Dubai's official language is Arabic but there are many variations prevalent in the city. Standard Arabic – the modernised, literary version – is the one you'll encounter in all legal, administrative and government texts, as well as books and newspapers. However, that's not the colloquial dialect.
The official language of Dubai is Arabic, though English is even more widely spoken. With the exception of some local Emiratis, who make up a small percentage of the total population, almost everyone living in or traveling to Dubai speaks at least passable English.
Hello / Goodbye
While in Dubai, the most common greetings visitors will come across are marhaba (hello) and maasalaamah (goodbye or with peace).
The official language of the United Arab Emirates is Arabic. Modern Standard Arabic is taught in schools, and most native Emiratis speak a dialect of Gulf Arabic that is generally similar to that spoken in surrounding countries.
French is a commonly spoken language in many areas with business relations to Dubai.
The UAE is the third-richest country in the world, below Luxembourg at number two and Qatar at number one, with a GDP per capita of $57,744. The bulk of its money comes from the production of goods and provision of services related to petroleum, petrochemicals, aluminium and cement.
So, is Dubai really that expensive? Dubai isn't actually much more expensive than London, New York, and other big cities. However, Dubai's not a very walkable city. Jaywalking is illegal, and crossings are few and far between.
The constitution designates Islam as the official religion. It guarantees freedom of worship as long as it does not conflict with public policy or morals.
About 75% of the population in Dubai are expatriates, majority of who speak in English or in their native language. Some important contracts like employment contracts or rental agreements are written in both Arabic and English languages. So English is used in written documents too.
The Emiratis (Arabic: الإمَارَاتِيُّون) are the native Arab citizen population of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Within the UAE itself, they number approximately 1.5 million. Emiratis.
If you plan on visiting either, remember to wear loose-fitting and conservative clothing, so avoid shorts and keep ankles covered. Women should also cover their head and arms before entering. You can bring a shawl of your own, but some mosques also let visitors borrow abayas.
The customary greeting is 'As-salam alaikum' (peace be upon you). The reply is 'Wa alaikum as-salam' (and upon you be peace). Handshakes are the normal form of greeting, but ensure you use only your right hand. Members of the same sex who know each other well often greet warmly, with embraces.
Also good to know is 'yes' and 'no' which is na'am and la respectively.
What is the average salary in Dubai? The average salary in Dubai is AED 16,775 per month6 — this is roughly $4,570. In the US, the average monthly income is $3,9007.
Absolutely. English is the most commonly spoken language in Dubai. With a high number of expats, most of whom speak English as a native or second language, you'll find it easy to make your way around. From road signs and menus to phone directories and public transport, English is always an option.
Absence of taxation
There is currently no personal income tax in the United Arab Emirates. As such, there are no individual tax registration or reporting obligations.
With tax-free income and just 5% VAT on goods and services, Dubai offers the rare chance to enjoy life, take a comfortable vacation once in a while and boost your savings all at once. All these factors have made this city a perfect place to live and invest your money.
Generally, the legal age for drinking alcohol is 18 in Abu Dhabi, but a Ministry of Tourism by-law prevents hotels from serving alcohol to those under the age of 21. In Dubai and all other emirates besides Sharjah, the drinking age is 21. Drinking alcohol in Sharjah is illegal.
Dubai drinking laws
Alcohol can only be consumed in private (such as your own home or hotel) or in licensed public places.
Is Christianity legal in UAE? Christians and other religions are allowed to have their places of worship in Dubai. However, they cannot convert a muslim into their religion, however, they can convert to Islam if they want.
Cost of Living Comparison Between Dubai and Sydney
You would need around 23,677.1AED (9,700.7A$) in Sydney to maintain the same standard of life that you can have with 19,000.0AED in Dubai (assuming you rent in both cities).
I'd say that the average cost of a trip to Dubai, for a week, per person, in 2023, ranges between £650 – 970 (US$795 – 1,186) for budget travellers. For a mid-range budget, expect to spend around £1,300 – 1,950 (US$1,590 – 2,385), and for a luxury holiday anything from £3,800 (US$4,650) upwards.