Basic Arabic Words And Phrases
Although nearly everyone in Egypt speaks English it is nice to be able to understand and to speak some basic words in Arabic. You may also recognise some of the words in Arabic songs which will help you to understand the meaning of the lyrics.
I have listed below some common words and short sentences which you could use in conversation and also numbers which might help in your bargaining for belly dance supplies!!
Words
| Hello |
Marhaba or Salam Alaykum |
|
Goodbye |
Ma'ssalamah |
| Thank you |
Shokran/Shukran |
|
Please |
Min Fadlak |
|
Greetings |
Sallam |
| Sun |
Shams |
| Moon |
Amar |
|
Stars |
Nogoom |
|
I |
Ana |
|
My sweetheart/My darling |
Habibi |
| My heart |
Albi |
|
Love |
Hob |
|
Yes |
Aiwa or Na'am |
|
No |
La |
|
Eye |
Ayeen |
| Girl/Daughter |
Bint (girl can also be fatat) |
| Boy/Son |
Walad |
Basic Arabic Phrases
|
Good morning |
Sabah el'khair |
|
Good evening |
Masa'a el'khair |
|
Pleased to meet you |
Tasharafna (an honour to meet/know you) |
|
How are you today? |
Keef halak/halik elyom (man/woman) |
|
I am fine |
Ana bekhair |
|
What is your name? |
Shoo esmak/esmik (man/woman) |
|
My name is |
Ana esmi (man/woman) or just 'Ismi' |
|
Thanks be to god |
Al hamdu lelah |
| Don't mention it |
Afwan (could also mean pardon/pardon me) |
| I love you |
Ana bahebac/ahibak |
| You are my life |
Enta omri |
| I miss you |
Wahashteni or mishta'alak or eshta'atallak |
| I have |
Andee |
| God willing |
Insha'allah |
| Peace with you |
Fi aman Allah (In god's care) |
Numbers
|
1 |
Wahed |
|
2 |
Ethnain |
|
3 |
Thalata |
|
4 |
Arba'ah |
|
5 |
Khamsah |
|
6 |
Sitta |
|
7 |
Saba'ah |
|
8 |
Thamanya |
|
9 |
Tissa |
|
10 |
Ashra |
|
