Basic Arabic 2
Basic Arabic
Afwan – sorry/excuse me
Keef haluk? -How are you?
Sometimes shortened to Keefak
To which the reply is:
Al hamdu lillah (bi khair) – praise be to Allah (well)
This should be the usual reply.
Or Zayn which means Fine
You could use:
Ana bikhayr, shukran – I am fine, thank you
Weyn inta – Literally, where are you?, but probably equivalent to Long time no see
Occasionally you will hear:
Shu-ukhbaarak -what’s your news? – which you would reply to in the normal way
Aysh ismuk or Shu Ismuk -what is your name?
Ismi Jason -my name is Jason
Titakellem ingleezi -do you speak English?
Ana la atakellem al arabi -I don’t speak Arabic
Terrref arabi? -do you know Arabic
Schway shway – a little bit
Atakullum inglieezi -I speak English
Inta min weyn? -where are you from?
Ana min ingliterra -I’m from England
Umreeka -USA
Oostraaalia -Australia
Al imaraaat -UAE
Wa inta? -and you?
Yaallah – come on / let’s go
Mafi Mushkil – no problem, sometimes mish mushkila or mu mushkila
Yani is a phrase thrown in to mean “like” or “you know” see glossary
Maasalaamah -Goodbye
To which the reply is:
Fi aman allah or Maasalaamah
Wayn al hammam – where is the toilet?
Miscellaneous Words
Inshallah -If Allah wishes
This phrase is used in reference to a future, since all things are at Allah’s will. So if you say, see you tomorrow, you might be replied with Inshallah. Indeed, it is used in numerous contexts. You’ll send me the report tomorrow? -Inshallah.
Maashallah -What Allah wishes
This is used when complimenting something, usually in the context of family or health.
Mabrook – Congratulations
This is used in any congratulatory context, more so than you would use in English.
Naam – yes
Aywa – yeah/ok
La – no
Min fudluk – please
Shoo? – what?
Shoofi mafi? -what’s up? or what’s the matter?
Shoo hada? – what is this?
Or you could just use “shoo” and in context it means “what’s happening or what’s going on?
Mafi mushkil -no problem
Itfudul -by my guest / my pleasure
When you sneeze you say
Al hamdu lillah
To which someone will say
Yer humkullah
And you will say again
Yer hamna wa yer humkum
Tamaam – perfect
Baadin – later
Dilwaati – now
Ilyoum – today
Bukra – tomorrow
Ashoofook bukra – see you tomorrow
Aadhi – it’s normal
Jebli shai – bring me some tea / can I have some tea please
Kallemni – call me/talk to me
Ma adhri – I dont know
Maa-i-khussni – its not my problem
Inta kida – thumbs up
Intaa tabaan thumbs down
Areed areef – i want to know
Mumken asaduq – can i help you