Arabic Basic Courtesy and Social Phrases

(Saudi Arabian & Upper Gulf Dialect)

(Page 1 of 4 pages.)

How to use this phrase-sheet:

1. Select the proper English phrase in the left-hand column.

2. Read the transliterated Arabic phrase in the middle column
3. If available, a Saudi/Gulf Arab friend can read and help with pronouncing the Arabic
text in the right-hand column.

NOTE:

1. Phrases are in Formal Spoken Arabic ("F" below) and the colloquial Saudi Arabian /
Upper Gulf (Bahrain, Kuwait & southern Iraq) regional dialect ("G"). Literal/cultural
meaning is in parentheses.
2. CAPITALS indicate stress/emphasis in pronunciation of words.

May the peace be upon you.

(F; traditional greeting)
As-sa-LAAMU al-LAIKUM ‫السالم عليكم‬
(And) May the peace be Wa al-LAIKUM as-saLAAM ‫وعليكم السالم‬
upon you (F:customary reply)

Good morning.
(F; May you have a morning
Sa-BAAH al-KHAIR ‫صباح الخير‬
of goodness)(Greeting)

Good morning. Sa-BAAH an-NOOR ‫صباح النور‬

(F: May you have a morning
of light)(Reply)

May Allah greet you (F/G) High-YAAK Allah ‫حياك هللا‬

May Allah keep you (reply) Ab-QAAK Allah
‫أبقاك هللا‬
How are you? (formal; plural) KAIF HAAL-ukum? ‫كيف حالكم؟‬
(F; How is your condition)

How are you? (G) A-SHLONE-akum?

‫أشلونكم؟‬
(Lit: How is your color?)

Praise be to Allah, fine. (F) Al-HAMdu-LILLAH, bi-KHAIR ‫ بالخير‬, ‫الحمد هلل‬

Praise be to Allah, fine. (G) Bi-KHAIR, al-HAMDU li-LLAH ‫ الحمد هلل‬،‫بخير‬
 Arabic Basic Courtesy
and Social Phrases
(Saudi Arabian &
Upper Gulf Dialect)

(Page 2 of 4 pages.)

How is your family? (F) KAIF al-AA'ila? ‫كيف العائلة؟‬

How is your family? (G) KAIF al-Eye-YAAL?
Allah willing, they are all well. In-SHA' Allah, KUL-uhum
bi-KHAIR
Praise be to Allah, they are al-HAMDU-li-LLAH, KUL-
all well. (Customary reply) hum bi-KHAIR
‫كيف العيال؟‬
‫إن شاء هللا كلهم‬
‫بخير‬
‫كلهم بخير‬, ‫الحمد هلل‬

‫شكرا‬
Thank you. Shoo-KRAAN
‫عفوا‬
You are welcome (reply). Ah-FWAAN

Please (accept/take this). ta-FAD-dal-LOO (formal) ّ ‫تف‬

‫ضلوا‬
(~= s'il vous plais; por favor) (ta-FAD-dal)(informal)
‫ضل‬ّ ‫تف‬
Good evening. me-SAA' al-KHAIR ‫مساء الخير‬
(F; May you have an evening
of goodness)(Greeting)

Good evening. me-SAA' an-NOOR

(F: May you have an evening ‫مساء النور‬
of light)(Reply)

Welcome. AH-hal-lan wa SA-ha-laan

(You are welcomed as easily ‫أهال وسهال‬
as one of the family.)
(F; traditional greeting)

May Allah bless you (for your Al-LLAh yu-BAAR-ak FEE-kum ‫هللا يبارك فيكم‬
kindness). (F; traditional reply)

What is your name, please? (F) MAA huwa IS-muk, ‫ من فضلك؟‬،‫ما هو اسمك‬
min FAD-lak??
 Arabic Basic Courtesy
and Social Phrases
(Saudi Arabian &
Upper Gulf Dialect)

(Page 3 of 4 pages.)

You honor us (by making your (1) ta-shar-RAFNAA ‫تشرفنا‬

ّ
acquaintance)(F) (2) SHAR-raf-TOONAA
‫شرفتونا‬ّ
Yes (F) (1) NA'am )‫نعم… (فصحى‬
Yes (G) (2) AYE-wah
)‫أيوه … (بلدي‬
No, sorry. (F) LAA, ma'a al-AASif ‫ مع األسف‬،‫ال‬
Perhaps; maybe; possibly. (G) MUM-kin; min al-MUM-kin ‫ممكن؛ من الممكن‬
Thank you very much. (F/G) shoo-KRAAN ga-ZEEL-aan ‫شكرا جزيال‬
Don't thank me for doing my LAA shukar ala WAA-jib ‫ال شكر على واجب‬
duty (to be honest) Reply)

That will work; fine, OK (G) TAY-yib; KWAIS; KHOsh ‫خوش‬، ‫ كويس‬،‫طيب‬
Don't worry about that (G) MAA yu-HIM-mak ‫ما يهمك‬
(lit: That doesn't concern you)

Goodbye. (I leave you in MA' as-sa-LAAM-at ‫مع السالمة‬

Allah's safety)(F)(Departee)

May you go in Allah's

protection. (F)(Reply) Fee I-MAAN Al-LAH ‫في أمان هللا‬
My name is ___________ I-smii ___________ _______ ‫إسمي‬
I am senior representative of AA-na ka-BEER mu- ‫أنا كبير ممثلي‬
XYZ Company. METHalii sharikat XYZ XYZ ‫شركة‬

I am responsible for A-naa mas’OOL 3n al- ‫أنا مسؤول عن البيعات‬

international sales. BEE-3aat al-DUWA-liya
‫الدولية‬
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------

Arabic Basic Courtesy

and Social Phrases
(Saudi Arabian & Upper Gulf Dialect)

(Page 4 of 4 pages.)
Provided to participants in training programs conducted under auspices of Middle East Services
Group (Consultancy).

Copyright © 2016, Stephen H. Franke, dba Middle East Services Group (Consultancy). All rights
reserved. Tel: 1-310-832-1037