Have you ever wondered about the unique dialect spoken in Jordan? Jordanian Arabic is a key part of the rich cultural heritage of the Levant. This article is your guide to understanding the basics of this dialect, its different varieties, and some essential phrases for communicating with locals.
What Language Is Spoken in Jordan?
The official language of Jordan is Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), but the everyday language spoken by Jordanians is a dialect of Arabic. Jordanian Arabic is part of the Levantine Arabic family, which is why people often ask, is Jordan Levantine? The answer is yes; it shares many similarities with the dialects of neighboring Palestine, Syria, and Lebanon. It’s often considered a bridge dialect, mixing features from both urban Levantine dialects and the more traditional Bedouin dialects.
Regional Varieties of Jordanian Arabic
The Jordanian dialect is not one single form. It has regional differences that often depend on whether people live in cities or in the desert. The main varieties are:
- Sedentary varieties: These are the dialects spoken in the major cities and towns, such as Amman, Irbid, and Salt. They are often influenced by the dialects of neighboring Palestine and Syria and are generally easier for learners to understand. The pronunciation of the letter qāf (ق) as a glottal stop (like the letter ء) is common in these areas.
- Bedouin varieties: These dialects are spoken by the Bedouin tribes in the rural and desert areas of Jordan, such as the Badia and Wadi Rum. They have a distinct pronunciation and vocabulary, and they are sometimes more difficult for new learners. For example, they often pronounce the letter qāf (ق) as a hard g (like in “go”).
Essential Jordanian Arabic Phrases
Learning a few basic phrases in Jordanian Arabic will help you connect with people and show respect for their culture.
Greetings
| Arabic Phrase | Transliteration | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| مرحباً | Marḥaba | Hello |
| صباح الخير | Sabaaḥ il-khair | Good morning |
| كيف حالك؟ (للمذكر) / كيف حالك؟ (للمؤنث) | Kaif ḥaalak? / Kaif ḥaalik? | How are you? (masculine)/ (feminine) |
| أهلاً وسهلاً | Ahlan wsahlan | Welcome |
Basic Conversation
| Arabic Phrase | Transliteration | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| شكراً | Shukran | Thank you |
| عفواً | Afwan | You’re welcome |
| لو سمحت (للمذكر) / لو سمحتي (للمؤنث) | Law samaḥt / Law samaḥtee | Please (masculine)/ (feminine) |
| اه / لأ | aah / Laʼ | Yes / No |
| إن شاء الله | Insha’Allah | God willing |
Common Phrases
| Arabic Phrase | Transliteration | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| شو الأخبار؟ | Shoo il-ʼakhbaar? | What’s new? |
| كله تمام | Kuluh tamaam | Everything is good |
| الحمد لله | Alḥamdulillah | Praise be to God (I’m fine) |
| ما في مشكلة | Maa fee mushkileh | No problem |
| آسف (للمذكر) / آسفة (للمؤنث) | ʼaasif / ʼaasfeh | I’m sorry (masculine)/ (feminine) |
| مع السلامة | Maʿ il-salaameh | Goodbye |
Numbers and Time
Learning numbers is a great way to start using Jordanian Arabic in daily life.
| Arabic Number | Transliteration | English |
|---|---|---|
| واحد | waahad | 1 |
| اثنين | ithnain | 2 |
| ثلاثة | thalaatheh | 3 |
| أربعة | ʼarbaʻah | 4 |
| خمسة | khamseh | 5 |
| ستة | sitteh | 6 |
| سبعة | sabʻah | 7 |
| ثمنية | thamaneh | 8 |
| تسعة | tisʻah | 9 |
| عشرة | ʻashrah | 10 |
Here are some phrases to help you tell time:
- What time is it? – كم الساعة؟ – Kam al-sāʿa?
- It’s 3 o’clock – الساعة ثلاث – Al-sāʿa thalātha
- It’s 5:30 – الساعة خمسة ونص – Al-sāʿa khamsa u nuṣ
Dining Phrases in Jordan
The Jordanian table is a symbol of hospitality. Here are some essential Arabic phrases for dining in Jordan:
| Arabic Phrase | Transliteration | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| تفضل (للمذكر) / تفضلي (للمؤنث) | tfaḍhal / tfaḍhalee | Please, go ahead (or, have some) (masculine)/ (feminine) |
| صحتين وعافية | Sahtain u ʿaafyeh | Bon appétit |
| الأكل زاكي كثير | il-ʼakil zaakee katheer | The food is very delicious |
| تسلم إيديك (للمذكر) / تسلم إيديكي (للمؤنث) | tislam ʼidaik / tislam ʼidaikee | May your hands be safe (Thank you for the meal) (masculine)/ (feminine) |
| أنا شبعت | Anaa shbiʿt | I am full |
| الحساب لو سمحت | il-hsaab law samaht | The check, please |
Travel and Direction Phrases
These phrases will be useful when you are out exploring.
| Arabic Phrase | Transliteration | English Translation |
|---|---|---|
| وين الـ…؟ | Wain il…? | Where is the…? |
| بكم هاد؟ | Bkam haad? | How much is this? |
| ساعدني | Saaʿidnee | Help me |
| شكراً كتير | Shukran kteer | Thank you very much |
| أنا ما بحكي عربي | Anaa maa baḥkee ʿarabee | I don’t speak Arabic |
Conclusion
Learning the basics of Jordanian Arabic is a rewarding step for any non-native speaker. It is a language full of history and regional diversity. Whether you use the Jordanian dialect in a busy city or a desert tent, it is a key to unlocking a deeper cultural understanding. You can start your journey of learning the Arabic language with the Kaleela app today!
