If you work in a hospital or clinic in Saudi Arabia, many of your patients will be more comfortable in Arabic than in English. You do not need perfect grammar to help them. A small set of habits and phrases makes each visit calmer, safer and faster. Here are ten practical tips from our teachers.

1. Learn the spoken dialect first

Patients do not speak the formal Arabic of news and textbooks. They speak the Saudi dialect. Start with the words people really use at home, because those are the words you will hear at the bedside. Our guide to spoken Arabic and Modern Standard Arabic explains the difference.

2. Open with a greeting

A greeting builds trust before any question. Say As-salamu alaykum (السلام عليكم), peace be upon you, when you enter the room. Then ask Kayf halak? (كيف حالك؟), how are you? Use Kayf halik? when you speak to a woman.

3. Learn body parts before sentences

One word is often enough when you point. Start with ras (راس) head, batn (بطن) stomach, sadr (صدر) chest, dhahr (ظهر) back, yad (يد) hand and rijl (رجل) leg.

4. Ask short questions

Short questions get clear answers. Two of the most useful are Wayn al-alam? (وين الألم؟), where is the pain?, and Min mata? (من متى؟), since when?

5. Learn numbers and time words

Doses, days and appointments all need numbers. Learn one to ten first, then al-yawm (اليوم) today, bukra (بكرة) tomorrow and ams (أمس) yesterday.

6. Give simple instructions

Use one instruction at a time. Tafaddal (تفضل) means please, go ahead. Ijlis (اجلس) means sit down. Khudh nafas (خذ نفس) means take a breath. Shwayy shwayy (شوي شوي) means slowly, little by little.

7. Check that the patient understood

Never guess. Ask Fahimt? (فهمت؟), did you understand? If you did not understand the patient, say Mumkin tiid? (ممكن تعيد؟), can you repeat? For consent, diagnoses and medication, always use the hospital interpreter. Basic Arabic supports safe care; it does not replace an interpreter.

8. Use kind words

Patients remember kindness. La takhaf (لا تخاف) means do not be afraid. Salamat (سلامات) and Ma tshuf sharr (ما تشوف شر) are warm ways to wish someone a quick recovery. You will also hear Alhamdulillah (الحمد لله), praise be to God, and Inshallah (إن شاء الله), God willing, many times a day.

9. Respect family and privacy

Family members often come with the patient and may answer for them. Greet them too. Some patients prefer a staff member of the same gender, so ask before an examination when you can.

10. Practise a little every shift

Pick three phrases before each shift and use them with real patients. Ten minutes a day works better than two hours once a week. See our tips on how to practise speaking Arabic every day.

Where to go next

For a ready list of sentences, read Arabic phrases for doctors and nurses in Saudi Arabia. If you want a teacher to guide you, our one-month Arabic for Medical Staff course is taught live online in the Saudi dialect. See the course syllabus or book a free trial class.