If you're a new Arab expat who recently moved to the United Arab Emirates, then you might be confused about a few Emirati words. Some are nearly the same to the words you use, but somehow different.

So, if you come from Lebanon, Syria, Jordan or Palestine, you might think that the word “dhaw” or ضو means “light." But in Emirati, it means something else.

Intrigued? Read our list of 15 Emirati words that you need to learn if you are an Arab expat in the UAE:

1. Ramsa رمسة

If you are having a chat with your Emirati friends then you are having a “ramsa.” And if you enjoy someone’s conversation then you can say: “I like your ramsa." 

2. Tarresh طرّش

If you are from a Levant country then, you’d think that “tarresh” means “to splash water.” In Emirati it means "send". So, next time your Emirati colleague says “tarreshli email,” don’t go around splashing water all over his or her laptop!

3. Bacher باشر

Again, it doesn’t mean "start". In Emirati it means tomorrow. Example: "Bacher is another day".

4. Late ليت

This Emirati word actually comes from the English word “light.” It also has the same meaning. In Levant countries this word is “dhaw”, while in Egyptian it is “nour”.  

5. El barr البرّ

“Yalla nseer el barr” is what your Emirati friend would say to you if he’s inviting you on a trip to the desert.

6. Wayed وايد

If you're Moroccan, you’d say “bezzaf”, Syrian “ktir”, Egyptian “2awi”, Tunisian “barsha”. But if you're Emirati, the word for “a lot” is “wayed”. The many ways you can say this word in different Arabic dialects inspired Tamer Hosni to sing a song about it!

7. Dhaw ضو

So “light” in Emirati is “late”, but “dhaw” is “fire”! Ok, we are all confused now!

8. 3el عيل

So instead of “say whaaaaaat?!” or “shuuu??!!” you can simply say “3eeel”!

9. Mayhood ميهود

If you call in sick, that means you are “mayhoud”. You need to rest and drink plenty of karak tea.

10. Etrayya اتريّا

When your Emirati friend says “atrayyak”, that means he’s “waiting” for you.

11. Gharsha غرشة

All you need after a hot day in the “barr” is a cold “gharsha” of water … that’s “bottle” in case you didn’t get it.

12. Shisha شيشة

Yes, shisha is the addictive thing you smoke in the café for hours ... but in Emirati it also means the petrol station.

13. Manthara منظرة

Seriously, how many selfies do you take daily in front of the “manthara”? Yes, we mean “mirror” selfies.

14. Khaz خاز

It’s the Emirati word for “disappeared” or “gone”.

15. Rabee3 ربيع

We all know that “rabee3” means “spring”, but in Emirati it also means “friend”. This sounds funny if you have a “rabee3” whose name also happens to be “rabee3”!