Abu Dhabi - Post Report Question and Answers
How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
English is the local language, you don't need to know any Arabic to live here, and most people don't actually speak Arabic since 90% of the residents of the UAE are not Emirati; the majority come from South Asia (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal) - Jun 2022
None as the language of business is English. I've not even spoken to an Emirate directly. There are places to learn, but can be pricey. - Feb 2020
The UAE consists of 87% expats from around the world, you absolutely need no Arabic here. Everybody speaks English here and everything is also written in English, but of course, it can never hurt to learn the basics. ? - Jun 2019
None, everything is in English. - Sep 2017
None. English seems to be the lingua Franca since so much of the population comes from abroad. I was actually hoping to improve my Arabic, but I couldn't find many to practice with. - Jun 2015
Emiratis are a small minority (15% maybe?), and it's actually hard to practice Arabic here. English is as close to a shared language as there is (more people probably speak Urdu than anything else). That said, Arabic-speakers really like it if you try even a few words. - May 2013
A little Arabic goes a long way and is much appreciated. English is widely understood and spoken. - Jul 2012
None. Arabic is great to have, but English is almost universal. It would almost be more useful to have Tagalog or Urdu. - Aug 2011
You're generally fine with English although some basic Arabic is useful. Urdu is useful with cabbies and maintenance workers. - Jul 2011
Little. Being able to exchange pleasantries in Arabic is always appreciated. Knowing Urdu would be much more helpful. Most business and government workers speak English. - Nov 2010
English is spoken everywhere here. - Jan 2010
Very little, most speak English. - Aug 2009
