How to Make an Appointment in Arabic with Just About Anyone

Learning a new language opens up a world of possibilities, and Arabic is no exception. Whether you’re looking to connect with new people, explore rich cultures, or conduct business, knowing how to communicate effectively is key. One of the most practical skills you’ll need is making appointments. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to confidently set an appointment in Arabic with just about anyone, ensuring a smooth and polite interaction every time.

Why Learning to Make an Appointment in Arabic Matters

Beyond basic greetings, being able to schedule an appointment in Arabic shows respect and professionalism. It allows you to:

• Schedule meetings with doctors, colleagues, or friends.
• Arrange visits to places like the bank or a government office.
• Demonstrate your growing fluency and confidence in real-life situations.

We’ll cover essential vocabulary, phrases, and cultural tips to help you master this important skill.

Key Appointment Arabic Word and Phrases

Let’s start with the most important vocabulary you’ll need. Understanding these words is the foundation for making any appointment in Arabic.

Phrases for Requesting an Appointment in Arabic

When you want to initiate the process of setting an appointment in Arabic, these phrases will be your best friends.

• (ʼureedu ʼan ʼuHaddida mawʻidan) – أُرِيدُ أَنْ أُحَدِّدَ مَوْعِدًا
  • I want to set an appointment.
  • This is a general and polite way to express your intention.
• (hal yumkinunee taḥdeedu mawʻidin?) – هَل يُمْكِنُنِي تَحْدِيدُ مَوْعِدٍ؟
  • Can I make an appointment?
  • A direct and polite question.
• (hal ladayka waqtun mutaaHun yawma…?) – هَل لَدَيْكَ وَقْتٌ مُتَاحٌ يَوْمَ…؟
  • Do you have time available on [day]…?
  • Use this when proposing a specific day.
• (mataa yumkinunaa aliltiqaaʼ?) – مَتَى يُمْكِنُنَا الالْتِقَاء؟
  • When can we meet?
  • A good open-ended question.
• (hal yawmu… munaasibun laka?) – هَل يَوْمُ… مُنَاسِبٌ لَكَ؟
  • Is [day] suitable for you?
  • More direct, useful for checking availability.

Discussing Time and Date for Your Appointment in Arabic

Once you’ve established the possibility of an appointment, you’ll need to nail down the specifics.

Asking About Availability

• (mataa ʼanta faadhee?) – مَتَى أَنْتَ فَاضِي؟
  • When are you free? (Informal, masculine)
  • Use for friends or close acquaintances.
• (mataa ʼanti faadhya?) – مَتَى أَنْتِ فَاضِيَة؟
  • When are you free? (Informal, feminine)
• (mataa yumkinunee ʼan araaka?) – مَتَى يُمْكِنُنِي أَنْ أَرَاكَ؟
  • When can I see you? (Masculine)
• (mataa yumkinunee ʼan araaki?) – مَتَى يُمْكِنُنِي أَنْ أَرَاكِ؟
  • When can I see you? (Feminine)

Proposing a Specific Time

• (hal as-saaʿatu… munaasibah?) – هَل السَّاعَةُ… مُنَاسِبَةٌ؟
  • Is [time] suitable? (e.g., “هل الساعة الثانية مناسبة؟” – Is 2 o’clock suitable?)
• (maa raʼyuka fee assaaʿati…?) – مَا رَأْيُكَ فِي السَّاعَةِ…؟
  • What do you think about [time]? (Masculine)
• (mā raʼyuki fee assaaʿati…?) – مَا رَأْيُكِ فِي السَّاعَةِ…؟
  • What do you think about [time]? (Feminine)

Confirming the Appointment in Arabic

• (Hasanan, iTHan mawʿidunaa yawma… assaaʿata…) – …حَسَنًا، إِذًا مَوْعِدُنَا يَوْمَ… السَّاعَةَ
  • Okay, so our appointment is on [day] at [time].
  • A great way to recap and confirm.
• (tamm, araaka fee THalika alwaqti) – تَمَّ، أَرَاكَ فِي ذَلِكَ الْوَقْتِ
  • Done, I’ll see you at that time. (Informal, masculine)
• (tamm, araaki fee THalika alwaqti) – تَمَّ، أَرَاكِ فِي ذَلِكَ الْوَقْتِ
  • Done, I’ll see you at that time. (Informal, feminine)

Accepting and Declining an Appointment in Arabic

Knowing how to respond to an appointment request is just as important as making one.

Accepting an Appointment in Arabic

• (naʿam, THaalika munaasibun jiddan) – نَعَم، ذَلِكَ مُنَاسِبٌ جِدًّا
  • Yes, that is very suitable.
• (bittaʼkeed, saʼaatee) – بِالتَّأْكِيد، سَآتِي
  • Certainly, I will come.
• (ʼanaa mutaaHun fee THaalika alwaqti) – أَنَا مُتَاحٌ فِي ذَلِكَ الْوَقْتِ
  • I am available at that time.

Declining or Rescheduling an Appointment in Arabic

Sometimes, you can’t make it. Here’s how to politely decline or suggest a new time.

• (ʼaasif/ʼaasifah, ladayya mawʿidun ʿaakharu fee THaalika alwaqti) – آسِف/آسِفَة، لَدَيَّ مَوْعِدٌ آخَرُ فِي ذَلِكَ الْوَقْتِ
  • Sorry (masculine/feminine), I have another appointment at that time.
• (laa ʼasṭaTeeʿu alHudhoora) – لَا أَسْتَطِيعُ الْحُضُورَ
  • I cannot attend.
• (hal yumkinunaa taʼjeelu almawʿidi?) – هَل يُمْكِنُنَا تَأْجِيلُ الْمَوْعِدِ؟
  • Can we postpone the appointment?
• (maa raʼyuka/raʼyuki fee yawmin ʼaakhar?) – مَا رَأْيُكَ/رَأْيُكِ فِي يَوْمٍ آخَرَ؟
  • What do you think about another day? (Masculine/feminine)
• (ʿuTHran, lan ʼakoona qaadiran ʿalaa alhudhoori fee…) – …عَذْرًا، لَنْ أَكُونَ قَادِرًا عَلَى الْحُضُورِ فِي
  • Excuse me, I won’t be able to attend on… (Masculine)
• (ʿuTHran, lan ʼakoona qaadiratan ʿalaa alHudhoori fee…) – …عَذْرًا، لَنْ أَكُونَ قَادِرَةً عَلَى الْحُضُورِ فِي
  • Excuse me, I won’t be able to attend on… (Feminine)

Real-Life Scenarios: Making an Appointment in Arabic

Let’s put these phrases into practice with some common scenarios.

Scenario 1: Doctor’s Appointment Arabic

• You: السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ، هَل هَذَا مَكْتَبُ الدُّكْتُورِ أَحْمَد؟ (Assalaamu ʿalaykum, hal haTHaa maktabu ad-duktoori Aḥmad?) Hello, is this Dr. Ahmed’s office?
  
• Receptionist: وَعَلَيْكُمُ السَّلَامُ، نَعَم. كَيْفَ أَسْتَطِيعُ مُسَاعَدَتَك؟ (Wa ʿalaykum assalaam, naʿam. Kayfa ʼasṭaTeeʿu musaaʿadatuk?) And upon you be peace, yes. How can I help you?
  
• You: أُرِيدُ أَنْ أُحَدِّدَ مَوْعِدًا لِلْفَحْصِ. (ʼureedu ʼan ʼuHaddida mawʿidan lil-faHṣ.) I want to set an appointment for a check-up.
  
• Receptionist: حَسَنًا. مَتَى تُرِيدُ الْمَوْعِدَ؟ (Hasanan. mataa tureedu almawʿida?) Okay. When do you want the appointment?
  
• You: هَل يَوْمُ الثُّلَاثَاءِ مُتَاحٌ؟ (Hal yawmu ath-thulāthā’i mutāḥ?) Is Tuesday available?
  
• Receptionist: آسِفَة، يَوْمُ الثُّلَاثَاءِ مَشْغُولٌ جِدًّا. هَل يَوْمُ الْخَمِيسِ السَّاعَةَ الْعَاشِرَةَ صَبَاحًا مُنَاسِبٌ لَكَ؟ (ʼaasifah, yawmu athulaathaaʼi mashghoolun jiddan. hal yawmu al-khameesi assaaʿata alʿaashirata SabaaHan munaasibun laka?) Sorry, Tuesday is very busy. Is Thursday at 10 AM suitable for you?
  
• You: نَعَم، ذَلِكَ مُنَاسِبٌ جِدًّا. شُكْرًا جَزِيلًا. (naʿam, THalika munaasibun jiddan. Shukran jazeelan.) Yes, that is very suitable. Thank you very much.

Scenario 2: Social Appointment in Arabic

• You: مَرْحَبًا يَا سَارَة، كَيْفَ حَالُكِ؟ (marHaban yaa Sarah, kayfa Haaluki?) Hi Sarah, how are you?
  
• Sarah: أَنَا بِخَيْرٍ، شُكْرًا. وَأَنْتِ؟ (ʼanaa bikhayrin, shukran. Wa anti?) I’m fine, thanks. And you?
  
• You: بِخَيْرٍ الْحَمْدُ لِلَّه. هَل أَنْتِ مُتَفَرِّغَةٌ هَذَا الْمَسَاءَ؟ نُرِيدُ أَنْ نَلْتَقِيَ. (bikhayrin alHamdu lillaah. hal ʼanti mutafarrighatun haTHaa almasaaʼa? nureedu ʼan naltaqiya.) Fine, thank God. Are you free this evening? We want to meet.
  
• Sarah: هَذَا الْمَسَاءَ لَا أَسْتَطِيعُ. لَدَيَّ مَوْعِدٌ. مَا رَأْيُكِ فِي يَوْمِ الْجُمُعَةِ بَعْدَ الظُّهْرِ؟ (haTHaa almasaaʼa laa asṭaTeeʿu. ladayya mawʿidun. maa raʼyuki fee yawmi aljumuʿah baʿda aDHuhr?) This evening I can’t. I have an appointment. What do you think about Friday afternoon?
  
• You: يَوْمُ الْجُمُعَةِ مُمْتَازٌ! هَل السَّاعَةُ الْخَامِسَةُ مُنَاسِبَةٌ؟ (yawmu aljumuʿah mumtaazun! hal assaaʿatu alkhaamisatu munaasibah?) Friday is great! Is 5 o’clock suitable?
  
• Sarah: نَعَم، السَّاعَةُ الْخَامِسَةُ مُنَاسِبَةٌ جِدًّا. أَرَاكِ هُنَاكَ. (naʿam, assaaʿatu alkhaamisatu munaasibah jiddan. ʼaraaki hunaaka.) Yes, 5 o’clock is very suitable. See you there.

Cultural Nuances for Making an Appointment in Arabic

While the phrases above are universally understood, a few cultural tips can enhance your interactions:

• Flexibility with Time (especially in informal settings): In some Arab cultures, particularly in social contexts, punctuality can be more flexible than in Western cultures. While it’s always best to be on time yourself, don’t be surprised if your Arab counterpart arrives a little late for informal gatherings. For formal or business appointments, however, punctuality is generally expected.
• Politeness and Greetings: Always start with a polite greeting like “السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُمْ” (assalaamu ʿalaykum – Peace be upon you) or “مَرْحَبًا” (MarHaban – Hello). End with “شُكْرًا” (Shukran – Thank you) and “مَعَ السَّلَامَة” (maʿa assalaamah – Goodbye).
• “Inshallah” (إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ): You might hear “Inshallah” (God willing) when an appointment is confirmed. This doesn’t necessarily mean the person is unsure; it’s a common cultural expression.
• Asking About Well-being: Before diving into the appointment details, it’s common and polite to ask about the other person’s well-being (e.g., “كيف حالك؟” – How are you?).

Practice Makes Perfect: Master Your Appointment Arabic

The best way to become confident in making an appointment in Arabic is to practice. Try:

• Role-playing with a language partner.
• Listening to Arabic dialogues about scheduling.
• Using the phrases in real-life situations, even if it’s just with yourself!

By incorporating these phrases and cultural insights into your Arabic learning journey, you’ll soon be making appointments with ease and confidence. Happy learning!

If you want to learn more about Arab culture, visit our blog on www.kaleela.com and don’t forget to download the Kaleela app to learn any dialect of your choice!