All the needful words for living in Dubai…

Dubai slang is a unique blend of languages, shaped by the city’s incredibly diverse population. As of 2024, expats make up 88.5% of Dubai’s residents. With so many cultures in the mix, along with English and Arabic, a variety of language influences create a dynamic linguistic mashup. The result? A street slang with international vibes and countless ways to express our love for the city. To help you master the ever-evolving ‘Dubaisms’ and boost your local lingo game, we’ve rounded up some of the key phrases you need to know.

Think we left something out? Drop your suggestions in the comments!

Abwabu tuglag: Doors are closing. Borrowed from the Dubai Metro’s announcement when the doors are about to shut, this phrase is now used with a bit of irony in public spaces—usually when someone lets the door swing shut right in your face instead of holding it open.

AC/PC: The person sitting closest to the office AC, unofficially in charge of the room’s temperature and vibe control.

And it’s only February/March/April: A common social media caption accompanying screenshots of weather forecasts.

Barracuda run: The classic road trip to Umm Al Quwain’s iconic beach resort and beverage store. It’s the go-to spot for expats hunting for discounted drinks, plus the occasional cringe-worthy encounter with obscure European liquors you haven’t seen since your wild Tenerife ’08 days.

Boss: A go-to term for friend, sir, or mate, often tossed around in casual exchanges between customers and shop owners. And yes, it’s practically a staple at shawarma spots. Always at shawarma spots.

Brunch: Forget the usual breakfast-lunch combo. In Dubai, brunches are extravagant, Sultan-worthy spreads with a seriously impressive lobster-to-guest ratio.

Callass: The way non-native Arabic speakers say “Khalas.” It means enough, finished, done, or stop—basically, “that’s a wrap.”

Chamak: Think of it as the local twist on a British chav or French racaille—basically, a troublemaker or an edgy youth. Also, a permed mallrat fits this vibe.

Dizzas, dizz bucks, Ds: Casual terms for the UAE’s currency, the dirham.

Dodgy box: A shady black market device for streaming international IPTV channels. Often, but not always, sold in expat Facebook Groups by guys named Keith, Nigel, or Graham.

Dubai problems: Not just the meme page, but the real-life issues it pokes fun at. These are first-world problems with a Dubai twist. For example: “It’s 40°C and my driver broke down while taking the nanny to fetch Mister Whiskers from the five-star cat hotel. Maybe we should call them ‘Chat-eaus,’ right?”

Fax machine: Old-school tech that predated the internet, letting you send images through a series of screechy phone line noises. Yet, those fax numbers still somehow show up on a surprising number of business cards. Totally old-school.

Full special (/special full): Gas station talk for asking if you want your tank filled with the pricier Special fuel. Whether you choose Super or the more expensive Special, it’s still way cheaper compared to fuel prices in most other countries.

Globey Vs: The nickname for Global Village—an epic blend of theme park, fairground, market, and street food paradise. Loved by locals for its nostalgic vibes, weekly fireworks, and grand stage shows. Plus, it boasts the biggest honey market you’ll ever see.

Got the Alfreds: An earworm, a song or jingle that gets stuck in your head.

Hassan Mattar: The ultimate shawarma hack—it’s essentially a shawarma with cheese. Who knew you could improve on perfection?

Hatt-over: Rising at 4am for a weekend trek up the Hatta hills.

Hatta-wood sign: The iconic ‘HATTA’ sign you hike to during a Hatt-over.

Habibi: Arabic for ‘my love’ or ‘darling,’ made famous by the viral TikTok sound “Habibi, come to Dubai.”

Howzit: South African slang for ‘how’s it going?’ or ‘how are you?’

Karama Gucci: Another way to say ‘original fake.’

Kabayan: From Tagalog, meaning kinsman or fellow countryman.

Karak?: An offer you can’t refuse—unless you’re not into cardamom tea.

Khalli walli: An Anglicized take on an Arabic phrase that means ‘forget about it’ or ‘whatever.’ Next time you’re about to say ‘it is what it is,’ try this instead.

Last best price: A haggling tactic in online second-hand deals that pushes vendors to their breaking point.

Maamsir: A gender-neutral pronoun.

MyDubai: A way to express a deep personal connection and affection for our city.

Needful: The Dubai way of saying ‘necessary’ in emails.

Of Arabia: A popular suffix for expat Instagram handles that might seem less fitting the longer you’re here.

Old Lexus: Keep an eye out for these on the roads.

Original fake: The highest quality of counterfeit goods.

RAKcident: What happens at the Ras Al Khaimah all-inclusive stays at the Ras Al Khaimah all-inclusive.

Same price: The promise from freelance taxi drivers that their fare is “the same as an RTA taxi.” Spoiler: it usually isn’t.

Same same: When something is exactly the same, but even more so.

Send Location Plz: A delivery driver’s way of asking for a WhatsApp pin drop.

Squeeze Burja: Tourists crowding in front of the Burj Khalifa, trying to fit themselves into a photo for their profile pic.

Shifting: Moving to a new house or apartment.

Sige-sige: Tagalog for “OK” or “I’ll handle it.” It’s a way to acknowledge a request. Use it sparingly and only when you’re really ready to commit.

Spritz ninjas: The perfume salespeople at mall kiosks. If you make even the slightest eye contact, you’re already caught.

SZR: The shorthand for our beloved Sheikh Zayed Road.

The Dubai stone: The extra weight you might gain in the first few months after moving to Dubai because of all the amazing food.

The sandpit: A frequently used but heartfelt term of endearment for Dubai.

Troppy storms: Short for ‘tropical storms.’ Dubai’s winter storms really do hit differently.

VPN: The ultimate incognito mode. Also, see ‘illegal.’

Wasta: An Arabic term for clout or influence. It’s like the Mastercard of personal favors.

Yani: A filler word for those conversational pauses, much like “umm” or “like” or “what I’m trying to say.” Just watch out—it can become super addictive. Over-Yaniing is a common issue.