Emirati Arabic
How to say how are you in Arabic (Emirati)
The question that follows every hello in the UAE, and the answer everyone gives.
-
Ish7aalik?
اشحالك؟
How are you?
The Emirati way to ask. You will hear it constantly.
-
Kaif al oumor?
كيف الأمور؟
How are things going?
A relaxed way to ask how things are.
-
Il 7amdilellah bikhair
الحمدلله بخير
Fine, thank God
The usual reply.
How to pronounce it
- 7 is the Arabic letter ح. It is a strong, breathy h from the back of the throat, like breathing on glasses to clean them.
- kh (sometimes written 5) is the Arabic letter خ. It is the rough sound at the end of the Scottish "loch".
Speak Emirati Arabic like a local
Go from single words to real conversations at work, in shops and with neighbours.
Or get 35 Emirati phrases free