World Cup Arabic Phrases to Know While in Qatar

This year, the FIFA World Cup will take place from 21 November to 19 December in Qatar, a country located in Western Asia and the richest country in the world. Over the course of 28 joyous days, a total of 64 matches will be played by 32 teams in eight amazing venues. In the end, only one will take home the planet-shaped trophy, which has so far been won by eight countries since the World Cup’s first edition in 1930.

Apply for tickets

Whether you are a football fan or you just want to take part in one of the most exciting sports and social events in the world, there has probably never been a better time to join this historical celebration.

If you want to apply for tickets, all you have to do is create a ticketing account on the official FIFA website and, of course, train your vocal cords so that they won’t break after almost a month of cheering and swearing in Arabic!

The Languages of Qatar

Despite being one of the richest countries in the world, Qatar has a relatively small population, with only 2.5 million inhabitants of which fewer than 12% are local Qataris. And, although Arabic is the official language of the State, you may also hear other languages such as Farsi, Urdu, Malayalam or Tagalog while in Qatar, sometimes all of them in one day!

What did you just say? Oh, so you only speak English? Then I have two things to say to you: 1: Shame on you!; and 2. You will be absolutely fine. Lucky for you, English is the lingua franca of the land!

Though English speakers shouldn’t experience significant linguistic inconveniences during their stay, we wouldn’t be ourselves if we didn’t urge you to take this unique opportunity to practice the language and get closer to the culture while you enjoy the games. Learning the language of a place that will give you unforgettable experiences with friends or family is never a bad idea! In fact, those who put in the effort to use the official language of the State normally gain access to spaces and welcoming circuits that they didn’t even know existed!

Essential Arabic Greetings

If you’ve ever experienced a World Cup, you know that the air on the football pitch is charged with excitement, and camaraderie prevails over competitiveness. If you are traveling with friends, you will notice that even the shyest ones in the group will find themselves wanting to talk to other people.

Here are a few essential Arabic phrases for socializing that you can use before, during, or after a match.

Essential Arabic Phrases to Talk About Sport

Let’s face it. Though a few people travelling to Qatar this November may be mainly interested in the touristic side of the experience, the vast majority of those attending will be ardent football fans. If you want to connect with other people in the local language by talking about what you love the most, write down the following Arabic phrases and words.

Arabic Phrases to Ask for Help

While we are sure that your stay in Qatar will be an amazing experience, we cannot promise that your trip will be completely smooth from beginning to end. Sometimes, you just need to ask for help. Whether you need a doctor to make sure your throat will be just fine after all that shouting or you just need to ask for directions, these essential Arabic phrases will help you get help.

Learn Arabic Now

5 months may seem like a long time to you right now. But remember: Arabic is a complex language with a writing system that is nothing like our Latin alphabet, so there’s no time to lose! At Language Trainers, we offer accelerated courses taught by native tutors who specialize in tailoring lesson plans to suit every learner’s needs.

Alexandra, a client who took her Arabic lessons at her home in Queens, New York City, got in touch with us to tell us how much she loves her teacher’s personalized approach:

“I am very very happy with Maged! I have never had such a good teacher! He is really incredible and I love his methodology! I have the feeling I have learned so much in just two lessons. Thanks a lot for finding him for me – what a discovery!”

If like Alexandra, you would like to go beyond Arabic phrases and start working on your fluency, you will want to find a teacher who understands your rhythm and learning style. Send us a quick message telling us about you and your goals, and we’ll find the best match for you!