honestly / frankly
Expressionبِصَراحة
biṣarāḥa
بِصَراحة، لَمْ يُعْجِبْني الفِلْم.
Honestly, I didn't like the film.
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Everyday Words
The glue of real conversation — expressions like بِصَراحة (honestly), connectors like على العَكْس (on the contrary), feelings, and describing words. Search in English or Arabic.
128 words
simply / put simply
Expressionبِبَساطة
bibasāṭa
بِبَساطة، نَحْنُ بِحاجةٍ إِلى وَقْت.
Simply put, we need time.
no problem / it's simple
Expressionبَسيطة
basīṭa
Very common colloquial reassurance.
لا تَقْلَقْ، المَسْأَلةُ بَسيطة.
Don't worry, it's no big deal.
God willing
Expressionإِنْ شاءَ الله
in shāʾ Allāh
سَأَزورُكَ غَدًا إِنْ شاءَ الله.
I will visit you tomorrow, God willing.
as God willed (wow!)
Expressionما شاءَ الله
mā shāʾ Allāh
Said when admiring something, to give thanks & ward off envy.
ما شاءَ الله، عَمَلٌ رائِع!
Mashallah, excellent work!
praise be to God / I’m fine
Expressionالحَمْدُ لله
al-ḥamdu lillāh
كَيْفَ حالُك؟ الحَمْدُ لله.
How are you? Fine, praise God.
I mean / that is
Expressionيَعْني
yaʿnī
Ubiquitous filler, like English “like / you know”.
هو، يَعْني، مَشْغولٌ قَليلًا.
He is, I mean, a little busy.
by the way
Expressionعلى فِكْرة
ʿalā fikra
على فِكْرة، اِتَّصَلَ بِكَ أَخوك.
By the way, your brother called you.
of course
Expressionطَبْعًا
ṭabʿan
طَبْعًا سَأُساعِدُك.
Of course I will help you.
certainly / for sure
Expressionبِالتَّأْكيد
bit-taʾkīd
بِالتَّأْكيد، هذا صَحيح.
Certainly, that's correct.
maybe / perhaps
Expressionرُبَّما
rubbamā
رُبَّما نَذْهَبُ غَدًا.
Maybe we will go tomorrow.
possible / can I? / maybe
Expressionمُمْكِن
mumkin
Also “is it possible…?” to make polite requests.
مُمْكِن كوبَ ماء؟
Can I have a glass of water?
excuse me / you’re welcome
Expressionعَفْوًا
ʿafwan
شُكْرًا! — عَفْوًا.
Thank you! — You’re welcome.
please
Expressionمِنْ فَضْلِك
min faḍlik
الماءَ مِنْ فَضْلِك.
Water, please.
it’s okay / no harm
Expressionلا بَأْس
lā baʾs
تَأَخَّرْتَ قَليلًا، لا بَأْس.
You’re a little late, it’s okay.
anyway / in any case
Expressionعلى كُلِّ حال
ʿalā kulli ḥāl
على كُلِّ حال، سَنُحاوِل.
In any case, we will try.
actually / in fact
Expressionفي الواقِع
fī l-wāqiʿ
في الواقِع، الأَمْرُ مُخْتَلِف.
Actually, the matter is different.
congratulations
Expressionمَبْروك
mabrūk
مَبْروك على النَّجاح!
Congratulations on your success!
approximately / almost
Expressionتَقْريبًا
taqrīban
اِنْتَهَيْتُ تَقْريبًا.
I’m almost done.
that’s it / enough / done
Expressionخَلاص
khalāṣ
Colloquial: “done / stop / okay then”.
خَلاص، فَهِمْتُ.
Okay, I get it.
welcome!
Expressionأَهْلًا وَسَهْلًا
ahlan wa sahlan
أَهْلًا وَسَهْلًا بِك!
Welcome!
but
Connectorلكِنْ
lākin
أُريدُ الذَّهابَ لكِنّي مَشْغول.
I want to go but I’m busy.
because
Connectorلِأَنَّ
li-anna
بَقيتُ لِأَنَّ الجَوَّ مُمْطِر.
I stayed because the weather was rainy.
so / therefore
Connectorإِذَنْ
idhan
أَنْتَ مُتْعَب، إِذَنْ اِسْتَرِحْ.
You’re tired, so rest.
therefore / for that reason
Connectorلِذلِك
li-dhālik
كانَ مَريضًا، لِذلِك غابَ.
He was sick, therefore he was absent.
in addition to
Connectorبِالإِضافةِ إِلى
bil-iḍāfati ilā
بِالإِضافةِ إِلى ذلِك، هو ذَكِيّ.
In addition to that, he is smart.
on the contrary
Connectorعلى العَكْس
ʿalā l-ʿaks
على العَكْس، أَنا سَعيدٌ جِدًّا.
On the contrary, I’m very happy.
on the other hand
Connectorمِنْ ناحيةٍ أُخْرى
min nāḥiyatin ukhrā
مِنْ ناحيةٍ أُخْرى، السِّعْرُ مُرْتَفِع.
On the other hand, the price is high.
in contrast / conversely
Connectorبِالمُقابِل
bil-muqābil
هو هادِئ، بِالمُقابِل أَخوهُ نَشيط.
He is calm; in contrast, his brother is energetic.
despite / in spite of
Connectorبِالرَّغْمِ مِنْ
bir-raghmi min
نَجَحَ بِالرَّغْمِ مِنَ الصُّعوبات.
He succeeded despite the difficulties.
nevertheless / yet
Connectorمَعَ ذلِك
maʿa dhālik
كانَ مُتْعَبًا، وَمَعَ ذلِك عَمِل.
He was tired, yet he worked.
since / given that
Connectorبِما أَنَّ
bimā anna
بِما أَنَّكَ هُنا، لِنَبْدَأ.
Since you’re here, let’s begin.
also / too
Connectorأَيْضًا
ayḍan
أَنا أَيْضًا أُريدُ القَهْوة.
I want coffee too.
likewise / similarly
Connectorكَذلِك
kadhālik
هي مُجْتَهِدة، وَأَخوها كَذلِك.
She is diligent, and so is her brother.
for example
Connectorمَثَلًا
mathalan
أُحِبُّ الفاكِهة، مَثَلًا التُّفّاح.
I like fruit, for example apples.
finally / at last
Connectorأَخيرًا
akhīran
وَأَخيرًا، شُكْرًا لَكُم.
And finally, thank you all.
in short
Connectorبِاخْتِصار
bikhtiṣār
بِاخْتِصار، الفِكْرةُ ناجِحة.
In short, the idea works.
while / whereas
Connectorبَيْنَما
baynamā
قَرَأْتُ بَيْنَما كانَ يَكْتُب.
I read while he was writing.
when (at the time)
Connectorعِنْدَما
ʿindamā
اِتَّصِلْ بي عِنْدَما تَصِل.
Call me when you arrive.
if
Connectorإِذا
idhā
إِذا دَرَسْتَ، سَتَنْجَح.
If you study, you will succeed.
in order to
Connectorلِكَي
li-kay
أَدْرُسُ لِكَي أَتَعَلَّم.
I study in order to learn.
either… or
Connectorإِمّا… أَوْ
immā… aw
إِمّا الآنَ أَوْ غَدًا.
Either now or tomorrow.
even
Connectorحَتّى
ḥattā
الكُلُّ جاءَ، حَتّى الأَطْفال.
Everyone came, even the children.
happy
Feelingسَعيد
saʿīd
أَنا سَعيدٌ بِلِقائِك.
I’m happy to meet you.
sad
Feelingحَزين
ḥazīn
بَدا حَزينًا اليَوْم.
He seemed sad today.
angry
Feelingغاضِب
ghāḍib
لِماذا أَنْتَ غاضِب؟
Why are you angry?
afraid / scared
Feelingخائِف
khāʾif
الطِّفْلُ خائِفٌ مِنَ الظَّلام.
The child is afraid of the dark.
excited
Feelingمُتَحَمِّس
mutaḥammis
أَنا مُتَحَمِّسٌ لِلرِّحْلة.
I’m excited for the trip.
worried / anxious
Feelingقَلِق
qaliq
هي قَلِقةٌ على اِبْنِها.
She is worried about her son.
proud
Feelingفَخور
fakhūr
أَنا فَخورٌ بِك.
I’m proud of you.
grateful
Feelingمُمْتَنّ
mumtann
أَنا مُمْتَنٌّ لِمُساعَدَتِك.
I’m grateful for your help.
tired
Feelingمُتْعَب
mutʿab
أَشْعُرُ أَنّي مُتْعَب.
I feel tired.
busy
Feelingمَشْغول
mashghūl
أَنا مَشْغولٌ هذا الأُسْبوع.
I’m busy this week.
comfortable / relaxed
Feelingمُرْتاح
murtāḥ
أَشْعُرُ بِأَنّي مُرْتاحٌ هُنا.
I feel comfortable here.
surprised / amazed
Feelingمُنْدَهِش
mundahish
كُنْتُ مُنْدَهِشًا مِنَ الخَبَر.
I was amazed by the news.
shy
Feelingخَجول
khajūl
إِنّهُ طِفْلٌ خَجول.
He is a shy child.
sure / certain
Feelingمُتَأَكِّد
mutaʾakkid
أَنا مُتَأَكِّدٌ مِنْ ذلِك.
I’m sure of that.
ready
Feelingمُسْتَعِدّ
mustaʿidd
هَلْ أَنْتَ مُسْتَعِدّ؟
Are you ready?
long / tall
Describingطَويل
ṭawīl
طَريقٌ طَويل.
A long road.
short
Describingقَصير
qaṣīr
قِصّةٌ قَصيرة.
A short story.
wide / broad
Describingعَريض
ʿarīḍ
شارِعٌ عَريض.
A wide street.
narrow
Describingضَيِّق
ḍayyiq
مَمَرٌّ ضَيِّق.
A narrow passage.
thick
Describingسَميك
samīk
كِتابٌ سَميك.
A thick book.
thin (objects)
Describingرَفيع
rafīʿ
خَيْطٌ رَفيع.
A thin thread.
slim / thin (person)
Describingنَحيف
naḥīf
رَجُلٌ نَحيف.
A slim man.
big / large
Describingكَبير
kabīr
بَيْتٌ كَبير.
A big house.
small
Describingصَغير
ṣaghīr
قِطّةٌ صَغيرة.
A small cat.
high / tall
Describingمُرْتَفِع
murtafiʿ
جَبَلٌ مُرْتَفِع.
A high mountain.
low
Describingمُنْخَفِض
munkhafiḍ
صَوْتٌ مُنْخَفِض.
A low voice.
heavy
Describingثَقيل
thaqīl
حَقيبةٌ ثَقيلة.
A heavy bag.
light (in weight)
Describingخَفيف
khafīf
وَجْبةٌ خَفيفة.
A light meal.
new
Describingجَديد
jadīd
هاتِفٌ جَديد.
A new phone.
old
Describingقَديم
qadīm
بِناءٌ قَديم.
An old building.
fast / quick
Describingسَريع
sarīʿ
قِطارٌ سَريع.
A fast train.
slow
Describingبَطيء
baṭīʾ
إِنْتِرْنِتٌ بَطيء.
A slow internet.
strong
Describingقَوِيّ
qawiyy
رَجُلٌ قَوِيّ.
A strong man.
weak
Describingضَعيف
ḍaʿīf
إِشارةٌ ضَعيفة.
A weak signal.
beautiful
Describingجَميل
jamīl
مَنْظَرٌ جَميل.
A beautiful view.
clean
Describingنَظيف
naẓīf
غُرْفةٌ نَظيفة.
A clean room.
dirty
Describingوَسِخ
wasikh
حِذاءٌ وَسِخ.
A dirty shoe.
easy
Describingسَهْل
sahl
سُؤالٌ سَهْل.
An easy question.
difficult / hard
Describingصَعْب
ṣaʿb
اِمْتِحانٌ صَعْب.
A difficult exam.
hot
Describingحارّ
ḥārr
الجَوُّ حارٌّ اليَوْم.
The weather is hot today.
cold
Describingبارِد
bārid
ماءٌ بارِد.
Cold water.
full
Describingمُمْتَلِئ
mumtaliʾ
الكوبُ مُمْتَلِئ.
The glass is full.
empty
Describingفارِغ
fārigh
الصُّنْدوقُ فارِغ.
The box is empty.
expensive
Describingغالٍ
ghālin
هذا غالٍ جِدًّا.
This is very expensive.
cheap
Describingرَخيص
rakhīṣ
سِعْرٌ رَخيص.
A cheap price.
deep
Describingعَميق
ʿamīq
بِئْرٌ عَميقة.
A deep well.
important
Describingمُهِمّ
muhimm
هذا أَمْرٌ مُهِمّ.
This is an important matter.
excellent
Describingمُمْتاز
mumtāz
عَمَلٌ مُمْتاز!
Excellent work!
forbidden / not allowed
Describingمَمْنوع
mamnūʿ
التَّدْخينُ مَمْنوع.
Smoking is forbidden.
suitable / appropriate
Describingمُناسِب
munāsib
وَقْتٌ مُناسِب.
A suitable time.
different
Describingمُخْتَلِف
mukhtalif
رَأْيٌ مُخْتَلِف.
A different opinion.
useful / beneficial
Describingمُفيد
mufīd
كِتابٌ مُفيد.
A useful book.
amazing / astonishing
Describingمُدْهِش
mudhish
مَنْظَرٌ مُدْهِش.
An amazing view.
famous / well-known
Describingمَشْهور
mashhūr
كاتِبٌ مَشْهور.
A famous writer.
free (of charge)
Describingمَجّانِيّ
majjānī
التَّطْبيقُ مَجّانِيّ.
The app is free.
sick / ill
Describingمَريض
marīḍ
هو مَريضٌ اليَوْم.
He is sick today.
most (of)
Commonمُعْظَم
muʿẓam
مُعْظَمُ النّاسِ يُوافِقون.
Most people agree.
like / similar to
Commonمِثْل
mithl
هو مِثْلُ أَخيه.
He is like his brother.
what
Questionماذا
mādhā
ماذا تُريد؟
What do you want?
who
Questionمَنْ
man
مَنْ هُناك؟
Who is there?
where
Questionأَيْنَ
ayna
أَيْنَ تَسْكُن؟
Where do you live?
when
Questionمَتى
matā
مَتى تَصِل؟
When do you arrive?
how
Questionكَيْفَ
kayfa
كَيْفَ حالُك؟
How are you?
why
Questionلِماذا
limādhā
لِماذا تَأَخَّرْت؟
Why are you late?
how much / how many
Questionكَمْ
kam
كَمِ السّاعة؟
What time is it?
which
Questionأَيّ
ayy
أَيَّ لَوْنٍ تُفَضِّل؟
Which color do you prefer?
now
Timeالآنَ
al-ān
تَعالَ الآنَ.
Come now.
today
Timeاليَوْمَ
al-yawm
أَنا مَشْغولٌ اليَوْمَ.
I’m busy today.
tomorrow
Timeغَدًا
ghadan
أَراكَ غَدًا.
See you tomorrow.
yesterday
Timeأَمْسِ
ams
وَصَلْتُ أَمْسِ.
I arrived yesterday.
always
Timeدائِمًا
dāʾiman
هو دائِمًا مُتَأَخِّر.
He is always late.
sometimes
Timeأَحْيانًا
aḥyānan
أَحْيانًا أَمْشي إِلى العَمَل.
Sometimes I walk to work.
never
Timeأَبَدًا
abadan
لَنْ أَنْساكَ أَبَدًا.
I will never forget you.
before
Timeقَبْلَ
qabla
اِتَّصِلْ قَبْلَ أَنْ تَأْتي.
Call before you come.
after
Timeبَعْدَ
baʿda
نَلْتَقي بَعْدَ الصَّلاة.
We meet after the prayer.
very
Commonجِدًّا
jiddan
الطَّعامُ لَذيذٌ جِدًّا.
The food is very delicious.
a lot / many
Commonكَثير
kathīr
لَدَيَّ عَمَلٌ كَثير.
I have a lot of work.
a little / few
Commonقَليل
qalīl
اِنْتَظِرْ قَليلًا.
Wait a little.
all / every
Commonكُلّ
kull
كُلُّ شَيْءٍ بِخَيْر.
Everything is fine.
some
Commonبَعْض
baʿḍ
بَعْضُ النّاسِ يُحِبّونَه.
Some people like it.
together
Commonمَعًا
maʿan
لِنَعْمَلْ مَعًا.
Let’s work together.
alone / only
Commonوَحْد
waḥd
Used with a pronoun: وَحْدي (by myself), وَحْدَه (by himself).
ذَهَبْتُ وَحْدي.
I went alone.
here
Commonهُنا
hunā
تَعالَ هُنا.
Come here.
there
Commonهُناك
hunāk
اِجْلِسْ هُناك.
Sit there.
maybe / it’s possible
Commonمِنَ المُمْكِن
mina l-mumkin
مِنَ المُمْكِنِ أَنْ يَتَأَخَّر.
It’s possible he’ll be late.
128 everyday words & expressions — the pieces that make speech flow. More added regularly.
Frequently asked
How do you say "honestly" in Arabic?
“Honestly” or “frankly” is بِصَراحة (biṣarāḥa). For example: بِصَراحة، لَمْ يُعْجِبْني الفِلْم — “Honestly, I didn’t like the film.”
What are common Arabic connecting words?
The most useful connectors include لكِنْ (but), لِأَنَّ (because), لِذلِك (therefore), بِالإِضافةِ إِلى (in addition to), على العَكْس (on the contrary), and مِنْ ناحيةٍ أُخْرى (on the other hand).
What are the most common Arabic "m-" words?
Everyday words that start with م include مُهِمّ (important), مُمْتاز (excellent), مُمْكِن (possible), مَمْنوع (forbidden), مَشْغول (busy), مُناسِب (suitable), and مُمْتَنّ (grateful).
How many words do you need to have a basic Arabic conversation?
A few hundred high-frequency words — common verbs, plus everyday expressions, connectors, and describing words like these — cover the vast majority of daily conversation.