If you’re planning to visit an Arab country, whether for tourism, work, or any other reason, it’s useful to learn some common phrases used in daily conversations. With a little effort, this can help you win over locals, even if they already speak some English.
Everyday Arabic Slang
No doubt, the most important phrases you should learn are greetings and asking how someone is.
If you plan to use Google Translate to help with this, be prepared to be the subject of some good-natured teasing by the locals! That’s because translation apps use Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), while real world Arabs use diverse dialects of the Arabic language, which differ from one country to another, or even between regions in the same country.
But don’t worry and give up just yet—there are many common features between these dialects and plenty of shared daily phrases that we will focus on in this article. This way, you can travel around the entire Arab world without issues, and even with a warm welcome!
How are you?
Asking about someone’s well-being is a form of greeting in the Arab world, and it’s not limited to relatives and friends.
- In the Levant, you can say “Keefak” (كيفَك) when addressing a singular male, or “Keefik” (كيفِك) when addressing a singular female.
- In Egypt, you say “Ezzayyak” (إزّيَّك) when addressing a singular male, and “Ezzayyik” (إزّيِِّك) when addressing a singular female.
- In the Gulf, you can use “Shlonak” (شلونَك) when addressing a singular male, and “Shlonik” (شلونِك) when addressing a singular female. This phrase can also be used in the Levant.
- In the Maghreb, the phrase is the same regardless of whether you are addressing a singular or plural, male or female: “Labas?” (لاباس؟) meaning “Is everything fine?”
Knowing people
If you want to ask someone else their name, you say: “Shu Ismak” شو اسمَك for addressing a male and “Shu Ismik” شو اسمِك for addressing a female in the Levant.
In Egyptian Arabic, you say “Ismak Eh” اسمَك إيه for addressing a male and “Ismik Eh” اسمِك إيه for addressing a female.
In Gulf Arabic, you say “Shinu Ismak” شنو اسمَك for a male and “Shinu Ismik” شنو اسمِك for a female.
In Moroccan Arabic, you say “Ash Smitik” for both genders.
Polite Phrases in Arabic Slang
Thank you
“Shukran” (شكرا) is the most popular word for thank you throughout most of the Arab world. In the parts of the Levant (Palestine, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon), you can also hear “Yeslamo” (يسلمو).
You’re welcome
The most common expression for this is “Al-Afu” (العفو). You can also say “Wala Yhemmak” (ولا يهمك) when addressing a male and “Wala Yhemik” (ولا يهمِّك) when addressing a female, except in the Maghreb, where it’s “Bla Jmeel” (بلا جميل).
And if you’re in the Levant, you can use Walaw (وَلَوْ), which means “Forget it!” or “You’re welcome.”
It’s no big deal
“Baseeta” (بسيطة), literally meaning “simple,” is used when something not-so-great happens or if someone bumps into you and apologizes. You can say Biseeta to mean “no problem.”
Yes and No
To say “Yes,” it’s “Ei” (إي) or “Aywa” (أيوة).
For “No,” it’s simply “La” (لا).
It’s better to accompany a refusal with words of thanks or apology to avoid seeming rude.
If you’re not sure if your answer is yes or no you can say يمكن which means “it’s possible, maybe“
To agree, say, “Mashi” (ماشي)
I Want
If you want something, say “Baddi” (بدي) in the Levant, “‘Ayez” (عايز) in Egypt, and “Baghit” (بغيت) in the Maghreb and Gulf.
Enough!
“Khalas” (خلص) in the Levant and “Khalaas” (خلاص) in the Gulf and Egypt, meaning “That’s it! It’s finished/done! Alright! Enough!”
For example, if they offer you some tea and start pouring, you can say Khalas, meaning “Enough! I don’t want any more.”
Other Common Arabic Slang
- Mashallah “As God wills” (ماشالله): Used to express admiration or amazement, like saying “Wow.” “Wow” is also used in Arabic slang, but Mashallah is more local.
- Inshallah “If God wills” (إن شاء الله / إنشالله): Used to talk about doing something in the near or distant future, and often people say it when they don’t want to say no outright as if leaving it up to divine intervention. LOL.
- Yalla (يلا): Has many meanings, such as “Let’s go,” “Come on,” “Hurry up,” etc.
- Ya Shabab (يا شباب): “Oh guys!” This is commonly used when talking to a group. If you want to go somewhere with a group of people, you can say Yalla ya shabab! (يلا يا شباب) meaning “Let’s go, guys!”
- Ya Zalami (يا زلمي): In the Levant, this is a popular way of addressing males like dude, or hey man, in Egypt you’ll hear Ya ‘Aam (يا عم). In Maghreb it’s sat (ساط), and in Gulf it’s Ya Rajol (يا رجل).
- Habibi (حبيبي): Literally it’s my love but it’s a common form of address between males, so don’t be shocked if a guy calls you habibi, it’s totally normal.
- Sho and Lasho (شو / لشو): Sho means “what” and Lasho means “why” in the Levant. In Egypt, you’ll hear Eih (إيه) instead of “Sho” and Leh (ليه) instead of “Lasho.” In the Gulf, it’s Eish (إيش), and Leh (ليه) while in the Maghreb, you’ll hear Ash (آش) and Alaash (علاش).
- Y’aani (يعني): A commonly used filler word that can mean many things, such as clarifying or asking for clarification, expressing something being “so-so,” or softening a statement.
- Ee Wallah “Yes, by God” and La Wallah “No, by God” (إي والله / لا والله): Often used casually in conversations as a form of confirmation, even when no oath is required.
- Wallah “I swear by God”: Used as a real swear, or to say honestly, truly, really, actually, or as a question Wallah? meaning really? And then the answer will be Wallah!
- Ya Haram (يا حرام): “What a shame! Poor thing(s)! What a pity!” Used when something unfortunate or bad happens.
- Ibn Haram (ابن حرام) means “illegitimate son” or “bastard”, but it’s used to describe a mean, nasty person who doesn’t wish well for others.
- Ibn Halal (ابن حلال) means “decent man” and is said to refer to someone who is kind, helpful, and of good character.
- Mabrook “congratulations!“ (مبروك): Whenever someone buys something new, even if it’s just a toothbrush, others will congratulate them with “Mabrook.” The same goes for events like marriage, engagements, or getting a job—congratulations don’t need a big reason!
- Na’eeman “blessings” (نعيماً): If you shave your beard, cut your hair, or take a shower, you’ll receive congratulations. Every small event is a reason to celebrate in the Arab world! You can respond with Allah Yin’am Alaik (الله ينعم عليك) “May God bless you”.
- Sahha (صحة): When eating, there are specific phrases like “Sahha” (صحة) in Egypt and the Levant, Bessehha (بصحة) in the Maghreb, and Seha wa ‘Afia (صحة وعافية) in the Gulf. You can respond with thanks.
- Tafaddal (تفضل): A phrase used to invite someone to eat, enter a house, or serve themselves. It’s like saying “Come on in!” or “Please, help yourself.” If you think saying “No” will end the matter and you can leave, you’re mistaken. Arabs insist when it comes to invitations, whether for food, drink, or visits. So, if you refuse, they will invite you again and again until one of you gives in. Declining once or twice is polite, but finally accepting the invitation might save you time!
- Ya Hala, Hala (يا هلا / هلا): A common phrase for welcoming someone. Another version is Ahlan wa Sahlan (أهلاً وسهلاً), which comes from the original Arabic greeting.
Learning a few phrases in spoken Arabic will make a big difference in your journey through Arab countries and your interactions with Arabs, as they’ll appreciate the effort. This step will be your gate to entering the world of Arab culture, making Arab friends, and getting invitations ?.
