Arabic/Being Polite

Being polite is important. It is rather simple to be polite in Arabic. Just learn some of these and use them, at the right time. And remember a few golden rules.

1. If you refuse a gift, an Arab will insist that you take it (This insisting and refusing can go on for up to a minute, between Arabs). So if an Arab offers you meat, and you are a vegetarian, either eat it or have a good excuse (medical excuses are often acceptable).

أهلا

ahlan
ah-lan
Hello
It means more than hello, but its usage is very similar to hello.

*السلام عليكم

al_salaamu `alaykum
as-sa-laa-mu-`a-lay-kum
Peace be upon you.
This is a very common greeting, although its usage is approved religiously. It is very common among Muslims; even muslims who understand no Arabic attempt to say it, whenever greeting someone. It's always better to say this greeting.

*مع السلامة

ma`a al_salaamah(-ti)
ma-`as-sa-laa-mah
with peace
Only said when leaving someone. If you said this when you just met someone, it would seem awkward.

الله يسلمك

allahu salmik(a/i)
aL-laa-hu-sal-mik
(May) God keep you in peace.
Often a reply to مع السلامة (ma`a alsalaamah).

أهلا وسهلا

ahlan wa sahlan
ah-lan-wa-sah-lan
Usage: Expressing great happiness at seeing someone.

وداعا

wa-daa-`an
bye

شكرا

shukran
shuk-ran
thanks

شكرا لك

shukran
shuk-ran-lak(a/i)
thank you

شكرا جزيلا

shukran jazeelan
shuk-ran-ja-zee-lan
thanks a lot
Note this is not the sarcastic usage in Arabic.

من فضلك

min faDlik(a/i)
min-faD-lik
please

أرجوك

arjook(a/i)
ar-jook
I'm begging you.

تفضل

tafaDDal
ta-faD-Dal
Please help yourself (when speaking to a man).

تفضلي

tafaDDalee
ta-faD-Da-lee
Please help yourself (when speaking to a woman).

تفضلوا

tafaDDaloo
ta-faD-Da-loo
Same as above but when talking to a group, as long as the group is not all female.

كيف حالك

kayfa Haaluk
kay-fa-Haa-luk
How are you doing? You must know this saying, every Arab asks every other Arab of the same gender and his son this question.

بـخيـر

bikhair
bi-khair
fine
Only used when answering "How are you doing?"

الـحمد لله

al_Hamdu lillaah
al-Ham-du-lil-Laah
Thank God.
Of course its meaning is not that simple.
Often used to answer "كيف حالك؟ ", and said when good news is heard (like a relative passed their final exam).
Literally it means: Praise be to God, that is, when answering the above questions with al-Ham-du-lil-Laah, you're praising God for the goodness received.

مرحبا

MarHabaan
"Hello", when talking to anyone