Greetings and everyday politeness
These are the phrases you will hear — and want to answer — from day one. Khaleeji Arabic is warmer and more informal than textbook Arabic; nobody expects perfection, and every attempt is appreciated.
| English | Say it | Arabic |
|---|---|---|
| Hello (peace be upon you) | as-salāmu ʿalaykum | السلام عليكم |
| Reply to hello | wa ʿalaykum as-salām | وعليكم السلام |
| Good morning | ṣabāḥ il-khayr | صباح الخير |
| How are you? (to a man) | shlōnik? | شلونك؟ |
| How are you? (to a woman) | shlōnich? | شلونچ؟ |
| I'm fine, thanks be to God | zayn, il-ḥamdillāh | زين، الحمدلله |
| Thank you | mashkūr / mashkūra | مشكور / مشكورة |
| Please / go ahead | tfaḍḍal / tfaḍḍali | تفضّل / تفضّلي |
| Yes | ay / naʿam | أي / نعم |
| No | lā | لا |
Tip: shlōnik literally means "what's your colour?" — it's the everyday "how are you?" across the Gulf. Answer with zayn (good) and you're already having a conversation.
Draft lesson — wording to be reviewed by the content writer.