Arabic is the official language of Saudi Arabia, and the local dialect — Gulf Arabic (Khaleeji) — differs noticeably from the Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) taught in textbooks. Saudi Arabic carries its own vocabulary, pronunciation, and expressions shaped by Bedouin heritage and regional variation. We have focused on phrases you will actually hear on the ground rather than formal MSA, though most Saudis will understand both.
Greetings and Basics
| English | Saudi Arabic | Pronunciation |
|---|
| Peace be upon you | السلام عليكم | as-sa-LAA-mu a-LAY-kum |
| Reply: And upon you peace | وعليكم السلام | wa-a-LAY-kum as-sa-LAAM |
| Good morning | صباح الخير | sa-BAAH al-KHAYR |
| Good evening | مساء الخير | ma-SAA al-KHAYR |
| How are you? (m/f) | كيف حالك؟ | kayf HAA-lak / HAA-lik |
| Fine, praise God | بخير الحمد لله | bi-KHAYR, al-HAM-du lil-LAH |
| Please | من فضلك | min FAD-lak |
| Thank you | شكراً | SHUK-ran |
| You’re welcome | عفواً | AF-wan |
| Yes / No | نعم / لا | NA-am / laa |
| I don’t understand | ما أفهم | maa AF-ham |
| Do you speak English? | تتكلم إنجليزي؟ | ti-TAK-lam in-glee-zee |
| Excuse me | لو سمحت | law sa-MAHT |
Getting Around
| English | Saudi Arabic | Pronunciation |
|---|
| Where is…? | وين…؟ | wayn…? |
| How much is a taxi to…? | كم التاكسي لـ…؟ | kam at-TAK-see li…? |
| Left / Right / Straight | يسار / يمين / سيدا | ya-SAAR / ya-MEEN / SEE-da |
| Far / Close | بعيد / قريب | ba-EED / ga-REEB |
| Airport | مطار | ma-TAAR |
| Hotel | فندق | FUN-dug |
| Train station | محطة القطار | ma-HAT-tat al-gi-TAAR |
| I want to go to… | أبي أروح لـ… | A-bee a-ROOH li… |
| Stop here, please | وقف هنا لو سمحت | WA-gif HI-na law sa-MAHT |
| How far? | كم يبعد؟ | kam YIB-id? |
Food and Dining
| English | Saudi Arabic | Pronunciation |
|---|
| The menu, please | القائمة لو سمحت | al-GAA-i-ma law sa-MAHT |
| The bill, please | الحساب لو سمحت | al-hi-SAAB law sa-MAHT |
| Water | ماء / مويه | maa / MOY-ah |
| Coffee (Arabic) | قهوة | GAH-wa |
| Tea | شاي | shaay |
| Delicious | لذيذ | la-ZEEZ |
| I don’t eat meat | ما آكل لحم | maa AA-kul LA-ham |
| Spicy | حار | HAAR |
| Bread | خبز | khubz |
| Bon appetit | بالعافية | bil-AA-fi-ya |
Numbers
| Number | Arabic | Pronunciation |
|---|
| 1 | واحد | WAA-hid |
| 2 | اثنين | ith-NAYN |
| 3 | ثلاثة | tha-LAA-tha |
| 4 | أربعة | ar-BA-ah |
| 5 | خمسة | KHAM-sa |
| 6 | ستة | SIT-ta |
| 7 | سبعة | SAB-ah |
| 8 | ثمانية | tha-MAAN-ya |
| 9 | تسعة | TIS-ah |
| 10 | عشرة | ASH-ra |
Emergency Phrases
| English | Saudi Arabic | Pronunciation |
|---|
| Help! | النجدة! | an-NAJ-da |
| I need a doctor | أحتاج دكتور | ah-TAAJ duk-TOOR |
| Call the police | اتصل بالشرطة | it-TA-sil bish-SHUR-ta |
| Hospital | مستشفى | mus-TASH-fa |
| I’m lost | أنا ضايع | A-na DAA-yi |
| It’s an emergency | حالة طوارئ | HAA-lat ta-WAA-ri |
| Pharmacy | صيدلية | say-da-LEE-ya |
A few tips on Arabic pronunciation: the “kh” sound (as in “khubz”) comes from the back of the throat, similar to the Scottish “loch.” The letter “ع” (ain) is a deep guttural sound unique to Arabic — listen for it in “عفواً” and try to replicate the slight catch in the throat. Do not worry about perfection. Saudis are known for their hospitality and will appreciate any attempt at Arabic, often responding with a warm “mashallah” at your effort. When greeting someone, always use the right hand for handshakes, and note that men and women may not shake hands with each other depending on personal preference.
