Speak Your Way Through Jordan & Israel
Essential Arabic & Hebrew phrases that open doors and hearts
Navigating two countries, two scripts, and multiple languages might seem daunting, but even basic phrases in Arabic and Hebrew will transform your travel experience. In Jordan, Arabic is the official language, while Israel uses both Hebrew and Arabic. English is widely understood in tourist areas, but locals genuinely appreciate when visitors make an effort to speak their language.
Whether you're bargaining in Amman's souks, ordering hummus in Tel Aviv, or asking for directions to Petra, these essential phrases will help you connect with locals and navigate your journey with confidence.
When I started saying 'As-salāmu ʿalaykum' instead of just 'hello' in Jordan, shop owners would light up and often invite me for tea. That simple phrase opened so many doors to genuine conversations and cultural exchanges I never would have had otherwise.
English | Arabic (Jordan) | Hebrew (Israel) | When to Use | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🤝 | Hello | As-salāmu ʿalaykum | Shalom | Universal greeting |
| 👋 | Goodbye | Maʿa salāma | Shalom / Lehitra'ot | Departing/formal farewell |
| 🙏 | Thank you | Shukran | Toda | Expressing gratitude |
| 😊 | You're welcome | ʿAfwan | Bevakasha | Responding to thanks |
| 🙇 | Excuse me/Sorry | ʿAfw / Āsif | Slicha | Getting attention/apologizing |
| 👍 | Please | Min fadlik | Bevakasha | Making requests |
Getting Around & Directions
Whether you're navigating the narrow streets of Jerusalem's Old City or finding your way through Amman, these phrases will help you get where you need to go. Don't be shy about asking for directions – locals are typically very helpful to travelers.
English | Arabic | Hebrew | Pronunciation Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 📍 | Where is...? | Ayn...? | Eifo...? | AH-yen / AY-fo |
| 🚶 | How do I get to...? | Kayf aṣil ilā...? | Eich ani magi'a le...? | KAY-ef ah-SEEL / AY-kh AH-nee |
| ⬅️ | Left | Yasār | Smola | ya-SAHR / smo-LAH |
| ➡️ | Right | Yamīn | Yamina | ya-MEEN / ya-MEE-nah |
| ⬆️ | Straight | ʿAlā ṭūl | Yashar | ah-LAH tool / ya-SHAR |
| 🚌 | Bus station | Maḥaṭṭat al-bāṣ | Tachana merkazit | ma-HAH-taht / ta-kha-NAH |
Food & Dining
Food is central to both Jordanian and Israeli culture, and knowing how to navigate menus and express preferences will enhance your culinary adventures. From street food to fine dining, these phrases cover your dining needs.
English | Arabic | Hebrew | Context | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🍽️ | Menu, please | Al-qā'ima, min fadlik | Tafrit, bevakasha | Requesting menu |
| 💰 | How much? | Bikam? | Kama ze ole? | Asking prices |
| 💧 | Water | Māʾ | Mayim | Essential request |
| 🥤 | Tea/Coffee | Shāy/Qahwa | Te/Kafe | Popular beverages |
| 🌶️ | Not spicy | Mish ḥārr | Lo charif | Dietary preference |
| 🥩 | No meat | Bidūn laḥm | Bli basar | Vegetarian option |
| ✋ | I'm full | Anā shabʿān | Ani save'a | After eating |
Sahtein! (To your health!)
Shopping & Bargaining
Shopping in Middle Eastern markets is an art form, and bargaining is expected in traditional souks. These phrases will help you navigate the experience while showing respect for local customs.
English | Arabic | Hebrew | Shopping Context | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏷️ | How much is this? | Bikam hādhā? | Kama ze ole? | Starting negotiation |
| 💸 | Too expensive | Ghālī kathīr | Yakar midai | Bargaining phrase |
| 🤝 | Final price? | Ākhir siʿr? | Mechir acharon? | Closing negotiation |
| 👀 | Just looking | Anā bas ʿam atfarraj | Rak mistakel | Browsing politely |
| 💳 | Credit card? | Kart? | Kartis ashrai? | Payment method |
| 🚶♂️ | I'll think about it | Ḥafakkir fīhā | Achashev al ze | Polite exit strategy |
Emergency & Medical
While we hope you'll never need them, these essential emergency phrases could be crucial. Emergency services in both countries have English-speaking operators, but local phrases can help in immediate situations.
English | Arabic | Hebrew | Emergency Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🚨 | Help! | Musāʿada! | Ezra! | Urgent assistance |
| 👨⚕️ | Doctor | Ṭabīb | Rofe | Medical help |
| 🏥 | Hospital | Mustashfā | Beit cholim | Medical facility |
| 👮 | Police | Shurṭa | Mishtara | Law enforcement |
| 🤒 | I'm sick | Anā marīḍ | Ani chole | Health issue |
| 📞 | Call the police | Ittiṣil bil-shurṭa | Tikra la-mishtara | Emergency request |
Numbers & Time
Understanding basic numbers and time expressions will help with everything from checking prices to understanding bus schedules and making appointments.
Number | Arabic | Hebrew | Common Uses | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1️⃣ | 1 | Wāḥid | Echad | Prices, quantities |
| 2️⃣ | 2 | Ithnān | Shtayim | Dual items |
| 3️⃣ | 3 | Thalātha | Shalosh | Time, groups |
| 5️⃣ | 5 | Khamsa | Chamesh | Common amounts |
| 🔟 | 10 | ʿAshara | Eser | Larger quantities |
| 💯 | 100 | Mi'a | Me'a | Prices, distances |
Cultural Expressions
Beyond basic communication, learning these cultural expressions shows respect for local traditions and can lead to warmer interactions with locals.
Expression | Arabic | Hebrew | Cultural Context | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🙏 | God willing | Inshāʾ Allah | Im yirtzeh Hashem | Future plans |
| 🎉 | Congratulations | Mabrūk | Mazal tov | Celebrations |
| 🏡 | Welcome | Ahlan wa sahlan | Baruch haba | Hospitality |
| 🤲 | Bless you | Yarḥamuk Allah | La-briut | After sneezing |
| 💪 | Good luck | Bi't-tawfīq | Behatzlacha | Encouragement |
| 🌙 | Good evening | Masāʾ al-khayr | Erev tov | Evening greetings |
Learning to say 'Inshā'Allah' properly was a game-changer in Jordan. When discussing plans or appointments, locals would visibly relax when I used this phrase. It shows you understand that not everything is within human control – a deeply important concept in Arab culture.
Script Recognition
While you don't need to read Arabic or Hebrew fluently, recognizing key words in their original scripts can help with navigation, especially for restrooms, entrances, and common signage.
English | Arabic Script | Hebrew Script | Where You'll See It | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🚽 | Toilet/Restroom | حمام | שירותים | Public facilities |
| 🚪 | Entrance | مدخل | כניסה | Buildings, attractions |
| 🚪 | Exit | مخرج | יציאה | Emergency, buildings |
| 🚫 | Closed | مغلق | סגור | Shops, attractions |
| ✅ | Open | مفتوح | פתוח | Business hours |
| 🏪 | Pharmacy | صيدلية | בית מרקחת | Medical needs |
Practice Tips
Learning a few phrases is just the beginning. Here are practical ways to build confidence and improve your pronunciation before and during your trip.
Before You Go:
- Use language apps like Duolingo for basic Arabic and Hebrew
- Watch YouTube videos for pronunciation guides
- Practice with Arabic/Hebrew speaking communities in your area
- Learn common gestures – they're often as important as words
During Your Trip:
- Start with simple greetings and build confidence
- Don't worry about making mistakes – effort is appreciated
- Ask locals to teach you new phrases
- Keep a small phrasebook or phone app handy
- Practice numbers when shopping
Remember: Most people in tourist areas speak some English, but using local phrases shows respect and often leads to better experiences, friendlier service, and genuine cultural connections.