The hospitals at which expats work operate in English, andthere are translators available to assist in communicationwith patients who do not speak English. Additionally, yourhospital will provide basic Arabic classes for you, and youcan do further studies if you choose.
Here are a few typical Arabic phrases, using an Englishrendering, and followed by a translation:
Pleasantries
Marhaba = Hello
Maasalama = Good-bye
Assalam alaykum = Peace be upon you (response = Wa alaykumassalam)
Ahlan wa sahlan = various translations: welcome, hello andwelcome, you are very welcome (response = Ahlan bekum)
Alhamdulillah = Praise to God (sometimes used in sense of Thanks to God; and sometimes pronounced by non-Arabic speakers as "humdulillah"); used by Arabic speakers of all religions, not just Islam
Sabah al-khair = Good Morning (response = sabah al-noor)
Masaa al-Khair = Good evening (response = masa al-noor)
Ismee … = my name is …
Min fadlak = Please (male)
Min fadlik = Please (female)
Shukran = Thank you
Afwan = You're Welcome
Inshallah = God Willing (you will often hear this inresponse to anything tentative, when timing is in question,etc.)
Aiwa or Naam = Yes
La = No
Ismahlee = Excuse me
Mafee Mushkala = No problem
Tatakallum Ingleezi? = Do you speak English?
La Atakalam Arabi = I don't speak Arabic
Numbers
Wahid = 1
Ithnin = 2
Thalatha = 3
Arbaa = 4
Khamsa = 5
Sitta = 6
Sabaa = 7
Thamania = 8
Tisa= 9
Ashara = 10
Beverages
Shai = Tea
Gahwah = coffee
Aaseer = juice
Water = maa
Places
Mustashfa = hospital
Souq = market
Matt'am = restaurant
Fondook = hotel
Hammam (or "toilets") = restrooms, toilets
Other
Feloos = Money
Bekam? or Addesh? = How much?
Sadeeq = friend (literally; also expats sometimes use it asa euphemism for alcohol)
Muhim = important
