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Get the full bookYour First Step into Real Saudi Arabic
Welcome to your first real-life chapter in Saudi Arabic. Your first day in Saudi Arabia can be exciting, but it can also feel confusing if you do not understand the language around you. From the moment you arrive, you may need to ask questions, speak to airport staff, collect your bags, buy a SIM card, exchange money, take transportation, or tell someone where you are. This chapter is designed to help you handle those first important moments with confidence. You do not need perfect Arabic. You only need the right phrases. In this chapter, you will learn useful Saudi Arabic for the airport, asking for help, transportation, giving your location, asking people to repeat or slow down, and starting your first simple conversations. You’ll learn how to say things like: “I just arrived.” “Where is the exit?” “I need help.” “I want a SIM card.” “Take me to this place.” “I am at the gate.” “Please repeat.” “Speak slowly.” These simple phrases can make your first day much easier. Start with the phrases you need most. Repeat them, listen to the audio, and use them in real situations. Yalla, let’s start your first day in Saudi.
At the Airport
Use these phrases for arrival, immigration, baggage, directions, airport services, and common problems.
Arrival and entering the airport
FREEأنا وصلت الحين
I just arrived
Ana wasalt al-heen
هذي أول مره لي بالسعودية
This is my first time in Saudi Arabia
Hathi awwal marra li bi-al-Saudiya
وين الوصول؟
Where is the arrival area?
Wain al-wusool?
وين الخروج؟
Where is the exit?
Wain al-khurooj?
وين صالة الوصول؟
Where is the arrivals hall?
Wain salat al-wusool?
وين مكتب المعلومات؟
Where is the information desk?
Wain maktab al-malumat?
أنا عندي رحلة ترانزيت
I have a transit flight
Ana indi rihlat transit
وين الترانزيت؟
Where is the transit area?
Wain a-transit?
أبي أروح للصالة الثانية
I want to go to the other terminal
Abee arooh li-salah al-thaniya
كيف أروح هناك؟
How do I get there?
Kaif arooh henaak?
Immigration and passport control
FREEهذا جواز سفري
This is my passport
Hatha jawaz safri
هذه تأشيرتي
This is my visa
Hathi taasheerati
أنا جاي سياحة
I am here for tourism
Ana jai siyaha
أنا جاي للعمل
I am here for work
Ana jai lil-amal
أنا جاي زيارة
I am here for a visit
Ana jai ziyarah
معي حجز فندق
I have a hotel booking
Maai hajz funduq
معي عنوان السكن
I have the address of my accommodation
Maai unwan a-sakan
وين الجوازات؟
Where is passport control?
Wain al-jawazat?
كم مدة الإقامة؟
How long is the stay?
Kam muddat al-iqamah?
هذه مدة إقامتي
This is the length of my stay
Hathi muddat iqamati
هذه تذكرة العودة
This is my return ticket
Hathi tadhkirat al-awdah
ما فهمت السؤال
I didn’t understand the question
Ma fahamt a-sual
عيد لو سمحت
Repeat please
Eid law samaht
تكلم شوي شوي
Speak slowly
Takallam shway shway
ممكن مترجم؟
Is an interpreter possible?
Mumkin mutarjim
Baggage Claim
FREEوين استلام الشنط؟
Where is the baggage claim?
Wain istalam a-shonat?
وين السير؟
Where is the baggage belt?
Wain a-seer?
هذه شنطتي
This is my bag
Hathi shantati
شنطتي ما وصلت
My bag did not arrive
Shantati ma wasalat
شنطتي ضاعت
My bag is lost
Shantati dhaat
أبي أبلغ عن شنطة ضايعة
I want to report a lost bag
Abee aballigh an shanta dhayiah
هذه كارت الشنط
This is the baggage tag
Hathi kart a-shonat
عندي شنطة وحدة
I have one bag
indi shanta wahda
عندي شنطتين
I have two bags
indi shantaein
وين مكتب الشنط؟
Where is the baggage office?
Wain maktab a-shonat
الشنطة مكسورة
The bag is damaged
A-shanta maksoura
الشنطة مفتوحة
The bag is open
A-shanta maftouha
ناقص شيء من الشنطة
Something is missing from the bag
Naqis shaye min A-shanta
Customs
وين الجمارك؟
Where is the customs?
Wain al-jamarik
Asking for directions inside the airport
وين البوابة؟
Where is the gate?
Wain al-bawwaba
SIM card, money exchange, and basic services
وين محل الجوالات؟
Where is the mobile shop?
Wain mahall al-jawalat?
Meeting someone / pickup
أنا أنتظر شخص
I am waiting for someone
Ana antathir shakhs
Problems and urgent situations
أنا ضايع
I am lost
Ana daayi
Asking for Help
General help
ممكن تساعدني؟
Can you help me?
Mumkin tsaidni?
When you do not understand
ما فهمت
I didn’t understand
Ma fahamt
Asking for directions or guidance
وين؟
Where is it?
Wain?
Asking someone to do something for you
ممكن تساعدني في هذا؟
Can you help me with this?
Mumkin tsaidni fi hatha?
In a problem or urgent situation
عندي مشكلة
I have a problem
indi mushkila
Best phrases to memorize first
ممكن تساعدني؟
Can you help me?
Mumkin tsaidni?
SIM Card & Money
Buying a SIM card
أبي شريحة
I want to get a SIM card
Abee shariha
Activating the SIM card
ف ّعلها لو سمحت
Could you activate it, please?
Faailha law samaht
Recharge and data packages
أبي أشحن
I'd like to recharge my SIM card
Abee ashhan
Exchanging money
وين الصراف؟
Where is the ATM / exchange?
Wain as-sarraf?
ATM and card payment
أبي أسحب فلوس
I want to withdraw money
Abee ashab folus
Asking about prices and amounts
بكم؟
How much?
Bikam?
Best phrases to memorize first
أبي شريحة
I want a SIM card
Abee shariha
Transportation from Airport
Use these phrases when leaving the airport and taking a taxi, Uber, Careem, or asking how to get to your destination.
Asking about transportation
وين المواصلات؟
Where is the transportation?
Wain al-muwasalat?
Telling the driver where you want to go
أبي اروح هنا
I want to go here
Abee arooh hena
Confirming price and payment
بكم؟
How much?
Bikam?
During the ride
امشِ
Go straight
Imshi
If you are using Uber or Careem
أنا عند البوابة
I am at the gate
Ana ind al-bawwaba
Problems on the way
مو هذا الطريق
This isn't the correct way
Mo hatha a-tareeq
Best phrases to memorize first
أبي تاكسي
I want a taxi
Abee taxi
Giving Your Location
Saying where you are
أنا هنا
I am here
Ana hena
Sharing your location
هذا موقعي
This is my location
Hatha mawqai
Describing nearby places
أنا عند الفندق
I am at the hotel
Ana ind al-funduq
Telling someone how to find you
تعال هنا
Come here (to a male)
Taaal hena
If you are lost or unsure
أنا ضايع
I am lost!
Ana daayi
Best phrases to memorize first
أنا هنا
I am here
Ana hena
When you don’t understand
Asking someone to repeat
عيد لو سمحت
Could you repeat that, please?
Eid law samaht
Asking someone to speak slowly
تكلم شوي شوي
Speak slowly
Takallam shway shway
Saying you only know a little Arabic
عربي شوي
I only speak a little Arabic
Arabi shway
Asking what something means
وش يعني هذا؟
What does this mean?
Wesh yaani hatha?
Asking someone to write it or show it
اكتبها لو سمحت
Could you write it down, please?
Iktibha law samaht
Best phrases to memorize first
عيد لو سمحت
Could you repeat that, please?
Eid law samaht
First Conversations
Starting the conversation
السلام عليكم
Peace be upon you
A-salamu alaykum
Introducing yourself
... اسمي
My name is ...(your name)
Ismi ...
Asking about the other person
وش اسمك؟
What is your name?
Wesh ismak?
Simple answers
الحمد لله
Thank God / I’m fine
Al-hamdulillah
Saying why you are here
أنا هنا للعمل
I am here for work
Ana hena lil-amal
Keeping the conversation easy
شوي شوي علي
Could you slow down, please?
Shway shway alay
Ending the conversation
تشرفنا
Nice to meet you
Tasharrafna
Best phrases to memorize first
السلام عليكم
Peace be upon you
A-salamu alaykum