Getting around
مترو
المحطة القادمة.
Next station.
You hear this when the doors close or the next stop is called. It is written down too, so a missed word does not end the ride.
Dubai
United Arab Emirates
Dubai grew from a creek port into a city that now stretches far inland.
How the language is used
Arabic is the official language. In shops and workplaces, a large share of daily life uses English. Arabic is not what everyone speaks.
In this city
- Language
- Arabic
- Also heard
- English, Hindi and Urdu
- A local word
- السلام عليكم — Hello.
- Writing
- the Arabic script
What people say
Ordinary lines from this city: the ride, the counter, the food, and the greeting.
The counter
مول
كم السعر؟
How much is it?
This line is a whole order. You do not need a longer sentence.
Food
مقهى
قهوة، لو سمحت.
One coffee, please.
The order is built in short pieces like this one.
The street
شارع
السلام عليكم.
Hello.
People keep this line short. It is enough for the moment.
The language through the day
Arabic is the official language. In shops and workplaces you also hear English, Hindi and Urdu.
Around the Creek, Deira, Downtown, this is the ordinary sound of the day.
A first day in Dubai can run on four lines: “المحطة القادمة.”, “كم السعر؟”, “قهوة، لو سمحت.”, and “السلام عليكم.”. Each one is already a complete moment.
If you are new here
- Stops, prices, and shop signs are written in the Arabic script.
- A greeting comes before the order. A polite request adds a word for please.
- If a spoken line goes past you, read the screen or the board. In Dubai, the stop and the price are written down.
One local word: السلام عليكم. It means Hello..
Places you can see
- Al Fahidi — The historic wind-tower district beside the creek.
- Dubai Creek — The inlet where wooden dhows and small abras still cross.
- Museum of the Future — A ring-shaped building on Sheikh Zayed Road. You can read the city from its form on the street.
Food
Shawarma stands sit near South Asian thalis, and an Emirati breakfast may include balaleet.
Getting around
The metro follows the main road spine. You can cross the creek by abra.
Daily life
Many workplaces run in English. Arabic is on official signs and in government and Emirati homes.
A few everyday phrases
Arabic
| Phrase | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| مرحبًا | Marḥaban | Hello |
| شكرًا | Shukran | Thank you |
| صباح الخير | Ṣabāḥ al-khayr | Good morning |
| اسمي… | Ismī… | My name is… |
