Essential Arabic phrases

The words that make your first weeks in Doha smoother — with pronunciation you can actually say.

Greetings

مرحبا
mar-ha-ba
Hello
السلام عليكم
as-salamu alaykum
Peace be upon you (formal hello)
شكراً
shuk-ran
Thank you
من فضلك
min fad-lak
Please
عفواً
afwan
You're welcome / excuse me

Daily life

كم السعر؟
kam as-si'r
How much?
أين الحمام؟
ayna al-hammam
Where's the restroom?

Food

الحساب من فضلك
al-hisab min fadlak
The bill, please
ماء
maa
Water

Work

إن شاء الله
in-sha-allah
God willing / hopefully
اجتماع
ijtimaa
Meeting

Emergency

مساعدة
musa'ada
Help

Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.

Actually learn to speak Doha’s language

Globe Quest drills these with spaced repetition and a patient AI tutor you can practice with by voice — a few minutes a day. Free to start.