My father used to say: “Speak Serbian so everyone can understand you”. Although it might work “u Bec” or Mönchengladbach, in UAE it’s a different case. Dubai is a home of 100+ various nationalities. Most of them eat biryani so knowing Arabic will not make much difference. English is the first language, but knowing English will not make you better than others. (Having their passport will do). So in order to adapt quickly, this is a set of words you need to know before coming in Dubai.
Top 10 Words you need to know before you come in Dubai!!!
- Yalla (Arabic) – or “come on”. Sometimes goes in couple with Habibi. Commonly used when you are in hurry or parked in the wrong zone and waiting for your friend to buy shawarma.
- Inshallah (Arabic) – Be careful with this word. Even after 2 years still not sure should i believe people who use this one. Should stand for “If God allows” but in reality is more like “Sredicemo nesto” or “We will see”. Tip-> Do not believe people with bad sense of Inshallah.
- Theek hai (Indian) or Tike tike on serbian – probably my favorite set of words. Meaning everything and nothing. Most mysterious word in Dubai. The strongest confusion tool in the world. Usually comes with a shake of the head. (Example-> SiD: ” Should i take Red Line or Green Line metro towards JLT?” Other guy: “Tike“).
- Habibi, Habibti (Arabic) – My dear. In Dubai, everyone is Habibi to everyone. Legend says there was an Arab who didn’t mention habibi word for 20 mins.
- Kamusta ka (Tagalog) – How are you or what’s up? Usually added with Maganda. Commonly used on Tinder for initiating conversations with Filipinas. Rarely in bars when you already drank a few pints and all are magandas.
- Mushkila (Arabic) – Someone screwed up something. Stands for the problem and never come in a single pack. Arab on the phone: “Listen habibi , mushkila ,mushkila,mushkila because of mushkila ,mushkila,mushkila”. Tip-> Every mushkila can be solved with karak tea.
- Khalas (Arabic)- Fajront, the end or finish. Dubai clubs are khallas at 3 AM. Khalas in your wallet is around 25th of the month.
- Ya’anni (Arabic)- Used more frequently in sentence than brate in serbian language. “You know” or “it means”. Even when arabs speak english they cannot exclude Yanni from sentence.
- Halli-Walli (Arabic)- Frequently used when there is no logical or scientific explanation for random situation. ( it means jeb*ga but because of decency or this blog thus will be definition).
- Sige Sige (Tagalog)- Filipino sikter strategy. When they do u sige sige thing you probably became annoying.
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Typical dialog in Dubai:
A: Kifak habibi?
B: Hamdullah Habibi.
A: Ya’anni Mushkila bla bla bla bla Mushkila bla bla Khallas.
B: Inshallah Habibi, Inshallah.
A: Wanna go for shisha and karak?
B: Of course, let’s go with my Ferrari.
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