Travelling to the United Arab Emirates? Learn marhaba (hello), as-salāmu ʿalaykum (a traditional greeting), shukran (thank you), min faḍlak (please, to a man) and wayn…? (where…?). These Arabic phrases help visitors begin a courteous exchange in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and other emirates.
The UAE is multilingual. Arabic is the official language, while English is widely used in business, tourism and many service settings. Visitors may also hear Hindi, Urdu, Malayalam, Tagalog, Persian and many other languages. Learning a few Arabic words is a sign of courtesy, but it is not necessary to pretend that every interaction will take place in Arabic.
Quick read: Use marhaba or as-salāmu ʿalaykum as a greeting, say shukran to thank someone, keep your hotel address in Arabic and English, check the exact taxi or rideshare pickup point, and dress and behave respectfully in public spaces. Public conduct rules matter; follow local law and official guidance rather than relying on social media summaries.
18 practical Arabic phrases for UAE visitors
| Arabic | Reading aid | Meaning / use |
|---|---|---|
| مرحبا | marhaba | Hello / welcome |
| السلام عليكم | as-salāmu ʿalaykum | Peace be upon you; traditional greeting |
| وعليكم السلام | wa ʿalaykum as-salām | And peace be upon you; greeting reply |
| شكراً | shukran | Thank you |
| عفواً | ʿafwan | You’re welcome / excuse me |
| من فضلك | min faḍlak | Please (to a man) |
| من فضلكِ | min faḍlik | Please (to a woman) |
| نعم / لا | naʿam / lā | Yes / no |
| أين…؟ | ayna…? | Where is…? |
| وين…؟ | wayn…? | Where is…? (colloquial) |
| بكم؟ | bikam? | How much? |
| أريد… | urīdu… | I would like… |
| ماء، من فضلك | māʾ, min faḍlak | Water, please |
| الحمام أين؟ | al-ḥammām ayna? | Where is the restroom? |
| لا أفهم | lā afham | I do not understand |
| هل تتكلم الإنجليزية؟ | hal tatakallam al-inglīziyya? | Do you speak English? |
| مساعدة! | musāʿada! | Help! |
| المخرج | al-makhraj | Exit |
Arabic and English in the UAE
Arabic is the official language, but English is widely used in hotels, airports, shopping centres, restaurants and tourism services. The language mix reflects the UAE’s large international population. A visitor can usually use English for practical tasks while learning short Arabic expressions to greet, thank and ask simple questions.
Arabic has formal and colloquial varieties. The phrases above include Modern Standard Arabic forms and common Gulf-style expressions such as wayn for ‘where’. Pronunciation differs by region and speaker. You do not need to master grammar before using a greeting, but keep the Arabic script on your phone so a local speaker can identify the intended word.
Greetings and respectful conversation
A simple marhaba is a friendly hello. As-salāmu ʿalaykum is a traditional greeting, answered with wa ʿalaykum as-salām. Shukran means thank you, while ʿafwan can mean you’re welcome or excuse me depending on context.
Use a calm, courteous tone in service settings. A visitor does not need to imitate a local accent or use religious expressions without understanding them. A sincere thank-you and respect for the other person’s time are more important than producing a perfect phrase.
Getting around Dubai and Abu Dhabi
In Dubai, visitors may use the Metro, tram, buses, taxis, water transport and app-based services. Abu Dhabi has its own public transport and taxi arrangements. Ticketing and payment systems vary between emirates and operators, so check the current official information for the exact service you plan to use.
For taxis and rideshare, save the full hotel name and address in Arabic and English. Large malls, hotels and residential developments can have several entrances and pickup zones. Confirm the exact pickup point, vehicle registration and destination in the booking app or with the official taxi service. Do not accept an unsolicited ride from someone approaching you inside an airport or attraction.
- Check the correct airport terminal and official pickup area.
- Confirm the vehicle and registration details before entering.
- Show the full address rather than a broad district name.
- For Metro or bus travel, check the current fare and payment requirements.
- Allow extra time for large sites, busy roads and security or event traffic.
At the hotel, mall or restaurant
At check-in, show your booking confirmation, full property name, dates and guest count. For a restaurant, point to the menu item and ask the server to explain it if needed. Arabic food words may help, but menus in visitor-facing venues are often multilingual.
Food restrictions require clarity. If you have a serious allergy, prepare an accurate Arabic and English statement naming the allergen and any cross-contact concern. Ask the kitchen to confirm whether the dish can be prepared safely. Do not rely on a generic phrase or a polite nod when health is at stake.
Public etiquette and local expectations
The UAE welcomes visitors from many countries, but public etiquette and local law should be taken seriously. Official UAE guidance asks visitors to behave respectfully, avoid obscene gestures and bad language, and keep public displays of affection modest. Dress expectations can vary by venue; religious sites and government locations may have specific rules. Read signs and follow instructions from the host or authority.
During Ramadan, public routines may differ and visitors should be attentive to local guidance about eating, drinking and behaviour in public during fasting hours. Do not assume that the same rules apply identically in every emirate, venue or year; check current official guidance shortly before travel.
Prices, payments and shopping
Use bikam? to ask how much something costs. Confirm the amount, currency and unit before paying. The UAE dirham is written AED. If a payment terminal offers currency conversion, read the screen before accepting the conversion. Your bank may apply its own foreign transaction fees.
In traditional souks, bargaining may be part of the setting, while in a mall or fixed-price shop prices are generally displayed. Do not assume negotiation is appropriate everywhere. Ask for the final amount and check the receipt.
A five-day UAE phrase practice plan
- Day 1: practise marhaba, shukran and ʿafwan.
- Day 2: save your hotel address in Arabic and English; practise ayna or wayn.
- Day 3: rehearse the journey from the airport to the exact hotel entrance.
- Day 4: practise asking a price and confirming the final amount in AED.
- Day 5: review the visitor guidance for public behaviour, dress and the specific venues you plan to visit.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need Arabic to visit Dubai or Abu Dhabi?
No. English is widely used in tourism and many service settings. A few Arabic greetings and thank-you phrases are still useful and courteous.
What does shukran mean?
It means thank you. ʿAfwan is a common response meaning you’re welcome, and can also be used as excuse me in some contexts.
Is Arabic the only language spoken in the UAE?
No. Arabic is official, but English and many community languages are widely heard because the population is internationally diverse.
Are public behaviour rules important for visitors?
Yes. Follow current UAE government and emirate-specific guidance on public conduct, photography, dress, religious sites and other local requirements.
Continue exploring the UAE
Continue with country and place learning through the world travel vocabulary city directory. For more general language development, use the eduKate Vocabulary Learning Hub. These resources complement the practical Arabic phrases in this guide.
Official references
- UAE Government: social responsibility for visitors — official etiquette guidance.
- Visit Dubai: languages spoken in Dubai — Arabic expressions and multilingual context.
- Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi: visitor FAQs — local customs and visitor information.
- Singapore MFA: travelling overseas — official traveller preparation.
Language note: Arabic pronunciation and usage vary; this guide includes standard and colloquial expressions. UAE rules and public guidance can change. Check current official federal and emirate-specific information before travel. Editorial review: 3 November 2026.