arabic pharses

Arabic Phrases

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Learning even a few Arabic phrases will help you better comprehend the diverse cultures of the Arabic-speaking world.

The Arabic language has beautiful sentences, potent expressions, and kind welcomes.

These common Arabic phrases will help you communicate effectively and make an impression, whether you’re planning a trip, connecting with friends, or just wanting to learn a new language.

In order to enhance your interactions and help you better understand Arabic culture, let’s explore some lovely Arabic language phrases and expressions.

Table of Contents

    Basic Greetings

    Common Responses

    • بخير، شكراً (Bikhayr, shukran) I’m fine, thank you.
    • الحمد لله (Alhamdulillah): Praise be to God (often used to mean “I’m doing well”)

    Expressing Appreciation

    • جميل جداً (Jameel Jiddan): Very beautiful
    • ممتاز (Mumtaz) – Excellent

    Farewells

    • مع السلامة (Ma’a as-salama): Goodbye
    • إلى اللقاء (Ila al-liqa’) – See you later

    Learn Arabic Words

    Polite Expressions

    • تشرفت بمعرفتك (Tasharraftu bima’riftik) Nice to meet you
    • إلى اللقاء قريباً (Ila al-liqaa qariban): See you soon
    • كم عمرك؟ (Kam umruka/umruki?) – How old are you?
    • أنا أحبك (Ana uhibuk/uhibuki): I love you
    • اشتقت إليك (Ishtaqtu ilayk/ilayki) I miss you
    • أراك غداً (Arak ghadan) See you tomorrow
    • هل تتحدث العربية؟ (Hal tatahadath al-arabiya?) Do you speak Arabic?
    • لا أفهم (La afham): I don’t understand
    • هل يمكنك مساعدتي؟ (Hal yumkinuka musa’adati?) Can you help me?

    Everyday Essentials

    • لا (La) – No
    • من فضلك (Min fadlak/fadlik) – Please
    • شكراً (Shukran) – Thank you
    • عفواً (‘Afwan): You’re welcome
    • آسف/آسفة (Aasif/Aasifa): Sorry
    • ما اسمك؟ (Ma ismuk?) – What is your name?
    • اسمي… (Ismi…) My name is…
    • أين أنت؟ (Ayn anta/anti?) Where are you?
    • ماذا تفعل؟ (Mada taf’al?) What are you doing?
    • أنا هنا (Ana huna): I am here

    Surprised Arabic Phrases

    • واو! (Waaw!) – Wow!
    • حقاً؟ (Haqqan?) – Really?
    • يا إلهي! (Ya ilahi!) Oh my God!
    • مستحيل! (Mustaheel!) Impossible!
    • غير معقول! (Ghayr ma’qool!) – Unbelievable!

    Astonishment or Shock

    • لا أصدق! (La usaddiq!) I can’t believe it!
    • عنجد؟ (Anjad?) Seriously? (colloquial, especially in Levantine Arabic)
    • يا سلام! (Ya salaam!) Wow!/Amazing!
    • شيء مذهل! (Shay’ mudhil!) Amazing thing! / Incredible!

    Expressing Curiosity or Bewilderment

    Basic Arabic Phrases

    • كم الساعة؟ (Kam al-sa’a?) What time is it?
    • أين الحمام؟ (Ayn al-hammam?) Where is the bathroom?
    • كم ثمن هذا؟ (Kam thaman hatha?) How much is this?
    • أنا جائع (Ana jaa’i): I am hungry
    • أنا عطشان (Ana ‘atshan): I am thirsty
    • الجو حار (Al-jaww haar): The weather is hot
    • الجو بارد (Al-jaww bared): The weather is cold
    • أنا متعب (Ana muta’ab): I am tired
    • لديك وقت؟ (Ladayka waqt?) Do you have time?
    • مبروك (Mabrook) – Congratulations

    Expressions of Emotion

    • أنا سعيد (Ana sa’eed): I am happy
    • أنا حزين (Ana hazeen) – I am sad
    • أنا غاضب(Ana Ghadeb) – I am angry
    • أنا قلق (Ana qaliq) – I am worried
    • أنا فخور بك (Ana fakhour bik): I am proud of you
    • أنا متحمس (Ana mutahamis) – I am excited
    • أنا مستاء (Ana musta’): I am upset
    • لا تقلق (La taqlaq): Don’t worry
    • خذ وقتك (Khudh waqtak): Take your time
    • بالتوفيق (Bil Tawfiq): Good luck

    Social Gatherings

    • تفضل بالدخول (Tafaddal bil dukhoul): Please come in
    • اجلس هنا (Ijlis huna) – Sit here
    • هل تريد شيئاً للشرب؟ (Hal tureed shay’an lish-shurb?) – Do you want something to drink?
    • نحن مستعدون للطعام (Nahnu musta’doun lil-ta’am): We are ready to eat
    • طعام لذيذ (Ta’am latheeth): The food is delicious
    • هل تحب الطعام؟ (Hal tuhib al-ta’am?) Do you like the food?
    • لقد قضيت وقتاً ممتعاً (Laqad qadhaytu waqtan mumta’an): I had a great time
    • أرجوك زرنا مرة أخرى (Arjouk zurna marra ukhraa): Please visit us again
    • هل يمكنك توصيلني؟ (Hal yumkinuk tawseelni?) Can you give me a ride?
    • كان يوماً رائعاً (Kana yawman ra’ian) It was a wonderful day

    Travel and Directions

    • أين يقع…؟ (Ayn yaq’a…?) Where is… located?
    • كيف أصل إلى.. Kayfa asilu ila…?) – How do I get to…
    • هل هذه هي الطريق الصحيحة؟ (Hal hathihi hiya al-tariq al-sahih?) – Is this the right way?
    • أريد الذهاب إلى… (Ureed al-dhahab ila…) – I want to go to…
    • على اليسار (Ala al-Yasar): On the left
    • على اليمين (Ala al-yameen): On the right
    • أمام (Amam) – In front
    • خلف (Khalf) – Behind
    • أوقف هنا، من فضلك (Awqif huna, min fadlak) – Stop here, please
    • كم المسافة؟ (Kam al-masafa?) How far is it?

    Emergencies

    • ساعدني! (Sa’idni!) – Help me!
    • اتصل بالشرطة (Ittasil bil-shurta): Call the police
    • إنه طارئ (Innahu tari’): It’s an emergency
    • أنا مريض (Ana mareed) – I am sick
    • أحتاج إلى طبيب (Ahtaaj ila tabeeb) I need a doctor
    • أين المستشفى؟ (Ayn al-mustashfa?) Where is the hospital?
    • هل أنت بخير؟ (Hal anta bikhair?) Are you okay?
    • أنا خائف (Ana kha’if) – I am scared
    • افتح الباب (Iftah al-bab): Open the door
    • كن حذراً (Kun hadhiran) – Be careful

    Shopping and Dining

    • هل لديك قائمة الطعام؟ (Hal ladayka qaa’ima al-ta’am?) Do you have a menu?
    • أنا نباتي (Ana nabati): I am vegetarian
    • أريد كأس ماء (Ureed kaas ma’): I want a glass of water
    • أريد الفاتورة (Ureed al-fatura): I want the bill
    • هل لديك حجم أكبر؟ (Hal ladayka hajm akbar?) Do you have a bigger size?
    • أبحث عن… (Abhath an…)—I am looking for…
    • كم هو الخصم؟ (Kam hu al-khism?) What is the discount?
    • هذا غالي جداً (Hatha ghali jidan) This is very expensive
    • هل يمكنني التجربة؟ (Hal yumkinuni tajreeba?) Can I try it on?
    • أريد الشراء (Ureed al-shiraa): I want to buy

    Useful Everyday Expressions

    • انتبه (Intabih) – Pay attention
    • ماذا قلت؟ (Mada qult?) What did you say?
    • أعطني لحظة (A’tini lahza): Give me a moment
    • لا بأس (La ba’s) – No problem
    • هل يمكنك الانتظار؟ (Hal yumkinuka al-intidhar?) Can you wait?
    • أنا متحمس (Ana mutahamis) – I am excited
    • لدي سؤال (Laday su’al): I have a question
    • أتمنى لك يوماً سعيداً (Atamanna laka yawman sa’eed) – Have a nice day
    • أراك لاحقاً (Arak lahiqan) See you later
    • إلى اللقاء (Ila al-liqaa): Goodbye

    Funny Arabic Phrases

    Here are a few humorous and light-hearted Arabic idioms and expressions, along with definitions and examples. Many of these are colloquial phrases that can make regular talks more humorous:

    • لا تفتح على نفسك أبواب جهنم
      (La taftah ‘ala nafsak abwab Jahannam)
      • Literal: Don’t open the gates of Hell on yourself.
      • Meaning: Don’t complicate things or create unnecessary trouble.
    • عقلها في إجازة
      (Aqalha fi ijaaza)
      • Literal: Her brain is on vacation.
      • Meaning: She’s not thinking clearly right now.
    • حاطط رجله في الجبس
      (Hatit riglo fi al-jibs)
      • Literal: He put his leg in a cast.
      • Meaning: He’s pretending to be helpless to avoid responsibility.
    • هو داير على حل شعره
      (Huwa dayir ‘ala hall sha’ruhu)
      • Literal: He’s roaming around with his hair loose.
      • Meaning: He’s living recklessly or behaving carelessly.
    • رجع بخفّي حنين
      (Raja’a bi-khuffay Hunayn)
      • Literal: He returned with Hunayn’s sandals.
      • Meaning: He came back empty-handed. (Hunayn is a character from an old Arab tale.)
    • مثل الأطرش في الزفة
      (Mithl al-atresh fi al-zaffa)
      • Literal: Like a deaf man at a wedding.
      • Meaning: Someone completely clueless about what’s happening.
    • يطبخ الحصى
      (Yatbukh al-hasa)
      • Literal: He’s cooking pebbles.
      • Meaning: He’s trying to do something impossible or absurd.
    • رأسه يابس
      (Ra’suhu yabis)
      • Literal: His head is hard.
      • Meaning: He’s stubborn.
    • لسانه أطول منه
      (Lisanahu atwal minhu)
      • Literal: His tongue is longer than him.
      • Meaning: He talks too much or is too bold for his own good.
    • مثل الحمار يحمل أسفاراً
      (Mithl al-himar yahmil asfaran)
      • Literal: Like a donkey carrying books.
      • Meaning: Someone who has knowledge but doesn’t understand or use it.

    Funny Phrases for Everyday Humor

    • بيضحك على ذقنه
      (Beyidhak ‘ala dhaqno)
      • Literal: He’s laughing at his own beard.
      • Meaning: He’s fooling himself.
    • ماسك العصاية من النص
      (Mask al-‘asaaya min al-nuss)
      • Literal: He’s holding the stick from the middle.
      • Meaning: He’s trying to stay neutral and avoid taking sides.
    • مش كل الطير اللي يتاكل لحمه
      (Mish kull al-tayr illi yata’kal lahmu)
      • Literal: Not every bird is worth eating its meat.
      • Meaning: Not everything is worth pursuing.
    • صاحي من النوم على جنبه الشمال
      (Sahi min al-nawm ‘ala janbu al-shimal)
      • Literal: He woke up on his left side.
      • Meaning: He’s in a bad mood or acting grumpy.
    • بيحطها في بطنه بطيخة صيفي
      (Beyihotha fi batna batiikha saifi)
      • Literal: He puts a summer watermelon in his stomach.
      • Meaning: He’s completely relaxed and carefree.
    • عامل نفسه من بنها
      (Aamil nafsu min Banha)
      • Literal: He’s acting like he’s from Banha (a small town).
      • Meaning: He’s pretending to know nothing about the situation.
    • يا جبل ما يهزّك ريح
      (Ya jabal ma yehazzak reeh)
      • Literal: Oh mountain, the wind cannot shake you.
      • Meaning: You’re unshaken or strong in the face of adversity.
    • طول النهار زي الأطرش في الزفة
      (Tool al-nahar zay al-atresh fi al-zaffa)
      • Literal: All day, he’s like the deaf man at the wedding.
      • Meaning: He’s been clueless the entire day.
    • بيغسل البحر بإبرة
      (Beyighsil al-bahr bi-ibra)
      • Literal: He’s washing the sea with a needle.
      • Meaning: He’s attempting the impossible.
    • عامل من الحبة قبة
      (Aamil min al-habba qubba)
      • Literal: He made a dome out of a grain.
      • Meaning: He’s exaggerating something small.

    Arabic love phrases

    • عيونك مثل النجوم(A’younak mithl an-nujoum)
      • Your eyes are like stars.
        • For males, it’s A’younak. For females, A’younik.
    • ابتسامتك تأسرني(Ibtisamatuka tasiruni)
      • Your smile captivates me.
        • Ibtisamatuka for a male; Ibtisamatuki for a female.
    • أنت جميلة جداً(Anti jameela jiddan)
      • You are very beautiful.
        • Anta jameel jiddan if speaking to a male.
    • أنت كل شيء بالنسبة لي (Anta kull shay’ lil-nisba li)
      • You are everything to me.
    • قلبي ملكك(Qalbi malakuk/malakik)
      • My heart is yours.
        • Malakuk for a male; Malakik for a female.

    Arbic love Quotes

    Arabic Phrases for Proposals and Declarations

    • هل تقبلين الزواج بي؟(Hal taqbalina az-zawaj bi?)
      • Will you marry me?
        • If speaking to a male: Hal taqbal az-zawaj bi?
    • لا أستطيع العيش بدونك(La astati’ al-‘aish bidounak/bidounik)
      • I can’t live without you.
        • Bidounak for a male; Bidounik for a female.
    • سأحبك إلى الأبد (Sa’uhibbuka ila al-abad)
      • I will love you forever.
    • أنت نصفي الآخر (Anta nisfi al-akhar / Anti nisfi al-akhra)
      • You are my other half.
    • أنت أغلى ما في حياتي (Anta aghla ma fi hayati)
      • You are the most precious thing in my life.

    إذا غبتِ، غابت الحياة

    (Itha ghibti, ghabat al-hayat) –

    If you are absent, life disappears.

    Love and Self-Love Phrases

    • أحب نفسك(Ahibb nafsak)
      • Love yourself.
    • أنا قوي(Ana qawi)
      • I am strong.
    • ثقتي بنفسي لا تهتز(Thiqati binafsi la tahtazz) –
      • My confidence never wavers.
    • أنا فريد(Ana fareed)
      • I am unique.
    • أنا النجمة(Ana an-najma) –
      • I am the star.
    • أنا أحب نفسي كما أنا
      (Ana uhibbu nafsi kama ana)
      • I love myself as I am.
    • الحب يجمع القلوب ويحرر الأرواح
      (Al-hubb yajma’ al-quloob wa yuharrir al-arwah)
      • Love unites hearts and liberates souls.
    • الجمال في البساطة
      (Al-jamal fi al-basata)
      • Beauty is in simplicity.

    Love in Arabic

    Unique and Poetic Phrases

    • أنا قصة يكتبها الزمن
      (Ana qissa yaktubuha az-zaman)
      • I am a story written by time.
    • أنا البحر، هادئ أحياناً وهائج أحياناً
      (Ana al-bahr, hadi’ ahyanan wa ha’ij ahyanan)
      • I am the sea, calm at times and stormy at others.
    • روحي مثل النجوم، تضيء الظلام
      (Ruhi mithl an-nujoom, tudio ad-dhalam)
      • My soul is like the stars, lighting up the darkness.

    Annoyance and Anger Phrases

    • ما عندك عقل؟ (Ma ‘andak aql?) – Don’t you have a brain?
    • الله ياخذك!(Allah yakhudak!) – May God take you!
      • Harsh but often said in jest or exaggerated frustration.
    • يا وجه النحس! (Ya wajh an-nahs!) – You unlucky-faced one!
    • خلّي عنك الغباء! (Khalli ‘anka al-ghaba’!) – Leave stupidity behind!

    Mild Arabic Curses Phrases and Expressions of Frustration

    • يا غبي!(Ya ghabi!) – You idiot!
      • A straightforward insult often used jokingly or in mild frustration.
    • يا أحمق! (Ya ahmaq!) – You fool!
    • روح في داهية!(Rouh fi dahya!) – Go to ruin!
      • Equivalent to “Get lost!”
    • يلعن حظك!(Yil’an hazzak!) – Damn your luck!
      • Said when someone’s misfortune irritates you.
    • يلعن أبوك!(Yil’an abook!) – Damn your father!
      • A strong insult in Arab culture; used sparingly as it’s considered very offensive.
    • على راسي عقارب!(Ala rasi aqarib!) – There are scorpions on my head!
      • A colorful way to say you’re extremely irritated.

    Sarcastic and Joking Insults Arabic Phrases

    • إنت مصيبة! (Enta musiba!) – You’re a disaster!
    • يا بطيخة!(Ya batiikha!) – You watermelon!
      • Used humorously to call someone slow or clueless.
    • دمك ثقيل!(Damak thaqeel!) – Your blood is heavy!
      • Equivalent to “You’re annoying.”
    • يا حمار!(Ya himar!) – You donkey!
      • Often used humorously among friends, but can be offensive if taken seriously.
    • إنت أخرق! (Enta akhraq!) – You’re clumsy!