For Your Information
H
ere are a few key Arabic
words/phrases that every new
educator should learn. Be
sure to take note of the useful
contact information below. You never
know when they will come in handy.
Useful Words and Phrases
“As-salaam alaikum” means “peace
be upon you”.
“Wa alaikum as-salaam” is said in
response to the greeting above. It
means “and upon you be peace”.
Good morning is “Sabaah il-kheer” to
respond you say “Sabaah in-nuur”.
Good evening is “masaa il-kheer” to
respond you say “masaa in-nuur”.
Goodbye is “Ma salamaa”.
“Afwan” is “you are welcome”.
“La, Shukran” is “No, thank you.
“Aiwa, shukran” is “Yes, thank you.”
“Inshallah” means “God willing”.
“Al-hamdu lillah” means “Thanks
and Praise to Allah/God” or “All
praise belongs to Allah”. Its use is
very widespread and may translate to
meaning “thankfully”, “Thank God” or
“Thank goodness”.
“Ma sha’ Allah” means “Whatever
Allah (God) wills”. It is often used in
occasions where there is surprise
at someone’s’ good deeds or
achievements.
There are different ways to use the
word please.
“Marra thaaniyya” is “again”
“Shoo” is “what?”
“Maa ismak” (male) and “maa ismik”
(female)… this is “what is your name?”
38 | Sep - Oct 2015 |
“Shukran” is “thank you”.
|
“Min fadlak” means “please” to a
male and “Min fadlik” to a female.
“Hada” is the masculine form of the
word “this”.
Class Time
“Hadi” is the feminine form of the
word “this”.
“Hadak min fadlak” (masc.) is “that
please”.
“Hadik min fadlik” (fem.) is “that
please”.
“Hadu min fadlik” is both masculine
and feminine and is “these please”.
“Haduk min fadlik” is also masculine
and feminine and is “those please”.
“Ma’ a salaama” is goodbye… to
respond to a female “allaah yisallimik”
and to a male “allaah yisallimak” both
carry the literal meaning “May God
keep you safe”.
* The spellings and some of the definitions
of most Arabic words may differ, as this is
dependent on how they are spelt in the
different regions.