Speaking Arabic in Jordan
Essential phrases to connect with locals and navigate the kingdom with confidence
Arabic is the official language of Jordan, and while English is taught in schools and spoken in tourist areas, learning a few key phrases in Arabic will transform your travel experience. Jordanians are incredibly warm and welcoming, and your effort to speak their language—however basic—will be met with genuine appreciation and often lead to unforgettable encounters.
The moment I said 'Ahlan wa sahlan' to my taxi driver in Amman, his whole face lit up. He spent the entire ride teaching me phrases and ended up taking me to his family's favorite hummus spot—not on any tourist map!
Essential Greetings & Pleasantries
English | Arabic | Pronunciation | When to Use | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 👋 | Hello/Welcome | أهلاً وسهلاً | Ahlan wa sahlan | Universal greeting, very warm |
| ☮️ | Peace be upon you | السلام عليكم | As-salamu alaykum | Traditional Islamic greeting |
| 🌅 | Good morning | صباح الخير | Sabah al-khayr | Until late morning |
| 🌆 | Good evening | مساء الخير | Masa al-khayr | After 6 PM |
| 😊 | How are you? | كيف حالك؟ | Kayf halak? | To a male; kayf halik to female |
| 🙏 | Thank you | شكراً | Shukran | Essential for any interaction |
Getting Around & Directions
English | Arabic | Pronunciation | Context | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🗺️ | Where is...? | وين...؟ | Wayn...? | Most useful phrase for tourists |
| 💰 | How much? | كم؟ | Kam? | Essential for taxis and shopping |
| 🤷 | I don't understand | ما بفهم | Ma bafham | Honest and helpful to say |
| 🗣️ | Do you speak English? | بتحكي إنجليزي؟ | Bitehki ingleezi? | Polite way to ask |
| 🤲 | Please | من فضلك | Min fadlak | Shows respect |
| 🙋 | Excuse me | عفواً | Afwan | To get attention politely |
Shopping & Dining
English | Arabic | Pronunciation | Situation | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 👆 | I want this | بدي هاي | Bidi hay | Pointing while shopping |
| 🧾 | The bill, please | الفاتورة، من فضلك | Al-fatura, min fadlak | Restaurants and cafes |
| 😋 | Very delicious | زاكي كتير | Zaki kteer | Compliment the food |
| 💸 | Too expensive | غالي كتير | Ghali kteer | Gentle bargaining |
| 🤝 | Final price? | آخر سعر؟ | Akher se'er? | Closing a deal |
| 🚫 | No, thank you | لا، شكراً | La, shukran | Polite refusal |
اللي ما عنده قرش، يربي نفسه
Emergency & Important Phrases
English | Arabic | Pronunciation | Urgency | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🆘 | Help! | مساعدة! | Musa'ada! | Emergency situations |
| 👨⚕️ | I need a doctor | بدي دكتور | Bidi duktoor | Medical emergency |
| 👮 | Call the police | اتصل بالشرطة | Itsil bil shurta | Security issues |
| 🧭 | I'm lost | أنا تايه | Ana tayeh | When you need directions |
| 🚻 | Where's the bathroom? | وين الحمام؟ | Wayn al-hammam? | Universal need |
| ⚠️ | I'm allergic to... | عندي حساسية من | Indi hassasiyeh min | Food allergies |
Numbers & Time
Number | Arabic | Pronunciation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1️⃣1 | واحد | Wahad | |
| 2️⃣2 | اثنين | Ithneen | |
| 3️⃣3 | ثلاثة | Thalatha | |
| 5️⃣5 | خمسة | Khamsa | |
| 🔟10 | عشرة | Ashara | |
| 💯100 | مية | Miyeh |
When I learned to count in Arabic at the spice market in Salt, the vendor was so impressed he gave me a free sample of za'atar and spent twenty minutes teaching me about different spices. It turned a simple purchase into a cultural exchange!
Regional Variations & Local Expressions
Jordan's Arabic has its own character, influenced by Bedouin traditions and neighboring countries. In southern Jordan, you might hear more Bedouin expressions, while Amman has more cosmopolitan language mixing. Don't be surprised if different regions have slight variations in dialect—it's all part of Jordan's rich linguistic tapestry.
Expression | Arabic | Meaning | Usage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏃 | Yalla | يلا | Let's go/Come on | Universal encouragement |
| 🎉 | Mabrouk | مبروك | Congratulations | Any happy occasion |
| ✨ | Mashallah | ما شاء الله | What God has willed | Admiration/protection from evil eye |
| 💝 | Habibi/Habibti | حبيبي/حبيبتي | My dear (friend) | Friendly address |
| ✅ | Khalas | خلاص | Finished/Enough | End of discussion |
| 🤧 | Sahha | صحة | Bless you | After sneezing |