Omani Arabic for Expats: TV, Film & Media

These words and expressions relate to TV, film & media.

Nouns/Phrases

Film, films  film, aflam  فيلم افلام
Program  barnamij  برنامج
Series   halaqa, muselsel مسلسل او حلقة
News    akbar اخبار
Channel    qanah   قناه
Arts     fann  فن
Special programming   barnamig khas   برنامج خاص
Watch TV   moshahadat talvision مشاهدة التلفاز
Subtitles      ektiar alooga  اختيار اللغة

Remote control   gehaz, tahkoom جهاز التحكم
TV         talvision  تلفاز
Screen    Shasha  شاشه
Oman TV       تلفزيون عمان
Al Thameena- MBC1 news show at 8pm  برنامج الثامنه
Talent     mawhoob   موهوب
Bollywood     filim hindi  فيلم هندي
Egyptian movies   filim masri  فيلم مصري

Newscaster        Moqadem, mothee   مقدم مذيع
Actor, Actress    Momathel, momathelah  ممثل ممثله
Director      Mohreg  مخرج
Producer   Monteg   منتج
Singer     Mogani  مغني
Cast       Majmua mamathaleen مجموعة اللممثللين
Oscar     Oscar اوسكار

Cinema    Cinema   سينما
Ticket, tickets    Tathkerahتذكرة
Now Showing  yourath alaa'n   يعرض الان
Coming soon   Qreeba  قريبا
Seat           Kursi
Royal Opera House/Muscat   Al Opera Alsultania Muscat  الاوبرا السلطانية

Examples:

I have two tickets to the opera for Friday. Would you like to join me? endi tathkeratain asahn al opera youm al jouma. kaif batji maee? عندي تذكرتين عشان الاوبرا يوم الجمعه. كيف بتجي معي؟

I watched 'the Voice' last night. Sheft the voice laylat ams. شفت برنامج ذا فويس ليلة امس

I'd like four tickets for the film starting at 8pm. areed arba tathaker hal al filim saa'h thamaniah اريد اربع تذاكر حال الفيلم ساعه ثمانيه

Pass me the remote. jeeb al jehaz  جيب الجهاز

News Words
Live -mabashar  مباشر
Exclusive  hasri  حصري
'Breaking news' - ajel   عاجل
'Just in' - qabl qaleel   قبل قليل
Press Conference Moatamer Sahafi   مؤتمر صحفي
Media    eelam   اعلام

News   Akhbar  اخبار
Politics  siyasah  سياسه
Finance Malayah   ماليه
Sports riyadah  رياضه

King    Malik  ملك
Presidency, President  rea'sah, Raeis  رئيس رئاسه
Prime Minister  Raeis al wizara رئيس الوزراء
Minister, ministers  Wazeer   وزير
Leader, leaders   Qaeed, Qadah  قائد قاده
Official, officials - rasmee, masool   رسمي مسؤول
Diplomat, diplomats Diplomasiدبلوماسي
Spokesperson   Motahedeth al rasmi   متحدث رسمي
People -shaA'B   شعب

Latest Development - tat'oorat al kheera   اخر التطورات
Situation   Wadea' وضع
Controversy - ethara liljadal اثاره للجدل
Point of View- wejahat nather  وجهة نظر
Continue - tawasil تواصل يستمر
'Coming days' -  alayam aljayah الايام الجايه  
Information - maloomat معلومات

Republic  Gomhoriah جمهوريه
Kingdom   mamlakah  مملكه
Democracy  Dimoqratiah ديقراطيه
Regime   Nedam  نظام
Election -entihabat    انتخابات
Vote   Tasweet  تصويت

Demonstrators Mohtageen محتجين
Protestors, protest  Ehtigag    احتجاج
Activists  Noshata' نشطاء ناشط
Martyrs - shaheed   شهيد
Numbers - adad   اعداد

Tank   Dababah  دبابه
Tear Gas Moseel Doomoh  مسيل للدموع
Bombing   Tafjeer   تفجير
Weapons Aslihah  اسلحه
Strike   edraab   اضراب
Drone   Tayrah bidoon Tayar  طائره بدون طيار
Military    Askariah  عسكريه
Special Forces  Qwat khasah  قوات خاصه
Internal Security    Alamn Al Dhakili   الامن الداخلي
Spy        Gasoos, baooda (lit. mosquito)   جاسوس  او بعوضه
'The injured'   Mosab  مصاب
Casualties    Esabat    اصابات

Terrorist, terrorists     Erhabi, Erhab    ارهابي ارهاب
Attack    Hajma   هجمه
Coup   Enqilab  انقلاب
Riot   Shagab  شغب
Revolution     Thawrah   ثوره

Political Party   Hezb Siyasi حزب سياسي
Brotherhood   Al Ekhwan  الاخوان

Human Rights    Hooqooq alensan  حقوق الانسان
United Nations   alomam al mutahidah الامم المتحده
International inspectors  Mofatsheen Dwalieen  مفتشين دوليين
 
Scandal      Fadiha  فضيحه
Corruption   fasad   فساد
Evidence   Burhan or Dalil  برهان او دليل
Deny    Enkar  انكار
'Witnessed'  Yashad  يشهد
Consequences   Awaqeb عواقب

.

Omani Arabic for Expats: Computer terms

A few basic computer commands/phrases.

Print etba        اطبع
Save ehfath       احفظ
Delete ehthef    احذف
Open  eftah          افتح
File    malaf        ملف

Email   bareed electroni    بريد الكتروني
Send    ersel               ارسل
Forward  ersel marra okhra       ارسل مره اخرى
Reply  red رد
User name ism almastaqdem     كلمة المستخدم
Password   kalemat alsor         كلمة السر

Browser  Mutsafeh      متصفح
Search    bahth       بحث
Surf       tasfuh       تصفح
Hacker   Muqtarik or 'hackar'      مخترق
Blog    Modawanah      مدونة
Website   Mauqa   موقع

 

Omani Arabic for Expats: Driving

Please see words and expressions in regard to driving in Oman.

Nouns
Sayara - car سيارة
Shahena - truck   شاحنة
Water Truck - tankar mai  تنكر ماء
Rental car  - sayara l'jarra  سيارة اجرة
Company car - sayara sharka   سيارة شركة
Student driver - sayara taaleem -سيارة تعليم

Street, road - shar'aa, tareeq  شارع طريق
Lane - Harra حارة
Traffic signal - ashara - اشارة
Roundabout - duwar دوار 
Speed limit - al sura al mahdeda السرعه المحدده
Speed bump - matab مطب

Insurance - Ta'meen - تامين
Car registration - Mulkeeya -  ملكية
License Plate - lawahat sayarah  لوحة السيارة
Accident - Hadith حادث
Driving test - Ektibar al qiyadah اختبار القيادة

Police - shorta شرطه
Police Station Markaz Shorta مركز الشرطه
Police report taqreer تقرير
Radar - raadaar رادار
Violation/fine - mukalafah مخالفة

Examples:
Slow down !  koof alsurah خف

Watch out for the student driver. Entabeh lsayayaq altaleem انتبه لسايق التعليم

Trunk/Boot - dabah دبة السيارة
Back seat - seat/cursi al khalfee الكرسي الخلفي
Front seat - seat/cursi al amamee الكرسي الامامي
Engine - Makeena ماكينة
Tires taiyar  at'aar تاير اطار
Flat tire banshar  بنشر

Example:
Stop at Oman Oil. I want to put air in my tires.
waqaf fi oman oil. ureed aabi hawa hal tawayar وقف في عمان اويل اريد اعبي هواء حال التواير

Driver - sa'aq سائق
Taxi- taxi

Road Construction amal tareeq اعمال طريق
Detour Mona'taf منعطف

Car repair industrial area - senaiya صناعية
Oil Change Tagyeer oil تغير زيت او اويل

Gas station - Mahatat gas, sheesha (very local)  محطة غاز
Air Hawa هواء
Regular petrol - a'adee عادي
Premium petrol - mumtaz ممتاز
Full -fool- فول
Empty Fadii فاضي

Examples:
Put 5 OMR - sawi or Abi hamsa 5 ryial  سوي او عبي خمسه ريال

Fill-u the tank - Abee full عبي فول

Drive Thru -  talabyah مدخل للطلبيه
Order here - Etlab hona اطلب هنا

Examples:
Put the bags in the trunk -  Khali agraad phi Dabah خلي الاغراض في الدبه

I have five speeding violations - indi Khams mukhalafat Sora'ah عندي خمس  مخالفات سرعه

Be careful of the radar near Qurm signal - ehtaris min alradar qorb eshrit alqurm احترس من الرادار قرب اشارة القرم

This is a one way street. Turn around. - Tariq  awhadi, lif طريق احادي لف

I need to take my car to the repair area. My engine has a problem. - ureed awadi sayarti  tasleeh. almakinah fiha muskilah اريد اودي سيارتي التصليح المكينه فيها مشله

I ran out of petrol. Kalas petrol indi خلص البترول عندي

I'm on empty (petrol). Fadi tanki al petrol indi فاضي تانكي البترول عندي

Directions:
Straight - Seeda سيده
Right - Yameen يمين
Left - Yasar يسار
Back, reverse - Wara, Revrs (same as English word different pronunciation) ارجع
Turn - Lef لف
U-turn -  رجوع
One way طريق احادي

Examples:
Turn left at the signal - Lef yasar fil eshara لف يسار في الاشارة
I had an accident - Sowait hadith سويت حادث
Where is the police station - wain markaz alshorta  وين مركز الشرطة
I am lost -  ana tayih fi alshaee انا تايه
I am looking for Araimi Plaza - ana adoor  Mujama araimi انا ادور مركز العريمي

Expressions:
Turn on the car - Shagel al sayara شغل السياره
Turn off the car - Banid al sayara بند السياره

Open the window/door - Ifta al dreesha/baab افتح الباب
Close the window/door - sakiral dreesh/baab سكر الدريشه
Lock the doors - sakar al baab سكر الباب

Slow down - Hafifh خفف
Speed up - B'sura, doos(very local)   بسرعه دوس
Stop - qef قف
Brake - 'brake' بريك
Go - 'rooh' روح
Drive - yasooq, yaqood يسوق يقود
Park - waqaf  وقف

Turn the volume down - Qaser radio قصر ع الراديو
Turn up the volume - Toawel radio طول على الراديو

I passed my driving test. Najahat fi emtihan alqiyada نجحت في اختبار القيادة
I failed my driving test    Rasabt fi emtihan alqiyada رسبت في اختبار القيادة

Register a car - Sagil sayarah سجل لاسيارة
Renew registration - gadad sayarah جدد السيارة
Transfer registration - Tahweel mulkiyah تحويل ملكيه

Rent a car - estager/tajeer Sayarah أستأجر
Buy a car - ishtari sayarah  اشتري
Sell a Car - bea' sayarah  بيع

Examples:

What's your phone number? kam raqam talafoonak? كم رقم تلفونك
Drive fast. I am in a hurry. Sook b'sura. Ana mistagul. سوق بسرعه انا مستعجل
Stop here. I want to get out. woqef hina. ureed anzil. وقف هنا اريد انزل
I'm going to call the police. Rah atasil  b'shorta  راح اتصل بالشرطه

Warnings:
Danger - khateer خطر او تحذير
Watch out - Intabeh انتبه

 

Omani Arabic for Expats - Meeting up/Social Expressions

Meeting-up

Examples with variations.

Would you like to meet later?  Tureed naltaqi baaden? Tureed nitqable baaden?  Tabi niltaqi baa'den?

تريد نلتقي بعدين؟\ تريد نتقابل بعدين؟\ تبي نلتقي بعدين؟

When should we meet? Mita naltaqi? Mita nataqable? Mita benshoofik?
متى نلتقي؟\ متى نتقابل؟\ متى بنشوفك؟

Where should we meet? Wen naltaqi? Wen nataqable? Wen benshoofik?
وين نلتقي؟\ وين نتقابل؟\ وين بشوفك؟

Meet me at Costa a 5 pm. Qableni fi Costa saa hamsa. Bashoofik fi Costa saa hamsa.
قابلني في كوستا ساعه خمسه\ بشوفك في كوستا

I am coming now. جاي الحين jaay alheen

I'll be there in 10 minutes. bakoon hinak baad ashar daqayaq
بكون هناك بعد عشر دقايق

I'll be there soon. bakoon hinak qareeban
بكون هناك قريبا

Where are you? weenak?
 وينك

On the Telephone

Hello - Aloo Marhaba
الو مرحبا
Who's speaking - Men mai? (lit. who's with me)
مين معي؟
Ahmed speaking - Ahmed mak. (lit. Ahmed with you)
احمد معك
How are you, how are things? Kaif halkum. Kaif Lamoor?
كيف حالكم \ كيف الامور؟
Everything is good. Alhumdullah. Kullu tamam.
الحمد الله كله تمام
Is Qassim there? - Qassim majood?
قاسم موجود
No, he's not. - La, Ma majood.
لا ما موجود
Could I take a message? Mumkin atrekluh resala?
ممكن اتركله رساله
Give my regards to Manal.  Ersil Taheeyateli Manal
ارسل تحياتي الى منال
Hold please - intad'er daqeeqa
انتظر دقيقة
Goodbye - masalama
مع السلامه

Inviting someone into your home

Knock Knock - atrick
اطرق

Who's there - Men hunak?
 مين هناك؟

Come in - Tafadl,  Tafadeli (for female)
 تفضل\ تفضلي

Please have a seat. - Tafadl Iglees, tafadeli gelsee (for female)
 تفضل اجلس او اجلسي

Would you like something to drink? - Tureed tashrub shay? Tureedi (for female)
تريد تشرب شاي

Please come to visit my home. - Men fadlik tahal zoorni fi baiti.
 من فضللك تعال زورني في البيت

Vocabulary:

• Question words:
•  Mita - when
•  Wen - where
•  Men - who
• Verbs (in third person masculine singular):
• yaqable (meet)
• yaltaqi (meet)
• yashoof (see)
• yureed (want)
• yabi (want)
• yashrub (drink)
• yentader (wait)
• Prepositions: fi (in),  saa (hour as in time), hamsa (five)

Useful Omani Arabic Expressions for Expats, Part 1

Part One - Useful expressions

I hope the following will be useful expressions for expats or visitors to Oman. The phrases below will be in local dialect.  Standard Arabic is called 'fusha' , and local Arabic dialects (ameeyah), and there is also what I call 'mafi maloom' language- a simplified version of Arabic mixed with some Hindi used to communicate with shop keepers in Oman. The default name to call non-Omani male shop keepers is 'Mohmmed' but one can also say 'Sadeeq (friend in Arabic), Beyaa (friend/bro in Hindi).

1. Jeeb  and Shil  - To give and to take

Usage:  Jeeb - When ordering food, when requesting a item from a shop keeper, or when you would like someone to 'pass' or 'give' you something. Use 'Jeebi' when speaking to a female.
Arabic: جيب

Examples: 

• In a store: Jeeb Wahid - 'give me one, I'll take one', jeeb hadha - 'I'll take that'
• In a restaurant: jeeb cola - 'bring me a coke', 'I'll have a coke.'
• With friend: 'Jeeb Ahmed' - bring Ahmed (with you)

Usage:  Shil - When you want someone to take something. Use 'Shili' when speaking to a female.
Arabic:شيل

Examples:

• Shil sayara - 'Take the car (with you)'
• Shil-ni ma'ak - 'Take me with you'
• Ta'hal shil-ne - 'Pick me up'
• Shil-ni LuLu's - 'Take me to the LuLu's market'
• Shil Ahmed Madrasa - 'Take Ahmed to School'

2. 'Shay' and 'Ma Shay' - Something exists or is available or isn't available or doesn't exist

Usage: Shay - Use this phrase to indicate if something is available and 'Ma Shay' in the negative.
Arabic: شي | ماشي

Examples: 

• In a store: Shay Pepsi? - 'Is there Pepsi?, Do you have Pepsi?'
• In a restaurant: 'Shay Kingfish' - 'Are you serving Kingfish'
• At home:
• 'Shay Cola'- Do we have coke left?, Is there Coke?
• 'La, Ma Shay' - No, there's no coke.
• 'Jeeb Cola' - Bring some coke.

3. Sabr, Shwaya, B'Sura' - Wait/Slowly, Little, Quickly

Usage: Sabr - Use this phrase to indicate to someone to slow down, stop or wait. Use 'Sabri' with a female.
Arabic:  صبر| شويه| بسرعه

Examples: 

• In a taxi: 'Saber, Saber'- 'slow down, wait'
• On the phone: Saber shwaya- 'Hold on. Wait a minute'
• With others: 'B'sura, b'sura' - quickly, with speed
• الشارع السريع| Muscat Expressway | Sharee Al Sureea Muscat - Sureea adjective form of Sura' - speed

4. law smaht-- excuse me-- لو سمحت , law smahtee-- excuse me when speaking to a female-- لو سمحتي

Usage: law smaht - Use this to say excuse me; for example, if you need to interrupt someone or get someone's attention.

Examples: 

• In a store: ' Beyaa, Low Samaht. Shay 'Dew'. Zain. Jeeb Wahid.' - Bro, Excuse me. Do you have Mountain Dew? Fine. Bring me one.

5. Zain, Tamam - Good, everything is Ok   زين | تمام

6. Kam - How much/many

Examples: 'Shay Marlboro Abeid? Kam?' - Are Marlboro Lights (whites) available? How much are they?

To be continued...

 

English meanings of Arabic words of well-known trade names and places in Oman

I am putting together a list of English meanings of Arabic words of well-known trade names and places in Oman.

Oasis Water Brand of Zubair Company








• Nawras - 'Seagull' / النورس - Nawras is the Sultanate's friendly phone service provider.
  
  
• Badr Al Samaa -  'full moon, sky' /  بدر السماء - Badr Al Samaa is a leading hospital chain.
  
  
• Shatti Qurum - 'beach, type of tree called qurm' - Famous area in Muscat next to the beach.
  
  
• LuLu Hypermarket - 'pearl' / لؤلؤ - LuLu's Hypermarket is a leading retailer in the Gulf region.
  
  
• Safeer Mall/Market - 'ambassador' / سفير - Safeer - Major retailer of malls and hypermarkets.
  
  
• Almarai - 'meadows' / المراعي  - Brand of dairy products from Saudi but widely consumed in Oman and the GCC.
  
  
• Sharqiyah - 'Easterly' - from the Arabic word 'East' / الشرق / -  Sharqiyah is the region which extends the furthest East in Oman. Sur is a famous city in Sharqiyah.
  
  
• Dakhiliya - 'interior' /  الداخلية -  Dakhiliya is a region in the interior of Oman. Niswa is located in this region. 'Dakhel' means 'inside' in Arabic. The Ministry of Interior is called Wisarat Dakhiliya in Arabic.
  
  
• Wadi Kabir -'Valley, Big' - An area in Muscat near Ruwi. 
  
  
  
  
  
• Majan - Historical name of 'Oman'.  Also, a boat in the Oman Sail fleet is named Air Majan.
  
  
• Waha/Oasis Water - 'Oasis' / واحة. -  Leading brand of bottled water.
  
  
• Jebel Shams - 'Mountain, Sun' and Jebel Akhdar - 'Mountain, Green' - Popular tourist   destinations.
  
  
• Ras Al Hamra - 'Head, Red' - Area in Muscat where PDO company is located. Ras refers to a coastal point such as Ras al Jins.
  
  
• Madinat Al-Ilam -'City of Media/Information' - Area in Muscat near Qurum.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Bahja Mall - 'Joy' / بهجة - A mall which used to house Marks & Spencer located in the Seeb area. There is also a cinema on site.
  
  
• Al Maha Petrol - 'Oryx (antelope)' /  المها - Trade name of petroleum company and provider of service stations.
  
  
• Amouage -'waves' / أمواج - Brand name of exquisite attar perfume made in Oman and of the Integrated Tourism Complex, 'the Wave'.
  
  
• Mina'a Al Fahal - Port, 'strong and powerful guy; stallion'/  ميناء الفحل - Location of PDO refinery and operations in Muscat metro area. 

Arabic and Islamic themes in Frank Herbert's "Dune"

Khalid from the Baheyeldin Dynasty blog has put together a great resource of Arabic and Islamic themes found in the science fiction novel and movie "Dune" by Frank Herbert.  Please check out the link below; it is worthwhile if you have interest in science fiction and/or Arabic language.

'What is not well known are the various Islamic undertones, and Arabic etymologies that Frank Herbert put in Dune. The purpose of this article is to try to list these themes, and trace them back to whatever Islamic concept there is (if any). The following list is derived from the above linked Lexicon, with some of my own addition. I try to explain what the term means in Herbert's novel, and what possible Arabic or Islamic terms it was derived from, and their original meaning.'

http://baheyeldin.com/literature/arabic-and-islamic-themes-in-frank-herberts-dune.html

Arabic Language Learning Resources

TOP Arabic Internet-based Resources / Arabic Courses offered in Oman listed at end of post

1. Arabic Pod  //  www.arabicpod.net
   ArabicPod is a website dedicated to providing the most innovative, effective and fun methods for learning Arabic. We use the latest in web technologies to provide a rich learning experience delivering podcasts, videos, games and much more.
    
2. Speak Arabic Quickly // www.speakarabicquickly.com
   Here you can learn a new sentence in Modern Standard Arabic every day, from Monday through Friday.
   
   
3. GLOSS Defense Language Institute // http://gloss.dliflc.edu/Default.aspx
   Lessons are developed for independent learners to provide them with the learning/teaching tools for improving their foreign language skills.  Reading and listening lessons are based on authentic materials (articles, TV reports, radio broadcasts, etc.) and consist of 4 to 6 activities.
   
   
4. Internet Polyglot // http://www.internetpolyglot.com/lessons-ar-en
   Internet Polyglot is dedicated to helping our members learn foreign languages by providing them a way to memorize words and their meanings. This helps your memory to grasp more information and retain it for longer time.
   
   
5. Foreign Service Institute // http://fsi-language-courses.org/Content.php?page=Arabic%20Saudi
   Saudi Arabic Basic Course (Urban Hijazi Dialect)
   
   
6. Bareem TV // http://www.baraem.tv/ahla-sabah/vod/
   Activities for kids in Arabic
   
   
7. BBC Learning English (for Arabic speakers) // http://www.bbc.co.uk/arabic/learningenglish/dailyprogrammes/
   Listening and reading activities based upon current events. This site is for Arabic students learning English but works well in reverse. For intermediate to advanced students.
8. BYKI.net / from Transparent Language
    Free download. Learn through online virtual flashcards with audio and script.
   
9.   Read Arabic! //
   http://readarabic.nflc.org/?page=home Funded by the US Department of Education, the materials of Read Arabic! were developed to provide online e-learning reading lessons aimed at beginning and intermediate students of the language.
   
10.  Learning Arabic by Songs 
    http://www.laflwsp.com

Arabic Courses in Oman

1. Polyglot // www.polyglot.org  // MUSCAT
   Polyglot has always set an enviable standard for its courses in Arabic as a Foreign Language. Our courses are popular with both expatriates and Omani nationals, who may lack in-depth knowledge of the language, alike.
   
   
2. Gulf Arabic Programme "GAP School" // http://www.gapschool.net/ // AL BURAIMI
   'Learn the spoken Gulf dialect of Arabic using a variety of methods and materials fitting a variety of learning styles, with an emphasis on communicating in Arabic with both fluency and accuracy.'
   
   This school is located in an old villa in Al Buraimi, Oman next to Al Ain, Emirates. They offer a full-time intensive programme for five hours/five days a week or private lessons. The school has developed its own curriculum and materials and teaches the local Gulf dialect as well as standard Arabic.
   
   Students come from the USA, Asia and Europe from many backgrounds and cultures. The teachers are local Omanis or Emiratis. The complete programme is two years (but not required), and one could achieve fluency to Level 3 as rated by the State Department. The cost is reasonable. If one wants to learn Arabic, this is a good place.
3. World Learning Oman Center  http://oman.worldlearning.org/ // MUSCAT Offers Arabic language learning courses.  Located in Muscat. www.omancenter.org.

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