Arabic Basic Courtesy and Social Phrases Jordanian (Amman Urban) (Page 1 of 3 pages)

How to use this phrase sheet: 1. Select the proper English phrase in the left-hand column. 2. Read the transliterated Arabic phrase in the middle column 3. If available, a Jordanian friend can read and help with pronouncing the Arabic text in the right-hand column (use the pointee-talkee method; simple, but works). NOTE: 1. Phrases are in Formal Spoken Arabic ("F" below) and the Jordanian regional dialect ("J" below). Literal/cultural meaning shown in parentheses. 2. CAPITALS indicate stress/emphasis in the pronunciation of words. May the peace be upon you. (F; traditional greeting) (And) May the peace be upon you (F; trad'tl reply) Good morning. (F; May you have a morning of goodness)(Greeting) Good morning. (F: May you have a morning of light)(Reply) May Allah greet you (F/J) May Allah keep you (reply) How are you? (formal; plural) (F; How is your condition) How are you? (J, plural, informal) (Lit: How is your color?) Praise be to Allah, fine. (F) Praise be to Allah, fine. (J) As-saLAAMU al-LAIKUM

Wa al-LAIKUM as-saLAAM

Sa-BAAH al-KHAIR

Sa-BAAH an-NOOR

High-YAAK Allah AB-QAAK Allah KAIF HAAL-ukum?

Ah-SHLOWN-akum?

Al-HAMdu-LILLAH, bi-KHAIR Bi-KHAIR, al-HAMDU li-LLAH

Arabic Basic Courtesy and Social Phrases (Jordanian - Amman Urban Dialect) (Page 2 of 3 pages.)
How is your family? (F) How are your children? (J) Allah willing, they are all well. KAIF al-AA'ila? KAIF al-eye-YAAL? In-SHA' Allah, KUL-hum bi-KHAIR

Praise be to Allah, they are all well. (Reply) Thank you. You are welcome. Please (accept/take this). (~= s'il vous plais; por favor) Good evening. (F; May you have an evening of goodness)(Greeting) Good evening. (F: May you have an evening of light)(Reply) Welcome. (You are welcomed as easily as one of the family.) (F; traditional greeting)

al-HAMDU-li-LLAH, Kuluhum bi-KHAIR Shoo-KRAAN Ahf-WAAN ta-FAD-dal-LOO (formal) (ta-FAD-dal)(informal) me-SAA' al-KHAIR

me-SAA' an-NOOR

AH-hal-lan wa SA-ha-laan

May Allah bless you (for your Al-LLAh yu-BAAR-ak FEE-kum kindness). (F; traditional reply) What is your name, please? (F) SHOO IS-muk, min FAD-lak??

Arabic Basic Courtesy and Social Phrases (Jordanian Amman Urban Dialect) (Page 3 of 3 pages)
You honor us (by making your acquaintance)(F) (1) ta-shar-RAFNAA (2) SHAR-raf-TOONAA

) ( ) ( ,

You are the honor to us (reply) Yes (F) Yes (J) No, sorry. (F) Perhaps; maybe; possibly. (J) Thank you very much. (F/J) Don't thank me for doing my duty (customary reply) Fine, OK, good (J) Don't worry about that (J) (lit: That doesn't concern you) Goodbye. (I leave you in Allah's safety)(F)(Departee) May you go in Allah's protection. (F)(Reply)

ENta al-SHAR-ef (1) NA'am (2) AYE-wah LAA, ma'a al-AASif MUM-kin; min al-MUM-kin shoo-KRAAN ja-ZEEL-aan LAA SHU-ker ala WAA-jib

TAI-yib; KWAY-is; JAY-id MAA yu-HIM-mak

MA' as-sa-LAAM-at

Fee I-MAAN Al-LAH

Provided to participants in Predeployment Training Training programs and related activities conducted under auspices of the U.S. Marine Corps Security Cooperation Group (MCSCG). Copyright 2013, Stephen H. Franke, LREC & Operational Culture SME/Advisor/Trainer, Defense Training Services. All rights reserved.