Dubai has emerged as a multi-linguistic country home to over 3 million people and more than 200 nationalities. This city is a vivacious tapestry of languages, cuisine, cultures, and traditions that are weaved together by the Emiratis who have a strong foothold of legacy in the region. Apart from Arabic – the official language, you can find people communicating in several languages, from Chinese to Hindi. From Arabic variations to sub-continental dialects, let’s discover what other languages are spoken in Dubai, the vibrant melting pot of culture.
Dubai As A Multicultural City
Dubai welcomes thousands of workers from Asian countries, further widening the diversity of the number of languages spoken in Dubai. Being one of the exotic tourist destinations, the city always attracts visitors from every part of the world. Arabic is the official language of the UAE, and Emiratis also communicate in the Gulf Arabic language. However, you will be relieved to know that English remains the most widely spoken language in the city. Apart from Arabic and English, people also speak languages like Urdu, Filipino, Hindi, Farsi, Mandarin, Tagalog, etc. It’s no wonder that language diversity prevails in a global city like Dubai.
Dubai’s Official Language: Arabic
To preserve its authenticity and showcase the Emirati’s pride in rich culture, the UAE Sultanate declared Arabic its official language in 2008. Even though all streams of media like news, newspapers, books, and magazines are in Arabic language, it is not in colloquial dialect.
- Standard Arabic Language: Even though several vernaculars and dialects of this language are prevalent in the region, literary and modern version of standard Arabic is mostly used in legal, Government offices, universities, and educational institutions in the UAE.
- Gulf Arabic Language: Local Emiratis love to converse in Khaleeji or Gulf Arabic language.
- Egyptian Arabic Language: Masri or Egyptian Arabic is considered the second widely spoken dialect in the region. However, Arabic speakers from the Middle East, Sudan, and Maghreb regions contribute to the language with a distinct enunciation and dialect to the city’s official language.
- Modern Dubai Slang: As several nationalities have chosen Dubai as their second home, many terminologies, as well as phrases, have developed over several years to make the language sound unique. The popular vernacular used by people is a mixture of Tagalog, Arabic, and Hindi, which has recently become a trend.
English: The Commonly Language Of Communication In Dubai
How a desert region has transformed into a place of scenic nature, and architectural wonder has made it an exquisite tourist destination. With thousands of tourists pouring in every year, English became the most commonly accepted language for communication. Be it government delegates, legal personnel, delivery staff, and drivers, they can converse fluently.
Private educational institutions, hospitals, and universities have English as a second language. In addition, you can find hoardings, advertisement notices, signboards, public transport, road signs, name boards, and menus of restaurants or hotels written in English and Arabic for quick identification. So visiting your favorite tourist spot, having a business meeting with a client, shopping for souvenirs, and communicating with service staff is simple, even if you don’t know Arabic.
What Languages Are Spoken In Dubai
Below are list of languages spoken in Dubai with important data –
| Language | Region/Country | Approx. % of Speakers | Approx. Speakers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arabic | UAE/ Middle East | 10% | 338,000 |
| English | Worldwide | 80% | 2,704,000 |
| Hindi | India | 15% | 507,000 |
| Urdu | Pakistan | 12% | 405,600 |
| Tagalog (Filipino) | Philippines | 5% | 169,000 |
| Bengali | Bangladesh/India | 3% | 101,400 |
| Persian (Farsi) | Iran | 2% | 67,600 |
| Malayalam | India (Kerala) | 8% | 270,400 |
| Tamil | India/Sri Lanka | 2% | 67,600 |
| Chinese | China | 1% | 33,800 |
| Russian | Russia | <1% | <33,800 |
Note:People in Dubai are bilingual or even trilingual. A person might speak Arabic and Hindi or English and Tagalog.
Diverse Range Of Languages Spoken In Dubai
The three-forth portion of Dubai’s population comprises expatriates who are well-versed in speaking English or their native language. Laborers, professionals, and immigrants from the South Asian region have contributed to using languages like Malayalam, Hindi, Urdu, and Gujarati in Dubai.
1. Hindi, Urdu, and Bengali – South Asian expat community
The city’s landscape has been changing at a consistent pace, thanks to the workers moving from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Afghanistan, and other South Asia. Out of 85% of the expatriates residing in the city, 71% come from Asian countries.
2. Persian – Iranian expat community
Dubai is the residence of thousands of Iranians and Persians who have made Persian and Iranian one of Dubai’s most commonly spoken languages. Farsi language is also spoken by several people who visit Dubai for work reasons.
3. Malayalam, Tamil, and other languages – Indian expat community
Most of the expats living and working in the city are mainly from Asian countries like India, which has made Indian languages like Malayalam, Tamil, Bengali, Gujarati, and Hindi very popular among the local population. Indic language like Urdu is also the common language of communication among Indian Muslims. Most of the vendors that you find in the traditional souks of Dubai are Indians, which indicates that you can grab the best deals while shopping with an Indian friend by bargaining.
4. Mandarin Language
It is common to spot locals conversing freely in Mandarin in Dubai because the city has thousands of Chinese working and staying with their families. In addition, some shops, hotels, shopping malls, and eateries have name boards in Arabic, English, and Mandarin. Unfortunately, only some schools and colleges in Dubai also have Mandarin as an additional elective.
Other Languages Spoken In Dubai
Don’t worry if you don’t know Arabic, English, or the other languages discussed above. You can find many people speaking languages like Russian, French, German, Spanish, Japanese, Polish, and more. If you are visiting Dubai, you can find travel guides, recommendations, itineraries, and articles available in these languages to help you explore the city without any communication issues.
Get Familiar With the Arabic Language
If you plan to relocate to this majestic city in the UAE, staying familiar with a few terms in Arabic, the local language is always better. Even though you know English and a few other languages to survive here, mastering a couple of phrases and words in Arabic would help you connect quickly.
It doesn’t matter if you are on a tour or an expat worker. Checking out our list of basic Arabic terms with their English meaning will help you easily converse with the locals.
- Marhaba – Hi / Hello
- Maraheb – Greetings
- Sabah el khair – Good Morning
- Tetkallam English? – You know English?
- Wain – Where?
- Ana da’eah – I’m lost
- Kam? – How much?
- Kaif aswal le? – How to go to?
- Shenu Ismak? – Your name please?
- Kayf halak? – How do you do?
- Shukran – Thank You
- Aasef – Sorry
Our write-up helped you understand the various languages spoken in Dubai to help you travel to this beautiful city without having any communication concerns. Even if you are a primary English speaker, communicating with the locals is a breezy affair because almost all of them speak the language fluently.