Arabic Courtesy and Social Phrases (Cairo, Egypt Dialect)

Arabic Basic Courtesy and Social PhrasesJordanian (Amman Urban)

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How to use this phrase sheet:

1. Select the proper English phrase in the left-hand column.2. Read the transliterated Arabic phrase in the middle column3. If available, a Jordanian friend can read and help with pronouncing the Arabic text in the right-hand column (use the pointee-talkee method; simple, but works).

NOTE:

1. Phrases are in Formal Spoken Arabic ("F" below) and the Jordanian regional dialect ("J" below). Literal/cultural meaning shown in parentheses.

2. CAPITALS indicate stress/emphasis in the pronunciation of words.

May the peace be upon you. (F; traditional greeting)As-saLAAMU al-LAIKUM

(And) May the peace be upon you (F; trad'tl reply)Wa al-LAIKUM as-saLAAM

Good morning.(F; May you have a morning of goodness)(Greeting)Sa-BAAH al-KHAIR

Good morning.(F: May you have a morning of light)(Reply)Sa-BAAH an-NOOR

May Allah greet you (F/J)

May Allah keep you (reply)

How are you? (formal; plural)(F; How is your condition)High-YAAK Allah

AB-QAAK Allah

KAIF HAAL-ukum?

How are you? (J, plural, informal) Ah-SHLOWN-akum?

(Lit: How is your color?)

Praise be to Allah, fine. (F)

Al-HAMdu-LILLAH, bi-KHAIR

,

Praise be to Allah, fine. (J)Bi-KHAIR, al-HAMDU li-LLAH

How is your family? (F)

Arabic Basic Courtesy and Social Phrases(Jordanian - Amman Urban Dialect)

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KAIF al-AA'ila?

How are your children? (J)KAIF al-eye-YAAL?

Allah willing, they are all well.In-SHA' Allah, KUL-hum bi-KHAIR

Praise be to Allah, they are all well. (Reply)

al-HAMDU-li-LLAH, Kuluhum bi-KHAIR ,

Thank you.Shoo-KRAAN

You are welcome.Ahf-WAAN

Please (accept/take this).(~= s'il vous plais; por favor)ta-FAD-dal-LOO (formal)

(ta-FAD-dal)(informal)

Good evening.(F; May you have an evening of goodness)(Greeting)me-SAA' al-KHAIR

Good evening.(F: May you have an evening of light)(Reply)me-SAA' an-NOOR

Welcome. (You are welcomed as easily as one of the family.)(F; traditional greeting)AH-hal-lan wa SA-ha-laan

May Allah bless you (for your kindness). (F; traditional reply)Al-LLAh yu-BAAR-ak FEE-kum

What is your name, please? (F)SHOO IS-muk, min FAD-lak??

Arabic Basic Courtesy and Social Phrases(Jordanian Amman Urban Dialect)

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You honor us (by making your acquaintance)(F)

You are the honor to us (reply)(1) ta-shar-RAFNAA(2) SHAR-raf-TOONAA

ENta al-SHAR-ef

Yes (F)Yes (J)(1) NA'am(2) AYE-wah () ()

No, sorry. (F)LAA, ma'a al-AASif

Perhaps; maybe; possibly. (J)MUM-kin; min al-MUM-kin

Thank you very much. (F/J)shoo-KRAAN ja-ZEEL-aan

Don't thank me for doing my duty (customary reply)LAA SHU-ker ala WAA-jib

Fine, OK, good (J)TAI-yib; KWAY-is; JAY-id ,

Don't worry about that (J)(lit: That doesn't concern you)MAA yu-HIM-mak

Goodbye. (I leave you in Allah's safety)(F)(Departee)

May you go in Allah's protection. (F)(Reply)MA' as-sa-LAAM-at

Fee I-MAAN Al-LAH

Provided to participants in Predeployment Training Training programs and related activities conducted under auspices of the U.S. Marine Corps Security Cooperation Group (MCSCG).

Copyright 2013, Stephen H. Franke, LREC & Operational Culture SME/Advisor/Trainer. All rights reserved.