Cooking & Markets

1. أين السوق المحلي؟

   Ayna as-sūq al-maḥallī?

   Where is the local market?

   Usage

   Used when looking for fresh local produce

   Grammar Note

   "ayna" is the Arabic interrogative for location. Nouns take the definite article "al-"

2. ما اسم هذا المكوّن؟

   Mā ismu hādhā al-mukawwin?

   What is this ingredient called?

   Usage

   Used to ask the name of an unfamiliar ingredient

   Grammar Note

   "ma ismu ~?" is a set phrase for asking the name of something

3. هل هذا الطبق حار جداً؟

   Hal hādhā aṭ-ṭabaq ḥārr jiddan?

   Is this dish very spicy?

   Usage

   Used to check spice level before ordering

   Grammar Note

   "hal" is a question particle; "jiddan" means "very/extremely"

4. هل يمكنك أن توصي بدورة طبخ؟

   Hal yumkinuka an tūṣī bi-dawrat ṭabkh?

   Can you recommend a cooking class?

   Usage

   Used when seeking a cooking class recommendation

   Grammar Note

   "hal yumkinuka an ~?" is a polite request form meaning "could you ~?"

5. كيف تُعِدّ هذا الطبق؟

   Kayfa tuʿiddu hādhā aṭ-ṭabaq?

   How do you prepare this dish?

   Usage

   Used to ask how to prepare a dish

   Grammar Note

   "kayfa" asks about manner. The verb is in the second-person masculine form

6. أين يمكنني شراء خضروات طازجة؟

   Ayna yumkinunī shirāʾ khuḍrawāt ṭāzija?

   Where can I buy fresh vegetables?

   Usage

   Used to find where to buy fresh produce

   Grammar Note

   "ayna yumkinuni ~?" means "where can I ~?"

7. أريد أن أتعلم طبخ الأكل المحلي.

   Urīdu an ataʿallam ṭabkh al-akl al-maḥallī.

   I'd like to learn to cook local food.

   Usage

   Expresses interest in learning local cuisine

   Grammar Note

   "urid an ~" expresses desire; it is followed by a verb in the subjunctive

8. هل لديك مكوّنات نباتية؟

   Hal ladayka mukawwināt nabātiyya?

   Do you have vegetarian ingredients?

   Usage

   Used when looking for vegetarian-friendly ingredients

   Grammar Note

   "ladayka" is a prepositional phrase expressing possession: "you have"

9. ما التوابل المستخدمة في هذا الطبق؟

   Mā at-tawābil al-mustakhdama fī hādhā aṭ-ṭabaq?

   What spices are used in this dish?

   Usage

   Used to inquire about the spices in a dish

   Grammar Note

   "al-mustakhdama" is a passive participle meaning "the used/utilized"

10. هل يمكنني تجربة عيّنة؟

    Hal yumkinunī tajribat ʿayyina?

    Can I try a sample?

    Usage

    Used at markets or food shops to request a taste

    Grammar Note

    "hal yumkinunī ~?" politely asks for permission: "may I ~?"

11. توفو

    tūfū

    Tofu

    Usage

    Not traditional in Arab cooking, but understood in the imported-foods aisle of large supermarkets

12. شوربة

    shūrba

    Soup

    Usage

    The word actually used in eateries and on menus; formal Arabic uses ḥasāʾ

13. فواكه

    fawākih

    Fruit

    Usage

    Shown when asking for the fruit section at a market

14. ثوم

    thūm

    Garlic

    Usage

    Also used to point at an ingredient you want left out

15. بصل

    baṣal

    Onion

    Usage

    Also used to point at an ingredient you want left out

16. فلفل حار

    filfil ḥārr

    Chili pepper

    Usage

    Points at the source of heat; ḥārr is kept to distinguish it from black pepper

17. كزبرة خضراء

    kuzbara khaḍrāʾ

    Fresh coriander, cilantro

    Usage

    The fresh herb; dried coriander seed is called kuzbara nāshifa

18. زنجبيل

    zanjabīl

    Ginger

    Usage

    Shown when pointing at the ingredient in a market or eatery

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