Languages
The official language in Dubai is Arabic but english is the most widely spoken language in Dubai, especially for business, trade and tourism. Around 75% of the population in Dubai are expatriates, most of whom speak English and/or their native language such as, Hindi, Urdu, Bengali, Tamil, Tagalog, Persian, Chinese, Malayalam.
basic greetings
Hi – Salam! سلام
How are you? – Kaifa haloka/haloki (female) كيف
I’m fine, thanks! – Ana bekhair, shokran! أنا بخير شكرا
And you? – Wa ant? / Wa anti? (female) و أنت؟
Good/so-so – Jayed/ ‘aadee جيد / عادي
Thank you (very much) – Shokran (jazeelan) (شكرا (جزيلا
I’m lost – Ada’tu tareeqi ضعت طري
Can you help me? – Hal beemkanek mosa’adati? هل بإمكانك مساعدتي؟
Where is the bathroom/pharmacy? – Ayna ajedu al merhaad/assaidaliah المرحاض/ الصيدلية
How much is this? – Kam howa thamanoh? كم هو ثمنه؟
Good bye – Ma’a salama مع السلامة
Do you speak English? – Hal tatakallamu alloghah? هل تتكلم اللغة الإنجليزية
Can you say it again? – A’ed men fadlek? أعد من
Can you speak slowly? – Takalam bebot’ men fadlek? تكلم ببطء من فضلك
How are you? – Kaifa haloka/haloki (female) كيف
I’m fine, thanks! – Ana bekhair, shokran! أنا بخير شكرا
And you? – Wa ant? / Wa anti? (female) و أنت؟
Good/so-so – Jayed/ ‘aadee جيد / عادي
Thank you (very much) – Shokran (jazeelan) (شكرا (جزيلا
I’m lost – Ada’tu tareeqi ضعت طري
Can you help me? – Hal beemkanek mosa’adati? هل بإمكانك مساعدتي؟
Where is the bathroom/pharmacy? – Ayna ajedu al merhaad/assaidaliah المرحاض/ الصيدلية
How much is this? – Kam howa thamanoh? كم هو ثمنه؟
Good bye – Ma’a salama مع السلامة
Do you speak English? – Hal tatakallamu alloghah? هل تتكلم اللغة الإنجليزية
Can you say it again? – A’ed men fadlek? أعد من
Can you speak slowly? – Takalam bebot’ men fadlek? تكلم ببطء من فضلك