Moving to the UAE for your studies can be an exciting and enriching experience. While English is widely spoken in Dubai and other major cities, embracing some basic Arabic phrases will go a long way in your daily life. Below are essential Arabic expressions to navigate your student life in the UAE with confidence.
Greetings and Introductions
- Hello (informal): Ahlan (أهلا)
- Hello (formal): Yasmr el sabah (يصمّر الصّباح) – Good morning, Yasmr el masa (يصمّر المسا) – Good evening
- How are you?: Kef halak (كِيفَ حَالُكَ) (masculine), Keef halich (كِيفَ حَالِكِ) (feminine)
- I am fine, thank you: Ana بخير ( بخير أنا) (ana بخير ana bikhair)
- My name is…: Ismi… (اسمي)
- Nice to meet you: Men shu barra’tak (مِنْ شُوْ بَرَكَتِكَ) (masculine), Men shu barra’tich (مِنْ شُوْ بَرَكِتِش) (feminine)
Classroom Expressions
- Can I speak English?: هل يمكنني التحدث باللغة الإنجليزية (hal yumkinni attahaddutha bil lughat il ingliziyya)
- Can you repeat that?: Tefadlon a’ed (تفضل أعد)
- I understand: Fاهم/ة (fahim/a)
- I don’t understand: La أفهم (la afham) (masculine), La أفهم (la أفهم) (feminine)
- May I go to the bathroom?: Omkin ast izin اروح الحمام (umkini astu izin اروح الحمام)
- Can I borrow a pen?: هل يمكنني استعاره قلم (hal yumkinni ista’aratu qalam)
- Thank you for your help: شكراً على مساعدتك (shukran ala misaadatak)
Daily Life on Campus
- Excuse me: عفوا (afwan)
- Where is the library?: وين المكتبة (ween il maktaba)
- Where is the cafeteria?: وين الكافتيريا (ween il kafeteria)
- Do you speak English?: هل تتكلم إنجليزي (hal تتكلم إنجليزي hal تتكلم inglizi)
- How much does this cost?: بكم هذا (bikam haza)
- One, please: واحد/ة (wahid/wahida)
- I would like to…: أريد أن… (ureedu an…)
Numbers (1-10):
- 1: Wahid (واحد)
- 2: Ithnan (اثنان)
- 3: Thalatha (ثلاثة)
- 4: Arba’a (أربعة)
- 5: Khamsa (خمسة)
- 6: Sitta (ستة)
- 7: Sabaa (سبعة)
- 8: Thamaniya (ثمانية)
- 9: Tis’aa (تسعة)
- 10: Ashara (عشرة)
Making Friends
- What is your name?: شو اسمك (shu ismak) (masculine), شو اسمك (shu ismik) (feminine)
- I am from…: أنا من… (ana min…)
- What are you studying?: ماذا تدرس (ma thaدرس) (masculine), ماذا تدرسين (ma thaدرسين) (feminine)
- Let’s go for coffee sometime: تعالوا نشرب قهوه لاحقاً (taعالوا نشرب قهوة لاحقاً ta’alaw نشرب qahwa lahiqan)
Cultural Tips
- Understanding greetings: A handshake is the most common greeting. When greeting someone older or of higher status, it’s respectful to wait for them to extend their hand first.
- Addressing professors: Use “Dr./Professor” followed by their last name.
- Right-to-left reading: Arabic is written and read from right to left.
By incorporating these phrases into your daily interactions, you’ll demonstrate your respect for the local language and culture. Learning Arabic goes beyond navigating everyday situations. It opens doors to a deeper understanding of the Emirati culture and fosters meaningful connections with your classmates and the local community. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes! Embrace the journey of learning this beautiful language, and you’ll be surprised at how much progress you can make.
Remember, the key is to start, be patient, and have fun with the process!


