The 20 classic Dubai words and phrases we use every day

Feeling a little lost in translation?
There are some essential terms that you'll need to know about when navigating life in the UAE.
From Arabic words that are used in everyday conversation (the elusive yaani) to confusing lingo in apartment adverts (chiller-free… post-dated cheques…) here is your handy guide to Dubai words you need to know.
Dubai words. Credit: Adobe Express
Classic Dubai words and phrases
Ahlan wa sahlan
Definition: Literally translated, ahlan wa sahlan means welcome, however, it is commonly used as a general greeting just like hello in English.
How to use it in a sentence: 'Ahlan wa sahlan, please come in.'
Alhamdulillah
Definition: Arabic for Praise be to God and thank God. It is used to say thank you to God for good things that happen to you.
How to use it in a sentence: 'I passed my class, Alhamdulillah.'
Arbab
Definition: Arbab is originally a Persian word that means 'boss' or 'landlord'. In Dubai, it's used to describe someone who oversees you or your work.
How to use in a sentence: 'Arbab, can I please have the day off?'
Boss
Definition: A casual way to address a man, similar to saying mate. It is often said to delivery drivers, petrol station attendants and people preparing your food.
How to use it in a sentence: 'Yes boss. Thank you, boss.'
Chammak
Definition: A very colloquial way to describe teens that hang around malls at night and try hard to be part of the cool group.
How to use it in a sentence: 'On a Friday night, this spot is full of chammaks.'
Chiller-free
Definition: A place that is advertised as chiller-free means that the tenant does not pay for air conditioning usage.
How to use it in a sentence: 'The apartment is chiller-free.'
DEWA
Definition: Dubai Electricity & Water Authority is the authority which supplies electricity and water to residents' homes.
How to use it in a sentence: 'My Dewa bill was quite high this month.'
Ejari
Definition: An online registration system initiated by the Real Estate Regulatory Agency (RERA) that all tenants and landlords must use when living in Dubai.
How to use it in a sentence: 'I need to sort the Ejari out for my new apartment.'
Habibi
Definition: An endearing way to say my love/my dear in Arabic. It can be used to address a friend or sweetheart.
How to use it in a sentence: 'Habibi, come to Dubai.'
Inshallah
Definition: Arabic for if God is willing and used to say the outcome of something is in God's hands.
How to use it in a sentence: 'I will send over the paperwork today, inshallah.'
Khalas
Definition: It's an Arabic word for 'finish' or 'that's it'.
How to use it in a sentence: 'Khalas, I don't want to be a part of this anymore.'
Khalli walli
Definition: A very Dubai-specific way of saying forget about it.
How to use it in a sentence: 'Khalli walli, I don't want to go out anymore.'
Mabrook
Definition: Congratulations.
How to use it in a sentence: 'Mabrook on your new car. It looks amazing.'
Mashallah
Definition: Arabic saying that translates in English to God willed it and is used to praise God when something happens.
How to use it in a sentence: 'You are so pretty, Mashallah.'
Post-dated cheques
Definition: Cheques that are dated for a later date in the future and often required when renting a home in Dubai.
How to use it in a sentence: 'I have to provide four post-dated cheques to my landlord when I sign my lease.'
RERA
Definition: RERA stands for the Real Estate Regulatory Agency – a government agency responsible for regulating the real estate sector in Dubai.
How to use it in a sentence: 'I am going to contact RERA to find out if my landlord is allowed to increase my rent this much.'
Wallah
Definition: Arabic for I swear by God and used to prove you are telling the truth.
How to use it in a sentence: 'Wallah, this is the best meal I've had.'
Yaani
This might be one of the trickiest words to translate.
Definition: It is the Arabic word for 'means' or 'like'. It can also be used as a filler word instead of 'um' or 'you know'.
How to use it in a sentence: 'Yaani, why am I involved?'
Yakhee
Definition: Bro or bruh.
How to use it in a sentence: 'Yakhee, just come here.'
Yalla
Definition: Arabic saying meaning let's go and often used to hurry people along.
How to use it in a sentence: 'Yalla, let's go.'
Everything you need to know about Dubai…
18 things you need to know before moving to Dubai
Here are a few quick things you need to know about arriving in Dubai
Convenient things you can use your Emirates ID for
Pay for petrol, withdraw cash and more
Everything you need to know about Global Village
What to do at the family attraction

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Daily Mirror

9 hours ago

• Daily Mirror

Lavender thrives and 'will thank you' if you add 2 things to garden soil now

There's nothing worse than a sad-looking lavender bush, especially if you've planted it at the front of your flowerbed. But there are two things you can add to your soil that will help it thrive Lavender is a quintessential feature of many British gardens, its elegant foliage adding a touch of charm to flowerbeds and borders. It's not just a visual delight either; it serves as a natural pest deterrent, particularly for ants, whilst attracting vital pollinators to the ecosystem. However, a droopy lavender bush can be a real eyesore, especially if it's front and centre in your flowerbed. ‌ Despite being relatively easy to maintain, lavender does require certain care to ensure a healthy and abundant bloom. As a Mediterranean plant that flourishes in sunlight, it doesn't need much watering but does require well-draining soil for optimal growth. ‌ Interestingly, lavender is drought-resistant, and overwatering can lead to root rot if the soil isn't suitable, reports the Express. If you find your lavender looking a bit sparse despite using well-draining soil, horticulturist @ has revealed two additions to your soil that could help your lavender prosper. In a TikTok video, the gardening guru explained that the "two main lavenders you'll come across are English and French lavender". He noted that while English lavender is "a little bit more hardy", French lavender typically "flowers for longer". Despite their differences, it's essential to ensure "free-draining soil is absolutely crucial" for both types of lavender. Free or well-draining soil is defined as soil that allows water to flow through swiftly, creating the arid conditions that lavender thrives in. ‌ Sandy soils are often chosen for plants needing excellent drainage, but Ish also suggests incorporating two additional elements into your soil to make lavender "absolutely thrive". To enhance soil quality and its draining capability, grit and sand can be mixed into the earth. While these additions aid in drainage, it's vital not to overwater. Ish advises keeping lavender in "lightly moist soil", cautioning that many gardeners lose their lavender "because they overwater it or water it daily like most of their plants, and it causes root rot". Neglecting to trim your lavender during the summer may lead to a woody and thin appearance, but subpar soil and excessive watering can "cause black foliage and make it go gooey at the top". Instead, "your lavender will thank you" if you water it sparingly, or even rely on rainfall, ensuring it has time to dry out thoroughly afterwards.

South Wales Argus

a day ago

• South Wales Argus

Pupils in Wales show progress in reading and maths skills

New statistics from the 2023/24 academic year show improvements in English reading, Welsh reading, and numeracy across Wales. English reading attainment rose in all year groups compared to 2022/23, with Year 3 pupils performing better than in both 2020/21 and 2021/22. Welsh reading also saw gains across Years 3 to 9, while numeracy (procedural) showed the most improvement among younger pupils. Numeracy (reasoning) remained stable. Lynne Neagle, cabinet secretary for education, said: "It is encouraging to see progress in attainment in reading and numeracy. "This improvement highlights the impact our investments are making in schools to ensure every learner has the opportunity to reach their full potential." The data comes from anonymised results of the national personalised assessments, which are adaptive online tools used to measure pupil progress in reading and numeracy. Personalised assessments aim to support learning by identifying strengths and areas for development. Trystan Phillips, headteacher at Ysgol Gymunedol Penparc in Ceredigion, said the school has changed how it uses the assessments. Mr Phillips said: "We have evolved in our use of the personalised assessments to move away from their use as a summative resource to being a resource that truly influences progress. "They're very much now a device to support pupil progress." Owen Evans, Estyn's chief inspector, said the tools help teachers tailor support and track learning. Mr Evans said: "Personalised assessments are a useful tool for schools. "They enable teachers to tailor support for individual pupils and track progress over time. "We are pleased to see some improvement, but schools need to work together to support attainment, and ensure there is a relentless focus on improving reading and mathematics for all learners."

Time Out

a day ago

• Time Out

Central Park's gorgeous Conservatory Garden has reopened after years of construction

For the past three years, tall fences closed off one of the most beautiful parts of Central Park. Now, after three long years of extensive restoration, the spectacular Conservatory Garden is open once again and is in full bloom. The Conservatory Garden is a six-acre formal garden located in the northeastern quadrant of the park known for its peaceful design and historic charm. The garden underwent at $25 million glow-up, the most significant investment in the space since it was built in 1937, the Central Park Conservancy announced this week. Go see it along Fifth Avenue between 104th and 106th Streets in Central Park. The garden's three distinct styles—French, Italian, and English—have attracted many weddings and photoshoots over the years. It's also a beloved spot for New Yorkers looking for a moment of tranquility in the city. Visiting feels like a taking stroll through a European garden without having to buy a plane ticket. In the springtime, peonies and lilacs surge into bloom at the Conservatory Garden. In the fall, look for a bevy of mums among the garden's neatly trimmed hedges. While many of the garden's horticultural elements were addressed in 1983, this restoration focused on the comprehensive renewal of its historic hardscape, such as restoring bluestone pavers, updating stormwater draining, modernizing fountains, installing ramps and realigning paths. This type of restoration work hadn't been done at the garden in nearly 90 years. In addition, staff also replanted the Italian Garden's iconic crabapple allées with disease-resistant trees and repaired the steel pergola. This is a big year for upgrades to Central Park. The long-awaited Davis Center at Harlem Meer is now open. And the historic Delacorte Theater (where Shakespeare in the Park is staged every summer) will soon reopen after reconstruction.