuma

you (m/mixed)

انتم antum

you (f)

انتن antunna

they (two people)

هما huma

they (m/mixed)

هم hum

they (f)

هن hunna

Who?

من man

What?

ما/ماذا ma/madha

When?

متى mata

Where?

اين ayn

Why?

لماذا li-madha

How much?

بكم biKam

How much is this?

بكم هذا biKam Hadha

Where are you from?

من اين انت min ayn anta

Understand?

Maf Hoom

Do you speak English?

هل تتكلم الإنجليزية؟ hal tatakallam al-ingliziya?

What is this?

ma haadha?

I want

أريد (Uriid)

I don't want

لا أريد (La Uriid)

I have

لي lii / ladayya لدي / `indi عندي

I don't have

ليس عندي (laysa `indi)

I don't understand

Ana ma fehim أنا ما فاهم / ana laa afham أنا لا أفهم / Ana mesh fahem أنا مش فاهم

I work at the _____.

Ana ashtaghel fi _____أنا اشتغل في / a'mal fi _____ _____أعمل في

I don't speak Arabic

لا اتكلم العربية laa atkallam al-arabiya / Ma bihki arabi ما باحكي عربي / Ma batkalemsh arabi ماباتكلمش عربي

money

فلوس fuluus

food

أكل akl; طعام Ta`aam

coffee

قهوة qahwa (pronounced ah-way in Syrian Arabic)

sugar

سكر sukkar

salt

ملح milH

car

سيارة sayyaara

hotel

فندق funduq / اوتيل ooteel

museum

متحف matHaf

hospital

مستشفى mustashfa

water

ماء maa'

tea

شاي shaay

milk

حليب Haliib

work

شغل shughl

airplane

طائرة Taa'irah (pronounced "Tayyaara" in most dialects)

train

قطار qiTaar

bicycle

دراجة darraaja

street

شارع shaari`

building

مبنى mabna

now

الآن (al-'aana)

later

بعدين (ba`adayn)

before

قبل (qabla)

morning

صباح (SabaaH)

afternoon

بعد ظهر (ba'ada Zuhur)

evening

مساء (masaa')

night

ليلة (laylah)

one o'clock AM

one o'clock AM (sa'ati waHad)

two o'clock AM

two o'clock AM (sa'ati ithnayn)

noon

noon (ZuHur)

one o'clock PM

one o'clock PM (...)

two o'clock PM

two o'clock PM (...)

midnight

midnight (muntasf al-laylah)

_____ minute(s)

_____ (دقيقة (دقائق (daqiiqah (daqaa'iq) )

_____ hour(s)

_____ hour(s)(saa)

_____ day(s)

_____ يوم (أيام (yom (ayaam))

_____ week(s)

_____ week(s) (usbuu`)

_____ month(s)

_____ month(s) (shahr)

_____ year(s)

_____ سنة (سنوات (sanah (sanooaat))

today

البوم (al-yawm(a))

yesterday

امس (ams(i))

tomorrow

غداً (ghadan)

this week

الاسبوع (al-'usbu`)

last week

اسبوع الماضي (usbu`(u) 'l-maaDi)

next week

اسبوع القادم (usbu`(u) 'l-qaadim)

Sunday

يوم الأحد ((yawm) al'aHad)

Monday

يوم الاثنين ((yawm) al-ithnayn)

Tuesday

يوم الثلاثاء ((yawm) ath-thulaatha)

Wednesday

يوم الأربعاء ((yawm) al'arbi`a')

Thursday

يوم الخميس ((yawm) al-khamiis)

Friday

يوم الجمعة ((yawm) al-jum`a...)

Saturday

يوم السبت ((yawm) as-sabt)

January

كانون الثاني (Kanoon al thani)

February

February (.shubat شباط..)

March

March (...آذار Aathar);

April

April (..Nissan نيسان.)

May

May (...أيار Ayyar)

June

حزيران (Hzayraan)

July

تموز (Tammouz)

August

اّب (Ab)

September

ايلول (Ayloul)

October

تشرن الأول (Tishreen al awwal)

November

تشرن الثاني (Tishreen al thani)

December

كانون الأول (Kanoon al awwal)

Even though Arabic is written from Right to Left, numbers in Arabic are written from Left to Right. Dates are written in an Arabic sentence from Left to Right as in English

black

أسود (Aswad)

white

أبيض (Abyadh)

gray

رمادي (Ramaadii)

red

أحمر (AHmar)

blue

أزرق (Azraq)

yellow

أصفر (Asfar)

green

أخضر (Akhdhar)

orange

برتقالي (Burtuqaali)

purple

أرجواني (Urjuwaan)

brown

بني (Bunny)

How much is a ticket to _____?

adash tazkara ila ____? Bekam Tazkara ila......?

One ticket to _____, please.

Tazkara wahida ila ___ law samaht

Where does this train/bus go?

Hazal qitar/bus biyruh ila wayn? Ila Ayn Yazhab haza Alkitar/autobis?

Where is the train/bus to _____?

Wein el-qitar/el-bus ila ___?

Does this train/bus stop in _____?

hal biwa'ef hazal qitar/bus fi__ ?

When does the train/bus for _____ leave?

emta btatla el-qitar/el-bus ila ___?

When will this train/bus arrive in _____?

emta byusil hazal qitar/bus fi___?

How do I get to _____ ?

How do I get to _____ ? (Kayf bawsal la __)

...the train station?

...the train station? (mahatet il qitar?)

...the bus station?

...the bus station? (mawqif il bassat?)

...the airport?

...المطار (al-matar?)

...downtown?

...downtown? (West il balad?)

...the youth hostel?

...the youth hostel? (Bayt El Shabab)

...the _____ hotel?

...the _____ hotel? (otel?/ Al Fonduk)

...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate?

...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate? (sefara Al Amrikia, Canadeia, ostralia, beritania)

Where are there a lot of...

Where are there a lot of... (Wein fi kteer...)

...hotels?

...hotels? (otelat/ Fanadek)

...restaurants?

...restaurants? (mata'em)

...bars?

...bars? (bars)

...sites to see?

...sites to see? (amaken seyaheyeh?)

Can you show me on the map?

Can you show me on the map? (momken tfarjeeni ala al khareeta?)

street

شارع (shar'iah)

Turn left.

لف يسار (lif yasaar)

Turn right.

لف يمين (lif yameen)

left

يسار (yasaar)

right

يمين (yameen)

straight ahead

على طول (ala tul)

towards the _____

towards the _____ (bijehet il)

past the _____

past the _____ (baed il)

before the _____

before the _____ (abel il)

Watch for the _____.

Watch for the _____. (intibeh la)

intersection

intersection (taqato)

north

شمال (shamaal)

south

جنوب (janoob)

east

شرق (sharq)

west

غرب (gharb)

uphill

uphill (talaa)

downhill

downhill (nazleh)

Taxi!

Taxi! (taxi!) Sayyara

Take me to _____, please.

Take me to _____, please. (khodni il....., law Samaht)

How much does it cost to get to _____?

How much does it cost to

get to _____? (adeish?/ Bekam Azhab ila......)

Take me there, please.

Take me there, please. (khodni ala __, law samaht)

Do you have any rooms available?

Do you have any rooms available? (Endkom ghoraf(alternatively- owad) edafeyeh?)

How much is a room for one person/two people?

How much is a room for one person/two people? (Adeish il ghorfeh li shakhs/shakhsein?)

Does the room come with...

Does the room come with... (Il ghorfeh bteeji ma...)

...bedsheets?

...bedsheets? (sharashef?)

...a bathroom?

...a bathroom? (hammam?)

...a telephone?

...a telephone? (tele-phown?)

...a TV?

...a TV? (televis-yon?)

May I see the room first?

May I see the room first? (Baqdar ashoof il ghorfeh abel?)

Do you have anything quieter?

Do you have anything quieter? (Fi eshi ah-da?.)

...bigger?

...bigger? (akbar?)

...cleaner?

...cleaner? (andaf?)

...cheaper?

...cheaper? (arkhas?)

OK, I'll take it.

OK, I'll take it. (OK, bakhodha)

I will stay for _____ night(s).

I will stay for _____ night(s). (Rah aba'a kaman ___ yom)

Can you suggest another hotel?

Can you suggest another hotel? (...)

Do you have a safe?

Do you have a safe? (fi khazneh?)

...lockers?

...lockers? (...)

Is breakfast/supper included?

Is breakfast/supper included? (...)

What time is breakfast/supper?

What time is breakfast/supper? (ay sei-a il ftoor/asha?)

Please clean my room.

Please clean my room. (momken tanadef il ghorfeh)

Can you wake me at sds_____? | Can you wake me at _____? (momken tfaye'ni al __ )

I want to check out.

I want to check out. (beddi ashoofha)

Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars?

Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? (Hal taqbal bi noqood Amreekeyah/Ostoraleyah/Canadeyah?)

Do you accept British pounds?

Do you accept British pounds? (Hal Taqbal bi Jenehat Biritaneyeh?)

Do you accept credit cards?

Do you accept credit cards? (...)

Can you change money for me?

Can you change money for me? (Momken tsarefli masari?)

Where can I get money changed?

Where can I get money changed? (Wein badar asaref masari?)

Can you change a traveler's check for me?

Can you change a traveler's check for me? (...)

Where can I get a traveler's check changed?

Where can I get a traveler's check changed? (...)

What is the exchange rate?

What is the exchange rate? (...)

Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)?

Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? (Wein fi ATM?)

A table for one person/two people, please.

A table for one person/two people, please. (Tawlah la wahed/tenein)

Can I look at the menu, please?

Can I look at the menu, please? (Momken ashoof il menu?)

Can I look in the kitchen?

Can I look in the kitchen? (Mumken ashuf il matbakh?)

Is there a house specialty?

Is there a house specialty? (...)

Is there a local specialty?

Is there a local specialty? (...)

I'm a vegetarian.

I'm a vegetarian. (Ana nabati)

I don't eat pork.

I don't eat pork. (Ma bakol lahem khanzeer)

I don't eat beef.

I don't eat beef. (Ma bakol lahmeh)

I only eat Halal food.

I only eat Halal food. (Bas bakol akel hallal)

Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard)

Can you make it "lite", please? (khaleeha khafeefeh)

fixed-price meal

fixed-price meal (...)

à la carte

à la carte (à la carte)

breakfast

breakfast (ftoor) al iftar

lunch

lunch (...) al ghada

tea (meal)

tea (...) shay'

supper

supper (...) al isha'

I want _____.

._____أريد (ooreed)

I want a dish containing _____.

I want a dish containing _____. (...)

chicken

دجاج (dajaj)

beef

بقر (baqar)

fish

سمك (samak)

ham

ham (khanzeer)

sausage

sausage (...)

cheese

جبنة (jubneh)

eggs

بيض (baid)

salad

سَلَطَة (salata)

(fresh) vegetables

(fresh) vegetables (...) (fresh) khudrawat

(fresh) fruit

(fresh) fruit (fawakeh) (fresh) fawakat

bread

bread (...) ayish OR khubz

toast

toast (...)

noodles

noodles (makarona)

rice

أرز ( 'roz)

beans

beans (fool) fasoliyya

May I have a glass of _____?

May I have a glass of _____? (Momken Kaset___)

May I have a cup of _____?

May I have a cup of _____? (Momken finjan ___)

May I have a bottle of _____?

May I have a bottle of _____? (...)

coffee

coffee (qahweh) kah'wa

tea (drink)

شاي ( shay' )

juice

عصير (Aseer)

(bubbly) water

water (may)

water

ماء ( maa' )

beer

بيرة (beerah)

red/white wine

red/white wine (nabeed ahmar/abyad)

May I have some _____?

May I have some _____? (momken ___?)

salt

ملح (malh)

black pepper

فلفل أسود (filfil aswad)

butter

زبدة (zibdeh)

Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server)

Excuse me, waiter? (...)garcoon

I'm finished.

I'm finished. (khalast ) galaste

It was delicious.

It was delicious. (Zaki) Al-akl mazboot!

Please clear the plates.

Please clear the plates. (...)

The check, please.

The check, please. (...)Leh'seb min fadlak

Do you serve alcohol?

Do you serve alcohol? (fi kohool?)

Is there table service?

Is there table service? (hal hnak khidmat tawlah)

A beer/two beers, please.

A beer/two beers, please. (beerah, min fadlik)

A glass of red/white wine, please.

A glass of red/white wine, please. (kaset nbeed)

A pint, please.

A pint, please. (nsf ltr , min fadlik)

A bottle, please.

A bottle, please. (zujaja, min fadlik)

_____ (hard liquor) and _____ (mixer), please.

_____ and _____, please. (...)

whiskey

whiskey (whesky)

vodka

vodka (fodka)

rum

rum (rm)

water

ماء ( maa' )

club soda

club soda (soda)

tonic water

tonic water (miah muqwia)

orange juice

orange juice (aseer bortoqal)

Coke (soda)

Coke (cola)

Do you have any bar snacks?

Do you have any bar snacks? (hal ladayk 'ayu wajabbat khafifat bel bar)

One more, please.

One more, please. (kaman wahed)

Another round, please.

Another round, please. (kaman wahed)

When is closing time?

When is closing time? (emta bitsakro?)

Do you have this in my size?

Do you have this in my size? (Fi maqas?)

How much is this?

بكم هذا؟ (bikam hatha)

That's too expensive.

That's too expensive. (...) "ghali katheer!"

Would you take _____?

Would you take _____? (...)

expensive

غالي (ghali)

cheap

رخيص (rakhees)

I can't afford it.

I can't afford it. (...)

I don't want it.

I don't want it. (ma beddi)

You're cheating me.

You're cheating me. (harami)

I'm not interested.

I'm not interested. (lust muhtam)

OK, I'll take it.

OK, I'll take it. (ok)

Can I have a bag?

Can I have a bag? (oreedo kees)

Do you ship (overseas)?

Do you ship (overseas)? (...)

I need...

I need... (...) Ahtaj

...toothpaste.

...toothpaste. (ma'ajoon asnan)

...a toothbrush.

...a toothbrush. (forshaat asnan)

...tampons.

...tampons. (always)

...soap.

...soap. (saboon)

...shampoo.

...shampoo. (shamboo)

...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen)

...pain reliever. (mussakin)

...cold medicine.

...cold medicine. (dawa rash-h)

...stomach medicine.

...stomach medicine. (dawa baten)

...a razor.

...a razor. (shafra)

...an umbrella.

...an umbrella. (shamseyeh)

...sunblock lotion.

...sunblock lotion. (...)

...a postcard.

...بطاقة بريدية (bitaqa bareedia)

...postage stamps.

...postage stamps. (tawabe' bareed)

...batteries.

...batteries. (batareyat)

...writing paper.

...ورق للكتبة (waraq lil-kitaba)

...a pen.

...قلم (qalam)

...English-language books.

...كتب إنجليزية (kutub ingliziya)

...English-language magazines.

... مجلات انكليزية (majalat engiliziya)

...an English-language newspaper.

...جرائد إنجليزية (jara'id ingliziya)

...an English-English dictionary.

...an English-English dictionary. (qamoos ingilizi-ingilizi)

I want to rent a car.

I want to rent a car. (beddi astajer sayarah)

Can I get insurance?

Can I get insurance? (fi tameen?)

stop (on a street sign)

stop (qif)

one way

one way (tho itjah wahed)

yield

yield (atti alaolwyeh)

no parking

no parking (mamnoo alistifaf)

speed limit

speed limit (alsuraa alkanooniya)

gas (petrol) station

gas station (mahatet banzeen)

petrol

petrol (betrol)

diesel

diesel (diesel)

I haven't done anything wrong.

I haven't done anything wrong. (Ma emelet eshi ghalat)

It was a misunderstanding.

It was a misunderstanding. (kan su' fahum )

Where are you taking me?

Where are you taking me? (wein akhedni?)

Am I under arrest?

Am I under arrest? (ana motaqal?)

I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen.

I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. (Ana American/...)

I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate.

I need to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate. (urid an atakalam ma al safara al American/...)

I want to talk to a lawyer.

I want to talk to a lawyer. (urid altahaduth ma muhami)

Can I just pay a fine now?

Can I just pay a fine now? (hal yumkinuni dafe gharamat alan?)