Greetings
السلام عليكم
as-salamu alaykum
Peace be upon you — the standard formal greeting. The reply is 'wa alaykum as-salam'.
مرحبا
mar-ha-ba
Hello, welcome. The everyday casual greeting across the Gulf.
شكراً
shuk-ran
Thank you. 'Afwan' is you're welcome.
من فضلك
min fad-lak
Please, addressing a man. 'Min fadlik' for a woman.
Work
إن شاء الله
in-sha-allah
God willing. Attached to any plan, and sometimes a polite way of not committing.
Daily life
خلاص
kha-las
Done, enough, finished. Endlessly useful and understood by everyone.
عقد الإيجار
aqd al-ijar
Tenancy contract. In Sharjah it must be attested by the municipality, and without that attestation you cannot get electricity.
الهوية
al-hawiya
The Emirates ID. It is your proof of residency and the key to a bank account, a postpaid SIM, a lease and a driving licence.
كم السعر؟
kam as-si'r
How much is it? Essential in the Central Souq, where haggling is expected.
Food
الحساب لو سمحت
al-hisab law samaht
The bill, please.
Emergency
النجدة
an-najda
Help! Emergency numbers are 999 police, 998 ambulance, 997 fire, 996 coastguard.
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