Quick guide
Greetings, polite words and handy questions you will hear every day in Kuwait, with pronunciation.
Greetings
| Meaning | Arabic | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello (peace be upon you) | السلام عليكم | as-salaamu alaykum |
| Reply to hello | وعليكم السلام | wa alaykum as-salaam |
| Welcome | أهلا وسهلا | ahlan wa sahlan |
| Good morning | صباح الخير | sabaah al-khair |
| Good evening | مساء الخير | masaa al-khair |
| How are you? (to a man) | شلونك؟ | shlōnak? |
| How are you? (to a woman) | شلونچ؟ | shlōnich? |
| Fine, thank God | زين، الحمد لله | zain, al-hamdu lillah |
Polite words
| Meaning | Arabic | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Thank you | مشكور | mashkoor |
| Please (to a man) | لو سمحت | law samaht |
| Please (to a woman) | لو سمحتي | law samahti |
| Yes | إي | ee |
| No | لا | la |
| God willing | إن شاء الله | in shaa allah |
| Sorry | آسف | aasif |
| May God give you strength (said to someone working) | يعطيك العافية | yaateek al-aafya |
Handy questions
| Meaning | Arabic | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| What? | شنو؟ | shinu? |
| Where? | وين؟ | wain? |
| How much? | بچم؟ | bcham? |
| Why? | ليش؟ | laish? |
| Do you speak English? | تتكلم إنجليزي؟ | titkallam ingleezi? |
Everyday words
| Meaning | Arabic | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Let’s go / come on | يلا | yalla |
| A lot / very | وايد | wayid |
| Good / fine | زين | zain |
| Now | الحين | al-heen |
| Water | ماي | mai |
| Coffee | قهوة | gahwa |
Pronunciation is a simple guide. The listen button uses your device’s Arabic voice, which may sound like standard Arabic rather than Kuwaiti.
Quick answers
Do people in Kuwait speak English?
Arabic is the official language of Kuwait. English is widely used in business and shops, but a few words of Arabic are always appreciated.
What is the difference between Kuwaiti Arabic and standard Arabic?
Kuwaiti Arabic is the spoken Gulf dialect used day to day, while Modern Standard Arabic is used in writing, news and formal speech. This list gives the everyday Kuwaiti form.