It’s hard to generalize about such a multifaceted swath of the world, but suffice to say that certain commonplaces apply across the Muslim parts of the region (extreme modesty, politeness, and hospitality) that have no bearing on the rest. Don’t, for example, expect any ceremony from your cab driver or business associate in Israel. Compared with that other global tongue—English—the Arabic language is at the same time more uniform (books and newscasts across the region are in the Standard style) and far more diverse (dialects diverge almost into entirely different languages, each with its own pronunciation, vowels, and sometimes even grammar). Too much Standard Arabic will make you seem ridiculously formal, while speaking Gulf Arabic in Egypt will summon nothing but blank stares. When in doubt, do as the Egyptians do—it’s their pop culture that dominates the rest of the Middle East, so they’re most likely to be understood.
A Note on the Details: Variations in Arabic dialects can get complicated fast, but essential greetings are fairly standard. Still, we’ve done our best to note the differences in how phrases sound in Dubai, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. In Israel, English will do in many situations, and in South Africa you can pretty much use it anywhere. The Afrikaans we’ve provided is most useful outside the big cities, especially in the Afrikaner–dominated west.
DUBAI
Hello Formal: Assalaamu alaykom, sometimes assalaam wa rahma, or simply salaam. Less formal: Marhaba, followed by kaif halak (“how are you?”). When one Arab greets another, the usual gender rules apply—only more so. Gulf Arabs get close: kisses between women and sometimes nose touches for the men. Handshakes may be followed by a right palm pressed to the heart, to express the strength of the bond. But this physicality stays within genders. “Kissing the opposite sex is not even an option,” says travel writer Mohamed El Hebeishy, who grew up in Egypt and now lives in Dubai. “And do not be the first to reach out for a handshake.”
Hello Formal: Assalaamu alaykom, sometimes assalaam wa rahma, or simply salaam. Less formal: Marhaba, followed by kaif halak (“how are you?”). When one Arab greets another, the usual gender rules apply—only more so. Gulf Arabs get close: kisses between women and sometimes nose touches for the men. Handshakes may be followed by a right palm pressed to the heart, to express the strength of the bond. But this physicality stays within genders. “Kissing the opposite sex is not even an option,” says travel writer Mohamed El Hebeishy, who grew up in Egypt and now lives in Dubai. “And do not be the first to reach out for a handshake.”
Good–bye Ma’assalama or, if you’re the one staying, allah yesalemek. Salaam is also common.
Thank you Shukran (add jazilan for “very much”)—but hayak Allah (which also means “you’re welcome”) is more commonly heard in Dubai.
Excuse me A’afwaan as a light apology; ismahli to get someone’s attention (ismahili to women). For “I didn’t catch that,” low smaht (to a man) or low smahti (to a woman).
Help me Mumkin tesa’adni (tesa’ade’ani if you’re a woman).
Please Men fadlek (to men) or men fadlik (to women).
EGYPT
Hello Assalaamu alaykum; for extra credit, change the suffix to ka for one man, ki for one woman); salaam in more everyday situations; or marhaba, especially if you don’t know the other person’s religion (Coptic Christians generally prefer it). Within genders, close physical contact is the norm, so don’t be shocked by a kiss on the cheek, a hand tapping the shoulder, or even a hug. Handshakes are standard but tend to be much gentler than the American variety. Across genders they’re inadvisable, and the more veiled the woman, the less likely she’ll want to shake a man’s hand. Just nod and smile. (And never offer your left hand, which is considered unclean.) Keep others from seeing the palm of your hand when hailing someone, or the soles of your feet when seated at a meeting—both could be insults.
Hello Assalaamu alaykum; for extra credit, change the suffix to ka for one man, ki for one woman); salaam in more everyday situations; or marhaba, especially if you don’t know the other person’s religion (Coptic Christians generally prefer it). Within genders, close physical contact is the norm, so don’t be shocked by a kiss on the cheek, a hand tapping the shoulder, or even a hug. Handshakes are standard but tend to be much gentler than the American variety. Across genders they’re inadvisable, and the more veiled the woman, the less likely she’ll want to shake a man’s hand. Just nod and smile. (And never offer your left hand, which is considered unclean.) Keep others from seeing the palm of your hand when hailing someone, or the soles of your feet when seated at a meeting—both could be insults.
Good–bye Ma’assalaamah, or just salaam.
Thank you Shukran (add jazilan for “very much”); less formally, mishakeer if you’re male or mishakeera if you’re female. Or on very special occasions, baraka allahu feek (“God bless you”).
Excuse me Asef as a light apology (with the prefix al–, it means “you’re welcome” as a simple response to shukran). To politely get someone’s attention, low samaht to a man, samahti to a woman, samahtu to a group. Lamuakhza or baad eznak just to pass by someone.
Help me Tesa’idni is simplest, but the full phrase would be: low samaht, mumkin it–sa’idni to a man (idini to a woman); el ha’uni for emergencies.
Please Min fadlek (to men), min fadlik (to women), min fadloku (to a group).
ISRAEL
Hello/Good–bye Shalom. Alternatively, boker tov (“good morning”); achar tzahara’im tovim (“good afternoon”); erev tov (“good evening”). Even though most Israelis know a good deal of English, “an attempt to speak Hebrew is always appreciated,” says Nancy Schwartzman, director of the Israel–set documentary The Line.
Hello/Good–bye Shalom. Alternatively, boker tov (“good morning”); achar tzahara’im tovim (“good afternoon”); erev tov (“good evening”). Even though most Israelis know a good deal of English, “an attempt to speak Hebrew is always appreciated,” says Nancy Schwartzman, director of the Israel–set documentary The Line.
Thank you Todah, or todah rabah for “Thank you very much.”
Excuse me To apologize, use ani mitzta’er for men and ani mitzta’eret for women. For everything else—when trying to get the attention of a waiter or shopkeeper, for example, or to signal someone to step out of your way—slicha (with a hard h sound) is common.
Help me Tuchal la’azor li? (“Can you help me?”), or, in an emergency, hatzilu!
Please B’vakasha, which also means “you’re welcome.” Tack it on to the end of a request.
By: CONDÉ NAST TRAVELER WORLDWIDE
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