Basic Words

1. نعم

   naʿam

   Yes

   Usage

   The basic yes. Often enough on its own to keep a transaction moving

2. لا

   lā

   No

   Usage

   The basic no. Pair it with a head shake to make refusal unmistakable

3. من فضلك

   min faḍlak

   Please

   Usage

   Add it to any request, including when you order by pointing at something

   Grammar Note

   To a woman it becomes من فضلكِ (min fadliki), with the final vowel pronounced -i.

4. شكراً

   shukran

   Thank you

   Usage

   For anything you receive or any help you get. The single most-used word of a trip

5. لو سمحت

   law samaḥt

   Excuse me

   Usage

   To get a stranger's or staff member's attention, or to squeeze past someone

6. آسف

   āsif

   Sorry

   Usage

   An actual apology after bumping into someone or making a mistake, not for getting attention

   Grammar Note

   A female speaker says آسفة (aasifa); the adjective agrees with the speaker's gender.

7. لا بأس

   lā bas

   It's OK / I'm fine

   Usage

   Both "no harm done" when someone apologises and a soft "no thanks" to an offer

8. لا أفهم

   lā afham

   I don't understand

   Usage

   When you did not follow what was said. It usually prompts the other person to rephrase

9. فهمت

   fahimtu

   I understand

   Usage

   Confirms the explanation landed. Clearer than just nodding

10. انتهيت

    intahaytu

    I'm finished / Done

    Usage

    Signals a meal, payment or procedure is complete — also used to have plates cleared

11. انتظر من فضلك

    intaẓir min faḍlak

    Please wait

    Usage

    To ask someone to hold on while you dig out luggage or paperwork

12. لحظة من فضلك

    laḥẓa min faḍlak

    Just a moment

    Usage

    A lighter, shorter hold-on for a brief pause at a till or before a photo

13. بالغ واحد من فضلك

    bāligh wāḥid min faḍlak

    One adult, please

    Usage

    For ticket desks and entrances where adult and child prices differ

14. ليس لدي حجز

    laysa ladayya ḥajz

    I don't have a reservation

    Usage

    The first thing to say when walking into a restaurant or hotel without booking

15. لدي حجز

    ladayya ḥajz

    I have a reservation

    Usage

    Say it on arrival, then give your name to speed things up

16. ساعدني من فضلك

    sāʿidnī min faḍlak

    Please help me

    Usage

    For trouble or an emergency. It is fine to say this loudly

17. مرة أخرى من فضلك

    marra ukhrā min faḍlak

    Once more, please

    Usage

    When you missed what was said — handy for prices and room numbers

18. تكلم ببطء من فضلك

    takallam bi-buṭʾ min faḍlak

    Please speak slowly

    Usage

    When the speed is the problem. Works well combined with "once more"

19. أتكلم قليلاً

    atakallam qalīlan

    I speak a little

    Usage

    Sets expectations early so the other person switches to simpler wording

20. هل تتكلم الإنجليزية؟

    hal tatakallam al-injlīziyya?

    Do you speak English?

    Usage

    Your fallback when communication stalls. Usually works at hotels and airports

    Grammar Note

    To a woman the verb becomes تتكلمين (tatakallameen).

21. هذا

    hādhā

    This

    Usage

    Points at something in front of you; feminine nouns take hādhihi

22. ذلك

    dhālika

    That

    Usage

    Arabic deixis has only two levels, so this one word covers both that and that-over-there

23. هنا

    hunā

    Here

    Usage

    Points at this spot; also used on a map

24. هناك

    hunāk

    There

    Usage

    Points at a spot away from you; Arabic does not split there and over-there

25. أنا

    anā

    I, me

    Usage

    Shown to make clear you mean yourself

26. أنت

    anta / anti

    You

    Usage

    Points at the other person; the spelling is the same for both genders, only the reading changes

27. معاً

    maʿan

    Together

    Usage

    Shown when proposing to go or sit together

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