Yallah, join The National's Saeed Saeed as he takes a deep dive into the cultural gems and quirks of the Arab world and its diaspora ...
The Emirati dialect is as vibrant and dynamic as the country itself.
Rich and rhythmic, certain local words hit the nail on the head when it comes to greetings, expressions and descriptions.
Best of all, they can be used in Arabic and English conversations without sounding off. Below are five common words you can adopt for everyday situations, what they mean and how to use them.
1. Ya reyal
This translates to "hey, man" or "oh, man".
Your tone and when you use it can give this expression a different meaning. Said with a smile, it is a fun and casual greeting, and should only be used among your friends and close acquaintances.
It is considered a major faux pas if ya reyal is dropped in an official meeting or when addressing the elderly.
Another way to use it is when expressing incredulity or frustration. This is why it’s commonly heard in coffee shops when big football games are on television. When an incredible opportunity is missed, the crowd will often erupt in a chorus of "ya reyal!"
2. Wa-yed
Meaning "a lot", wa-yed is regularly used when telling colourful anecdotes or as an expression.
If asked how delicious your shawarma is, you can simply say "wa-yed" in approval.
If you spot a desired item in a shop and you see the crazy price tag, you can remark it is "wa-yed expensive".
Finally, for extra emphasis, make sure to stretch out the word. For example: "2020 has been a waaaaaaaaaa-yed long year."
3. Khaibah
The equivalent of "oh my", Khaibah is a casual word used to express surprise or disbelief.
Often said among friends, it is a handy tool for some good-natured ribbing.
If your pal orders half the menu in the restaurant, you can look at him in surprise and say, "Khaibah, you must be hungry".
If you show your friends your new wheels and they are not impressed, they will simply shake their head and say "khaibah".
4. Kashkha
This is the Emirati version of fabulous. It's a word used to describe something or someone of good taste.
Kashkha is often heard during Eid celebrations and weddings when remarking on someone wearing their finest threads.
5. Tarrish
A common word heard in the workplace. Tarrish means send, and is used when providing or receiving instructions.
That said, different versions of the word are used depending on the gender of the person it's being used with.
When sending something to a man it's tarrashtla and to a woman it's trarrashtlaha. If you are asking for something to be sent to you, it is tarrishli.
THE SPECS
Engine: 3.5-litre supercharged V6
Power: 416hp at 7,000rpm
Torque: 410Nm at 3,500rpm
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Fuel consumption: 10.2 l/100km
Price: Dh375,000
On sale: now
THE SPECS
Engine: 4.0L twin-turbo V8
Gearbox: eight-speed automatic
Power: 571hp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 800Nm from 2,000-4,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 11.4L/100km
Price, base: from Dh571,000
On sale: this week
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
WHEN TO GO:
September to November or March to May; this is when visitors are most likely to see what they’ve come for.
WHERE TO STAY:
Meghauli Serai, A Taj Safari - Chitwan National Park resort (tajhotels.com) is a one-hour drive from Bharatpur Airport with stays costing from Dh1,396 per night, including taxes and breakfast. Return airport transfers cost from Dh661.
HOW TO GET THERE:
Etihad Airways regularly flies from Abu Dhabi to Kathmandu from around Dh1,500 per person return, including taxes. Buddha Air (buddhaair.com) and Yeti Airlines (yetiairlines.com) fly from Kathmandu to Bharatpur several times a day from about Dh660 return and the flight takes just 20 minutes. Driving is possible but the roads are hilly which means it will take you five or six hours to travel 148 kilometres.
NYBL PROFILE
Company name: Nybl
Date started: November 2018
Founder: Noor Alnahhas, Michael LeTan, Hafsa Yazdni, Sufyaan Abdul Haseeb, Waleed Rifaat, Mohammed Shono
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Software Technology / Artificial Intelligence
Initial investment: $500,000
Funding round: Series B (raising $5m)
Partners/Incubators: Dubai Future Accelerators Cohort 4, Dubai Future Accelerators Cohort 6, AI Venture Labs Cohort 1, Microsoft Scale-up
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
HOW TO WATCH
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Xpanceo
Started: 2018
Founders: Roman Axelrod, Valentyn Volkov
Based: Dubai, UAE
Industry: Smart contact lenses, augmented/virtual reality
Funding: $40 million
Investor: Opportunity Venture (Asia)
Quick facts on cancer
- Cancer is the second-leading cause of death worldwide, after cardiovascular diseases
- About one in five men and one in six women will develop cancer in their lifetime
- By 2040, global cancer cases are on track to reach 30 million
- 70 per cent of cancer deaths occur in low and middle-income countries
- This rate is expected to increase to 75 per cent by 2030
- At least one third of common cancers are preventable
- Genetic mutations play a role in 5 per cent to 10 per cent of cancers
- Up to 3.7 million lives could be saved annually by implementing the right health
strategies
- The total annual economic cost of cancer is $1.16 trillion
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
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The biog
Favourite book: Animal Farm by George Orwell
Favourite music: Classical
Hobbies: Reading and writing
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
City's slump
L - Juventus, 2-0
D - C Palace, 2-2
W - N Forest, 3-0
L - Liverpool, 2-0
D - Feyenoord, 3-3
L - Tottenham, 4-0
L - Brighton, 2-1
L - Sporting, 4-1
L - Bournemouth, 2-1
L - Tottenham, 2-1
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
