Dubai is a melting pot of cultures, attracting people from all over the world. Whether you’re visiting for business, leisure, or long-term stay, knowing the most common greetings will help you connect with locals and make a great impression.
This guide will walk you through the top greetings used in Dubai, their meanings, pronunciation, and usage, along with examples, exercises, and key cultural points to remember.
1. Why Are Greetings Important in Dubai?
Dubai is part of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where Arabic is the official language. Although English is widely spoken, using Arabic greetings shows respect and cultural awareness. It can also help you build stronger relationships with locals.
In Dubai, greetings are often warm and polite, reflecting the city’s hospitality and traditions. Whether you’re meeting someone formally or casually, a proper greeting sets the tone for the conversation.
2. Most Common Greetings in Dubai
Here are the most commonly used greetings in Dubai, along with their meanings and pronunciation.
A. Formal Arabic Greetings
| Arabic Greeting | Pronunciation | Meaning & Usage |
|---|---|---|
| As-salamu alaykum | As-sa-laam-u a-lay-kum | “Peace be upon you” – A universal Islamic greeting, used in formal and informal situations. |
| Wa alaykum as-salam | Wa a-lay-kum a-sa-laam | “And peace be upon you too” – A polite response to “As-salamu alaykum”. |
| Marhaban | Mar-ha-ban | “Hello” – A neutral, formal greeting suitable for all situations. |
| Ahlan wa sahlan | Ah-lan wa sah-lan | “Welcome” – Often used when greeting guests or newcomers. |
| Kayfa haluk? (male) / Kayfa haluki? (female) | Kay-fa ha-luk / ha-lu-ki | “How are you?” – Used in polite conversations. |
B. Casual and Common Greetings
| Arabic/English Greeting | Pronunciation | Meaning & Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Salam | Sa-laam | “Hi” or “Peace” – A short, informal version of “As-salamu alaykum”. |
| Sabah al-khair | Sa-bah al-khair | “Good morning” – Used until noon. |
| Sabah an-nur | Sa-bah an-noor | “Morning of light” – A polite response to “Sabah al-khair”. |
| Masa’ al-khair | Ma-sa al-khair | “Good evening” – Used after noon. |
| Masa’ an-nur | Ma-sa an-noor | “Evening of light” – A response to “Masa’ al-khair”. |
| Shukran | Shu-kran | “Thank you” – Can be used as a polite gesture when greeting someone. |
| Ma’a as-salama | Ma’a as-sa-la-ma | “Goodbye” – A polite way to end a conversation. |
3. Greetings in Business and Formal Settings
In Dubai, business culture is built on respect and hospitality. Using the right greeting can leave a lasting positive impression.
Best Greetings for Business Meetings:
✅ As-salamu alaykum – Always a great start in formal settings.
✅ Marhaban, kayfa haluk? (Hello, how are you?) – Shows politeness.
✅ Tasharrafna (Pleasure to meet you) – A polite phrase when meeting someone new.
✅ Shukran, Sa’adtu biliqa’ik (Thank you, it was a pleasure meeting you) – Useful for closing a conversation.
🚨 Important: In professional settings, always wait for the other person to extend their hand for a handshake. Some Emirati women may prefer not to shake hands with men for cultural reasons. If in doubt, a polite nod or placing your hand over your heart is a respectful alternative.
4. Greetings in Everyday Life
Knowing how to greet people in different settings can help you feel more comfortable in Dubai. Here’s how you can use greetings naturally:
A. Meeting Friends or Acquaintances
➡️ Salam, kayfa haluk? (Hi, how are you?) – A casual greeting.
➡️ Marhaban! Tasharrafna! (Hello! Nice to meet you!) – When meeting someone for the first time.
B. Shopping & Restaurants
➡️ Sabah al-khair / Masa’ al-khair – Used when greeting shopkeepers or waiters.
➡️ Shukran (Thank you) – Always good to express gratitude.
C. Public Transport & Taxis
➡️ Salam, ilā al-matar min fadlak? (Hi, to the airport, please?) – Useful when taking a taxi.
➡️ Shukran! Ma’a as-salama! (Thank you! Goodbye!) – A polite way to end the interaction.
5. Practice Exercises
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
- When entering a shop in the morning, you say: ______
- If someone greets you with “As-salamu alaykum,” you reply with: ______
- A polite way to say “Goodbye” in Arabic is: ______
- In a business meeting, it’s best to start with: ______
- To express gratitude in Arabic, you say: ______
Exercise 2: Match the Greetings
| Arabic Greeting | English Meaning |
|---|---|
| Ahlan wa sahlan | (a) Good morning |
| Sabah al-khair | (b) Peace be upon you |
| As-salamu alaykum | (c) Hello |
| Kayfa haluk? | (d) How are you? |
| Ma’a as-salama | (e) Goodbye |
6. Answers to Exercises
Exercise 1 Answers:
- Sabah al-khair
- Wa alaykum as-salam
- Ma’a as-salama
- As-salamu alaykum
- Shukran
Exercise 2 Answers:
✅ Ahlan wa sahlan → (c) Hello
✅ Sabah al-khair → (a) Good morning
✅ As-salamu alaykum → (b) Peace be upon you
✅ Kayfa haluk? → (d) How are you?
✅ Ma’a as-salama → (e) Goodbye
7. Notable Points & Cultural Tips
💡 Always respond to a greeting – It’s impolite to ignore one.
💡 Use “As-salamu alaykum” in formal settings – It’s the most respectful greeting.
💡 Wait before offering a handshake – Some people may prefer not to shake hands.
💡 Smiling is important – A warm smile makes your greeting more welcoming.
💡 Learn a few key phrases in Arabic – Locals appreciate the effort, even if they reply in English.
Final Thoughts
Mastering the most common greetings in Dubai will help you feel more confident and show respect for the local culture. Whether you’re greeting a friend, a shopkeeper, or a business partner, using the right phrases will create a positive impression.
✅ Want to learn more practical English & Arabic phrases? Subscribe to Guruji English Classes for easy and fun lessons! 🚀
Which greeting did you find most useful? Comment below! 😊