Arabic Basic Courtesy and Social Phrases

(Saudi Arabian & Upper Gulf Dialect)

(Page 1 of 4 pages.)
How to use this phrase-sheet:
1. Select the proper English phrase in the left-hand column.
2. Read the transliterated Arabic phrase in the middle column
3. If available, a Saudi/Gulf Arab friend can read and help with pronouncing the Arabic
text in the right-hand column.
NOTE:
1. Phrases are in Formal Spoken Arabic ("F" below) and the colloquial Saudi Arabian /
Upper Gulf (Bahrain, Kuwait & southern Iraq) regional dialect ("G"). Literal/cultural
meaning is in parentheses.
2. CAPITALS indicate stress/emphasis in pronunciation of words.

May the peace be upon you.

(F; traditional greeting)

As-sa-LAAMU al-LAIKUM

(And) May the peace be

upon you (F:customary reply)

Wa al-LAIKUM as-saLAAM

Good morning.
(F; May you have a morning
of goodness)(Greeting)

Sa-BAAH al-KHAIR

Good morning.
(F: May you have a morning
of light)(Reply)

Sa-BAAH an-NOOR

May Allah greet you (F/G)

High-YAAK Allah

May Allah keep you (reply)

Ab-QAAK Allah

How are you? (formal; plural)

(F; How is your condition)

KAIF HAAL-ukum?

How are you? (G)

(Lit: How is your color?)

A-SHLONE-akum?

Praise be to Allah, fine. (F)

Praise be to Allah, fine. (G)

Al-HAMdu-LILLAH, bi-KHAIR
Bi-KHAIR, al-HAMDU li-LLAH

Arabic Basic Courtesy

and Social Phrases
(Saudi Arabian &
Upper Gulf Dialect)
(Page 2 of 4 pages.)

How is your family? (F)

How is your family? (G)

KAIF al-AA'ila?

Allah willing, they are all well.

In-SHA' Allah, KUL-uhum

bi-KHAIR

Praise be to Allah, they are

all well. (Customary reply)

al-HAMDU-li-LLAH, KULhum bi-KHAIR

Thank you.

Shoo-KRAAN

You are welcome (reply).

Ah-FWAAN

Please (accept/take this).

(~= s'il vous plais; por favor)

ta-FAD-dal-LOO (formal)
(ta-FAD-dal)(informal)

KAIF al-Eye-YAAL?

Good evening.
(F; May you have an evening
of goodness)(Greeting)

me-SAA' al-KHAIR

Good evening.
(F: May you have an evening
of light)(Reply)

me-SAA' an-NOOR

Welcome.
(You are welcomed as easily
as one of the family.)
(F; traditional greeting)

AH-hal-lan wa SA-ha-laan

May Allah bless you (for your

kindness). (F; traditional reply)

Al-LLAh yu-BAAR-ak FEE-kum

What is your name, please? (F)

MAA huwa IS-muk,

min FAD-lak??

Arabic Basic Courtesy

and Social Phrases
(Saudi Arabian &
Upper Gulf Dialect)
(Page 3 of 4 pages.)

) (
) (

You honor us (by making your

acquaintance)(F)

(1) ta-shar-RAFNAA
(2) SHAR-raf-TOONAA

Yes (F)
Yes (G)

(1) NA'am
(2) AYE-wah

No, sorry. (F)

LAA, ma'a al-AASif

Perhaps; maybe; possibly. (G)

MUM-kin; min al-MUM-kin

Thank you very much. (F/G)

shoo-KRAAN ga-ZEEL-aan

Don't thank me for doing my

duty (to be honest) Reply)

LAA shukar ala WAA-jib

That will work; fine, OK (G)

TAY-yib; KWAIS; KHOsh

Don't worry about that (G)

(lit: That doesn't concern you)

MAA yu-HIM-mak

Goodbye. (I leave you in

Allah's safety)(F)(Departee)

MA' as-sa-LAAM-at

May you go in Allah's

protection. (F)(Reply)

Fee I-MAAN Al-LAH

My name is ___________

I-smii ___________

I am senior representative of
XYZ Company.

AA-na ka-BEER muMETHalii sharikat XYZ

_______

XYZ

I am responsible for
international sales.

A-naa masOOL 3n alBEE-3aat al-DUWA-liya

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------

Arabic Basic Courtesy

and Social Phrases
(Saudi Arabian & Upper Gulf Dialect)
(Page 4 of 4 pages.)
Provided to participants in training programs conducted under auspices of Middle East Services
Group (Consultancy).
Copyright 2016, Stephen H. Franke, dba Middle East Services Group (Consultancy). All rights
reserved. Tel: 1-310-832-1037