Which Arabic phrases are useful in Saudi Arabia?

Everyday Saudi Arabic phrases for greetings, shopping, directions, food, emergencies and pilgrimage, with pronunciation, listen buttons and a quick quiz.

Checked against official sources: November 2026

Independent guide, not a government website.

visitsaudi.com · nusuk.sa · absher.sa

What is special about Saudi Arabic?

Saudi Arabia has several dialects, and Najdi and Hejazi are the most common. Standard Arabic is understood everywhere. Saudis tend to say abgha for "I want", and wayn for "where". Do not worry about getting it perfect. Any effort is welcomed.

Saudi Arabic phrasebook

السلام عليكم

as-salamu alaykum

Peace be upon you (hello)

وعليكم السلام

wa alaykum as-salam

And upon you peace (reply)

هلا

hala

حياك الله

hayyak allah

Welcome

صباح الخير

sabah al-khayr

Good morning

مساء الخير

masa al-khayr

Good evening

كيفك؟

kayfak? / kayfik?

How are you? (to a man / woman)

وش أخبارك؟

wesh akhbarak?

What's new?

الحمد لله

al-hamdu lillah

Praise God (I'm fine)

مع السلامة

ma'a as-salama

Goodbye

شكرًا

shukran

Thank you

يعطيك العافية

ya'tik al-afya

Bless you for your effort (thanks)

لو سمحت

law samaht

Excuse me / please

عفوًا

afwan

You're welcome / sorry

إن شاء الله

in sha allah

God willing

ما شاء الله

ma sha allah

Said in admiration

إيه

eeh

Yes

لا

ما أتكلم عربي

ma atkallam arabi

I don't speak Arabic

واحد

wahid

One (١)

اثنين

ithnayn

Two (٢)

ثلاثة

thalatha

Three (٣)

أربعة

arba'a

Four (٤)

خمسة

khamsa

Five (٥)

عشرة

ashara

Ten (١٠)

عشرين

ishreen

Twenty (٢٠)

خمسين

khamseen

Fifty (٥٠)

مية

miyya

One hundred (١٠٠)

بكم هذا؟

bikam hadha?

How much is this?

أبغى هذا

abgha hadha

I want this

غالي

ghali

Expensive

فيه تخفيض؟

fih takhfeed?

Is there a discount?

آخر سعر؟

akhir si'r?

Final price?

أقدر أدفع بالبطاقة؟

agdar adfa bil-bitaga?

Can I pay by card?

وين الحمام؟

wayn al-hammam?

Where is the toilet?

يمين

yameen

Right

يسار

yasar

Left

سيدا

seeda

Straight on

وقف هنا

waggif hina

Stop here

المطار

al-matar

The airport

الفندق

al-funduq

The hotel

قريب؟

gareeb?

Is it near?

بعيد

ba'eed

Far

مويه

moya

Water

قهوة

gahwa

Coffee

شاهي

shahi

Tea

بدون سكر

bidoon sukkar

No sugar

بدون لحم

bidoon lahm

No meat

لذيذ

ladheedh

Delicious

الحساب لو سمحت

al-hisab law samaht

The bill, please

ساعدني

sa'idni

Help me

أبغى دكتور

abgha daktor

I need a doctor

وين المستشفى؟

wayn al-mustashfa?

Where is the hospital?

وين الصيدلية؟

wayn as-saydaliyya?

Where is the pharmacy?

ضعت

dhi't

I am lost

نادي الشرطة

nadi ash-shurta

Call the police

لبيك اللهم لبيك

labbayk allahumma labbayk

Here I am, O God (Talbiyah)

وين باب الملك فهد؟

wayn bab al-malik fahd?

Where is King Fahd Gate?

أبغى كرسي متحرك

abgha kursi mutaharrik

I need a wheelchair

وين مصلى النساء؟

wayn musalla an-nisa?

Where is the women's prayer area?

تقبل الله

taqabbal allah

May God accept (your worship)

ماء زمزم

ma zamzam

Zamzam water

Common questions

Do people speak English in Saudi Arabia?

Widely in hotels, malls, airports and among younger people. Basic Arabic helps with drivers, in small shops and in rural areas.

Official sources

Visit Saudi