Meeting people in Arabic
How are you, what is your name, where are you from, I like it: the first five minutes. Play the ten Arabic words against the clock, with a note on how locals really use each one after every answer. All ten are written out below.
All 10 Arabic phrases in this lesson
- ููู ุญุงููุKAY-fa HA-lak
- How are you?
- ุจุฎูุฑุ ุงูุญู ุฏ ูููbi-KHAYR al-HAM-du lil-LAH
- I'm fine, thanks
- ูุฃูุชุwa ANT
- And you?
- ู ุง ุงุณู ูุma IS-mak
- What's your name?
- ุงุณู ู...IS-mee
- My name is...
- ู ู ุฃูู ุฃูุชุmin AY-na ANT
- Where are you from?
- ุฃูุง ู ู...A-na min
- I'm from...
- ูุนุฌุจููyu-JIB-nee
- I like it
- ุฌู ููja-MEEL
- It's beautiful
- ุฃููุงู ูุณููุงูAH-lan wa SAH-lan
- Welcome
The pan-Arabic form. In Egypt: "izzayak" (masculine), "izzayik" (feminine). In the Gulf: "shlonak" (masculine), "shlonich" (feminine). In Levant: "kifak" (masculine), "kifik" (feminine). Any of these earns points; locals always appreciate the attempt.
Literally "well, praise God", the answer everyone gives whether things are good or not. "Bikhayr, shukran" (bi-KHAYR SHUK-ran), fine, thanks, is the plain version.
To a woman: "wa anti?" (wa AN-ti). Returning the question is essential; not doing so is considered indifferent or rude. The exchange of greetings in Arab culture is a ritual that establishes connection before any business or request.
To a woman: "ma ismik?" (IS-mik).
"Ismi Anna", my name is Anna.
In speech "min wayn inta?" (min WAYN IN-ta) in the Gulf and Levant.
"Ana min Kanada".
Literally "it pleases me". For a place, "hilw" (HILW), sweet, is the everyday praise.
For a woman or a feminine noun: "jameela" (ja-MEE-la).
Literally "family and easy ground". The reply is "ahlan bik" (AH-lan bik).
Where Arabic is spoken
- Facts about United Arab Emirates ยท Map of United Arab Emirates
- Facts about Bahrain ยท Map of Bahrain
- Facts about Djibouti ยท Map of Djibouti
- Facts about Algeria ยท Map of Algeria
- Facts about Egypt ยท Map of Egypt
- Facts about Eritrea ยท Map of Eritrea
- Facts about Israel ยท Map of Israel
- Facts about Iraq ยท Map of Iraq