From Hello to Thank You: Basic Arabic Phrases for Different Occasions

Memorizing basic Arabic phrases is a great way to take your language learning to a new level. Even if you've just learned the alphabet and fundamental pronunciation rules, common everyday expressions are a perfect way to practice. And that's what today's article is about! Make yourself comfortable, and let's dive right in.

Basic Arabic Phrases: Greetings and Introductions

A first impression is always important, especially when you're saying hello and starting a conversation with someone in a foreign language. Here are some Arabic expressions that will be useful in this case.

• مرحبا (Marhaba) – [ˈmar.ha.ba] – Hello.

مرحبا، كيف حالك؟ (Marhaba, kayfa halak?) – Hello, how are you?

• صباح الخير (Sabah al-khayr) – [sˤaˈbɑːħ alˈχeːr] – Good morning.

صباح الخير، أتمنى لك يوماً سعيداً. (Sabah al-khayr, atamanna laka yawman sa'eedan.) – Good morning, I wish you a happy day.

• مساء الخير (Masa' al-khayr) – [maˈsaːʔ alˈχeːr] – Good evening.

مساء الخير، كيف كانت يومك؟ (Masa' al-khayr, kayfa kanat yawmik?) – Good evening, how was your day?

• أنا اسمي... (Ana ismi...) – [ˈana ˈʔismi...] – My name is...

أنا اسمي أحمد. (Ana ismi Ahmad.) – My name is Ahmed.

• تشرفت بلقائك (Tasharraft biliqā'ik) – [taʃaˈraf.t bi.lɪˈqaːʔ.ik] – Nice to meet you.

تشرفت بلقائك يا كريم. (Tasharraft biliqā'ik, yā Karīm.) – Nice to meet you, Karim.

Common Courtesy: Polite Questions and Expressions

Politeness is an integral part of the Arabic culture. Therefore, whether you're talking to a friend or a stranger, you need to stay respectful and polite. Here are some basic phrases such as "How are you?" and other expressions that will help you with that.

• من فضلك (Min fadlik) – [mɪn ˈfadlɪk] – Please.

من فضلك، هل يمكنك مساعدتي؟ (Min fadlik, hal yumkinuka musā'adati?) – Please, can you help me?

• شكرا (Shukran) – [ˈʃuk.ran] – Thank you.

شكرا على مساعدتك. (Shukran ‘ala musā'adatik.) – Thank you for your help.

• عفوا (Afwan) – [ˈʕaf.wan] – You're welcome/Excuse me.

عفوا، هل يمكنني المرور؟ (Afwan, hal yumkinuni al-murūr?) – Excuse me, may I pass?

• أعتذر (A'tadhir) – [ˈʕaʕ.tɪ.ðɪr] – I apologize.

أعتذر عن التأخير. (A'tadhir ‘an al-ta'khīr.) – I apologize for the delay.

• تفضل (Tafaddal) – [taˈfɑd.dal] – Go ahead/Please (inviting someone).

تفضل بالجلوس. (Tafaddal bil-julūs.) – Please have a seat.

• كيف حالك؟ (Kayfa halak?)/كيف حالكِ؟ (Kayfa halik?) – [ˈkaj.fa ˈħaː.lak]/[ˈkaj.fa ˈħaː.lik] – How are you? (to a male/female)
• أنا بخير، شكرا. (Ana bikhayr, shukran.) – I am fine, thank you.
• أين...؟ (Ayna...?) – [ˈʔeɪ.næ] – Where is...?

أين الحمام؟ (Ayna al-ḥammām?) – Where is the bathroom?

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Arabic Phrases to Know When Travelling

The expressions above are suitable for many different occasions. However, if you're planning on traveling to an Arabic-speaking country, we have a list of more specific expressions that can come in handy when navigating shopping, dining, or even asking for help.

• كم ثمن هذا؟ (Kam thaman hatha?) – [kɒm ˈθæ.mæn ˈhæ.ðæ] – How much is this?

كم ثمن هذا القميص؟ (Kam thaman hatha al-qamīṣ?) – How much is this shirt?

• أريد هذا (Urid hatha) – [ʔuˈriːd ˈhæ.ðæ] – I want this.

أريد هذا الكتاب. (Urid hatha al-kitāb.) – I want this book.

• أين يمكنني العثور على...؟ (Ayna yumkinuni al-'uthūr ‘ala...?) – [ˈʔeɪ.næ ˈjum.kɪ.nu.ni ʕalʊˈθuːr ʕa.læ...] – Where can I find...?

أين يمكنني العثور على المتجر؟ (Ayna yumkinuni al-'uthūr 'ala al-matjar?) – Where can I find the store?

• أود أن... (Awad an...) – [ʔaˈwʊd ʔæn...] – I would like...

أود أن أطلب السلطة. (Awad an aṭlub al-salaṭa.) – I would like to order the salad.

• هل يمكنك إحضار...؟ (Hal yumkinuka iḥdār...?) – [hal ˈjum.kɪ.nʊ.kæ ʔɪħˈdɑːr...] – Can you bring...? 

هل يمكنك إحضار الماء؟ (Hal yumkinuka iḥdār al-mā'?) – Can you bring the water?

• الفاتورة، من فضلك (Al-faturah, min faḍlik) – [æl.fæˈtuː.ræ mɪn ˈfɑd.lɪk] – The check, please.

أريد الفاتورة، من فضلك. (Urid al-faturah, min faḍlik.) – I would like the check, please.

• هل يمكنك مساعدتي؟ (Hal yumkinuka musā'adati?) – [hal ˈjum.kɪ.nʊ.kæ muˈsæː.ʕæ.dɪ] – Can you help me? 

هل يمكنك مساعدتي في الوصول إلى الفندق؟ (Hal yumkinuka musā'adati fi al-wuṣūl ila al-funduq?) – Can you help me get to the hotel?

• أنا ضائع (Ana da'i) – [ˈʔæ.næ ˈdɑː.ʕɪ] – I am lost.

أنا ضائع، أين الطريق إلى المطار؟ (Ana da'i, ayna al-ṭarīq ila al-maṭār?) – I am lost, where is the way to the airport?

• أحتاج إلى معلومات عن... (Aḥtāj ila ma'lūmāt ‘an...) – [ʔaħˈtæːʒ ʕɪˈlɑː maʕ.luːˈmɑːt ʕan...] – I need information about...

أحتاج إلى معلومات عن هذا المعلم. (Aḥtāj ila ma'lūmāt ‘an hatha al-ma'lam.) – I need information about this landmark.

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Conclusion

And that's it for today! With this compilation of basic Arabic phrases, you will be able to manage different casual interactions, from talking to colleagues at the new workplace to just having small talk with strangers.