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Learning to converse in Arabic can seem challenging, especially for English speakers. However, starting with basic Arabic conversations and their English translations can make this process much easier. Whether you are planning to travel to an Arabic-speaking country or want to communicate with Arabic-speaking friends, knowing some simple phrases can go a long way. In this article, we’ll go over some essential Arabic phrases, providing their English translations and explanations, to help you start conversations in Arabic with confidence.
Greetings and Introductions
When you meet someone new, the first thing you do is greet them. Here are some basic greetings and phrases for introductions in Arabic, along with their English translations.
- Hello
- Arabic: Marhaba (مرحبًا)
- English: Hello
- How are you?
- Arabic: Kayfa haluka? (كيف حالك؟) [to a male]
- Arabic: Kayfa haluki? (كيف حالكِ؟) [to a female]
- English: How are you?
- I am fine, thank you
- Arabic: Ana bekhair, shukran (أنا بخير، شكرًا)
- English: I am fine, thank you
- What is your name?
- Arabic: Ma ismuka? (ما اسمك؟) [to a male]
- Arabic: Ma ismuki? (ما اسمكِ؟) [to a female]
- English: What is your name?
- My name is…
- Arabic: Ismi… (اسمي…)
- English: My name is…
These simple phrases will help you start a conversation and make a good first impression.
Common Phrases for Everyday Situations
In everyday situations, certain phrases come in handy. Here are some essential Arabic phrases you might use daily.
- Please
- Arabic: Min fadlik (من فضلك) [to a male]
- Arabic: Min fadliki (من فضلكِ) [to a female]
- English: Please
- Thank you
- Arabic: Shukran (شكرًا)
- English: Thank you
- Yes / No
- Arabic: Na’am / La (نعم / لا)
- English: Yes / No
- Excuse me
- Arabic: Afwan (عفواً)
- English: Excuse me / Sorry
- Where is…?
- Arabic: Ayna…? (أين…؟)
- English: Where is…?
- How much does this cost?
- Arabic: Kam thaman hadha? (كم ثمن هذا؟)
- English: How much does this cost?
These phrases are useful in various everyday interactions, such as shopping, asking for directions, or making polite requests.
Essential Phrases for Travel
When traveling in an Arabic-speaking country, you may need to know some specific phrases to navigate around. Here are some key phrases that will be helpful.
- Where is the nearest hotel?
- Arabic: Ayna aqrab funduq? (أين أقرب فندق؟)
- English: Where is the nearest hotel?
- Can you help me?
- Arabic: Hal beemkanika mosa’adati? (هل بإمكانك مساعدتي؟) [to a male]
- Arabic: Hal beemkaniki mosa’adati? (هل بإمكانك مساعدتي؟) [to a female]
- English: Can you help me?
- I need a taxi
- Arabic: Ahtaju ila taxi (أحتاج إلى تاكسي)
- English: I need a taxi
- Where is the airport?
- Arabic: Ayna almatar? (أين المطار؟)
- English: Where is the airport?
- I am lost
- Arabic: Ana daie’ (أنا ضائع)
- English: I am lost
Knowing these phrases can make your travel experience smoother and less stressful.
Phrases for Dining Out
If you’re dining out, it’s helpful to know some basic phrases to order food and communicate with the waitstaff.
- I would like to order…
- Arabic: Oreed an atlub… (أريد أن أطلب…)
- English: I would like to order…
- The bill, please
- Arabic: Alfatora min fadlik (الفاتورة من فضلك)
- English: The bill, please
- Do you have a vegetarian option?
- Arabic: Hal ladaykum akl nabaty? (هل لديكم أكل نباتي؟)
- English: Do you have a vegetarian option?
- This food is delicious
- Arabic: Hadha attaam latheeth (هذا الطعام لذيذ)
- English: This food is delicious
- I am allergic to…
- Arabic: Ana a’ni min hasasiyya li… (أنا أعاني من حساسية لـ…)
- English: I am allergic to…
These phrases will help you enjoy your dining experience and ensure you get the right food for your needs.
| Arabic | Roman Arabic | English |
| أنَا مَشٛغُوٛلٌ | aana mashgolon | I am busy. |
| أیٛنَ تَسٛکُنٛ؟ | aina taskon | Where you live? |
| أنَا تَا ئَہٌ | aana taeiaton | I am lost. |
| ھَذَا مَا اُرِیٛدُہُ فِعٛلًا | haza ma oridoho fe’lan | This is what I want. |
| اَنَا مُتَأخِرٌ | aana motakhiron | I am late. |
| لَقَدٛفَاتَھُمُ القِطَارُ | la qad fathomol qitar | They missed the train. |
| اَشٛکُرُکَ | ashkoroka | I thank you. |
| أعٛتَذِرُ لَیٛکَ | e’taziro laika | I apologies. |
| طَیِّبٌ | tayyebon | Good |
| حَسَنًا | hasanan | All right |
| أھٛلًا بِکَ | ahlan bika | You are welcome. |
| أسِفٛ | aasif | I am sorry |
| أسٛتَمِیٛحُکَ عُذٛرًا | astamioka ozran | I beg your pardon. |
| رُبَّمَا | robbama | Perhaps |
| اَمَلُ ذٰلِکَ | amalo zalik | I hope so |
Basic Arabic Conversation Sentences for Daily Use
| Marhaba! | مرحباً! | Hello! |
| Shukran | شكراً | Thank you |
| ‘Afwan | عفواً | You’re welcome |
| Sabah al-khayr | صباح الخير | Good morning |
| Masa’ al-khayr | مساء الخير | Good evening |
| Min fadlik | من فضلك | Please |
| Na’am | نعم | Yes |
| La | لا | No |
| Kayfa halluk? | كيف حالك؟ | How are you? |
| Ana bikhayr, shukran. | أنا بخير، شكراً | I’m fine, thank you. |
| Ma’a as-salama | مع السلامة | Goodbye |
| ‘Asif | آسف | Sorry |
| TafaDDal | تفضل | Please (inviting) |
| ‘In shaa’ Allah | إن شاء الله | God willing |
| Maa salaama | ما سلامة | Farewell |
| Ayna al-hamam? | أين الحمام؟ | Where is the restroom? |
| Kam hadha? | كم هذا؟ | How much is this? |
| Mumkin…? | ممكن…؟ | Can I…? |
| La ‘afham | لا أفهم | I don’t understand |
| Min ‘ayna anta/anti? | من أين أنت؟ | Where are you from? |
| ‘IsmaH li… | اسمح لي… | Excuse me… |
| ‘Ayna al-maTam? | أين المطعم؟ | Where is the restaurant? |
| Yalla | يلا | Let’s go / Come on |
| In shaa’ Allah | إن شاء الله | If God wills |
| Sabr jameel | صبر جميل | Patience is beautiful |
| Maa hadha? | ما هذا؟ | What is this? |
| Min faDlik | من فضلك | Please (requesting) |
| Ana laa afham | أنا لا أفهم | I don’t understand |
| Shu ismak? | شو اسمك؟ | What’s your name? |
| Ana ismi… | اسمي… | My name is… |
| Ana mahjoob/mahjooba | أنا مخجوب/مخجوبة | I am embarrassed |
| Yaa saHbi/saHbati | يا صديقي/صديقتي | Hey, my friend |
| Shu ra’iik? | شو رأيك؟ | What do you think? |
| Ana fi sa’eed | أنا في سعيد | I am happy |
| ‘Arju al-mu’awana | أرجو المساعدة | Please help me |
| Ana mutaHajjil | أنا متحججل | I am confused |
| Ana majnoon/majnoona | أنا مجنون/مجنونة | I am crazy |
| Ana ‘uhibbuka/uhibbuki | أنا أحبك/أحبكِ | I love you |
| Ana mumkin…? | أنا ممكن…؟ | Can I…? |
| Ana laa ‘aaref | أنا لا أعرف | I don’t know |
| ‘Ayn al-Suq? | أين السوق؟ | Where is the market? |
| Ana ja’eel/ja’eela | أنا جائع/جائعة | I am hungry |
| Ana taSHaan/taSHaana | أنا تشعن/تشعنة | I am thirsty |
| Ana mutaba’at | أنا متعبة | I am tired |
| Ana saeedaan | أنا سعيدان | I am sad |
| Ana marid/marida | أنا مريض/مريضة | I am sick |
| Ana feeha/feeh | أنا فيها/فيه | I’m in it |
| Ana ba’eed/ba’eeda | أنا بعيد/بعيدة | I am far |
| Ana qareeb/qareeba | أنا قريب/قريبة | I am close |
| Ana SaHeeh/SaHeeha | أنا صحيح/صحيحة | I am correct |
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