P.13 Useful Arabic Phrases

Useful Arabic Phrases

While English is widely understood in hotels and tourist areas of Makkah and Madinah, knowing some basic Arabic will enrich your experience and help in everyday situations. Here are the most useful phrases with transliteration.

Essential Greetings & Courtesies

English	Arabic (Transliteration)	Notes
Peace be upon you	As-salamu alaykum	Universal Islamic greeting. Reply: Wa alaykum as-salam
Thank you	Shukran	Very commonly used
Please	Min fadlak (m) / Min fadlik (f)	Used when making a request
Yes / No	Na’am / La
Excuse me	Afwan or Law samaht	Afwan also means “you’re welcome”
May Allah reward you	Jazak Allahu khayran	A beautiful way to say thank you
If Allah wills	In sha Allah	Used when speaking about future plans
Praise be to Allah	Alhamdulillah	Expression of gratitude

Asking for Directions

English	Arabic (Transliteration)
Where is...?	Wayn...? or Ayna...?
Where is the Haram?	Wayn al-Haram?
Where is the hotel?	Wayn al-funduq?
Where is the toilet?	Wayn al-hammam?
Right / Left / Straight	Yameen / Yasaar / Seedah
Near / Far	Qareeb / Ba’eed
How much? (price)	Bi kam? or Kam?
Too expensive	Ghali katheer

Numbers (1-10)

Number	Arabic	Number	Arabic
1	Wahid	6	Sitta
2	Ithnayn	7	Sab’a
3	Thalatha	8	Thamaniya
4	Arba’a	9	Tis’a
5	Khamsa	10	‘Ashara

Emergency Phrases

English	Arabic (Transliteration)
Help!	Musaa’ada! or An-najda!
I need a doctor	Ahtaj tabeeb
Hospital	Mustashfa
Pharmacy	Saydaliyya
I am lost	Ana da’i’ (m) / Ana da’i’a (f)
Police	Shurta
I don’t speak Arabic	La atakallam Arabi
Do you speak English?	Tatakallam Ingleezi?

Common Signs You Will See

• مدخل (Madkhal) - Entrance
• مخرج (Makhraj) - Exit
• رجال (Rijal) - Men
• نساء (Nisa’) - Women
• ممنوع (Mamnu’) - Prohibited / No entry
• الطوارئ (At-Tawari’) - Emergency
• مصلى (Musalla) - Prayer area
• وضوء (Wudu’) - Ablution area