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Arabic Basic Courtesy and Social Phrases(S. Iraq & Upper Gulf Dialect)(Revised)

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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, an Iraqi friend can read and help with pronouncing the Arabic text inthe right-hand column.

NOTE:

1. Phrases are in Formal Spoken Arabic ("F" below) and the southern Iraqi / Upper

Gulf area regional dialect ("G"). Literal/cultural meaning shown in parentheses.

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

May the peace be upon you.(F; traditional greeting)

As-saLAAMU al-LAIKUM

(And) May the peace beupon you (F; trad'tl reply)

Wa al-LAIKUM as-saLAAM

Good morning.

(F; May you have a morningof goodness)(Greeting)

Sa-BAAH al-KHAIR

Good morning.(F: May you have a morningof light)(Reply)

Sa-BAAH an-NOOR

May Allah greet you (F/G)

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? (G) Ah-SHLOWN-akum?

(Lit: How is your color?)

Praise be to Allah, fine. (F) Al-HAMdu-LILLAH, bi-KHAIR ,Praise be to Allah, fine. (G) Bi-KHAIR, al-HAMDU li-LLAH

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How is your family? (F)

Arabic Basic Courtesyand Social Phrases

(Southern Iraq & UpperGulf Dialect)

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KAIF al-AA'ila?How is your family? (G) KAIF al-Eye-YAAL?

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

Praise be to Allah, they areall well. (Reply)

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

,

Thank you. Shoo-KRAAN

You are welcome. Ah-FWAAN 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 eveningof goodness)(Greeting)

me-SAA' al-KHAIR

Good evening.(F: May you have an eveningof light)(Reply)

me-SAA' an-NOOR

Welcome.

(You are welcomed as easilyas one of the family.)(F; traditional greeting)

AH-hal-lan wa SA-ha-laan

May Allah bless you (for yourkindness). (F; traditional reply)

Al-LLAh yu-BAAR-ak FEE-kum

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

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Arabic Basic Courtesyand Social Phrases

(Southern Iraq &Upper Gulf Dialect)

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You honor us (by making youracquaintance)(F)

(1) ta-shar-RAFNAA(2) SHAR-raf-TOONAA

Yes (F)Yes (G)

(1) NA'am(2) AYE-wah

() ()

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

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

Thank you very much. (F/G) shoo-KRAAN ga-ZEEL-aan

Don't thank me for doing myduty (customary reply)

LAA shukar ala WAA-jib

That will work; fine, OK (G) TAI-yib; KWA-is; KHOsh

Don't worry about that (G)(lit: That doesn't concern you)

MAA yu-HIM-mak

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

May you go in Allah'sprotection. (F)(Reply)

MA' as-sa-LAAM-at

Fee I-MAAN Al-LAH

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