Learn The Most Addictive Words In The Arabic Language

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If you hang out with Arabic speakers, you’ve definitely heard the word wallah before. It’s very common, and once you know it, you’ll find plenty of ways to use it! This guide will help you explore the meaning of wallah, yallah, habibi, and other fun Arabic words that are super addictive.

Not only will you be completely unable to stop using them once you learn them, but you will also hear them everywhere you go—especially if you hang out with young Arabs. Plus, saying them will totally make you feel and sound like a true local. What’s more rewarding to a language learner than blending in? Yallah (come on)! Let’s begin!

Table of Contents

• The meanings of 6 addictive words in Arabic
  • 1. Wallah (I swear/by God)
  • 2. Yallah (come on/let’s go)
  • 3. Habibi/habibty (my love/my darling)
  • 4. Bi Al-Salameh (in peace/peace be upon you)
  • 5. ‘Ala ‘aini (with pleasure)
  • 6. Ya’ani (like/meaning)

The meanings of 6 addictive words in Arabic

No matter which Arabic dialect you speak or are learning, the following words are pronounced the same and generally have the same meaning. You might think they’re slang words in Arabic, but they’re not. Consider them essential expressions. (So essential, that they are rarely changed when using the Arabic chat alphabet if you’re practicing Arabizi.)

1. Wallah (I swear/by God)

والله

The meaning of wallah is “I swear to God.” This word is likely the most used exclamation in Arabic, so it’s sure to come up in conversation more times than you can count. Wallah, it’s the truth! For instance, if a friend invites you to have dinner with her family, and you just can’t get enough of her mom’s delicious cooking, you can say, “Wallah, this is the most amazing meal I’ve ever had!”

One thing to note: It’s considered a sin for a Muslim to say, “Wallah,” if they’re lying. So just make sure you’re telling the truth when you use it!

• Wallah ma kent ba‘raf!(والله ما كنت بعرف!) = I swear, I didn’t know!

2. Yallah (come on/let’s go)

يلا

This word is a classic favorite for learners and natives alike. If you visit a country where Arabic is spoken, not a day will go by where you won’t hear hurried drivers stuck in traffic yelling, “Yallah!” The meaning of yallah is either “hurry up” or “let’s go.”

Of course, you can use it in a variety of ways. Let’s say you and a friend have finished shopping, and you’re hailing a cab to go home. A cab finally stops, but your friend has decided to go back into the store. In this case, you can say, “Yallah!” to urge him to hurry up and get in the cab.

• Yallah nimshi abel ma nit’akhkhar. (يلا نمشي قبل ما نتأخر.) = Let’s go before we’re late.

3. Habibi/habibty (my love/my darling)

حبيبي/حبيبتي

This is one of the most romantic words in the Arabic language, and it’s popular across all Arabic-speaking countries. Habibi means “my love.” Habibi is used when addressing a man, and habibty is used when addressing a woman. It can be used as a term of endearment between friends and lovers alike.

You might be in Casablanca heading to a birthday dinner party. When you arrive, the host may open the door, greet you with a big hug, and say, “Habibty, welcome to Morocco!”

• Shukran, habibi! (شكراً، حبيبي!) = Thanks, my dear!

4. Bi Al-Salameh (in peace/peace be upon you)

بي السلامه

The phrase bi al-Salameh literally means “peace be upon you.” The base word here is salām, which means “peace,” but it’s commonly used to wish somebody a good trip like the phrase “go safely” or even “God willing.”

In Egypt and the Levant, you might hear it when someone travels, recovers from illness, or even after childbirth. Why? Because bi al-Salameh is more than just goodbye—it’s a caring wish for well-being. If you’ve been staying with friends or relatives, the mother will likely kiss you on both cheeks, and say, “Bi al-salameh!”

• Raḥ trooḥ ‘al-safar? In shaa’ Allah bitrooḥ w bitirja‘ bi al-salameh. (رح تروح عالسفر؟ إن شاء الله بتروح و بترجع بالسلامة.) = You’re going on a trip? God willing, you’ll go and come back safely.

5. ‘Ala ‘aini (with pleasure)

على عيني

The literal translation of ‘ala ‘aini is “on my eyes,” but its everyday use is the equivalent of “with pleasure.” Next time a friend asks if you’d like to spend the day at the beach, rather than saying the slang word akeed, try saying ‘ala ‘aini.

You’ll find that Arabic is an incredibly passionate, poetic language. When translated directly into English, many everyday phrases might sound a little dramatic. However, these are perfectly common in casual Arabic conversations.

• Min ‘uyooni, ‘ala ‘aini! (من عيوني، على عيني!) = With pleasure, absolutely!

6. Ya’ani (like/meaning)

يعني

You might find yourself using this one in almost every sentence, which makes sense because ya’ani is the equivalent of the filler word “like” in English! But there’s a second use for this helpful word! The literal translation of ya’ani is “it means,” so if you’re unsure about a word’s meaning, you could always ask shuu ya’ani _____? (What does ____ mean?). It’s perfectly acceptable in both contexts and also very catchy!

• Huwa mish za‘laan, ya‘ani bas ta‘ban shway. (هو مش زعلان، يعني بس تعبان شوي.) = He’s not upset, like, just a bit tired.

If you’re ready to level-up your language learning journey, then it’s time to learn Arabic with the pros. Our native tutors at Rosetta Stone know how to help you integrate local words with the basics of a new language so you can blend in quickly.

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