A Quick Survival Guide to Conversational Arabic for Travelers: What to Say and When to Say It

In the Arab world, greetings go a long way. They’re polite, expected, and show respect.

 Must-know greetings:

السلام عليكم (as-salāmu ʿalaykum) – Peace be upon you (universal greeting)

مرحباً (marḥaban) – Hello

صباح الخير (ṣabāḥ al-khayr) – Good morning

مساء الخير (masāʾ al-khayr) – Good evening

كيف حالك؟ (kayfa ḥāluka/ḥāluki?) – How are you?

شكراً (shukran) – Thank you

من فضلك (min faḍlik) – Please

مع السلامة (maʿa as-salāma) – Goodbye

 Tip: Use greetings with shopkeepers, hotel staff, taxi drivers — everyone. It opens doors and earns respect.

 Essential phrases:

عندي جواز السفر (ʿindī jawāz as-safar) – I have my passport

أنا سائح / سائحة (anā sāʾiḥ / sāʾiḥa) – I am a tourist (male/female)

هذه أول زيارة لي (hādhihi awwal ziyārah lī) – This is my first visit

هل تتكلم إنجليزي؟ (hal tatakallam inglīzī?) – Do you speak English?

 Helpful gesture: Have your hotel info and documents ready, and start with a smile and “السلام عليكم.”

Transport phrases:

أريد الذهاب إلى... (urīdu adh-dhahāb ilā...) – I want to go to...

كم السعر؟ (kam as-siʿr?) – How much is it?

هنا من فضلك (hunā min faḍlik) – Here, please

هل هذا قريب؟ (hal hādhā qarīb?) – Is it nearby?

يسار / يمين / مباشرة (yasār / yamīn / mubāsharatan) – Left / right / straight

Bus & metro:

هل هذه المحطة؟ (hal hādhihi al-maḥaṭṭah?) – Is this the stop?

كم التذكرة؟ (kam at-tadhkirah?) – How much is the ticket?

MasterStudy Tip: Practice pronunciation out loud before your trip using voice tools. Hearing yourself speak makes it easier to recall phrases on the spot.

Check-in Arabic:

عندي حجز باسم... (ʿindī ḥajz bism...) – I have a reservation under...

هل يوجد واي فاي؟ (hal yūjad wīfī?) – Is there Wi-Fi?

أريد مفتاح الغرفة (urīdu miftāḥ al-ghurfah) – I’d like the room key

هل الإفطار مشمول؟ (hal al-ifṭār mashmūl?) – Is breakfast included?

 Ask with a smile. If you mess up the words, just repeat slower or point. Most hotel staff will appreciate the effort and help you out.

🍴 Easy dining phrases:

أريد هذا (urīdu hādhā) – I want this

ما هي الوجبة المشهورة؟ (mā hiya al-wajbah al-mashhūrah?) – What’s the famous dish?

بدون لحم / سكر / حار (bidūn laḥm / sukkar / ḥār) – Without meat / sugar / spice

الحساب، من فضلك (al-ḥisāb min faḍlik) – The bill, please

 Common words:

ماء (māʾ) – Water

شاي (shāy) – Tea

قهوة (qahwah) – Coffee

دجاج (dajāj) – Chicken

خبز (khubz) – Bread

Don’t be afraid to point to the menu or food and say “هذا، من فضلك” (This one, please). It’s clear and always understood.

 Key shopping phrases:

كم هذا؟ (kam hādhā?) – How much is this?

هل يوجد خصم؟ (hal yūjad khaṣm?) – Is there a discount?

عندي فقط... (ʿindī faqaṭ...) – I only have…

لا شكراً (lā shukran) – No thank you

فقط أتفرج (faqaṭ atafarraj) – Just looking

Bargaining is expected in many local markets. Start with a smile, speak calmly, and enjoy the process — it’s part of the culture.

Urgent phrases to know:

ساعدني! (sāʿidnī!) – Help me!

أنا مريض / مريضة (anā marīḍ / marīḍah) – I’m sick

أحتاج طبيب (aḥtāju ṭabīb) – I need a doctor

أين المستشفى؟ (ayna al-mustashfā?) – Where is the hospital?

ضيعت جوازي (ḍayyaʿtu jawāzī) – I lost my passport

Pro Tip: Write down the emergency numbers for the country you're visiting and keep your hotel’s address saved in Arabic on your phone.

Always lead with a greeting before asking a question
Keep sentences short and simple — even 3 words can be effective
Repeat what you hear to improve pronunciation naturally
Speak slowly and clearly — most locals will meet you halfway
Never be afraid to make mistakes — your effort is always appreciated

You don’t need to master the Arabic language to travel well — you just need the courage to try, a few essential phrases, and the right mindset. The more you speak, the more you’ll learn — and the more connections you’ll make.

At MasterStudy, we help travelers speak Arabic confidently, clearly, and with cultural understanding — one phrase at a time.

👉 Start your Arabic speaking journey today — the conversational way — at MasterStudy.ai

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