Language

English is rarely spoken in Khartoum—taxi drivers, shop attendants, restaurant waiters, bank staff and nurses generally only speak Arabic. Learning a few important phrases is important (see Bibliography of Documents for an Arabic Phrase list). Asking an Arabic speaking colleague to write down directions to key places is also useful.

After you’ve learned your way around a little, here are a few simple Arabic words that may help you give directions to your taxi driver. The following are just a few English/phonetic Arabic words and are not .necessarily the correct spelling of Arabic transliteration.

PLEASE = MIN FADLUCK
THANK YOU=SHOUKRAN
YOU’RE WELCOME=AFWAN
STRAIGHT AHEAD=TAWALLY
TO THE LEFT=LEAF SHIMAL
TO THE RIGHT=LEAF YAMEEN
STOP HERE=AGAFF HINNA or
BASS HINNA
HOW MUCH= BE KAM
HOTEL= FOUNDOUQ
AMERICAN EMBASSY=SAFARA AMRIKIYA
HELLO= AHLAN
GOODBYE=MAA SALAMA
YES=AIWA
NO=LA
INDUSTRIAL AREA=AL MANTIQA AL SENAYEEA