Useful Phrases

By mastering the basics of polite conversation in Arabic, you put yourself and the person you’re talking to at ease. Everyone should learn essential Arabic conversational words and phrases before traveling to an Arabic-speaking country. That is to say, these words and expressions are sure to come up in most everyday conversations. Certainly, being polite is essential in Arabic-speaking countries as it is anywhere else in this world. The following words and phrases cover most of the pleasantries required for polite conversation. After all, learning to say the expressions of common courtesy in Arabic before traveling is just good manners.

For example, when meeting someone new it’s good to say ”Welcome” ( ʼahlan wa sahlan /أَهْلاً وَ سَهْلاً ) and “Nice to meet you” (tasharraftu biliqaaʼika / تَشَرَّفْتُ بِلِقائِكَ ). Similarly, you should receive a “Me too” ( ʼanaa ʼaydhan / أَنا أَيْضاً ) from your conversational counterpart.

However, everybody is bound to make mistakes. So, in addition, learning to say “Sorry” ( ʼaasif /آسِف ) is crucial. Arabs tend to be very forgiving with guests, thus you will hear a lot of “There’s no problem” ( laa yuwjad mushkilah / لا يُوْجَد مُشْكِلَة ).
Saying “Thank you!” ( shukran / شُكْراً ) and “You are welcome!” ( ʻafwan /عَفْواً ) are considered basics, so these are a must in adding it to your vocabulary.

In conclusion, below are a few basic phrases and expressions in Arabic you could find very useful in most conversations.

فُرْصَة سَعيدِة

 

/furSah saʻeedeh/

 

Means

 

Nice to meet you

 

 

 

 

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أَنا أَسْعَد

 

/ʼanaa ʼasʻad/

 

Means

 

Me too

 

A response to “Nice to meet you”

 

 

 

 

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شُكْراً

 

/shukran/

 

Means

 

Thank you!

 

 

 

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عَفْواً

 

/ʻafwan/

 

Means

 

You are welcome!

 

 

 

 

 

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تفَضَّل

 

/tfadhal/

 

Means

 

– Go on

– Come in

– Have a seat

– Here you go

 

 

 

 

 

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أَهْلا و سَهْلا

 

/ʼahlaa u sahlaa/

 

Means

 

Welcome! (To a place)

 

 

 

 

 

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آسِف

 

/ʼaasif/

 

Means

 

Sorry (From a male)

 

 

 

 

 

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آسْفـِـة

 

/ʼaasfeh/

 

Means

 

Sorry (From a female)

 

 

 

 

 

 

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ما في مُشْكِلِة

 

/maa fee mushkileh/

 

Means

 

There is no problem

 

 

 

 

 

 

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مَبْروك

 

 

/mabrook/

 

 

Means

 

 

Congratulations

 

 

 

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إِنْ شالله

 

 

/ʼinshaallah/

 

 

Means

 

 

God’s willing

 

 

 

 

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