Arabic in Palestine

The official language in Palestine is Arabic.

Though Palestinian people speak English well, once you try even a little Arabic, they’d get happy and become more friendly to you. (Palestinians are already very friendly, but even more!)

Bethlehem falafel sandwich bag from Afteem
Palestinians speak good English but try some easy Arabic. They’ll get happy and more friendly!

The Arabic language is spoken widely between Arabic Peninsula and Maghreb (northern Africa). However, each country has its own dialect, and sometimes it’s hard to understand each other depending on the dialects.

Arabic spoken in Palestine is very close to Syrian, Lebanese, or Jordanian dialects. Egyptian dialect is also understood.

Here, we introduce some Palestinian dialects.

Greetings

  • Sabah al-Khair: Good morning.
  • Sabah al-Nour: Good morning to you, too.
  • Marhaba: Hello.
  • Marhabaten: Hello to you, too.
  • Massa al-Khair: Good evening.
  • Massa al-Nour: Good evening to you, too.
  • Ma’assalamah: Goodbye.
  • Shukran: Thank you.
  • Afwan: You’re welcome.
  • Keef hak?: How are you (to men)
  • Keef hek?: How are you (to women)
  • Tama’am: I’m good.
  • Aywa ｜ Na’am: Yes.
  • La: No.

Transportation

  • Wein hada?: Where is it? (wein = where)

Shopping

  • Chou hada?: What is this? (chou = what)
  • Kam hada?: How much is this?

Numbers

LatinArabicpronunciation
1١wahad
2٢etnen
3٣talata
4٤arba’a
5٥khamsa
6٦sitta
7٧sab’a
8٨tamanyeh
9٩tis’a
10١٠’ashara
11١١hda’sh
12١٢tna’sh
13١٣talata’sh
14١٤arbata’sh
15١٥khamsata’sh
16١٦sitta’sh
17١٧sabata’sh
18١٨tamanta’sh
19١٩tisat’sh
20٢١’ishreen
21٢١wahad wa ’ishreen
30٣٠talateen
40٤٠arba’een
50٥٠khamseen
60٦٠sitteen
70٧٠sabeen
80٨٠tamaneen
90٩٠tisseen
100١٠٠miyya
200٢٠٠miteyn
300٣٠٠talatmiyya
400٤٠٠alba’miyya
1000١٠٠٠alf
2000٢٠٠٠alfen
3000٣٠٠٠talat-talaf
10000١٠٠٠٠’ashar-talaf

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