Easy Arabic Phrases to Learn
Before Traveling
Before Traveling
Basic Greetings, Politeness
& Common Travel Terms
& Common Travel Terms
Heading to an Arabic-speaking country? Even if you're relying on a guide or tour, knowing a few essential Arabic phrases can enrich your travel experience, help you connect with locals, and make everyday interactions smoother. Arabic is spoken across many countries, from Morocco and Egypt to Jordan and the Gulf states, with dialects that vary, but basic phrases are widely understood.
Here are some easy Arabic phrases to learn before your trip:
Essential Arabic Greetings
"Hello" – Marhaban (مرحبا)
Pronounced: mar-ha-ban
"Peace be upon you" – As-salamu alaykum (السلام عليكم)
Pronounced: as-sa-laa-moo a-lay-koom
Response: "And peace be upon you" – Wa alaykum as-salam (وعليكم السلام)
Pronounced: wa a-lay-koom as-sa-laam
"Good morning" – Sabah al-khayr (صباح الخير)
Pronounced: sa-baah al-khayr
"Good evening" – Masa' al-khayr (مساء الخير)
Pronounced: ma-saa’ al-khayr
"Goodbye" – Ma’a as-salama (مع السلامة)
Pronounced: ma-a as-sa-laa-ma
Polite Words & Phrases
"Please" [to a male] – Min fadlak (من فضلك)
Pronounced: min fad-lak
"Please" [to a female] – Min fadlik (من فضلكِ)
Pronounced: min fad-lik
"Thank you" – Shukran (شكراً)
Pronounced: shook-ran
"You're welcome" – Afwan (عفواً)
Pronounced: af-wan
"Yes" – Na’am (نعم)
Pronounced: na-am
"No" – La (لا)
Pronounced: laa
"Excuse me / Sorry" – Afwan / Ana aasif (عفواً / أنا آسف)
Pronounced: af-wan / a-na aa-sif
Useful Travel Phrases
"I don’t understand" – Ana laa afham (أنا لا أفهم)
Pronounced: a-na laa af-ham
"Do you speak English?" – Hal tatakallam ingliziya? (هل تتكلم الإنجليزية؟)
Pronounced: hal ta-ta-kal-lam in-glee-zee-ya?
"Where is the bathroom?" – Ayna al-hammam? (أين الحمام؟)
Pronounced: ay-na al-ham-maam?
"How much is this?" – Bikam hatha? (بكم هذا؟)
Pronounced: bee-kam ha-tha?
Numbers (1–10)
Arabic numerals are written from left to right (just like in English) but use different symbols. Here’s a quick comparison:
Western Number |
Arabic Numeral |
Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | ٠ | sifr |
| 1 | ١ | waahid |
| 2 | ٢ | ithnayn |
| 3 | ٣ | thalaatha |
| 4 | ٤ | arba‘a |
| 5 | ٥ | khamsa |
| 6 | ٦ | sitta |
| 7 | ٧ | sab‘a |
| 8 | ٨ | thamaaniya |
| 9 | ٩ | tis‘a |
Frequently Asked Questions About Arabic for Travel
Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) is the most widely understood form and is used in formal settings like news, education, and signage across the Arab world. For casual conversations, dialects vary by country, like Egyptian Arabic, Levantine Arabic, or Gulf Arabic. However, basic MSA phrases are generally understood in most tourist settings.
Arabic has a reputation for being complex due to its script and grammar, but learning basic travel phrases is quite manageable. Focus on common greetings, numbers, and polite expressions. Pronunciation can be learned quickly with phonetic guides.
Not necessarily. Most tourist signs and menus include Romanized spellings or translations. However, recognizing a few key words (like "exit" or "toilet") in Arabic script can be helpful, and learning the numbers 0–9 in Arabic is useful for reading prices.
Exit
Arabic: خروج
Pronounced: kho-rooj
Toilet / Bathroom
Arabic: حمّام
Pronounced: ham-maam
No. Arabic dialects differ significantly between regions. Moroccan Arabic sounds very different from Egyptian Arabic, for example. But most countries understand MSA, and simple phrases like "hello," "thank you," and "how much?" are fairly universal.
Try these methods:
- Use language apps like Duolingo, Drops, or Mondly.
- Watch YouTube videos on basic Arabic for travel.
- Practice out loud with audio recordings or flashcards.
- Write down phrases with pronunciation guides.
Yes, and, they’ll likely appreciate your effort, even if your pronunciation isn't perfect. In tourist areas, many locals speak some English or French, but using Arabic shows respect and can lead to warmer interactions.
Some key ones include:
- “Hello” – Marhaban
- “Thank you” – Shukran
- “Where is the bathroom?” – Ayna al-hammam?
- “How much is this?” – Bikam hatha?
- “I don’t understand” – Ana laa afham
- “Do you speak English?” – Hal tatakallam ingliziya?
Not necessarily, but knowing some basic Arabic greetings and polite expressions enhances your experience. It helps in markets, cafés, and interacting with locals outside of the tour group.
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