A1 Survival phrases and words in Arabic
The essential Arabic phrases for staying functional as a tourist or newcomer across the Arab world — from Morocco to the Gulf. Arabic varies significantly by region, so these phrases blend Modern Standard Arabic (understood everywhere in formal contexts) with widely-understood colloquial forms. Any attempt at Arabic is met with extraordinary warmth and hospitality — this is a culture that prizes guests above almost everything else.
12 phrases · meanings & example sentences
“عفواً”
Excuse me / Sorry / You're welcome. One of the most versatile words in Arabic. Use it to get someone's attention, to apologize for bumping into someone, or as a polite response to 'thank you'. It functions where English would use 'excuse me', 'I'm sorry', and 'don't mention it' depending on context. Learn this one cold.
- You need to get a shopkeeper's attention in a market in Marrakech — 'عفواً!' with a raised hand.
- You accidentally bump into someone on a busy street in Cairo — 'عفواً' with a hand to your chest.
- Someone thanks you for holding a door in Dubai — 'عفواً' is the natural, friendly response.
“ممكن تتكلم أبطأ؟”
Can you speak more slowly? 'mumkin' (is it possible / can you) is one of the most useful words in colloquial Arabic and works across most dialects. 'titakallam' is the verb 'to speak' (you speak), 'abṭaʾ' means 'slower'. If speaking to a woman, it becomes 'mumkin titkallami abṭaʾ?' in most dialects.
- A hotel receptionist in Amman is explaining the Wi-Fi password and breakfast times at full speed — 'ممكن تتكلم أبطأ؟' and he repeats everything clearly.
- A market vendor in Fez is describing different types of argan oil quickly — 'ممكن تتكلم أبطأ من فضلك؟' and he slows to let you follow.
- A taxi driver in Cairo is telling you about a traffic diversion — 'ممكن تتكلم أبطأ؟' before you miss a key turn.
“أنا ما أحسن العربي كثير”
My Arabic isn't very good. A colloquial Gulf/Levantine form — honest and disarming. In North Africa (Moroccan, Algerian, Tunisian Arabic) you might hear the equivalent phrased differently, but this is widely understood. In Modern Standard Arabic it would be 'عربيتي ليست جيدة' — either version gets the same warm, encouraging response.
- You arrive at a government office in Dubai and the official starts speaking rapid Gulf Arabic — this phrase immediately signals you need patience.
- Someone at a dinner party in Beirut starts asking you rapid questions — 'أنا ما أحسن العربي كثير' softens things and prompts a switch to slower Arabic or French.
- A shop assistant in Riyadh is explaining a product in detail — say this first and she'll use simpler language and check you're following.
“بكم هذا؟”
How much is this? 'bikam' (how much / for how much) is used across most Arabic dialects. 'hādhā' means 'this' (masculine); 'hādhihi' for feminine objects. In markets across the Arab world, prices are rarely fixed — this question begins the negotiation. In Gulf countries prices in malls are fixed, but souks are different.
- In the souk in Marrakech you've spotted a beautiful ceramic tagine — 'بكم هذا؟' to the vendor.
- At a spice market in Istanbul's Arabic quarter where everything is displayed without tags — 'بكم هذا؟' for the saffron.
- At a fabric stall in Riyadh's traditional market — 'بكم هذه؟' for the embroidered cloth (feminine object).
“أين الحمام؟”
Where is the bathroom? 'al-ḥammām' (the bathroom/toilet) is universally understood across all Arabic dialects. In Modern Standard Arabic and most formal contexts, 'ayna' (where) is standard. Colloquially you might hear 'فين الحمام؟' (fēn al-ḥammām?) in Egypt, or 'وين الحمام؟' (wēn) in the Gulf — all mean the same thing.
- You've just arrived at a large shopping mall in Dubai and need the facilities — 'أين الحمام؟' to any member of staff.
- At a restaurant in Beirut — 'أين الحمام؟' to the waiter as you're seated.
- In a mosque in Cairo where tourists are allowed to enter — 'أين الحمام؟' to the caretaker before going in.
“ممكن تعيد؟”
Can you repeat that? 'mumkin' (is it possible) plus 'tuʿīd' (you repeat). Widely understood across dialects. You can also simply say 'مرة ثانية من فضلك' (marra thāniya min faḍlak — one more time please). In casual Gulf speech, 'عاد؟' (ʿād?) means 'again?' and is equally understood in the right context.
- A guide at a historic site in Petra is explaining something important — 'ممكن تعيد؟' politely so you don't miss the key detail.
- A cashier in a supermarket in Cairo says an amount you didn't catch — 'ممكن تعيد؟' before you hand over money.
- Someone gives you directions and you lost track after the second instruction — 'ممكن تعيد من الأول؟' (from the beginning) and they'll start again.
“أنا بس أتفرج”
I'm just browsing / looking. 'bass' (just/only) is one of the most useful colloquial words in Arabic, widely understood across all dialects. 'atfarraj' means 'I'm looking/watching'. In souks and shops across the Arab world, vendors approach quickly and persistently — this phrase politely but clearly signals you're not ready to buy.
- In the Gold Souk in Dubai where vendors approach instantly — 'أنا بس أتفرج، شكراً' (thank you) with a smile.
- At a perfume shop in the old city of Jerusalem where the owner starts demonstrating oud oils — 'أنا بس أتفرج' before the commitment begins.
- In a carpet shop in Marrakech where accepting tea signals interest — 'أنا بس أتفرج' before the chai arrives.
“الحساب من فضلك”
The bill, please. 'al-ḥisāb' (the account/bill) plus 'min faḍlak' (please, literally 'from your grace'). Standard and polite across all Arabic-speaking countries. Like in southern Europe, bills are not brought until requested — this phrase is how you end a meal. 'من فضلك' (min faḍlik) is the form when speaking to a woman.
- After a long lunch at a traditional restaurant in Amman — you catch the waiter's eye and say 'الحساب من فضلك'
- After dinner at a seaside restaurant in Beirut — 'الحساب من فضلك' to the server when you're ready.
- At a café in Cairo after a couple of hours — 'الحساب من فضلك' and the waiter tallies everything up.
“عندي حساسية من ___”
I have an allergy to ___. 'ʿindī' (I have), 'ḥassāsiyya' (allergy/sensitivity), 'min' (from/to). Arabic cuisine varies wildly by region and can include unexpected ingredients — nut pastes in sauces, sesame in breads, shellfish in Gulf dishes, and dairy in North African couscous preparations. Don't assume. Common allergens: المكسرات (al-maksarāt, nuts), المأكولات البحرية (al-maʾkulāt al-baḥriyya, seafood), السمسم (al-simsim, sesame), الجلوتين (al-jilutīn, gluten).
- At a Lebanese restaurant where hummus and tahini are in many sauces — 'عندي حساسية من السمسم' to the waiter before ordering.
- At a seafood restaurant on the Corniche in Abu Dhabi — 'عندي حساسية من المأكولات البحرية' clearly before looking at the menu.
- In a traditional bakery in Morocco — 'عندي حساسية من المكسرات' if they decorate pastries with nuts.
“ماذا يعني ___؟”
What does ___ mean? Modern Standard Arabic. In colloquial speech you'd more commonly hear 'يعني إيه ___؟' (Egyptian, yaʿni ēh) or 'شو يعني ___؟' (Levantine, shū yaʿni). Interestingly, 'يعني' (yaʿni) itself is one of the most common filler words in colloquial Arabic — it means 'meaning / that is / like / you know'. Knowing this helps you follow conversations.
- A menu in Jordan says 'منسف' and you want to know before ordering — 'ماذا يعني منسف؟' and you learn it's the national dish.
- A sign at a market stall says 'سعر ثابت' — 'ماذا يعني سعر ثابت؟' and someone explains it means fixed price (no bargaining).
- Someone says 'يعني' constantly in conversation — 'ماذا يعني يعني بالضبط؟' leads to a funny meta-conversation.
“لحظة”
A moment / just a second. Short, universally understood across all Arabic dialects. Literally 'a moment' or 'an instant'. The fuller form 'لحظة من فضلك' (laḥẓa min faḍlak — one moment please) is more polite. Both work anywhere from a hotel lobby to a street market.
- You need to find the address on your phone before answering the taxi driver — 'لحظة' while you look.
- A cashier is ready to process your card and you haven't found your wallet yet — 'لحظة من فضلك' while you rummage.
- Someone is speaking too fast and you're trying to process what they said — 'لحظة' buys you the moment you need.
“هل تتكلم إنجليزي؟”
Do you speak English? Modern Standard Arabic, understood everywhere. Colloquially in Egypt: 'بتتكلم إنجليزي؟' (bitatkallim inglīzī?), in the Gulf: 'تتكلم إنجليزي؟' (titakallam inglīzī?). English is widely spoken in tourist areas and among educated city-dwellers across the Arab world, particularly in Lebanon, Jordan, UAE, and Egypt. Less reliable in rural areas or traditional markets.
- At a hospital or clinic anywhere in the Arab world when the medical situation is complex — 'هل تتكلم إنجليزي؟' is completely reasonable.
- At an immigration or visa counter where the details matter — asking politely for an English speaker.
- In a rural market in Morocco or Egypt where your Arabic has run out — 'هل تتكلم إنجليزي؟' or 'فرنساوي؟' (French?) is the graceful next step.
