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Arabic is the official language of the Hashemite Kingdom of
Jordan. Its roots can be found in ancient Phoenician, one of the oldest known
languages. Its written form has remained almost unchanged over 1,400 years and
is the same in all Arab countries, mainly because of the influence of the Qu'ran.
In its spoken form, however, there are some differences, mostly between city and
rural people, who may have difficulty understanding each other readily.
You may recognize some Arabic words that have been
assimilated into English: alcohol, cable, check, magazine, safari, sheriff. |
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Jordanians, like people in other Arab countries, often use
proverbs and traditional sayings. For example: "In its lifetime, the tree never
reaches its God." (Be content with what God has given you, not always striving
for something you can't have.) "I have neither a she-camel nor a he-camel in
this matter." (I have nothing at stake and no interest in this.) "A good
person learns from a wink, a bad one from a kick." |
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| Yes |
Aewa or na'am |
| No |
La |
| Please |
Men fadlak |
| Thank you |
Shukran |
| Hello |
Marhaba or salaam |
| How are you? |
Keif halac? |
| I am fine |
Ana mabsoot or ana kowayes |
| God willing |
Insha'allah |
| You're welcome |
Ahlan wa sahlan |
| Goodbye |
Ma'asalaama |
| Do you understand? |
Inta fahamt? |
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Did you know? |
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Body language is different from that in Canada. For example,
to signal "no," a Jordanian will raise his head sharply, his eyebrows raised,
sometimes with closed eyes and a clicking of the tongue. To signal "yes," he
will nod his head downward to one side. |
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