Saudi Arabic Phrases for Beginners
Everyday Saudi Arabic phrases with Arabic script, an easy pronunciation guide and the English meaning. Say each one out loud as you read it — Saudi Arabic is learned best by speaking it.
Saudi Arabic varies by region. These phrases lean toward Najdi (central Saudi) speech, and we mark the common Hejazi (western) alternative where it differs.
Greetings
- السلام عليكمAs-salāmu ʿalaykumPeace be upon you (hello)
- وعليكم السلامWa ʿalaykum as-salāmAnd upon you peace (the reply)
- هلا واللهHala wallahWelcome / hello
- حياك اللهḤayyāk AllāhWelcome (come in)
- شلونك؟ (حجازي: كيفك؟)Shlōnak? (Hejazi: Kīfak?)How are you?
- الحمد لله، تمامAlḥamdulillāh, tamāmPraise God, I'm fine
- صباح الخير / صباح النورṢabāḥ al-khayr / Ṣabāḥ an-nūrGood morning / the reply
- مع السلامةMaʿa as-salāmaGoodbye
Politeness
- شكراً / مشكورShukran / MashkūrThank you
- الله يعطيك العافيةAllāh yaʿṭīk al-ʿāfiyaGod give you strength (thanks for the effort)
- لو سمحتLaw samaḥtExcuse me / please
- آسفĀsifSorry
- إن شاء اللهIn shā' AllāhGod willing
- ما شاء اللهMā shā' AllāhAs God willed (admiration or blessing)
Basics
- وش اسمك؟ (حجازي: إيش اسمك؟)Wesh ismak? (Hejazi: Ēsh ismak?)What's your name?
- اسمي …Ismī …My name is …
- ما أفهمMā afhamI don't understand
- تتكلم إنجليزي؟Titkallam inglīzī?Do you speak English?
- أنا ضايعAna ḍāyiʿI'm lost
- ساعدني من فضلكSāʿidnī min faḍlakPlease help me
Shopping and Food
- أبغى …Abgha …I want …
- أبغى ماءAbgha māyI want water
- أبغى قهوةAbgha qahwaI want coffee
- بكم هذا؟Bikam hādha?How much is this?
- هذا غاليHādha ghālīThis is expensive
- الحساب لو سمحتAl-ḥisāb law samaḥtThe bill, please
Getting Around
- وين …؟Wein …?Where is …?
- وين الحمام؟Wein al-ḥammām?Where is the bathroom?
- أبغى أروح …Abgha arūḥ …I want to go to …
- يمين / يسارYamīn / YasārRight / left
- على طولʿalā ṭūlStraight ahead
Everyday Words
- يلاYallaLet's go / come on
- زين / تمامZayn / TamāmGood / okay
- مرة حلوMarra ḥiluVery nice
Keep learning Saudi Arabic
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