I think it's good manners as when travelling to a foreign country, where a different language is used, to atleast learn the basics. Before I flew over to Jordan I bought a CD to learn Arabic in 4hrs whilst on the plane. Some of you say I was being a ittle lastminute but I knew, from all those vocabulary cramming sessions before french and german classes that more would stick in the 'ole brain. These were the most useful phrases I used in Jordan and thought that a few of you would benefit also.
Read: My Jordan Diary
Read: Things to see and do in Abu Dhabi, UAE
Basics
Peace be upon you - Salaam Aleykum
And upon you, peace - W'Aleykum salaam
Hello - Salaam / Marhaba
How are you? (to a man) - Kaif Halak
How are you? (to a woman) - Kaif Halik
Fine thanks (by a man) - Zain, Al-hamdulillah
Fine thanks (by a man) - Zaina, Al-hamdulillah
Please - Minfadlak
Thank you - Shukran
You're welcome - Af-wan
Yes - Iwa
No - La
No problem! - Mafee Mushkalah
Good - Tamam
Ok, right - Iwa
If God wills - Inshallah
My name is ....... - Ismi.....
Conversing
I am from.... - ana min....
UK - Britania
USA - Amrika
Canada - Canada
I don't understand (by a man) - ana mu fahim
I don't understand (by a woman) - ana mu fahma
Welcome - Ah-lan wah-sahlan
Reply....ahlan feek (to a man)
ahlam feeki (to a woman)
Where is the toilet? - Aya al-Haman?
Goodbye - masalaama
Go away! - imshi!
Khalas! - Enough!
Numbers
0 - sufr
1 - waheed
2 - ithnayan
3 - thalatha
4 - arba'a
5 - khamsa
6 - sita
7 - sabak
8 - thamania
9 - tis'a
10 - ash-ara
100 - mi-ya
1000 - alf
Read: My Jordan Diary
Read: Things to see and do in Abu Dhabi, UAE