![We Tried [u]bk's Lively Garden Brunch at Mövenpick JLT Dubai](https://cdnexpatwomanfood.expatwoman.com/s3fs-public/urban%20bar%20and%20kitchen%20brunch%20main.png "We Tried [u]bk's Lively Garden Brunch at Mövenpick JLT Dubai")
As a cosmopolitan city with lots of different cultures, Dubai has different languages being used. Find out more about them here!
27 March 2017
| Last updated on 19 January 2020
The official language in Dubai is Arabic for both written and verbal communications. However, English is the most widely spoken language, especially when it comes to tourism and business.
Do you need to speak Arabic?
Dubai is a multi-cultural place so speaking more than one language will always come in handy. For the most part, fluency is Arabic is not necessary. Most of the road signs, boards, instructions, etc are written in both Arabic and English.
However, government offices and affairs are mostly conducted in Arabic. Official laws and contracts need to be in Arabic and then translated to English.
SEE ALSO: 17 Arabic phrases every expat should learn
Public school are usually taught primarily in Arabic. Most expats choose to opt for private schools instead where English or another foreign language is used.
Learning simple Arabic words is always recommended and appreciated.
Other languages
The majority of Dubai’s population is made up of expats, which brings many different language to the Emirate. Aside from Arabic and English, South Asian languages are often used as there are many expats from that region. Some of the most common ones are Hindi/Urdu, Tagalog, Bengali and Tamil.
Since Dubai is essentially a melting pot of cultures, everyone tends to communicate in English. However, it's always nice to show appreciation for someone else's culture and learning a few simple words can definitely accomplish that.
Common Words in Hindi/Urdu
Aap kaisey hain? - How are you?
Mein theek hoon - I'm fine
Shukriya - Thank you
Main samjha/i nahin - I don't understand
Yeh kaisey diyaa? - How much is this?
Nahi - No
Yes - Haa
Common Words in Tagalog
Kumusta? - How are you?
Mabuti naman - I'm good
Salamat - Thank you
Hindi ko naiintindihan - I don't understand
Magkano to? - How much is this?
Hindi - No
O-o - Yes
SEE ALSO: 6 things nobody tells you about moving to Dubai
Common words in Bengali
Kemon acho - How are you?
Ami bhalo achi - I'm fine
Dhonnobad - Thank you
Bujhte pari ni - I don't understand
Ei jinishṭar koto dam? - How much is this?
Naa - No
Han - Yes
Common words in Tamil
Eppadi irukkindriirgal - How are you?
Nadraaga irukkindren - I'm fine
Nandri - Thank you
Puriyavillai - I don't understand
Idhu evvalavu? - How much is this?
Illai - No
Amaam - Yes
