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A
30 entries
Abaya
n. · Arabic
The black outer robe worn by Muslim women.
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Abra
n. · Arabic
The wooden motorboat that crosses Dubai Creek.
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Abu Dhabi
n. · Arabic ('father of the gazelle')
The capital. More oil, more space, slightly more everything.
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Adhan
n. · Arabic
The call to prayer. Five times a day, from every mosque in the city.
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Afwan
interj. · Arabic
You're welcome. Also: excuse me / I'm sorry.
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Agal
n. · Arabic
The black cord that holds an Emirati man's headdress in place.
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Ahlan wa sahlan
phrase · Arabic
Welcome. You are among family, on easy ground.
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Ain Dubai
n. · Arabic ('Eye of Dubai')
The world's largest observation wheel. 250 metres. On Bluewaters Island.
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Air con
n. · English
The fifth utility. Without it, nothing else works.
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Aiwa
interj. · Arabic (Egyptian)
Yes. Affirm. Understood.
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Ajman
n. · Arabic
The smallest emirate. Coastline, a corniche, and no pretensions.
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Akeed
adv. · Arabic
Of course. For sure. Definitely.
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Al Ain
n. · Arabic ('the spring' / 'the eye')
The garden city. Oases, camels, UNESCO, and the UAE's other face.
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Al Barsha
n. · Arabic
The Mall of the Emirates district. Practical, mixed, and well-connected.
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Al Fahidi
n. · Arabic
The historic wind-tower quarter in Bur Dubai. Once called Bastakiya.
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Al Ghurair Centre
n. · Arabic / English
Dubai's first enclosed shopping mall. Opened 1981. Still open. Outlasted most of its successors.
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Al Maktoum
n. · Arabic
The ruling family of Dubai, in power continuously since 1833.
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Al Quoz
n. · Arabic
The industrial district that became the arts quarter. Warehouses, galleries, cold storage.
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Al Seef
n. · Arabic ('the waterfront')
A heritage-styled waterfront on the Creek in Bur Dubai.
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Al Shindagha
n. · Arabic
The historic district at the Creek's mouth — the old rulers' home.
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Aldar
n. · Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi's Emaar. Yas Island, Saadiyat Island, most of what Abu Dhabi has built.
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Alhamdulillah
interj. · Arabic
Praise be to God. The answer to 'how are you?'
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Allahu akbar
interj. · Arabic
God is greatest. Opens every adhan. Said in awe, gratitude, and prayer.
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Alserkal Avenue
n. · English (named after the Alserkal family)
Dubai's contemporary-art district, set in converted Al Quoz warehouses.
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Aquaventure
n. · Dubai
The waterpark at Atlantis. The best in the region, and it knows it.
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Arabian Ranches
n. · English
The gated villa suburb. The template every master-planned community since has followed.
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Arabizi
n. · Arabic + English
Informal Arabic written in Latin letters, with numbers substituting for sounds.
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As-salamu alaykum
phrase · Arabic
Peace be upon you. The formal greeting.
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Astaghfirullah
interj. · Arabic
I seek God's forgiveness. Said in remorse, shock, or mild horror.
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Ayb
n. · Arabic
Shame. Shameful. A social censure with real weight.
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B
16 entries
Balaleet
n. · Arabic (Gulf)
Sweet vermicelli with egg. A Ramadan and National Day staple.
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Barakallah feek
phrase · Arabic
God bless you. Said as gratitude or a blessing.
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Barasti
n. · Arabic
Traditional palm-frond shelter. Now an aesthetic.
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Bedouin
n. · Arabic (badu — desert)
The desert-dwelling Arab tribes. The root of Emirati identity.
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Biryani
n. · Persian / Hindi
Layered spiced rice with meat. Dubai does it South Asian style.
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Bisht
n. · Arabic
The flowing, gold-trimmed cloak worn over the kandura for formal occasions.
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Bismillah
phrase · Arabic
In the name of God. Said before starting anything.
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Bluewaters Island
n. · English
The man-made island off JBR, home to Ain Dubai.
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Box Park
n. · English
Shipping containers stacked into a retail and food strip in Al Wasl. The anti-mall.
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Brunch
n. · English
All-you-can-drink, loosely framed as lunch. Goes until you need to lie down.
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Bukra
adv. · Arabic
Tomorrow — technically. In practice, 'at some point'.
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Bur Dubai
n. · Arabic
The south bank of the Creek. The original settlement, still working.
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Burj Al Arab
n. · Arabic ('Tower of the Arabs')
The sail hotel on its own island. The seven-star rating is a number someone invented.
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Burj Khalifa
n. · Arabic ('Khalifa Tower')
The world's tallest building. 828 metres. No photograph is telling the truth.
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BurJuman
n. · Arabic
One of Dubai's oldest malls. Bur Dubai. Metro-connected. Has seen everything come and go.
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Business Bay
n. · English
The canal district. Offices that became apartments, with a promenade in between.
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C
9 entries
Camel milk
n. · Emirati / Gulf
A Gulf staple — now in every supermarket, often flavoured with dates or saffron.
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Cardamom
n. · Arabic / South Asian
The defining flavour of Gulf cooking.
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Careem
n. · Arabic (brand — means generous)
The Dubai-founded ride-hailing app. Acquired by Uber.
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Chaat
n. · Hindi/Urdu
South Asian street snacks. Sour, spicy, crunchy, sweet — often simultaneously.
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Chai
n. · Hindi/Urdu
Tea. Not chai latte. Just tea.
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Chelo kebab
n. · Persian / Iranian
Grilled kebab on saffron rice with butter. The Iranian national dish, served daily in Deira.
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City Walk
n. · English
The open-air retail district that asks: what if a mall had fresh air?
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Compound
n. · English
A gated residential community, usually with shared amenities.
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Creek
n. · English / Arabic (khor)
Dubai Creek. The tidal inlet that divided and defined the city.
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D
30 entries
Dallah
n. · Arabic
The long-spouted brass or silver coffee pot. Pours gahwa.
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DAMAC
n. · UAE (Dubai)
The luxury developer with the loudest advertising in the city.
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Daqoos
n. · Emirati / Gulf Arabic
The tomato-and-chilli sauce served with Emirati rice dishes.
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Dates
n. · Arabic
Tamr. The fruit and its cultural weight.
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Deira
n. · Arabic
The old trading district north of the Creek.
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Deira City Centre
n. · English
Dubai's original mall. Opened 1995. Everything that came after owes it something.
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Desert safari
n. · English
The classic half-day trip into the dunes: 4x4, camp, dinner, the lot.
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DEWA
n. · English
Dubai Electricity and Water Authority.
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Dhow
n. · Arabic
The traditional wooden sailing vessel of the Gulf and Indian Ocean.
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DIFC
n. · English
Dubai International Financial Centre. The finance and legal hub.
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Dirham
n. · Arabic (from Greek)
The UAE currency. Abbreviated AED. Pegged to the US dollar since 1980.
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Discovery Gardens
n. · English
Budget apartments near the metro. Functional, dense, and ten minutes from everything.
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DLD
n. · English (Dubai Land Department)
The government body that registers and governs property in Dubai.
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Dokha
n. · Arabic ('dizziness')
A potent blend of dried tobacco, herbs, and spices. The name describes the feeling.
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Downtown Dubai
n. · English
The modern centre. Burj Khalifa, Dubai Mall, the fountain, and the crowd.
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Dragon Mart
n. · English
An enormous Chinese wholesale mall near International City. Sells everything. Seriously, everything.
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Dubai Creek Harbour
n. · English
A vast new Emaar waterfront development upstream on the Creek.
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Dubai Design District
n. · English (branded 'd3')
The creative-industry quarter, known as d3.
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Dubai Frame
n. · English / Arabic
A 150-metre picture frame on the border between old Dubai and new.
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Dubai Hills
n. · English
The new money suburb. Golf course, Emaar branding, and a lot still under construction.
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Dubai Hills Mall
n. · English
The new-Dubai mall for new-Dubai residents. Opened 2022. Everything is very clean.
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Dubai Mall
n. · English
The world's largest mall by area. You went in for one thing. You're still there.
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Dubai Marina
n. · English
The canal-cut tower cluster. A city within a city, built entirely since 2003.
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Dubai Media City
n. · English
The free zone for media companies — sister to Internet City next door.
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Dubai Opera
n. · English / Arabic
The dhow-shaped concert hall in Downtown. Actually hosts serious programming.
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Dubai Outlet Mall
n. · English
240+ discounted brands on Al Ain Road. Worth the drive if you know what you're looking for.
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Dubai time
n. · English
The expectation that punctuality is flexible. Meetings start late.
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Dubai Tram
n. · English
The street-level tram serving Dubai Marina, JBR, and Al Sufouh.
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Dubai World Trade Centre
n. · English
The 1979 tower that was the Gulf's first true skyscraper.
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Dune bashing
n. · English
Driving a 4x4 hard over the dunes for the thrill of it.
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E
8 entries
Eid
n. · Arabic
Holiday. Specifically one of two major Islamic festivals.
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Ejari
n. · Arabic (my tenancy)
The official rental registration system. Mandatory for all tenancy contracts.
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Emaar
n. · UAE (Dubai)
Dubai's largest developer. Responsible for the skyline's most defining pieces.
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Emirates
n. · English
Dubai's flagship airline — launched 1985, now one of the world's largest.
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Emirates ID
n. · English
The mandatory national identity card for all UAE residents.
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Emirates Towers
n. · English
The two triangular towers on Sheikh Zayed Road. One office, one hotel.
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Expat
n. · English (Latin: ex patria)
Almost everyone in Dubai who isn't Emirati.
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Expo City
n. · English / Arabic
The Expo 2020 site, repurposed. The Sustainability Pavilion is the one to see.
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F
12 entries
Falafel
n. · Levantine Arabic
Deep-fried chickpea balls. The vegetarian answer to shawarma.
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Falconry
n. · Arabic
The ancient Emirati art of hunting with trained falcons.
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Falooda
n. · Persian / South Asian
A cold rose-scented dessert-drink of vermicelli, basil seeds, and ice cream.
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Fattoush
n. · Levantine Arabic
A crunchy bread salad sharp with sumac.
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Ferrari World
n. · Abu Dhabi
The world's largest indoor theme park. Red, fast, and definitely in Abu Dhabi.
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Festival City Mall
n. · English
Creek-side mall with a waterfront promenade, IKEA, and a light show worth seeing once.
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Fils
n. · Arabic (from Byzantine follis)
1/100th of a dirham. The cent.
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flydubai
n. · English
Dubai's government-owned low-cost airline, launched 2009.
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Fool medames
n. · Egyptian / Levantine Arabic
Slow-cooked fava beans. The breakfast running under half the city.
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Frankincense
n. · Arabic
Aromatic resin burned as incense. Traded here for 3,000 years.
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Free zone
n. · English
A designated business zone with 100% foreign ownership and tax benefits.
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Fujairah
n. · Arabic
The east coast emirate. Indian Ocean, not Arabian Gulf. Different everything.
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G
5 entries
Gahwa
n. · Arabic
Arabic coffee. Pale yellow, cardamom-heavy, served in small cups.
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Ghutrah
n. · Arabic
The headcloth worn by Emirati and Gulf Arab men.
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Global Village
n. · Dubai
A seasonal outdoor cultural market. 90+ country pavilions, fairground rides, extraordinary food.
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Gold Souk
n. · English / Arabic
Deira's dense market of gold shops, near the Creek.
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Golden Visa
n. · English
A 5 or 10-year UAE residency not tied to employment.
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H
10 entries
Habibi / Habibti
n. · Arabic
My darling. My dear. Could mean anything.
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Hajj
n. · Arabic
The annual pilgrimage to Mecca — the fifth pillar of Islam.
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Hala
interj. · Arabic (Gulf)
Hi. Welcome. Hey you.
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Halal
adj. · Arabic
Permitted. Religiously lawful.
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Haram
adj. · Arabic
Forbidden. Religiously prohibited.
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Harees
n. · Arabic
Slow-cooked wheat and meat, pounded into a thick porridge.
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Hatta
n. · Arabic
Dubai's mountain exclave — a dam, kayaks, and cool air, near the Oman border.
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Henna
n. · Arabic
Temporary reddish-brown body art, applied for weddings and Eid.
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Hijab
n. · Arabic
Headscarf. Specifically the style pinned under the chin.
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Hummus
n. · Arabic / Levantine
Chickpea dip. Not the supermarket kind.
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I
7 entries
Ibn Battuta Mall
n. · English / Arabic
The themed mall nobody expected to be this good. Six courts, six civilisations, one explorer.
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Iftar
n. · Arabic
The meal that breaks the Ramadan fast at sunset.
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Iftar cannon
n. · Tradition (midfa al-iftar)
The cannon fired at sunset to mark the breaking of the Ramadan fast.
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IMG Worlds of Adventure
n. · Dubai
The world's largest indoor theme park. City of Arabia, fully air-conditioned.
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Inshallah
interj. · Arabic
If God wills it. The full meaning depends on the pause.
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International City
n. · English
Themed clusters named after countries. The cheapest apartments in Dubai.
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Irani chai
n. · Persian / Iranian
Strong black tea in a glass, with a sugar cube held between the teeth.
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J
10 entries
Jallab
n. · Levantine Arabic
A dark, sweet drink of grape molasses and rose water, topped with pine nuts.
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Jalsa
n. · Arabic
A gathering. An informal sit-down. No agenda required.
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JBR
n. · English (Jumeirah Beach Residence)
The beach walk. Towers, tourists, and the city's most-visited stretch of sand.
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Jebel Ali
n. · Arabic ('Ali's mountain')
The mega-port and free zone (JAFZA) that powers Dubai's trade economy.
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Jinn
n. · Arabic
Supernatural beings of Islamic belief. Not 'genies'.
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JLT
n. · English (Jumeirah Lakes Towers)
The towers around the lakes. One metro stop before the Marina, meaningfully cheaper.
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Jumeirah
n. · Arabic
The old beach road. Villas, salons, and Dubai's original expat suburb.
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Jumeirah Group
n. · UAE (Dubai, government)
Dubai's flagship hospitality company. Runs the Burj Al Arab, Madinat, and 30+ hotels worldwide.
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Jummah
n. · Arabic
Friday. Specifically, the Friday congregational prayer.
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JVC
n. · English (Jumeirah Village Circle)
The affordable circle. Dense mid-rise, young residents, and a cafe for every 200 people.
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K
12 entries
Kabsa
n. · Saudi / Gulf Arabic
The spiced rice-and-meat dish of the Arabian Peninsula.
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Kafala
n. · Arabic
The sponsorship system. Ties most migrant workers to a single employer.
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Kandura
n. · Arabic (Gulf)
The long white robe worn by Emirati men. Also: thoub, dishdasha.
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Karak
n. · Hindi/Urdu (from Arabic qaraq)
Spiced milk tea. The national drink of Dubai.
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Karama
n. · Arabic
The working-class hub. South Asian, affordable, and indispensable.
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Kayf halak
phrase · Arabic
How are you? Halak for a man, halik for a woman.
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Khalas
interj. · Arabic
Done. Finished. That's enough. It's over.
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Khaleeji
n. / adj. · Arabic
Of the Gulf — its people, culture, and dialect.
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Khali wali
phrase · Emirati Arabic
Forget it. Leave it. Whatever — let it go.
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Khameer
n. · Emirati Arabic
Soft, slightly sweet Emirati bread, often spiced with saffron and dates.
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Kite Beach
n. · English
The popular public beach off Jumeirah, with the Burj Al Arab in view.
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Knafeh
n. · Levantine Arabic
Shredded pastry soaked in syrup, filled with soft white cheese.
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L
6 entries
La Mer
n. · French ('the sea')
A beachfront dining and retail strip on the Jumeirah coast.
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Laban
n. · Arabic
Buttermilk. Salty, cold, sold in cartons everywhere.
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Labneh
n. · Levantine Arabic
Strained yogurt. Eaten as a dip, spread, or cheese.
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Ladies night
n. · English
Tuesday (usually). Free drinks for women at bars and clubs.
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Legoland Dubai
n. · Dubai
Six Lego-themed zones and a waterpark next door. Designed for ages 2–12.
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Luqaimat
n. · Arabic
Fried sweet dumplings. Drizzled with date syrup.
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M
28 entries
Ma'a salama
phrase · Arabic
Goodbye. Literally: go with peace.
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Maalish
interj. · Arabic
Never mind. It's okay. No harm done.
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Mabrook
interj. · Arabic
Congratulations. Often 'alf mabrook' — a thousand congratulations.
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Mabsoot
adj. · Arabic
Happy. Content. Things are good.
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Machboos
n. · Arabic (Gulf)
Slow-cooked spiced rice with meat or seafood. The Emirati national dish.
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Mafi mushkila
phrase · Arabic
No problem. There is no issue.
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Majlis
n. · Arabic
A sitting room. Also: a council, a gathering, a way of doing things.
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Mall of the Emirates
n. · English
The mall with a ski slope inside. Nobody finds this surprising anymore.
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Mandi
n. · Yemeni Arabic
Yemeni rice and meat, slow-cooked over smoke until the meat falls apart.
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Manoush
n. · Levantine Arabic
Flatbread baked with za'atar and oil, or cheese, or both.
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Margoog
n. · Arabic (Gulf)
Slow-cooked Emirati stew with thin bread dissolved inside.
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Marhaba
interj. · Arabic
Hello. Casual, warm, works with anyone.
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Masa al-khair
phrase · Arabic
Good afternoon / good evening.
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Mashallah
interj. · Arabic
What God has willed. Used as a compliment and a blessing.
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Mashy
interj. · Arabic
OK. Fine. We're moving. Understood.
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Masjid
n. · Arabic
Mosque — the place of prayer, never far from earshot in Dubai.
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Mathrooba
n. · Emirati Arabic
A soft, spiced Emirati porridge of mashed chicken or fish and rice.
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Mawaqif
n. · Arabic ('parking spaces')
The RTA's paid street-parking system — pay by app, SMS, or meter.
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Meraas
n. · UAE (Dubai, government)
The lifestyle developer. City Walk, Bluewaters, La Mer — the places that feel designed.
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Mercato Mall
n. · Italian
A Tuscan village in Jumeirah 1. Smaller, quieter, and more charming than it has any right to be.
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Metro
n. · English
Dubai's driverless elevated rail. Two lines, 53 stations.
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Mezze
n. · Arabic / Levantine
A spread of small shared dishes, served before or instead of a main.
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Midwakh
n. · Arabic
The small pipe used to smoke dokha. Slender, traditional, unmistakable.
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Min fadlak / min fadlik
phrase · Arabic
Please. Min fadlak to a man, min fadlik to a woman.
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Mirdif
n. · Arabic
The settled suburb. Villas, families, and old-school Dubai.
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Motiongate
n. · Dubai
Hollywood theme park at Dubai Parks & Resorts. DreamWorks, Sony, Lionsgate.
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Mumkin
adj. · Arabic
Possible. Used to ask 'may I?' or 'could you?'
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Museum of the Future
n. · English / Arabic
The torus building. Arabic calligraphy as architecture.
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N
7 entries
Nakheel
n. · UAE (Dubai, government)
The developer that built the Palm — and most of the affordable communities around it.
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Nakheel Mall
n. · Arabic / English
The Palm's community mall. Serves 80,000 residents who don't want to leave the island.
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National Day
n. · English
December 2. The UAE's birthday. The patriotism is genuine.
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Nazar
n. · Arabic / Turkish
The evil eye. The harm caused by envy or admiration.
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Niqab
n. · Arabic
The face veil, leaving the eyes visible.
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NOC
n. · English
No Objection Certificate. Required for almost everything.
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Nol card
n. · English (RTA brand name)
Dubai's stored-value transit card. Works on metro, bus, tram, water bus.
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O
2 entries
Onam
n. · Malayalam
Kerala's harvest festival. The most important occasion in the Malayalee calendar.
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Oud
n. · Arabic
Agarwood. Burned as incense. The signature scent of the Gulf.
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P
4 entries
Pakora
n. · Hindi/Urdu
Battered and deep-fried vegetables. Usually onion, potato, or spinach.
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Paratha
n. · Hindi/Urdu
Layered flatbread, pan-fried. The cafeteria foundation.
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Pav bhaji
n. · Maharashtrian (Mumbai)
Spiced vegetable mash on a butter-griddled roll. Mumbai on a plate.
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Pearl diving
n. · English / Arabic (ghaws)
The pre-oil economy that built Dubai. Gone within a generation.
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Q
1 entry
Qibla
n. · Arabic
The direction of Mecca. Every hotel room in the UAE marks it.
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R
5 entries
Ramadan
n. · Arabic
The ninth month of the Islamic calendar. The month of fasting.
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Ras Al Khaimah
n. · Arabic ('head of the tent')
The northernmost emirate. Mountains, a zipline, and quiet momentum.
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Regag
n. · Arabic (Gulf)
Paper-thin Emirati flatbread, cooked on an open domed pan in seconds.
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RERA
n. · English
Real Estate Regulatory Authority. Dubai's property watchdog.
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RTA
n. · English
Roads and Transport Authority. Dubai's transport regulator.
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S
24 entries
Sabah al-khair
phrase · Arabic
Good morning.
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Sadhya
n. · Malayalam ('banquet')
A Kerala feast served on a banana leaf. Up to 28 dishes, eaten with the right hand.
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Salah
n. · Arabic
The five daily prayers. The second pillar of Islam.
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Salik
n. · Arabic
Dubai's road toll system. AED 4 per gate.
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Saloona
n. · Emirati / Gulf Arabic
An Emirati stew of meat or fish and vegetables in a spiced tomato broth.
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Samboosa
n. · Arabic (Gulf, from South Asian samosa)
The Gulf's take on the samosa. Minced lamb, pine nuts, thinner pastry.
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Satwa
n. · Arabic
The gritty one. Mechanics, flower stalls, cheap eats, and forty years of real life.
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Select Group
n. · UAE (Dubai)
The developer that outgrew the Marina. Business Bay is now the main address.
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Shamal
n. · Arabic ('north')
The northwesterly wind that hauls dust and sand across the Gulf.
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Sharjah
n. · Arabic
The dry emirate. Islamic capital of culture. Generator of Dubai's morning traffic.
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Shawarma
n. · Turkish (çevirme)
Meat on a vertical spit, shaved to order, wrapped in flatbread.
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Sheikh
n. · Arabic
A title. For rulers, scholars, respected elders — and occasionally flattery.
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Sheikh Zayed Road
n. · English / Arabic
The main highway. 12 lanes. The skyline you picture.
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Sheila
n. · Arabic (Gulf)
The headscarf worn by Emirati women. Also: shayla.
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Shisha
n. · Persian / Arabic
Waterpipe. Also: argileh, hookah.
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Sho akhbarak
phrase · Levantine Arabic
What's your news? A casual 'how are you?'
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Shu
interj. · Arabic (Levantine)
What. What is it. What's happening.
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Shukran
interj. · Arabic
Thank you.
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Sobha
n. · India / UAE
The quality-first developer. Indian origins, Dubai ambitions, a reputation for finish.
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Souk
n. · Arabic
A traditional market. Can be literal or named.
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Staycation
n. · English (a Dubai obsession)
Booking a hotel in your own city for the weekend. A local institution.
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Subhan Allah
interj. · Arabic
Glory to God. Used for wonder, beauty, disbelief.
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Suhoor
n. · Arabic
The pre-dawn meal before the Ramadan fast begins.
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Summer
n. · English
June–September. 45°C. The city empties.
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T
12 entries
Tabbouleh
n. · Levantine Arabic
A parsley salad — herbs first, bulgur second.
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Tamam
interj. · Arabic
OK. Fine. All good. Moving on.
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Tasheel
n. · Arabic ('facilitation')
The typing/service centres that process government paperwork for you.
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Tawakkul
n. · Arabic
Trust in God. Reliance on the divine after you've done your part.
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Tayeb
interj. · Arabic
Alright. Good. Fine. The warm cousin of tamam.
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Thareed
n. · Emirati / Gulf Arabic
Torn flatbread soaked in a meat-and-vegetable stew. A Ramadan staple.
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The Dubai weekend
n. · English
Saturday–Sunday since 2022. Previously Friday–Saturday.
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The Palm
n. · English
Palm Jumeirah. The man-made island shaped like a palm tree.
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The Springs Souk
n. · English
The community mall Dubai residents actually use. No spectacle. Just Waitrose and a parking spot.
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The World Islands
n. · English
An offshore archipelago of man-made islands shaped like a world map.
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Tikka
n. · Hindi/Urdu (via Turkish)
Charcoal-grilled marinated meat on skewers.
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Toum
n. · Lebanese Arabic
The fierce white garlic sauce at Lebanese restaurants.
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U
3 entries
Umm Al Quwain
n. · Arabic ('mother of two powers')
The quiet one. Mangroves, a lagoon, and a quietly strategic free zone.
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Umm Ali
n. · Egyptian Arabic
Egypt's national dessert — warm bread-and-cream pudding.
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Ustaz
n. · Arabic
Teacher, professor, or polite address for an educated person.
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V
4 entries
Vada pav
n. · Maharashtrian (Mumbai)
Spiced potato dumpling in a white roll. The Indian burger.
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VAT
n. · English
Value Added Tax. Introduced in the UAE in January 2018 at 5%.
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Vimto
n. · British (cult Gulf status)
A British fruit cordial with a near-religious Ramadan following in the Gulf.
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Visa run
n. · English (expat slang)
Leaving the UAE briefly to reset your visit visa.
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W
8 entries
Wa alaykum assalam
phrase · Arabic
And upon you be peace. The only correct response to as-salamu alaykum.
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Wafi Mall
n. · English / Arabic
Three Egyptian pyramids in Oud Metha. Predates the themed mall trend by nearly a decade.
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Wallah
interj. · Arabic
I swear by God. Also: really?, used as emphasis.
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Warner Bros. World
n. · Abu Dhabi
Six themed lands on Yas Island. DC Comics, Looney Tunes, fully air-conditioned.
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Wasta
n. · Arabic
Influence. Who you know. The invisible infrastructure.
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Wild Wadi
n. · Dubai
The original Dubai waterpark. Jumeirah Beach Road, Burj Al Arab view, 30 rides.
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WPS
n. · English (Wage Protection System)
The system that makes employers pay salaries electronically, on the record.
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Wudu
n. · Arabic
The ritual washing performed before prayer.
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X
1 entry
Xalas
interj. · Arabic (khalas)
Done. Finished. That's it. Also: please stop.
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Y
5 entries
Ya Allah
interj. · Arabic
Oh God. Surprise, frustration, awe — all of the above.
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Yaani
interj. · Arabic
The Arabic 'I mean…' — a conversational filler.
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Yallah
interj. · Arabic
Let's go. Come on. Move it. Now.
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Yas Island
n. · Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi's entertainment district. Formula 1, three theme parks, a waterpark, and a mall.
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Yislam
interj. · Arabic (Gulf)
Bless you. Said in response to a compliment or thank you.
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Z
4 entries
Za'atar
n. · Arabic
A herb and a spice blend. Both things at once.
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Zahma
n. · Arabic
Traffic. A crowd. Congestion. The condition of Sheikh Zayed Road at 5pm.
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Zakat
n. · Arabic
Mandatory charitable giving. One of the five pillars of Islam.
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Zein / Zainah
adj. · Arabic (Gulf)
Good. Fine. Beautiful (m./f.).
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