Essential Arabic Phrases for Travel (with Pronunciation)
Arabic is spoken by more than 400 million people, from Morocco to the Gulf. This page uses Modern Standard Arabic, understood across the Arab world, with a simple pronunciation guide — useful for Morocco, Egypt, Jordan, the UAE and beyond.
Updated October 2026
Basics and greetings
| English | Arabic | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | مرحبا | Marhaban |
| Goodbye | مع السلامة | Maa as-salama |
| Please | من فضلك | Min fadlak |
| Thank you | شكرا | Shukran |
| Yes | نعم | Naam |
| No | لا | La |
| Excuse me / Sorry | لو سمحت | Law samaht |
| I don't understand | لا أفهم | La afham |
| Do you speak English? | هل تتكلم الإنجليزية؟ | Hal tatakallam al-injliziyya? |
At the restaurant
| English | Arabic | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| A table for two, please | طاولة لشخصين من فضلك | Tawila li-shakhsayn min fadlak |
| The menu, please | قائمة الطعام من فضلك | Qaimat at-taam min fadlak |
| Water, please | ماء من فضلك | Maa min fadlak |
| The bill, please | الحساب من فضلك | Al-hisab min fadlak |
| It's delicious | لذيذ جدا | Ladhidh jiddan |
Getting around and shopping
| English | Arabic | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Where is the toilet? | أين الحمام؟ | Ayna al-hammam? |
| Where is the station? | أين المحطة؟ | Ayna al-mahatta? |
| How much is it? | بكم هذا؟ | Bikam hadha? |
| Can you write it down? | هل يمكنك كتابته؟ | Hal yumkinuka kitabatuh? |
Emergencies and health
| English | Arabic | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Help! | النجدة! | An-najda! |
| I need a doctor | أحتاج إلى طبيب | Ahtaj ila tabib |
| Where is the pharmacy? | أين الصيدلية؟ | Ayna as-saydaliyya? |
| Call the police! | اتصل بالشرطة! | Ittasil bish-shurta! |
| I'm lost | أنا تائه / تائهة | Ana taih / taiha |
Practical tips
- Spoken Arabic varies a lot by country (Moroccan Darija, Egyptian, Levantine…). Standard Arabic is understood, but replies may come in the local dialect.
- In North Africa, French is very widely spoken — mixing French and Arabic is completely normal.
- "Min fadlak" is said to a man; to a woman say "min fadlik".
- Arabic is written from right to left. If you show a phrase on your phone, make sure it displays correctly.
Too many phrases to remember?
With OIEM Translator you can simply talk. Choose English and Arabic, tap the microphone once and speak normally: the translation appears in about half a second and is spoken out loud in Arabic. When the other person answers, OIEM detects their language automatically and translates back — no need to tap again.
- Hands-free two-way conversation
- Text translation also works offline
- Photo translation for menus and signs
Free to download with free voice translations to try. The weekly plan includes a 3-day free trial.
Frequently asked questions
Will Standard Arabic work in Morocco or Egypt?
People will understand you, especially written down, but everyday conversation is in the local dialect. A voice translator is helpful when answers come back fast in dialect.
Can my phone speak Arabic for me?
Yes. With a voice translator like OIEM Translator you speak in English and your iPhone says it out loud in Arabic, then translates the answer back. It is useful when a phrase list is not enough.
Do these phrases work offline?
This page works offline if you save it or take screenshots before your trip. In OIEM Translator, text translation works offline; voice translation needs an internet connection.