WCE

Operational Arabic for International Personnel

ARAB120 · Complete printable workbook · World Cultures & Education

Modern Standard Arabic with English meanings and pronunciation guides. Use fictional details. Read the models, practice with a partner, complete the task and check your answers.

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1. Greetings, identity and roles

Goal: Introduce yourself and ask a colleague’s name.

Use أنا + role: أنا مترجم. Use من for “from.” Arabic has masculine and feminine role forms: مترجم / مترجمة. The dialogues use basic Modern Standard Arabic.

Useful phrases

صباح الخير.

Good morning.

sabaah al-khayr

اسمي سام.

My name is Sam.

ismii Saam

أنا من كندا.

I am from Canada.

anaa min Kanada

أنا مترجم.

I am an interpreter (male speaker).

anaa mutarjim

أنا مترجمة.

I am an interpreter (female speaker).

anaa mutarjima

ما اسمك؟

What is your name?

maa ismuka? (to a man); maa ismuki? (to a woman)

Model dialogue

Sam

صباح الخير. اسمي سام. أنا من كندا.

Good morning. My name is Sam. I am from Canada.

Ali

أهلًا بك. اسمي علي.

Welcome. My name is Ali.

Sam

أنا مترجم. ما دورك؟

I am an interpreter. What is your role?

Ali

أنا منسق التدريب.

I am the training coordinator.

Language tip

Pronunciation guides are approximate. Double vowels aa/ii/uu indicate longer vowels. kh resembles the sound in Scottish loch. Read and listen, then check with an Arabic speaker.

Apply it

Introduce yourself using fictional details. State a country and role. Ask a partner their name. Use Canada, the USA, China, Singapore or your own country.

Check your understanding

What does this mean? صباح الخير.
Good morning. / My name is Sam. / I am from Canada.

What does this mean? اسمي سام.
Good morning. / I am from Canada. / My name is Sam.

What does this mean? أنا مترجم.
I am an interpreter (male speaker). / Good morning. / My name is Sam.

Where is Sam from?
China / Canada / Singapore

2. Numbers, time and schedules

Goal: Understand and confirm a simple appointment time.

Begin with numbers 1–10. الساعة means the time / clock. Use في for “on” a day and الساعة before a scheduled time. Repeat an important time for confirmation.

Useful phrases

واحد، اثنان، ثلاثة

one, two, three

waahid, ithnaan, thalaatha

أربعة، خمسة، ستة

four, five, six

arbaʿa, khamsa, sitta

سبعة، ثمانية، تسعة، عشرة

seven, eight, nine, ten

sabʿa, thamaaniya, tisʿa, ʿashara

الاجتماع الساعة التاسعة.

The meeting is at nine.

al-ijtimaaʿ as-saaʿa at-taasiʿa

هل هذا بالتوقيت المحلي؟

Is that local time?

hal haadhaa bit-tawqiit al-mahallii?

يرجى تأكيد الموعد.

Please confirm the appointment.

yurjaa taʾkiid al-mawʿid

Model dialogue

Coordinator

الاجتماع يوم الاثنين الساعة التاسعة صباحًا.

The meeting is on Monday at nine in the morning.

Learner

الاثنين، الساعة التاسعة صباحًا؟

Monday, nine in the morning?

Coordinator

نعم، بالتوقيت المحلي.

Yes, local time.

Learner

شكرًا. سأحضر في الموعد.

Thank you. I will arrive on time.

Language tip

Arabic numbers and noun agreement require further study. Learn these whole time phrases first. صباحًا means in the morning; مساءً means in the evening.

Apply it

Read numbers 1–10. Ask a partner for a fictional meeting time and repeat the day, time and whether it is morning or evening.

Check your understanding

What does this mean? واحد، اثنان، ثلاثة
four, five, six / seven, eight, nine, ten / one, two, three

What does this mean? أربعة، خمسة، ستة
seven, eight, nine, ten / four, five, six / one, two, three

What does this mean? الاجتماع الساعة التاسعة.
one, two, three / four, five, six / The meeting is at nine.

When is the meeting?
Monday at nine in the morning / Tuesday at noon / Monday at nine at night

3. Reception and language assistance

Goal: State an appointment and ask for language help.

لدي means “I have.” أحتاج إلى means “I need.” Use من فضلك for please and speak politely. Always follow the host’s reception procedures.

Useful phrases

لدي موعد.

I have an appointment.

ladayya mawʿid

أين الاستقبال؟

Where is reception?

ayna al-istiqbaal?

يرجى الانتظار هنا.

Please wait here.

yurjaa al-intizaar hunaa

أحتاج إلى مترجم.

I need an interpreter.

ahtaaj ilaa mutarjim

لم أفهم.

I did not understand.

lam afham

تحدث ببطء، من فضلك.

Speak slowly, please (to a man).

tahaddath bibutʾ, min fadlik

Model dialogue

Visitor

صباح الخير. لدي موعد مع منسق التدريب.

Good morning. I have an appointment with the training coordinator.

Reception

يرجى الانتظار هنا.

Please wait here.

Visitor

لم أفهم. تحدث ببطء، من فضلك.

I did not understand. Speak slowly, please.

Reception

انتظر هنا، من فضلك.

Wait here, please.

Language tip

The same Arabic script can represent different gender endings without vowel marks. Learn whole expressions with a teacher and ask for clarification when needed.

Apply it

Practice a visitor conversation. State your appointment, ask for repetition and confirm where to wait. Practice the feminine request تحدثي ببطء with a teacher.

Check your understanding

What does this mean? لدي موعد.
Please wait here. / I have an appointment. / Where is reception?

What does this mean? أين الاستقبال؟
Where is reception? / I have an appointment. / Please wait here.

What does this mean? أحتاج إلى مترجم.
Where is reception? / I need an interpreter. / I have an appointment.

What does the receptionist ask?
Return tomorrow / Go upstairs / Wait here

4. Places, directions and transport

Goal: Ask where a place is and confirm routine transport.

أين means “where.” بجوار means “next to.” إلى means “to.” Learn directions as whole expressions; point to a fictional map while speaking.

Useful phrases

أين قاعة التدريب؟

Where is the training room?

ayna qaaʿat at-tadriib?

بجوار الاستقبال.

Next to reception.

bijiwaar al-istiqbaal

إلى اليمين.

To the right.

ilaa al-yamiin

إلى اليسار.

To the left.

ilaa al-yasaar

نحتاج إلى مركبة.

We need a vehicle.

nahtaaj ilaa markaba

أين نقطة التجمع؟

Where is the meeting point?

ayna nuqtat at-tajammuʿ?

Model dialogue

Learner

أين قاعة التدريب؟

Where is the training room?

Host

بجوار الاستقبال، إلى اليمين.

Next to reception, to the right.

Learner

إلى اليمين؟

To the right?

Host

نعم. المركبة تنتظر أمام المبنى.

Yes. The vehicle is waiting in front of the building.

Language tip

Arabic is read from right to left; numbers may follow different display conventions. Confirm place names and numbers aloud.

Apply it

Use a fictional building map. Ask for the training room, repeat the direction, and arrange a meeting outside reception.

Check your understanding

What does this mean? أين قاعة التدريب؟
Where is the training room? / Next to reception. / To the right.

What does this mean? بجوار الاستقبال.
Where is the training room? / To the right. / Next to reception.

What does this mean? إلى اليسار.
To the left. / Where is the training room? / Next to reception.

Which direction is the training room?
Left / Right / Behind the building

5. Supplies and routine faults

Goal: Ask for a supply item and describe a routine fault.

نحتاج إلى means “we need.” لا تعمل means “does not work” for a feminine noun such as الطابعة. Learn item names with their whole example phrases.

Useful phrases

نحتاج إلى دفاتر.

We need notebooks.

nahtaaj ilaa dafaatir

كم العدد؟

What is the quantity?

kam al-ʿadad?

الطابعة لا تعمل.

The printer is not working.

at-taabiʿa laa taʿmal

يوجد نقص في التسليم.

There is a shortage in the delivery.

yuujad naqs fit-tasliim

يرجى التحقق من الرقم.

Please check the number.

yurjaa at-tahaqquq min ar-raqam

هل يمكنك إرسال بديل؟

Can you send a replacement?

hal yumkinuka irsaal badiil?

Model dialogue

Requester

الطابعة لا تعمل.

The printer is not working.

Support

هل تحتاج إلى طابعة بديلة؟

Do you need a replacement printer?

Requester

نعم، من فضلك.

Yes, please.

Support

سأرسل الطلب إلى الدعم الفني.

I will send the request to technical support.

Language tip

Describe the problem you observed. Do not guess the cause. In real work, use approved item names and maintenance reporting channels.

Apply it

Report an office equipment fault using fictional details. Name the item and ask for support. Use كم العدد؟ to confirm a supply quantity.

Check your understanding

What does this mean? نحتاج إلى دفاتر.
What is the quantity? / The printer is not working. / We need notebooks.

What does this mean? كم العدد؟
The printer is not working. / What is the quantity? / We need notebooks.

What does this mean? يوجد نقص في التسليم.
We need notebooks. / What is the quantity? / There is a shortage in the delivery.

Which item is not working?
The vehicle / The phone / The printer

6. Short briefings and clarification

Goal: Understand a routine instruction and repeat key details.

اليوم means “today”; غدًا means “tomorrow.” Use هل يمكنك...؟ for Can you...? Confirm what, where and when.

Useful phrases

سنراجع الجدول اليوم.

We will review the schedule today.

sanuraajiʿ al-jadwal al-yawm

التدريب في القاعة الثانية.

Training is in classroom two.

at-tadriib fil-qaaʿa ath-thaaniya

هل يمكنك التكرار؟

Can you repeat?

hal yumkinuka at-tikraar?

يرجى توضيح التعليمات.

Please clarify the instructions.

yurjaa tawdiih at-taʿliimaat

فهمت.

I understood.

fahimtu

لم أفهم النقطة الأخيرة.

I did not understand the last point.

lam afham an-nuqta al-akhiira

Model dialogue

Leader

التدريب غدًا في القاعة الثانية.

Training is tomorrow in classroom two.

Learner

هل يمكنك التكرار؟

Can you repeat?

Leader

غدًا، في القاعة الثانية. أحضر دفترك.

Tomorrow, in classroom two. Bring your notebook.

Learner

فهمت. غدًا في القاعة الثانية.

I understood. Tomorrow in classroom two.

Language tip

فهمت means I understood; use it only when you do understand. Repeating key details helps reveal a misunderstanding.

Apply it

Give or interpret a short classroom briefing. Repeat the day, room and required item. Ask for clarification before confirming understanding.

Check your understanding

What does this mean? سنراجع الجدول اليوم.
Can you repeat? / We will review the schedule today. / Training is in classroom two.

What does this mean? التدريب في القاعة الثانية.
Training is in classroom two. / We will review the schedule today. / Can you repeat?

What does this mean? يرجى توضيح التعليمات.
Training is in classroom two. / Please clarify the instructions. / We will review the schedule today.

When is the training?
Tomorrow / Today / Next month

7. Safety and requesting help

Goal: Request assistance and state a clear location.

أحتاج means “I need”; نحتاج means “we need.” في means “in.” Use simple observations and a clear location when asking for help.

Useful phrases

نحتاج إلى مساعدة طبية.

We need medical assistance.

nahtaaj ilaa musaaʿada tibbiyya

يوجد شخص متوعك.

A person is unwell.

yuujad shakhs mutawaʿʿik

الموقع هو القاعة الثالثة.

The location is classroom three.

al-mawqiʿ huwa al-qaaʿa ath-thaalitha

في الطابق الأرضي.

On the ground floor.

fit-taabiq al-ardii

يرجى الاتصال بالفريق الطبي.

Please contact the medical team.

yurjaa al-ittisaal bil-fariiq at-tibbii

لا أعرف السبب.

I do not know the cause.

laa aʿrif as-sabab

Model dialogue

Caller

نحتاج إلى مساعدة طبية في القاعة الثالثة.

We need medical assistance in classroom three.

Receiver

أين القاعة الثالثة؟

Where is classroom three?

Caller

في الطابق الأرضي، بجوار الاستقبال.

On the ground floor, next to reception.

Receiver

سأتصل بالفريق الطبي.

I will contact the medical team.

Language tip

Words in a medical dialogue are for communication practice. Request qualified help and report what you observe instead of diagnosing.

Apply it

Practice an invented help request. State the location twice and request the appropriate assistance. These are language exercises; follow actual local emergency procedures in a real incident.

Check your understanding

What does this mean? نحتاج إلى مساعدة طبية.
We need medical assistance. / A person is unwell. / The location is classroom three.

What does this mean? يوجد شخص متوعك.
We need medical assistance. / The location is classroom three. / A person is unwell.

What does this mean? في الطابق الأرضي.
On the ground floor. / We need medical assistance. / A person is unwell.

What assistance is requested?
Transport assistance / Medical assistance / Translation of an email

8. Liaison and daily handover

Goal: Summarize a completed item and a pending item politely.

اكتمل means “is completed”; قيد الانتظار means “pending.” Use من for “who” and يرجى for polite written requests.

Useful phrases

اكتمل حجز القاعة.

The room booking is complete.

iktamala hajz al-qaaʿa

التسليم قيد الانتظار.

The delivery is pending.

at-tasliim qayd al-intizaar

من سيتابع الأمر؟

Who will follow up?

man sayutaabiʿ al-amr?

يرجى تأكيد الاستلام.

Please confirm receipt.

yurjaa taʾkiid al-istilaam

شكرًا لتعاونكم.

Thank you for your cooperation.

shukran litaʿaawunikum

ما الوقت المناسب لفريقكم؟

What time suits your team?

maa al-waqt al-munaasib lifariiqikum?

Model dialogue

Outgoing staff

اكتمل حجز القاعة. التسليم قيد الانتظار.

The room booking is complete. The delivery is pending.

Incoming staff

من سيتابع الأمر؟

Who will follow up?

Outgoing staff

سأتصل بمكتب الإمداد غدًا.

I will call the supply office tomorrow.

Incoming staff

شكرًا لتعاونكم.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Language tip

Modern Standard Arabic supports communication across countries; local speech varies. Gulf forms you may hear include الحين (now) and وين؟ (where?). Begin with the standard forms الآن and أين؟; do not assume one dialect fits every Gulf country.

Apply it

Final task: give a 45–60 second handover in Arabic using a completed item, pending item and next action. Then write three simple Arabic sentences and have a teacher review them.

Check your understanding

What does this mean? اكتمل حجز القاعة.
The delivery is pending. / Who will follow up? / The room booking is complete.

What does this mean? التسليم قيد الانتظار.
Who will follow up? / The delivery is pending. / The room booking is complete.

What does this mean? يرجى تأكيد الاستلام.
The room booking is complete. / The delivery is pending. / Please confirm receipt.

What is completed?
The delivery / The equipment repair / The room booking

Final review

Choose the expression for: I am an interpreter (female speaker).
أنا من كندا. / أنا مترجم. / أنا مترجمة.

Choose the expression for: Is that local time?
سبعة، ثمانية، تسعة، عشرة / الاجتماع الساعة التاسعة. / هل هذا بالتوقيت المحلي؟

Choose the expression for: I did not understand.
يرجى الانتظار هنا. / أحتاج إلى مترجم. / لم أفهم.

Choose the expression for: We need a vehicle.
إلى اليمين. / إلى اليسار. / نحتاج إلى مركبة.

Choose the expression for: Please check the number.
الطابعة لا تعمل. / يوجد نقص في التسليم. / يرجى التحقق من الرقم.

Choose the expression for: I understood.
هل يمكنك التكرار؟ / يرجى توضيح التعليمات. / فهمت.

Choose the expression for: Please contact the medical team.
الموقع هو القاعة الثالثة. / في الطابق الأرضي. / يرجى الاتصال بالفريق الطبي.

Choose the expression for: Thank you for your cooperation.
من سيتابع الأمر؟ / يرجى تأكيد الاستلام. / شكرًا لتعاونكم.

Answer key

Module 1: Good morning.; My name is Sam.; I am an interpreter (male speaker).; Canada

Module 2: one, two, three; four, five, six; The meeting is at nine.; Monday at nine in the morning

Module 3: I have an appointment.; Where is reception?; I need an interpreter.; Wait here

Module 4: Where is the training room?; Next to reception.; To the left.; Right

Module 5: We need notebooks.; What is the quantity?; There is a shortage in the delivery.; The printer

Module 6: We will review the schedule today.; Training is in classroom two.; Please clarify the instructions.; Tomorrow

Module 7: We need medical assistance.; A person is unwell.; On the ground floor.; Medical assistance

Module 8: The room booking is complete.; The delivery is pending.; Please confirm receipt.; The room booking

Final review: أنا مترجمة.; هل هذا بالتوقيت المحلي؟; لم أفهم.; نحتاج إلى مركبة.; يرجى التحقق من الرقم.; فهمت.; يرجى الاتصال بالفريق الطبي.; شكرًا لتعاونكم.

Final speaking and writing task

Welcome a partner team for classroom training. Introduce yourself, confirm a time, arrange transport, report a missing item and give a brief handover. Speak for two minutes and write a four-line message. Review task completion, understandable delivery, correct key details and appropriate language: 0–3 each. Ask a teacher to review, then revise.

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