Arabic/Being Polite
Being polite is important. It is rather simple to be polite in Arabic. Just learn some of these and use them, at the right time. And remember a few golden rules.
- If you refuse a gift, an Arab will insist that you take it (This insisting and refusing can go on for up to a minute, between Arabs). So if an Arab offers you meat, and you are a vegetarian, either eat it or have a good excuse (medical excuses are often acceptable).
أهلا
ahlan
ah-lan
Hello
It means more than hello, but its usage is very similar to hello.
*السلام عليكم
al_salaamu `alaykum
as-sa-laa-mu-`a-lay-kum
Peace be upon you.
This is a very common greeting, although its usage is approved religiously. It is very common among Muslims; even muslims who understand no Arabic attempt to say it, whenever greeting someone. It's always better to say this greeting.
*مع السلامة
ma`a al_salaamah(-ti)
ma-`as-sa-laa-mah
with peace
Only said when leaving someone. If you said this when you just met someone, it would seem awkward.
الله يسلمك
allahu salmik(a/i)
aL-laa-hu-sal-mik
(May) God keep you in peace.
Often a reply to مع السلامة (ma`a alsalaamah).
أهلا وسهلا
ahlan wa sahlan
ah-lan-wa-sah-lan
Usage: Expressing great happiness at seeing someone.
وداعا
wa-daa-`an
bye
شكرا
shukran
shuk-ran
thanks
شكرا لك
shukran
shuk-ran-lak(a/i)
thank you
شكرا جزيلا
shukran jazeelan
shuk-ran-ja-zee-lan
thanks a lot
Note this is not the sarcastic usage in Arabic.
من فضلك
min faDlik(a/i)
min-faD-lik
please
أرجوك
arjook(a/i)
ar-jook
I'm begging you.
تفضل
tafaDDal
ta-faD-Dal
Please help yourself (when speaking to a man).
تفضلي
tafaDDalee
ta-faD-Da-lee
Please help yourself (when speaking to a woman).
تفضلوا
tafaDDaloo
ta-faD-Da-loo
Same as above but when talking to a group, as long as the group is not all female.
كيف حالك
kayfa Haaluk
kay-fa-Haa-luk
How are you doing?
You must know this saying, every Arab asks every other Arab of the same gender and his son this question.
بـخيـر
bikhair
bi-khair
fine
Only used when answering "How are you doing?"
الـحمد لله
al_Hamdu lillaah
al-Ham-du-lil-Laah
Thank God.
Of course its meaning is not that simple.
Often used to answer "كيف حالك؟ ", and said when good news is heard (like a relative passed their final exam).
Literally it means: Praise be to God, that is, when answering the above questions with al-Ham-du-lil-Laah, you're praising God for the goodness received.
مرحبا
MarHabaan
"Hello", when talking to anyone