Arabic is part of the Semitic language family, and estimates of native speakers range from between 186 million to 422 million people, plus as many as 246 million non-native speakers. It is the official language in 25 countries, and the third most common after English and French. An evolving language, Arabic has 27 sub-languages, while Modern Standard Arabic is widely used and studied. Arabic has “loaned” words to other languages, including European languages like English, Italian, and Spanish, and has also borrowed from other languages.
The hospitals at which expats work operate in English, and there are translators available to assist in communication with patients who do not speak English. Additionally, your hospital will provide basic Arabic classes for you, and you can do further studies if you choose.
Here are a few typical Arabic phrases, using an English rendering, and followed by a translation:
Pleasantries
Marhaba = Hello
Maasalama = Good-bye (When a colleague is leaving, you often hear of a “maasalama party” or a “maasalama sale” – basically a yard sale in which a person sells things they won’t be bringing home with the, e.g., DVD players)
Assalam alaykum = Peace be upon you (response = Wa alaykum assalam)
Ahlan wa sahlan = various translations: welcome, hello and welcome, you are very welcome (response = Ahlan bekum)
Sabah al-khair = Good Morning (response = sabah al-noor)
Masaa al-Khair = Good evening (response = masa al-noor)
Ismee … = my name is …
Min fadlak = Please (male)
Min fadlik = Please (female)
Shukran = Thank you
Afwan = You’re Welcome
Inshallah = God Willing (you will often hear this in response to anything tentative, when timing is in question, etc.)
Aiwa or Naam = Yes
La = No
Ismahlee = Excuse me
Mafee Mushkala = No problem
Tatakallum Ingleezi? = Do you speak English?
La Atakalam Arabi = I don’t speak Arabic
Numbers
Wahid = 1
Ithnin = 2
Thalatha = 3
Arbaa = 4
Khamsa = 5
Sitta = 6
Sabaa = 7
Thamania = 8
Tisa= 9
Ashara = 10
Beverages
Shai = Tea
Gahwah = coffee
Aaseer = juice
Water = maa
Places
Mustashfa = hospital
Souq = market
Matt'am = restaurant
Fondook = hotel
Hammam (or “toilets”) = restrooms, toilets
Other
Feloos = Money
Bekam? or Addesh? = How much?
Sadeeq = friend (literally; also expats sometimes use it as a euphemism for alcohol)
Muhim = important
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