Common Jordanian Arabic Phrases: Every traveler wants to experience a country in a local way—by meeting people, visiting local spots, and trying traditional food. In Jordan, Arabic is the main language, and the spoken form is Levantine or Shami Arabic, also called Ammiya (اللهجة العامية). It’s helpful to know some basic Arabic phrases when you visit.
English is also common, especially in big cities like Amman and Aqaba, where many expats and foreign businesspeople live. In fact, English is the second most spoken language in Jordan, and many people can read and understand it.
Common Jordanian Arabic Phrases
| English | Arabic Transliteration | Arabic |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Salam – Marhaba | سلام – مرحبا |
| What is your name? | Sho Ismak? (m) Sho Ismek? (f) | شو اسمك؟ (م) شو اسمكِ؟ (ف) |
| My name is … | Ismi … | اسمي … |
| I don’t speak Arabic | Ana ma ba’aref ahkee Arabee | أنا ما بعرف أحكي عربي |
| How are you? | Keef halak? (m) Keef halek? (f) | كيف حالك؟ (م) كيف حالكِ؟ (ف) |
| Excuse me? (question) | Laww Smaht (m) Laww Smahti (f) | لو سمحت (م) لو سمحتِ (ف) |
| Excuse me! (sorry) | Afwan | عفواً |
| Sorry | Aasif | آسف |
| Do you want? | Beddak (m) Beddek (f) | بدك (م) بدكِ (ف) |
| How much is this? | Bekam Hada? – Addesh Hada? | بكم هذا؟ – أديش هذا؟ |
| Toilet / W.C. | Hammam | حمام |
| Restaurant | Mat’am | مطعم |
| Hotel | Fondoq | فندق |
| Yes | Na’am – Aaywa | نعم – أيوه |
| No | La’a | لا |
| Thank you | Shukran | شكراً |
| Good Bye | Ma’assalama – Bye | مع السلامة – باي |
Jordanian Arabic Phrases
The following table provides a useful guide to common Jordanian Arabic phrases and vocabulary, covering topics such as numbers, time, colors, transportation, lodging, shopping, and more. It includes both the Arabic script and Romanized pronunciations, making it easier for non-native speakers to learn and use essential phrases in everyday conversations.
Whether you’re navigating a market, ordering food, or asking for directions, this table will help you communicate effectively in various situations in any cities in Jordan, such as Aqaba, Amman, Jerash, and Wadi Rum.
| Category | English | Arabic | Transliteration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Numbers | 1 | ١ | waaHid |
| 2 | ٢ | tinain or ithnain | |
| 3 | ٣ | talaata or thalaatha | |
| 4 | ٤ | arba’a | |
| 5 | ٥ | khamseh | |
| 6 | ٦ | sitta | |
| 7 | ٧ | saba’a | |
| 8 | ٨ | thamaaniyeh or tamaaniyeh | |
| 9 | ٩ | tisa’a | |
| 10 | ١٠ | asharah | |
| 11 | ١١ | iH’dash or H’dash | |
| 12 | ١٢ | it’nash or t’nash | |
| 13 | ١٣ | talaatash | |
| 14 | ١٤ | arba’tash | |
| 15 | ١٥ | khamistash | |
| 16 | ١٦ | sittash | |
| 17 | ١٧ | saba’tash | |
| 18 | ١٨ | tamaantash | |
| 19 | ١٩ | tisatash | |
| 20 | ٢٠ | ashriin | |
| 21 | ٢١ | waHid u’ ashriin | |
| 22 | ٢٢ | tinain u’ ashriin | |
| 23 | ٢٣ | talaata u’ ashriin | |
| 30 | ٣٠ | talaatiin | |
| 40 | ٤٠ | arba’iin | |
| 50 | ٥٠ | khamsiin | |
| 60 | ٦٠ | sittiin | |
| 70 | ٧٠ | saba’iin | |
| 80 | ٨٠ | tamaaniin | |
| 90 | ٩٠ | tisa’iin | |
| 100 | ١٠٠ | miiyeh | |
| 200 | ٢٠٠ | miitayn | |
| 300 | ٣٠٠ | talaat miiya | |
| 1,000 | ١٬٠٠٠ | elf | |
| 2,000 | ٢٬٠٠٠ | elfeyn | |
| 1,000,000 | ١٬٠٠٠٬٠٠٠ | milyon | |
| number _ | رقم _ | raqam | |
| half | نصف | nuS | |
| less | اقل | aqal | |
| more | اكثر | akthar | |
| Time | now | هلا | halla |
| later | بعدين | ba3dain | |
| before | قبل | qabel | |
| morning | صباح | SaabaH | |
| afternoon | بعد الظهر | ba3ed id-duhur | |
| evening | مساء | masa | |
| night | ليل | leyl | |
| Clock time | one o’clock AM | الساعة الواحدة صباحًا | issa3a waHdeh (SobiH) |
| two o’clock AM | الساعة الثانية صباحًا | issa3a tintayn (SobiH) | |
| noon | الساعة الثانية عشر ظهرًا | issa3a itna’ash | |
| one o’clock PM | الساعة الواحدة ظهرًا | issa3a waHdeh (ba3ad id-duhur) | |
| two o’clock PM | الساعة الثانية ظهرًا | issa3a tintayn (ba3ad id-duhur) |
Essential Arabic Phrases for Dining in Jordan
| English | Arabic (Latin) | Arabic |
|---|---|---|
| I am hungry / I am thirsty | Ana jirane / Ana ratchane | أنا جائع / أنا عطشان |
| Enjoy | Saha Wa Afiya | صحة وعافية |
| Cheers! | Bi sahatak! | بصحتك! |
| What can you recommend? | Bi Sho towassini? | بشو توصي؟ |
| I am vegetarian | Ana nabati | أنا نباتي |
| Not spicy please (I don’t like spices) | Bidoune tawabil! | بدون توابل! |
| It’s too hot | Inaho sakhine jidane! | إنه ساخن جدًا! |
| I am allergic | Andee hasasiyya | عندي حساسية |
| Sea food | El makoulates el bahriya | المأكولات البحرية |
| Peanuts | El foul essoudani | الفول السوداني |
| Gluten | El gholtine | الغلوتين |
| I would like… | Biddee… | بدي… |
| Water | Maï | ماء |
| Tee / Coffee | Chaï / kawa | شاي / قهوة |
| Beer / Wine | Biyra / khamr | بيرة / خمر |
| The bill, please | El hssab, men fadl-ak | الحساب، من فضلك |
Summary
When visiting Jordan, it’s really helpful to learn some basic Arabic phrases. Speaking a new language can feel scary at first, but the more you practice before your trip, the more confident you’ll feel. Using a few simple Arabic phrases will help you find what you need, meet more people, and enjoy more cultural experiences.
