QATAR
Language

Language

Besides Arabic, which is the official language, English is spoken in Qatar. There are different types of Arabic. Classical Arabic, the language of the Qur'an, is the basis of all contemporary dialects of spoken and written Arabic. A modernized and somewhat simplified form of classical Arabic is the language of the educated class in the Middle East.

This more modern version, Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), is used in newspapers and on radio and television. It is also spoken by Arabs from different countries. Such a common language is necessary because the different dialects often differ too much from each other.

Some Arabic words and phrases:

• One – waHid
• Two – idhnîn
• Three – dhladha
• Hello – as-salâma alaykum
• Welcome – ahlan wa sahlan of marHaba
• Jes – aiwa / na'am
• No – lâ
• Thank you:
• shukran or mashkur to a man
• mashkura to a woman
• maskurin to a group

• I come from Europe – ôrobba
• I come from America – amrika
• What does hat mean? – shu ya'ani?
• Car – sayyara
• Bus – bas
• Boot – markab
• East – sharug
• West – gharub
• Lunch – al-ghade
• Diner – al-ashe
• Potato – batates
• Tea – chai
• Coffie – qahwa
• January – yanâyir
• December – disimbir

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Sources

Robison, G. / Bahrain, Kuwait & Qatar
Lonely Planet

Whetter, L. / Live & work in Saudi & the Gulf
Vacation Work

CIA - World Factbook

BBC - Country Profiles

Last updated March 2024
Copyright: Team The World of Info