If you are moving to Saudi Arabia, or even visiting for a few weeks, a small set of Arabic phrases will change your daily life. Shopkeepers smile, taxi drivers relax, and neighbours become friendlier when you make an effort to speak the local language. You do not need hundreds of words to start. These phrases cover the situations you will meet most often, written in simple English letters so you can say them out loud right away.

These phrases are in everyday Saudi Arabic, which is a little different from the formal Arabic you see in books and news. Pronunciation can vary between regions, so listen to how people around you say each phrase and copy them.

Greetings and goodbyes

  • As-salaamu alaykum (hello, peace be upon you). The reply is wa alaykum as-salaam.
  • Kayf haalak? (how are you?). Say haalik when speaking to a woman.
  • Alhamdulillah (fine, thank God). The standard answer to "how are you?".
  • Ma'a as-salaama (goodbye).

Being polite

  • Shukran (thank you). The reply is afwan (you are welcome).
  • Law samaht (excuse me, please). Use it to get attention or ask for help politely.
  • In shaa Allah (God willing). You will hear this all the time about plans and the future.
  • Tamam (OK, fine, good). One of the most useful words you can learn.

Shopping and paying

  • Bikam haadha? (how much is this?)
  • Abgha haadha (I want this). Abgha is the common Saudi way to say "I want".
  • Ghaali (expensive) and rakhees (cheap).
  • Mumkin khasm? (can I get a discount?) Often worth a try in markets and small shops.

Getting around

  • Wayn...? (where is...?) Add the place you need, for example wayn al-masjid? (where is the mosque?).
  • Yameen (right), yasaar (left) and dughri (straight ahead).
  • Hina, law samaht (here, please). Handy when you want a taxi to stop.
  • Yallah (let's go, come on).

When you do not understand

This is the group of phrases that helps you most in the first weeks, because you will often miss what people say.

  • Ma fahimt (I did not understand).
  • Mumkin ta'eed, law samaht? (can you repeat, please?)
  • Takallam bi-butʾ, law samaht (speak slowly, please).
  • Ana atakallam Arabi qaleel (I speak a little Arabic). People usually respond warmly and slow down.

How to practise these phrases

Do not try to memorise them from a list. Pick five phrases for the next situation you will face, such as a visit to the supermarket, and use them at least once. Say each phrase out loud ten times at home before you go. Listen for how people answer, and notice the words you did not know. The next day, add three more phrases. After a month you will have used more than fifty phrases in real situations, which is far more effective than reading a long list.

A note on pronunciation

Arabic has a few sounds that are new to English speakers, such as the deep q in qaleel and the throaty kh in khasm. Do not worry about getting them perfect. People will understand you, and your pronunciation will improve as you listen and repeat. If possible, ask a Saudi friend or a teacher to say the phrases for you and copy them.

If you want to go beyond phrases and hold real conversations, AlBurhan Arabic Academy teaches spoken Saudi Arabic in live online classes, with a free trial class to start. Read about learning Arabic for life in Saudi Arabia, or enrol here to book your place.