With Ramadan 2022 starting on Saturday 2 April in Saudi Arabia, now is a good time to learn some essential Arabic phrases.
Time Out Riyadh has compiled a guide covering everything from iftar to Ramadan Kareem – a greeting that you might hear around during the 29 or 30 days of fasting.
You might like: Everything you need to know about Ramadan in Saudi Arabia
By the time you’ve got through this article, you’ll also be able to count to 10, say hello and have a greater understanding of Ramadan.
Here are some of the essential Arabic phrases you should learn:
Iftar
This means “break fast”. It is the meal at sunset to break the the fast.
Suhoor
Pre-dawn meal before the fast begins for the day.
Ramadan Kareem
A greeting that means “generous Ramadan”.
Ramadan Mubarak
Another greeting to wish people a blessed Ramadan.
Sawm
The word used for fasting and one of the five pillars of Islam.
Zakat
This is another of the five pillars of Islam. It requires adult Muslims to fiv 2.5 percent of their wealth to the needy. It can be paid at any time during the year, but is more prominent during Ramadan.
Salah
Prayer, another of the five pillars of Islam. Five prayer times are observed throughout the day, the first at dawn, then at noon, mid-afternoon, sunset and night.
Tarawih
Special congregational prayers held each evening during Ramadan, in addition to the five daily prayers.
Eid al-Fitr
Meaning “feast of breaking the fast”, this three-day celebration marks the end of Ramadan and the start of Shawwal – the tenth month in the Islamic calendar – with prayers, festivities, food and gifts.
Taqabbala Allah
May God accept your fasting/prayers.
Mubarakon aalaykum shahrou Ramadan
May the month of Ramadan be a blessing for you.
Eid Mubarak
Blessed Eid.
Tafaddal iftar maa’na (to a gent) tafaddali iftari maa’na (to a lady)
Please join us for iftar.
Anaa saa’im (as a man) or anaa saa’ima (as a woman)
I am fasting.
Are you fasting?
Hal anta sa’imoun? (to a gent).
Hal anti sa’imatoun? (to a lady).
Hello – Marhaba
Peace be upon you – Al salam aa’laikum, respond with wa aa’laikum al salam
Goodbye – Maa’ assalama
Please – Law samahit (to a gent) or law samahti (to a lady)
Thank you – Mashkoor (to a gent) or mashkoora (to a lady)
Yes – Na’am
No – Kalla
Excuse me – Afwan
One – Wahid
Two – Ethnan
Three – Thalathah
Four – Arba’ah
Five – Khamsah
Six – Settah
Seven – Saba’ah
Eight – Thamaneyah
Nine – Tes’ah
Ten – Aasharah
What is this called?
Maza esmou haza al shayi’?
How are you?
Kayfa halouka (to a gent) or kayfa halouki (to a lady)?
Do you speak English?
Hal tatakalamou al ingliziyah (to a gent) or hal tatakalamin al ingliziyah (to a lady)?
I do not understand
Lastou afham.
I like this food
Ouhibou haza al akla.
Where are you from?
Min ayna anta?
What time is it?
Kam al saa’a law smahit?
Looking for more about Ramadan in Saudi Arabia?
Iftars in Riyadh
All the best iftar, suhoor and travel deals.
Read more here.
Iftar tents return
UAE Ramadan 2022 iftar tent guidelines announced.
Read more here.
World’s first
Etr El-Kalam competition show to air on the first day of Ramadan.
Read more here.
