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United Arab Emirates · Arabic Travel Phrases

The most useful local expressions, ordered by importance. Pronunciations are approximate.

Greetings

1
السلام عليكم
Hello (peace be upon you) “as-salaamu alaykum”
2
وعليكم السلام
Hello (reply to the greeting) “wa alaykum as-salaam”
3
شكراً
Thank you “shukran”
4
مرحبا
Hi (casual) “marhaba”
5
من فضلك
Please / Excuse me “min fadlak”
6
عفواً
You're welcome / Excuse me “afwan”
7
إن شاء الله
Inshallah (God willing — common for plans and promises) “inshallah”
8
مع السلامة
Goodbye “maa as-salaama”

Local etiquette

Shake hands with the right hand; placing your left hand lightly on your chest adds warmth.
Don't offer your hand first to the opposite gender. If a woman doesn't extend hers, a slight nod is polite.
"Inshallah" (God willing) is naturally added to talk of plans and the future — don't read it as evasion.

1
نعم / لا
Yes / No “naam / laa”
2
لا أفهم
I don't understand “laa afham”
3
هل تتكلم الإنجليزية؟
Do you speak English? (widely spoken) “hal tatakallam al-injliziyya?”
4
لا أتكلم العربية
I don't speak Arabic “laa atakallam al-arabiyya”
5
ما هذا؟
What is this? “maa haadha?”
6
أين الحمام؟
Where is the restroom? “ayna al-hammaam?”
7
ممكن؟
Is it possible? / May I? “mumkin?”
8
ساعدني من فضلك
Please help me “saaidni min fadlak”

Local etiquette

The left hand is considered unclean. Always use your right hand to give, receive, or eat.
Never photograph people (especially local women) without permission; government, military and oil sites are off-limits.
English is spoken almost everywhere in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, but a word or two of Arabic is warmly received.

1
بكم هذا؟
How much is this? “bikam haadha?”
2
غالي جداً
That's too expensive “ghaali jiddan”
3
في تخفيض؟
Any discount? (at souks/traditional markets) “fi takhfeed?”
4
أدفع بالبطاقة؟
Can I pay by card? (accepted almost everywhere) “adfaa bil-bitaaqa?”
5
أريد هذا
I'll take this “ureed haadha”
6
استرجاع الضريبة؟
Can I get a tax refund? (bring your passport) “istirjaa ad-dareeba?”

Local etiquette

Malls and big stores have fixed prices and take cards. Bargain only at souks (traditional markets) and the gold souk.
Bring your passport to claim a VAT tax refund at the airport when leaving.
During Ramadan, don't eat or drink in public during daylight; store hours also change.

Local etiquette

Alcohol is served only in hotels and licensed venues — never on the street or in ordinary eateries.
During Ramadan most restaurants close or screen off dining areas by day; avoid eating in public before sunset.
Pork is rare; most food is halal, but it's perfectly fine to ask if you want to confirm.
Tipping isn't required, but around 10% is customary when no service charge is added.

1
تاكسي من فضلك
A taxi, please “taaksi min fadlak”
2
خذني إلى هذا العنوان
Take me to this address “khudhni ila haadha al-unwaan”
3
شغّل العداد من فضلك
Turn on the meter, please “shaghghil al-addaad min fadlak”
4
أين محطة المترو؟
Where is the metro station? “ayna mahattat al-metro?”
5
بطاقة نول من فضلك
A nol card, please (Dubai transit card) “bitaaqat nol min fadlak”
6
كم الأجرة؟
How much is the fare? “kam al-ujra?”
7
قف هنا من فضلك
Stop here, please “qif huna min fadlak”

Local etiquette

One nol card covers Dubai's metro, tram and buses; top it up at any station.
The metro has women-and-children-only cars — men should not board these.
Taxis are metered, so no haggling is needed; just check the meter is running when you get in.

Local etiquette

Dress conservatively. Outside your hotel and in malls, covering shoulders and knees is the safe choice.
Unmarried couples sharing a room is now tolerated, but avoid public displays of affection.

Local etiquette

Emergency numbers: police 999, ambulance 998, fire 997; the unified emergency number is 112.
Public drinking, swearing and rude gestures can be penalized, so take care.