Moving to Qatar? Whether you're here for work, family, or adventure, learning a few basic Arabic words can go a long way in daily life. This post covers two of the most useful tools in your Arabic toolbox: basic greetings and numbers.
Arabic is the official language of Qatar, and while many people speak English—especially in urban areas—it always leaves a good impression when expats use even a little Arabic in everyday situations.
Common Greetings in Arabic: More Than Just Hello
Arabic greetings go beyond simple hellos—they reflect hospitality, respect, and deep-rooted culture. The most common and widely accepted greeting is:
“السلام عليكم” (Assalaamu Alaikum) – Peace be upon you
The traditional and polite response is:
“وعليكم السلام” (Wa Alaikum Assalaam) – And peace be upon you too
Now explore some of the most common Arabic greetings below:
| Arabic Transliteration | English |
|---|---|
| Assalaamu alaikoum | Peace be upon you |
| Wa alaikoumu Ssalaam | Peace be upon you too |
| Sabahul Khair | Good Morning |
| Sabahun Noor | Morning of brightness |
| Masaaul Khair | Good Evening |
| Masaaun Noor | Evening of Brightness |
| Marhaban | Welcome, Hello |
| Ahlan wa Sahlan | Most Welcome |
| Kaif Al Hal Mohamed? | How are you Mohamed? |
| Kaif Al Hal Sara? | How are you Sara? |
| Bikhair wal Hamdu Lillaah | Fine, Thanks to God |
| Ma Assalaama | Goodbye (I leave you with peace) |
Polite Expressions Every Expat Should Know
Using polite Arabic words, even as a beginner, makes your interactions smoother and earns you a smile—especially in customer service, government offices, or daily errands.
Whether you’re saying please, thank you, or excuse me, these basic expressions are your toolkit for respectful communication.
Here are key polite expressions to use confidently in everyday situations:
| Arabic Transliteration | English |
|---|---|
| Low Samah’t (m) | Would you please |
| Low Samah’ti (f) | Would you please |
| Min Fadlik (m) | I beg your pardon |
| Min Fadliki (f) | I beg your pardon |
| Tafaddal (m) | Please sit down |
| Tafaddalee (f) | Please sit down |
| As’sayyid (m) | Sir/Mister |
| As’sayyida (f) | Madam/Mrs |
| Shukran | Thank you |
| Af ’wan | Sorry / Pardon |
Arabic Numbers: The Foundation of Daily Communication
Here’s something many people don’t know: the numbers we use every day—0, 1, 2, 3…—originated in the Arab world. During the Islamic Golden Age, Arab mathematicians developed the numerical system that later spread to Europe and the rest of the world.
Explore the full set of numbers and their Arabic transliterations below:
| Arabic Transliteration | English |
|---|---|
| Wahid | One |
| Ithnayn | Two |
| Thalatha | Three |
| Arba’a | Four |
| Khamsa | Five |
| Sitta | Six |
| Sab’a | Seven |
| Thamaniya | Eight |
| Tis’a | Nine |
| Ashara | Ten |
| Ahada Ashar | Eleven |
| Ith’na Ashar | Twelve |
| Thalathata Ashar | Thirteen |
| Arba’ata Ashar | Fourteen |
| Kham’sata Ashar | Fifteen |
| Sit’ta’ta Ashar | Sixteen |
| Sab’a’ta Ashar | Seventeen |
| Thamaniyata Ashar | Eighteen |
| Tis’ata Ashar | Nineteen |
| Ishroon | Twenty |
| Wahid wa Ishroon | Twenty One |
| Ith’naan wa Ishroon | Twenty Two |
| Thalatha wa Ishroon | Twenty Three |
| Thalathoon | Thirty |
| Arba’oon | Forty |
| Kham’soon | Fifty |
| Sit’toon | Sixty |
| Sab’oon | Seventy |
| Thamanoon | Eighty |
| Tiss’oon | Ninety |
| Mi’ah | One Hundred |
| Mi’atan | Two Hundred |
| Thalathu Mi’ah | Three Hundred |
| Alf | Thousand |
Summary: What You'll Learn in This Lesson
By the end of this post, you'll be able to greet others politely and respond appropriately, uUse polite expressions like “please” and “thank you” with confidence,and say Arabic numbers from 1 to 1000.
These are the first steps to navigating life in Qatar with ease and respect.
Next up: How to order food in Arabic and sound like a local at cafés and restaurants.
Would you like a printable version or practice worksheet for this lesson? Let me know in the comments!