Does inshallah serve as a polite Arabic form of “not possible”? And is habibi an appropriate term of friendly affection?
The beauty of the Arabic language is that it is so dynamic it can shapeshift in meaning across time, region and setting. A casual term may carry a deeper spiritual meaning, while other words can express respect, or be affectionate or even menacing – all depending on how they are said.
For non-Arabic speakers, this may seem like a minefield. In reality, it often follows common sense principles: read the room, know your audience and be sincere in your intentions.
Here are seven Arabic words that are often misunderstood.
1. Inshallah
Many of us have been there: you ask a question, get an “inshallah” in reply and feel your heart sink. The problem isn’t the phrase itself, but its frequent misuse.
Literally meaning “if God wills”, inshallah is not a polite deflection. Applied properly, it’s a genuine commitment to the matter at hand, with the recognition that life does not always follow human plans. Each time it’s said, it is meant to affirm humility in the larger scheme of things.
Because of that weightage, using inshallah casually or without sincerity can cause offence. If you intend to do something, say inshallah and give it your best effort – and if it doesn’t work out, the phrase is balm for the disappointment. But if you’re unsure about committing, best to be clear about it and don’t say inshallah at all.
2. Mashallah
Translated as “what God has willed”, mashallah is a form of praise as well as protection against envy. The phrase rests on a core Islamic principle that all fortunes – even those seemingly withheld – are a blessing.
When someone tells you about a new job or their children’s success, a sincere mashallah is apt. Used regularly, it can also build a habit of empathy and gratitude for the good you encounter each day.
A caveat: don’t use it to crow about your own achievements. You can share good news and speak of being blessed, but mashallah is reserved for recognising the accomplishments of others.
3. Wallah
Meaning “by God”, the phrase is originally meant as an oath. In everyday conversation, however, its role has been often reduced to a dramatic flourish as part of a hearty exchange. For that reason, it is best kept for personal settings rather than professional ones, and only used when you are absolutely certain of what you are saying so that it carries weight.
Used carelessly, it not only weakens the meaning of word itself, but can also leave an impression of untrustworthiness that may be hard to shake off.
4. Khalas
Sometimes in Arabic, it’s not about what you are saying but how you deliver it. A neutral tone and khalas, meaning “finished”, can be a polite settlement to a matter or exchange. Uttered with venom or as part of a command, it can signal you are asking a person to stop immediately or to remain silent.
Therefore, be wary of its usage in intense conversation and also who you say it to.
5. Haram
This dynamic word is used as a form of sympathy or to express stark judgment. In Islamic law, haram is something that is forbidden in keeping with the faith. In daily conversation, particularly in the Levant, it can mean “poor thing” or “that’s not right”, to empathise or show compassion for the unfortunate.
So it’s best to read the room when using it, particularly in religious discussions where haram takes on an uncompromising stance.
6. Yallah
This versatile word is often associated with urgency. It can be a clarion call for action – “yallah, we’re late” – or a friendly invitation – “yallah, try the kunafa”. Depending on delivery, the word can either hurry along or warmly encourage someone.
Because it is easy to pronounce, non-Arabic speakers often misuse it widely and risk causing offence when none is intended. Therefore, use it in informal settings with friends – and avoid it in professional settings.
7. Habibi / habibti
One of the first Arabic words many may come across, habibi (male) and habibti (female) both mean “darling”, and can be used with friends and close colleagues. But don’t drop it too casually. Familiarity doesn’t necessarily mean intimacy, and there is still a code of respect to follow. Don’t call your manager or a professional acquaintance habibi or habibti unless you are certain of the quality of your relationship.
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UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
The Bio
Favourite vegetable: “I really like the taste of the beetroot, the potatoes and the eggplant we are producing.”
Holiday destination: “I like Paris very much, it’s a city very close to my heart.”
Book: “Das Kapital, by Karl Marx. I am not a communist, but there are a lot of lessons for the capitalist system, if you let it get out of control, and humanity.”
Musician: “I like very much Fairuz, the Lebanese singer, and the other is Umm Kulthum. Fairuz is for listening to in the morning, Umm Kulthum for the night.”
DUBAI CARNIVAL RESULTS
6.30pm Handicap US$135,000 (Turf) 2,410m
Winner Dubai Future, Harry Bentley (jockey), Saeed bin Suroor (trainer).
7.05pm UAE 1000 Guineas Listed $250,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
Winner Dubai Love, Patrick Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor.
7.40pm Dubai Dash Listed $175,000 (T) 1,000m
Winner: Equilateral, James Doyle, Charles Hills.
8.15pm Al Bastakiya Trial Conditions $100,000 (D) 1.900m
Winner Laser Show, Kevin Stott, Saeed bin Suroor.
8.50pm Al Fahidi Fort Group Two $250,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner Glorious Journey, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby.
9.25pm Handicap $135,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner George Villiers, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
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Emergency phone numbers in the UAE
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
Who's who in Yemen conflict
Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government
Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council
Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south
Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Squads
India (for first three ODIs) Kohli (capt), Rohit, Rahul, Pandey, Jadhav, Rahane, Dhoni, Pandya, Axar, Kuldeep, Chahal, Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar, Umesh, Shami.
Australia Smith (capt), Warner, Agar, Cartwright, Coulter-Nile, Cummins, Faulkner, Finch, Head, Maxwell, Richardson, Stoinis, Wade, Zampa.
South Africa squad
Faf du Plessis (captain), Hashim Amla, Temba Bavuma, Quinton de Kock (wicketkeeper), Theunis de Bruyn, AB de Villiers, Dean Elgar, Heinrich Klaasen (wicketkeeper), Keshav Maharaj, Aiden Markram, Morne Morkel, Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada.
SEMI-FINAL
Monterrey 1
Funes Mori (14)
Liverpool 2
Keita (11), Firmino (90 1)
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BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
Plan to boost public schools
A major shake-up of government-run schools was rolled out across the country in 2017. Known as the Emirati School Model, it placed more emphasis on maths and science while also adding practical skills to the curriculum.
It was accompanied by the promise of a Dh5 billion investment, over six years, to pay for state-of-the-art infrastructure improvements.
Aspects of the school model will be extended to international private schools, the education minister has previously suggested.
Recent developments have also included the introduction of moral education - which public and private schools both must teach - along with reform of the exams system and tougher teacher licensing requirements.
UK’s AI plan
- AI ambassadors such as MIT economist Simon Johnson, Monzo cofounder Tom Blomfield and Google DeepMind’s Raia Hadsell
- £10bn AI growth zone in South Wales to create 5,000 jobs
- £100m of government support for startups building AI hardware products
- £250m to train new AI models
57%20Seconds
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In numbers
Number of Chinese tourists coming to UAE in 2017 was... 1.3m
Alibaba’s new ‘Tech Town’ in Dubai is worth... $600m
China’s investment in the MIddle East in 2016 was... $29.5bn
The world’s most valuable start-up in 2018, TikTok, is valued at... $75bn
Boost to the UAE economy of 5G connectivity will be... $269bn
The Birkin bag is made by Hermès.
It is named after actress and singer Jane Birkin
Noone from Hermès will go on record to say how much a new Birkin costs, how long one would have to wait to get one, and how many bags are actually made each year.
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
Dr Afridi's warning signs of digital addiction
Spending an excessive amount of time on the phone.
Neglecting personal, social, or academic responsibilities.
Losing interest in other activities or hobbies that were once enjoyed.
Having withdrawal symptoms like feeling anxious, restless, or upset when the technology is not available.
Experiencing sleep disturbances or changes in sleep patterns.
What are the guidelines?
Under 18 months: Avoid screen time altogether, except for video chatting with family.
Aged 18-24 months: If screens are introduced, it should be high-quality content watched with a caregiver to help the child understand what they are seeing.
Aged 2-5 years: Limit to one-hour per day of high-quality programming, with co-viewing whenever possible.
Aged 6-12 years: Set consistent limits on screen time to ensure it does not interfere with sleep, physical activity, or social interactions.
Teenagers: Encourage a balanced approach – screens should not replace sleep, exercise, or face-to-face socialisation.
Source: American Paediatric Association
