When it comes to the Arabic language, a wide number of slang words and phrases fall into a conversation. Many Arabic slang terms are common between Arabic dialects while some are more specific to a certain dialect. We have narrowed them down to the most common terms used across the Arab region. Slang is common and popular in every language and now you can drop some Arabic slang terms in your daily conversations to spice things up.
Akeed (أكيد)
Meaning: “Yes of course!” or “sure!”
Dialect: All Arabic Dialects
“Akeed” is a very common word among all generations and across all Arabic dialects. It is usually used at the end of a sentence or used at a response for showing affirmation, confirmation or stating something that is obvious.
Example:
Q: Did you see the car that just passed?
A: Akeed
Khalas – (خلص)
Meaning: ‘Stop it,’ “it’s over,” “stop talking,” “done,” “finish,” or “enough.”
Dialect: All Arabic Dialects
This slang word has many different meanings and a whole other number of situations to use it. Khalas is a very commonly used word among all dialects. It can be used to end conversations and arguments. To put an end to something, or to state that something has been done.
Example:
Q: Did you get the document done
A: Yes, khalas it’s done.
Yallah (يلا)
Meaning: “Let’s go,” “come on,” “move it,” or “faster.”
Dialect: All Arabic Dialects
“Yallah” is a commonly used word and its easy to incorporate in numerous situations. People tend to use it when they want something to be done faster, or in a situation where they are going out and it’s time to leave.
Example: Yallah! They are waiting for us outside.
Yallah shabaab ( يلا شباب)
Meaning: “Let’s get it moving youngsters”
Dialect: All Arabic Dialects
Very similar to “yallah” except “yallah shabaab” is used among youngsters. It like asking a group of friends to move or telling them it’s time to go out.
Example: Yallah shabaab they are waiting for us at the restaurant.
Yaani (يَعْنِي)
Meaning: “Like,” “meaning,” or “stating something otherwise.”
Dialect: All Arabic Dialects
“Yaani” falls in every sentence you can think of, it can be used to state something that is similar, or something that is slightly different depending on the way it has been put in a sentence. It can be used when you want to give a definition or meaning to something as well.
Example:
Q: What does the word silence mean?
A: Yaani, no talking.
Halla wallah (هَلَا وَالله)
Meaning: “Hello” or “you are welcome.”
Dialect: Gulf Arabic Dialect
“Halla wallah” is a very commonly used phrase across Gulf countries, used when you are greeting someone. If you say the phrase twice “halla walla, halla walla” you would be eagerly greeting someone and showing them that you are very happy to see them. It can be used when you are meeting a group of friends or welcoming someone to your house.
Example:
Person 1: Hello!
Person 2: Halla wallah!
Ya rayyal (يا ريال )
Meaning: “Oh man”
Dialect: Gulf Arabic Dialect
Used mostly around Gulf countries showing a light-hearted frustration over a certain situation. Commonly used by the younger generation over things such as a game or reaction to something not of high importance.
Example: Ya rayyal, I lost a match for the second time today.
Min sijak (من سيجاك)
Meaning: “Are you serious?”
Dialect: Gulf Arabic Dialect
Used mostly around Gulf countries in sarcastic situations most of the time. Asking someone if they are serious about what they have said or the way they have reacted.
Example:
Person 1: I crashed my car today.
Person 2: Min sijak?
Shaku maku (شاكو ماكو)
Meaning: “What’s up?” or “What’s new?”
Dialect: Iraqi Arabic Dialect
“Shaku maku” is a phrase originating from the Iraqi Arabic dialect, yet highly used and understood in Gulf countries. If it’s been a while you haven’t seen a person you can drop it in the conversation asking about the new things going on in their life.
Example: Shaku maku old friend, it’s been a while we haven’t talked!
Bi sharafak (بيشرفك)
Meaning: “Seriously?”
Dialect: Levant Arabic Dialect
Used mostly around Lebanon and Syria, yet understood across all Arab countries. Used in conversations where they want to show disbelief or to question something.
Example:
Person 1: I met the most beautiful woman today.
Person 2: Bisharafak?
Walaw (ولو)
Meaning: “It’s ok,” “of course,” or when someone is thanking you “don’t mention it.”
Dialect: Levant Arabic Dialect
Used mostly around Lebanon, a word that can be used in several situations and with different meanings. You can use it to show surprise, make someone feel welcome, or questioning someone’s actions or words.
Example:
Person 1: I had a fight with my boss today
Person 2: Walaw! why?
Ya haram (يا حرام)
Meaning: “Showing sympathy,” “showing sadness,” “oh, poor thing”
Dialect: Levant Arabic Dialect
Used mostly in Lebanon, in situations where you feel sorry or bad for someone, and when you need to show sympathy. Depending on the situation it can be used sarcastically or seriously.
Example:
Person 1: She couldn’t come to work today she has the flu.
Person 2: Ya haram, I hope she feels better
Khali wali (خلي ولي)
Meaning: “Whatever,” “forget about something,” or ” to let something be.”
Dialect: Gulf Arabic Dialect
Used mostly around Gulf countries and especially in the UAE, it is a highly used expression among people. It is used in situations when you want to express something that you don’t care about or is not important.
Example: Don’t answer his call, khali wali.
Eben halal (ابن حلال)
Meaning: “Someone with good traits”
Dialect: All Arabic Dialects
A very common phrase among all generations and across all Arabic dialects. It is usually used to tell that a certain person has good traits and acts in good faith.
Example: Your friend eben halal
Hader (حاضر)
Meaning: “Okay,” “understood,” “will do it,” or “will get it done.”
Dialect: All Arabic Dialects
A common phrase used among all generations and across all dialects. It is usually used when you are asked to do something, or a favor and you reply “hader” meaning that you are willing to do it or that you will get it done.
Example:
Person 1: Can you get me a few bars of chocolate on your way here?
Person 2: Hader
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Andrie Steliou
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