The official language of Bahrain is Arabic. Arabic is widely used in daily communication, government, and business. English is also commonly spoken and understood, especially in urban areas and in the business and tourism sectors.
Useful Words/Phrases
- Hello - السلام عليكم (As-salamu alaykum)
- Goodbye - مع السلامة (Ma’a Al Salama)
- Good morning - صباح الخير (Sabah al-khayr)
- Good evening - مساء الخير (Masa' al-khayr)
- Please - من فضلك (Min fadlik)
- Thank you - شكراً (Shukran)
- You're welcome - على الرحب والسعة (Ala al-rahb wa al-sa'ah)
- Excuse me - عذراً (A'zran)
- Where is...? - Modern Standard Arabic: أين (Ayne)... // Bahraini dialect: وين (Wein)
- How much is this? - Modern Standard Arabic: كم هذا؟ (Kam hatha?) // Bahraini dialect: بجم هاي ؟ (Ebcham hay?)
- I need a taxi - أحتاج سيارة أجرة (Ahtaj sayarat ujra) // أحتاج تاكسي (Ahtaj taxi )
- Can you help me? - Modern Standard Arabic: هل يمكنك مساعدتي؟ (Hal yumkinuk musa'adati?) // Bahraini dialect: ممكن تساعدني ؟ (Mumken etsa’idni?)
- Menu - Modern Standard Arabic: القائمة (Al-qaemah) // Bahraini dialect: المنيو (El-menyu)
- Water - Modern Standard Arabic: ماء (Ma'a) // Bahraini Dialect: ماي (Maay)
- Delicious - لذيذ (Lazez)
- Bill, please - الحساب، من فضلك (Al-hisab, min fadlik)
- How much is this? Modern Standard Arabic: كم هذا؟ (Kam hatha?) // Bahraini dialect: بجم هاي ؟ (Ebcham hay?)
- Can you give me a discount? - Modern Standard Arabic: هل يمكنك أن تعطيني خصم؟ (Hal yumkinuk an ta'teeni khasm?) // Bahraini dialect: ممكن تعطيني خصم(Mumken ta’teeni khasm)
- I would like to buy... - Modern Standard Arabic: أرغب في شراء (Urghub fi shira) // Bahraini Dialect: أبي/ بغيت اشتري … (Abi/ Bu’gheit ashtiri)