Whilst Arabic is the official language of the UAE, given the large expatriate population, English is widely spoken and is commonly used in business and commerce. Roads and street signs in Dubai are in both Arabic and English. Meanwhile public services such as the telephone operator allow you to choose between the two languages.

While a visitor and Dubai resident need not learn Arabic, below are some words, phrases and numbers that may come in handy.

Useful Words, Phrases and Numbers:

Everyday Phrases
Greeting	Assalam Alaikum
Greeting (in reply)	Walaikum Assalam
Hello	Marhaba
Hello (in reply)	Ahlain
Goodbye	Ma’a Salama
How are you?	Keef Halak/ Halek? (male/female)
Fine, Praise be to God	Al Hamdu Lillah
Good Morning	Sabah Al Khair
Good Evening	Masaa Al Khair
OK	Tayeb
Yes	Na'am
No	La
God willing	Insha Allah
Excuse Me	Lao Samaht/ Samahti (male/female)
Please	Min Fadlak/Fadlik (male/female)
How much?	Kam?
How much is this?	Kam Hada?
Where are you from?	Min Fain Inta?
Do you speak English?	Tet Kalam Ingleezi?
What is your name?	Shoo Ismak/ Ismik? (male/female)
My name is...	Ismi...
Thank you	Shukran
I am sorry	Mut ‘assef
Wait a moment	Lahtha Shway
Let’s go/ come on	Yallah
Enough	Bas
Finished	Khallass
None, nothing	Mafee
Money	Feloos
Coffee	Qahwah
Sugar	Sokkar
Salt	Melh
Water	Mauy
Tea	Shay
Milk	Haleeb
Car	Sayyara
Hotel	Fon doq
Restaurant	Mata’am
Airport	Mataar
Airplane	Tayarah
Straignt on	Seeda
Slow down	Shway Shway
Left	Yasaar
Right	Yameen
Stop	Qif
Roundabout	Duwaar

Numbers
0 Zero	Sifir
1 One	Wahid
2 Two	Ithnain
3 Three	Thalatha
4 Four	Arba'
5 Five	Khamsa
6 Six	Sitta
7 Seven	Saba'
8 Eight	Thamania
9 Nine	Tisa'
10 Ten	Ashra
20 Twenty	Ishreen
30 Thirty	Thala theen
40 Forty	Arba een
50 Fifty	Khamseen
60 Sixty	Sitteen
70 Seventy	Sab een
80 Eighty	Thama neen
90 Ninety	Tis een
100 Hundred	Miyya