Colin Gilbert

The English phrase ‘hey daddy’ can be translated into Arabic as يا بابا. يا بابا is a popular way to say ‘Hey Daddy’ in a warm, affectionate manner.

The English phrase cutlery is translated into Arabic as أدوات المائدة. The term refers to eating and serving utensils.

In Arabic, ‘bike ride’ is expressed as ركوب الدراجة. ركوب الدراجة refers to the general activity of riding a bicycle for travel or exercise.

For a casual “hi” in Qatar, young people say هاي (hay), borrowed from English, or هلا (hala). A friendlier form is يا هلا (ya hala).

The English word purple is translated into Arabic as بَنَفْسَجِيّ.

In Arabic, “ouch” is expressed as أَحّ.

The Arabic verb for ‘breathe out’ is زفر (zafara). The verb زفر is used specifically to describe the act of exhaling air from the lungs.

To say “enjoy your meal” in Arabic, the default form is بالهناء والشفاء.

The English phrase “verbs” is translated into Arabic as أفعال.

In Qatar people wish “good luck” with بالتوفيق (bi-t-tawfīq), “with success”.