Sunday, January 22, 2017

My Initial Arabic Vocabulary

Just a quick posts to document my first words of Arabic.  Just like I've determined in many places before, knowing the local language is appreciated by the locals and is a great conversation starter; same holds true here. Greetings in Arabic lasts a long time like 5-10 minutes so there a many greeting like phrases in Arabic.  I did learn one thing as I was writing down phrases as I learnt them.  During taxi rides I would ask for my Arabic word of the day which I record in my daytimer.  I also like to do the same as I meet my Saudi co-workers.  One of the young Saudis was curious to see what I had on my list so I showed him.  He then says: "why are your words written with an Indian accent?"  My reply: "Oh, that would be cause many of my words are from the taxi driver."  LOL, most if not all taxi drivers in taxi drivers in Saudi are from an area in southern India called Kerala.

For the most part the younger generation knows English better than the older generation and I'm pretty sure on this one too:  Their English is better than my Arabic.

My goal is to learn 10 words a month.  Coming up on 2 months and current word count = 27.

Assalam Ealaykum:  Peace Upon You
Kayf Halif / Kayf Hal:  How are you?
Hamdu Lellah:  Good, Peace be to God.   (I like how this one rolls off the tongue!)
Saber Alkhyr:  Good Morning
Saber alnur:  reply to above: "I am bright"
Masa Alkhry:  Gord Afternoon.
Masa Alnur:  reply to above
Kayf Alhal:  How is your situation?
Alhan: Hi
Hala or Halahala:  Slang Hi.
Masalama:  Good Bye (Also like how that one sounds.)
Naam or Iya:  Yes
Laa: No
Shurkran: Thank you
Min Fadlak:  Please
Comme Folos:  How much? (money)
Wahhed: One
Ashara: Ten
Ishirin: Twenty
Endek: Do you have...?
Mook Mafi: Crazy
Maji Nun:  Born Crazy
Inta row: You go
Sura Sura: Go Away
Waggif: Stop
Yaa Saa: Left
Yaa Min: Right
Giddam:  Straight or slang for "Let's Go" or "Turn it Up" or "Giddy Up"
Yallahh:  Go or like "Allez, allez" in cycling.  Mohd's Encouraging Words.

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