๐ถ๐ฆ
Essential apps for
Qatar
ูุทุฑ
Arabic & EnglishQAR5 apps
Doha is highly digital after the World Cup. Careem rules rideshare; Snoonu and Talabat split food.
๐
Power & Plug
TypeG
Voltage240V
Freq50Hz
British plug.
๐ฌ
Basic phrases
Arabic
- Helloู ุฑุญุจุงmarhaban
- Thank youุดูุฑุงshukran
- Excuse me / Sorryุนููุงafwan
- Yesูุนูna'am
- Noูุงlaa
+10 more below
๐
Tipping
Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory; many restaurants add a 10% service charge, in which case extra is optional. For good service, rounding up or leaving 10-15% for waiters, taxi drivers, and hotel staff is welcome.
๐Rideshare & Taxi
See all โ๐บ๏ธNavigation & Maps
See all โPhrases
All Arabic phrases
Hello
ู
ุฑุญุจุง
marhaban
Thank you
ุดูุฑุง
shukran
Excuse me / Sorry
ุนููุง
afwan
Yes
ูุนู
na'am
No
ูุง
laa
Please
ู
ู ูุถูู
min fadlak
Goodbye
ู
ุน ุงูุณูุงู
ุฉ
ma'a as-salaama
How much?
ุจูู
ูุฐุงุ
bikam haadha
Where is the bathroom?
ุฃูู ุงูุญู
ุงู
ุ
ayna al-hammaam
The check, please
ุงูุญุณุงุจ ู
ู ูุถูู
al-hisaab min fadlak
I don't understand
ูุง ุฃููู
laa afham
Do you speak English?
ูู ุชุชุญุฏุซ ุงูุฅูุฌููุฒูุฉุ
hal tatahaddath al-injliziyya
Help!
ุงููุฌุฏุฉ!
an-najda
Delicious
ูุฐูุฐ
ladheedh
Cheers
ูู ุตุญุชู
fee sihhatik
Briefing
What to know before you go
โ Do
- Dress modestly in public, covering shoulders and knees; this is especially important for women and at malls and mosques
- Use your right hand for eating, greeting, and giving or receiving items
- Accept Arabic coffee (gahwa) and dates when offered as a gesture of hospitality
- Greet with "As-salamu alaykum" and ask permission before photographing locals, particularly women
- Be respectful during prayer times and the holy month of Ramadan, when eating in public during daylight is restricted
- Wait for a local of the opposite sex to extend a hand first, as not everyone shakes hands across genders
โDon't
- Don't show public displays of affection such as kissing or hugging, which can lead to legal trouble
- Don't drink alcohol in public or appear intoxicated; alcohol is restricted to licensed venues
- Don't show the soles of your feet or use your left hand to hand over items
- Don't dress revealingly or wear swimwear away from pools and private beaches
โ ๏ธ Common scams to know
- Unmetered taxis or drivers refusing the meter and quoting inflated flat fares; use Karwa taxis or ride-hailing apps
- Souq vendors in Souq Waqif heavily marking up prices for tourists, expecting bargaining
- Fake tour operators or "desert safari" deals collected online with no real booking
- Overpriced currency exchange or shortchanging in informal money-changing
Going elsewhere?
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