9 Essential Phrases for Giving Advice in Arabic
When someone we care about is going through a tough time, we naturally want to be there for them—with support, understanding, and the kind of advice that might truly help. But when it comes to giving advice in Arabic, it’s not always easy to find the right words.
That’s why we’ve put together 9 essential Arabic phrases you can use to offer advice clearly, kindly, and effectively. Whether you’re talking to a friend, a family member, or a student, these expressions will help you speak from the heart—while sounding natural and respectful in Arabic.
Let’s explore them together.
Phrase 1: اِحرِصْ على
Make sure
iḥriṣ ʿalā
Examples
أمثلة
Make sure you eat breakfast every day to maintain your health
اِحرِصْ على تناولِ وجبةِ الإفطارِ كُلَّ يومٍ لِلحِفاظِ على صِحّتِك
Make sure you complete all required tasks before the deadline
اِحرِصْ على إكمالِ جَميعِ المَهامِّ المَطلوبةِ قَبل المَوعِدِ النِّهائيّ
Make sure you sleep for 8 hours every night to ensure energy and focus.
اِحرِصْ على النّومِ لِمُدّةِ 8 ساعاتٍ كُلَّ لَيلةٍ لِضَمانِ النَّشاطِ والتَّركيزِ
The Arabic phrase اِحرص على (iḥriṣ ʿalā) means “make sure to” or “be keen on.” It comes from the root ح-ر-ص, which conveys care, attentiveness, or eagerness. This phrase is often used to give advice or encouragement, as in “اِحرص على دراستك” (Make sure to focus on your studies). It carries a tone similar to “be sure to” in English and is used in both formal and informal contexts to emphasize the importance of doing something diligently.
Phrase 2: حافِظ على
Keep
ḥāfiẓ ʿalā
Examples
أمثلة
Keep your desk organized to provide an orderly work environment
حافِظْ على تَرتيبِ مَكتَبِكَ لِتَوفيرِ بيئةِ عَمَلٍ مُنَظَّمةٍ.
Keep your friendships by maintaining regular communication and mutual care
حافِظْ على صَداقاتِكَ بالتّواصُلِ المُستَمِرِّ والاهتمامِ المُتبادَلِ.
Keep up with your exercise routine to improve your physical fitness.
حافِظْ على روتينِ الرِّياضةِ لِتَعزيزِ لياقَتِكَ البَدنيّةِ.
The Arabic phrase حافظ على (ḥāfiẓ ʿalā) means “keep,” “maintain,” or “preserve.” This phrase is used to encourage someone to continue doing something regularly or to protect and care for something valuable.
For example, “حافظ على صحتك” means “Keep (maintain) your health,” and “حافظ على مواعيدك” means “Be punctual” or “Keep your appointments.” It has a respectful and motivational tone and is commonly used in both spoken and written Arabic to promote responsibility and consistency.
Phrase 3: ابتَعِدْ عن
Stay away from
ibtaʿid ʿan
Examples
أمثلة
Stay away from fast food to maintain your health.
ابتعِدْ عن الأطعمةِ السَّريعةِ لِلحِفاظِ على صِحَّتِك.
Stay away from negative thoughts and focus on the positives.
ابتعِدْ عن التّفكيرِ السَّلبيّ ورَكِّز على الإيجابياتِ.
Stay away from toxic people who don't add any value to your life.
ابتعِدْ عن الأشخاصِ السَّلبيين الذين لا يُضيفونَ أيَّ قيمةٍ إلى حياتِك.
The phrase ابتعد عن (ibtaʿid ʿan) in Arabic means “stay away from” or “avoid.” This expression is often used to advise someone to avoid harmful habits, negative people, or dangerous situations.
For example, “ابتعد عن التدخين” means “Stay away from smoking,” and “ابتعد عن المشاكل” translates to “Avoid trouble.” It carries a cautionary tone, urging someone to maintain a safe or wise distance from whatever follows the phrase.
Phrase 4: تذكَّرْ دائِمًا
Always remember
tadhakkar dāʾiman
Examples
أمثلة
Always remember that education paves the way for a bright future.
تذكَّرْ دائِمًا أنّ التّحصيلَ العِلميَّ يُمهِّد الطَّريقَ لِمُستَقبَلٍ مُشرِقٍ.
Always remember that patience is the key to relief.
تذكَّرْ دائِمًا أنّ الصَّبر مِفتاحُ الفَرجِ.
Always remember that optimism makes life happier.
تذكَّرْ دائِمًا أنَّ التّفاؤلَ يَجعَلُ الحياةَ أكثرَ سَعادةً.
The Arabic phrase تذكّر دائمًا (tadhakkar dāʾiman) means “always remember.” It’s a gentle reminder to keep something important in mind, especially something meaningful or guiding.
You might use it to offer advice, encouragement, or a moral takeaway—like in “تذكّر دائمًا أن الصبر مفتاح الفرج” (Always remember that patience is the key to relief). The phrase carries warmth and sincerity, often used to show care or to leave someone with lasting words of wisdom.
Phrase 5: اِبحَثْ عن
Look for
ibḥath ʿan
Examples
أمثلة
Look for new opportunities to develop your professional skills.
اِبحَثْ عن فُرَصٍ جديدةٍ لِتطويرِ مَهاراتِكَ المِهنيّةِ.
Look for inspiration in the success stories of people you consider role models
اِبحَثْ عن الإلهامِ في قِصَصِ النَّجاحِ للأشخاصِ الّذين تَعتَبِرُهم قُدوة.
Look for recreational activities that help you relieve stress and relax
اِبحَثْ عن أنشِطةٍ تَرفيهيّة تُساعِدُكَ على التّخلُّصِ من التَّوتُّرِ والاِستِرخاءِ.
The Arabic phrase ابحث عن (ibḥath ʿan) means “look for” or “search for.” This phrase is used when encouraging someone to seek out something actively—whether it’s information, a person, or an opportunity. It’s direct and practical, often used in both everyday conversation and formal contexts to prompt action or curiosity.
Phrase 6: تجنّبْ
Avoid
tajan-nab
Examples
أمثلة
Avoid engaging in fruitless discussions that don't lead to positive outcomes.
تجنّبْ تأجيلَ دِراسَتِكَ إذا كُنتَ تُريدُ النَّجاحَ.
Avoid prolonged sun exposure without sunscreen.
تجنّبِ التَّعرُّضَ لِلشَّمسِ لِفتراتٍ طويلةٍ من دونِ واقٍ شمسيٍّ.
Avoid procrastinating your studies if you want to succeed.
تجنَّبِ المُشاركةَ في النِّقاشاتِ العقيمةِ الّتي لا تؤدّي إلى نَتائِجَ إيجابيّةٍ.
The Arabic word تجنّبْ (tajan-nab) means “avoid” and is used to strongly advise someone to steer clear of something harmful, risky, or unwise. This command form is direct and often used in important advice or warnings—for example, “تجنّبْ الكذب” means “Avoid lying” and “تجنّبْ التأخير” means “Avoid being late.” It carries a firm yet caring tone, commonly found in both spoken Arabic and written guidance when helping someone make better choices.
Phrase 7: تعلَّمْ من
Learn from
taʿallam min
Examples
أمثلة
Learn from your mistakes and don't repeat them in the future.
تعلَّمْ من أخطائِكَ ولا تُكرِّرها في المُستَقبل.
Learn from the experiences of others to avoid facing the same problems.
تعلَّمْ من تَجارِبِ الآخرينَ لِتجنُّبِ الوقوع في نَفس المُشكِلاتِ.
Learn from challenges and use them to enhance your abilities and skills.
تعلَّمْ من التَّحدياتِ واِستخدمِها لِتَعزيزِ قُدُراتِكَ ومهاراتِكَ.
The Arabic phrase تعلَّم من (taʿallam min) means “learn from” and is used to encourage reflection and growth by gaining wisdom from experiences, people, or situations.
You’ll often hear it in advice like “تعلَّم من أخطائك” (Learn from your mistakes) or “تعلَّم من الآخرين” (Learn from others). The phrase carries a positive, motivating tone—reminding someone to turn every lesson, even the hard ones, into something valuable and empowering.
Phrase 8: لا تتخلّ عن
Don’t give up on
lā tatakhallā ʿan
Examples
أمثلة
Don't give up on your dreams because of temporary obstacles.
لا تتَخَلَّ عن أحلامِكَ بسببِ العَقباتِ المُؤقّتةِ.
Don't give up on your efforts for self-improvement and personal growth.
لا تتخلَّ عن جُهودِكَ لِلتّحسُّنِ والنموِّ الشّخصيّ.
Don't give up on teamwork when facing difficulties in collaboration.
لا تتخلَّ عن العَملِ الجماعيّ عند مواجَهةِ صُعوباتٍ في التّعاوِن.
The Arabic phrase لا تتخلَّ عن (lā tatakhalla ʿan) means “don’t give up on” or “don’t abandon.” This phrase is often used to offer encouragement and emotional support, especially when someone is facing a challenge.
For example, “لا تتخلَّ عن أحلامك” means “Don’t give up on your dreams,” and “لا تتخلَّى عن من تحب” means “Don’t give up on those you love.” It’s powerful, heartfelt, and often used to inspire resilience and loyalty.
Phrase 9: تعلَّم أن
Learn to
taʿallam ʾanna
Examples
أمثلة
Learn to accept constructive criticism and use it to improve yourself.
تعلَّمْ أن تَتقبّل النّقدَ البنّاءَ واستخدِمهُ لِتحسينِ ذاتِك.
Learn to balance work and personal life to ensure well-being.
تعلَّمْ أن توازِنَ بين العَمَلِ والحياةِ الشَّخصيّةِ لِضمانِ الرّفاهيّةِ.
Learn to be patient and optimistic while facing challenges.
تعلَّمْ أن تكونَ صَبورًا ومُتفاِئلًا أثناءَ مواجهةِ التَّحدياتِ.
The Arabic phrase تعلَّم أن (taʿallam ʾanna) means “learn to” and is used to encourage someone to develop a new skill, mindset, or habit. It introduces something that’s important to understand or practice over time.
This phrase often appears in motivational or educational contexts, carrying a tone of personal growth and positive change. It invites the listener to not just gain knowledge—but to truly embody it.
Final word
Giving advice in Arabic is more than just sharing words—it’s about offering guidance with compassion and care. By learning these Arabic phrases, you’re not only expanding your vocabulary but also gaining the tools to connect with others on a deeper level. So next time someone close to you needs a word of wisdom, you’ll be ready to speak from the heart—in Arabic.
Ready to grow your Arabic skills even more? Explore more helpful expressions and tips in our Everyday Arabic Series.
And if you’re serious about learning Arabic in a way that’s practical, engaging, and built for real-life conversations, the AlifBee App is your perfect companion. With interactive lessons, everyday expressions, and cultural insights, AlifBee helps you build confidence and fluency—one step at a time.
