What Language Do They Speak in United Arab Emirates?
Facts last checked 9 October 2026.
The official language of United Arab Emirates is Arabic. Arabic is also an official language in 24 other countries worldwide.
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The essentials for ordering food, asking directions and being polite.
Languages of United Arab Emirates at a glance
| Official language | Arabic |
|---|---|
| Number of official languages | 1 |
| Countries on this site where Arabic is official | 25 |
| People (demonym) | Emirati |
| Capital | Abu Dhabi |
| Internet domain | .ae |
Other countries where Arabic is official
Arabic is also an official language in 24 other countries covered here:
- Algeria
- Bahrain
- Chad
- Comoros
- Djibouti
- Egypt
- Eritrea
- Iraq
- Israel
- Jordan
- Kuwait
- Lebanon
- Libya
- Mauritania
- Morocco
- Oman
- Palestine
- Qatar
- Saudi Arabia
- Somalia
- Sudan
- Syria
- Tunisia
- Yemen
Languages of neighbouring countries
| Oman | Arabic |
|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia | Arabic |
United Arab Emirates in context
- United Arab Emirates covers 83,600 km², making it the 113th largest of the 196 countries on this site.
- Its population density of about 135 people per km² ranks 69th of 196 (1st = most crowded).
- It shares a land border with 2 countries: Oman, Saudi Arabia.
- With 11,294,243 people, United Arab Emirates holds about 3.7% of the population of Western Asia.
- Traffic drives on the right, and calendars start the week on Sunday.
- United Arab Emirates is a member state of the United Nations.
Compare United Arab Emirates
Useful phrases for visitors to United Arab Emirates
Everyday Arabic phrases you will hear and use in United Arab Emirates:
| English | Arabic |
|---|---|
| Hello | مرحبا (marhaba) |
| Thank you | شكرا (shukran) |
| Please | من فضلك (min fadlak) |
| Goodbye | مع السلامة (ma'a as-salama) |
| Yes | نعم (na'am) |
| No | لا (la) |
Spellings can vary by region, and some languages use different forms for formal or informal speech. Even a simple greeting in the local language is usually appreciated.
Languages in United Arab Emirates — FAQ
What language do they speak in United Arab Emirates?
The official language of United Arab Emirates is Arabic.
How many official languages does United Arab Emirates have?
United Arab Emirates has 1 official language: Arabic.
Is Arabic spoken anywhere else?
Arabic is also an official language in 24 other countries.
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