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 Wa al-LAIKUM as-saLAAM
upon you (F:customary reply)

Good morning.
(F; May you have a morning
Sa-BAAH al-KHAIR
of goodness)(Greeting)

Good morning. Sa-BAAH an-NOOR

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

May Allah greet you (F/G) High-YAAK Allah

May Allah keep you (reply) Ab-QAAK Allah

How are you? (formal; plural) KAIF HAAL-ukum?
(F; How is your condition)

How are you? (G) A-SHLONE-akum?

(Lit: How is your color?)

Praise be to Allah, fine. (F) Al-HAMdu-LILLAH, bi-KHAIR ,

Praise be to Allah, fine. (G) 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) KAIF al-AA'ila?

How is your family? (G) KAIF al-Eye-YAAL?
Allah willing, they are all well. In-SHA' Allah, KUL-uhum
bi-KHAIR

Praise be to Allah, they are al-HAMDU-li-LLAH, KUL-
all well. (Customary reply) hum bi-KHAIR ,

Thank you. Shoo-KRAAN

You are welcome (reply). Ah-FWAAN

Please (accept/take this). ta-FAD-dal-LOO (formal)

(~= s'il vous plais; por favor) (ta-FAD-dal)(informal)

Good evening. me-SAA' al-KHAIR
(F; May you have an evening
of goodness)(Greeting)

Good evening. me-SAA' an-NOOR

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

Welcome. AH-hal-lan wa SA-ha-laan

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

May Allah bless you (for your Al-LLAh yu-BAAR-ak FEE-kum

kindness). (F; traditional reply)

What is your name, please? (F) MAA huwa IS-muk,

min FAD-lak??

You honor us (by making your
acquaintance)(F)
Yes (F)
Yes (G)
No, sorry. (F)
Perhaps; maybe; possibly. (G)
Thank you very much. (F/G)
Don't thank me for doing my
duty (to be honest) Reply)
That will work; fine, OK (G)
Don't worry about that (G)
(lit: That doesn't concern you)
Goodbye. (I leave you in
Allah's safety)(F)(Departee)
May you go in Allah's
protection. (F)(Reply)
My name is ___________
I am senior representative of
XYZ Company.
I am responsible for
international sales.
Arabic Basic Courtesy
and Social Phrases
(Saudi Arabian &
Upper Gulf Dialect)
(Page 3 of 4 pages.)
(1) ta-shar-RAFNAA
(2) SHAR-raf-TOONAA
(1) NA'am ) (
(2) AYE-wah
) (
LAA, ma'a al-AASif
MUM-kin; min al-MUM-kin
shoo-KRAAN ga-ZEEL-aan
LAA shukar ala WAA-jib
TAY-yib; KWAIS; KHOsh
MAA yu-HIM-mak
MA' as-sa-LAAM-at
Fee I-MAAN Al-LAH
I-smii ___________ _______
AA-na ka-BEER mu-
METHalii sharikat XYZ XYZ
A-naa masOOL 3n al-
BEE-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