Doctors, nurses and other healthcare staff in Saudi Arabia work with patients who speak Arabic. A few simple phrases make visits calmer and clearer for everyone. Here are common phrases to start with.

Greetings and basics

  • As-salamu alaykum (السلام عليكم): peace be upon you
  • Kayf halak? (كيف حالك؟): how are you?
  • Ma ismak? (ما اسمك؟): what is your name?
  • Hal tafhamuni? (هل تفهمني؟): do you understand me?
  • La taqlaq (لا تقلق): don't worry

Asking about symptoms

  • Wayn al-alam? (وين الألم؟): where is the pain?
  • Mundhu mata? (منذ متى؟): since when?
  • Hal indak hasasiyya? (هل عندك حساسية؟): do you have any allergies?
  • Hal ta'khudh adwiya? (هل تأخذ أدوية؟): are you taking any medicine?

During the examination

  • Tanaffas bi-umq (تنفس بعمق): breathe deeply
  • Irfa yadak (ارفع يدك): raise your hand

Giving instructions

  • Khudh hadha ad-dawa marratayn fi al-yawm (خذ هذا الدواء مرتين في اليوم): take this medicine twice a day
  • Ta'al marra ukhra baad usbua (تعال مرة أخرى بعد أسبوع): come back after one week

A note on speaking to women and men

Arabic changes some endings depending on who you speak to. The phrases above use the masculine form. For a woman, many end in -ki, for example kayf halik? (كيف حالك؟).

Learn Arabic for your work

These phrases are a start. AlBurhan Arabic Academy teaches a live online course, Arabic for Medical Staff, in the Saudi dialect used with patients and colleagues. See the Arabic for Medical Staff course and book a free trial class.