Modern Standard Arabic (MSA)
Basic Travel Phrases
Traveling to a foreign country can be a daunting task, especially if you cannot speak the language. Here are some basic travel phrases that should help you out if you are traveling in an Arabic speaking country. Keep in mind that many of these countries speak in dialects that can vary greatly, however this guide is given in fus-ha (modern standard Arabic).
Introducing Yourself/Saying Goodbye
| Hello | اهلا وسهلا | aH-lan wa saH-lan |
| How are you? | كيف الحال؟ | Kaifa al-hal? |
| I’m fine | أنا بخير | Ana bikh-haer |
| Thank you | شكرا | Shou-kran |
| Goodbye | مع السلامة | Ma salama |
Basic Travel Questions/Phrases
| Where is…? | اين…؟ | Ayna…? |
| How much is…? | كم…؟ | Kem…? |
| I want to go to… | اريد ان اذهب الى… | Oo-reed an ath-heb eela… |
| Are there any ____ nearby? | هل هناك ____ قريب من هنا؟ | Hal hoo-nak ____ qa-reeb min hoona? |
| How do you say…? | كيف تقول____؟ | Kaifa ta-kool____? |
| Do you speak English? | هل تتحدث الإنجليزية؟ | Hal ta-tahadith al-inj-leezia? |
Basic Travel Vocabulary
| Airport | مطار | ma-Taar |
| Plane | طائرة | Taa-i’-ra |
| Bus | حافلة | haa-fila |
| Train | قطار | qa-Taar |
| Taxi | طقسي | tak-see |
| Car | سيارة | see-yara |
| Tickets | تذاكر | ta-thaa-kir |
| Station | محطة | mu-hiTa |
| Bathroom | حمام | ha-maam |
| Restaurant | مطعم | maT-aam |
| Hotel | فندق | foon-dook |
| Money | فلوس | fu-loos |
| Water | ماء | ma’ |
| Coffee | قهوة | kaH-hua |
This video below provides a guide on how to pronounce these travel words. It does cover some vocabulary that I did not mention above, however for the sake of improving pronunciation, it is important to listen to how native speakers say these words! Enjoy!
