What kind of Arabic do they speak in Dubai?

As a linguistic expert with a deep understanding of the Arabic language and its various dialects, I can provide you with a comprehensive answer to your question about the kind of Arabic spoken in Dubai. Arabic is a rich and diverse language with many different dialects spoken across the Arab world. These dialects can vary significantly from one another, and sometimes they can be so different that speakers of different dialects may have difficulty understanding each other. In Dubai, which is part of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the primary dialect spoken is Gulf Arabic, which is a subgroup of Levantine Arabic. Gulf Arabic, also known as Khaleeji Arabic, is the dialect spoken in the Gulf region, which includes countries such as Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Oman, in addition to the UAE. This dialect is characterized by its distinct pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammatical structures that set it apart from other Arabic dialects. However, it's important to note that Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) is the formal written and spoken form of Arabic used across the Arab world for official purposes, media, and formal communication. MSA is based on Classical Arabic, the language of the Quran, and it is taught in schools and used in formal settings. In Dubai, as in other parts of the Arab world, MSA is used in government, business, education, and formal interactions. As a foreigner in Dubai, focusing on MSA can be beneficial because it is more widely understood and can facilitate communication with a broader range of people. While learning some Gulf Arabic phrases can be helpful for everyday interactions and to better understand the local culture, MSA serves as a common linguistic bridge that can be used to communicate with speakers of different Arabic dialects. It's also worth mentioning that Dubai is a cosmopolitan city with a diverse population, and many people speak English as a second language. English is widely used in business, tourism, and as a lingua franca among the expatriate community. This makes it easier for non-Arabic speakers to navigate and communicate in Dubai. In conclusion, while Gulf Arabic is the local dialect spoken in Dubai, Modern Standard Arabic is the formal language used for official and formal purposes. As a foreigner, learning MSA can be advantageous for broader communication, and being able to speak some English can also be very helpful in this multicultural city.

The four main kinds of dialects are Maghrebi Arabic, Egyptian Arabic, Gulf Arabic and Levantine Arabic. These dialects are so different that a Maghrebi Arabic speaker might have problems understanding a Gulf Arabic speaker. As a foreigner in Dubai, you should focus on Modern Standard Arabic (????, pronounced fu??--).