Money & Exchange

1. أين أقرب صراف آلي؟

   Ayna aqrab ṣarrāf ālī?

   Where is the nearest ATM?

   Usage

   Used when looking for an ATM to withdraw cash

   Grammar Note

   "Sarraf ali" literally means "automatic money changer", the Arabic term for ATM. The English acronym "ATM" is also widely used. Most ATMs accept international cards

2. كم سعر الصرف اليوم؟

   Kam siʿr aṣ-sarf al-yawm?

   What is today's exchange rate?

   Usage

   Used at currency exchanges or banks to check the current exchange rate

   Grammar Note

   "Si'r" means "price/rate" and "al-sarf" means "exchange". Always ask "hal yujad 'umula?" (is there a commission?) alongside to understand the full cost

3. هل تقبلون بطاقات الائتمان؟

   Hal taqabalūn bi-ṭāqāt al-iʾtimān?

   Do you accept credit cards?

   Usage

   Used at shops or restaurants to check if credit cards are accepted

   Grammar Note

   "Bitaqa" (singular) → "bitaqat" (plural). "I'timan" means credit/trust. Cash is still king in some areas; Gulf cities tend to have good card acceptance

4. هل الإكرامية مشمولة؟

   Hal al-ikrāmiyya mashmūla?

   Is the tip included?

   Usage

   Used to check whether a tip or service charge is already included in the bill

   Grammar Note

   "Ikramiyya" comes from root k-r-m (generosity/honor). Tipping norms vary by country. In the Gulf, 10% is typical. In Egypt, "baqshish" is also commonly used

5. أريد تحويل العملة

   Urīdu taḥwīl al-ʿumla

   I want to exchange currency

   Usage

   Used at currency exchange counters or banks to change foreign currency

   Grammar Note

   "Tahwil" derives from root h-w-l (to change/transfer). Add currency: "urid tahwil dular ila riyal" (I want to change dollars to riyals)

6. كم يكلف هذا؟

   Kam yukallifu hādhā?

   How much does this cost?

   Usage

   Basic phrase for asking the price of an item while shopping

   Grammar Note

   In souks (markets), price negotiation (musawama) is expected. Follow up with "hal yumkin takhfid al-si'r?" (can you lower the price?)

7. هل يمكنني الحصول على إيصال؟

   Hal yumkinunī al-ḥuṣūl ʿalā īṣāl?

   Can I get a receipt?

   Usage

   Used after making a purchase to request a receipt

   Grammar Note

   "Fatura" (invoice/bill) is also used in similar contexts. "Wasl" is another colloquial term for receipt. Essential for travelers who need expense reimbursement

8. ما هي رسوم الخدمة؟

   Mā hiya rusūm al-khidma?

   What is the service charge?

   Usage

   Used at hotels or restaurants to inquire about the service charge amount

   Grammar Note

   "Rusum" is the plural of "rasm" (fee/drawing). It covers customs duties, service fees, and tuition. Also useful: "hal yujad rusum idafiyya?" (are there additional fees?)

9. هل لديك فكة؟

   Hal ladayka fakka?

   Do you have change?

   Usage

   Used to ask for coins or small change when paying

   Grammar Note

   "Al-baqi" (the remainder) also means change/remainder. Combine: "min fadlak a'tini al-baqi" (please give me the change)

10. الحساب من فضلك

    Al-ḥisāb min faḍlak

    The bill, please

    Usage

    The standard phrase for requesting the bill at a restaurant or café

    Grammar Note

    "Hisab" derives from root h-s-b (to calculate). "Hasibni" (imperative: calculate for me) is also common. "Naqsim al-hisab?" (shall we split the bill?) is useful

11. وديعة

    wadīʿa

    Deposit

    Usage

    A refundable deposit paid when checking into a hotel or renting equipment.

12. استرداد الأموال

    istirdād al-amwāl

    Refund

    Usage

    Use when asking to get money back.

13. مبلغ التأمين

    mablagh at-taʾmīn

    Security deposit

    Usage

    A more formal term for a security deposit, e.g. for contracts.

14. دفعة مقدمة

    dafʿa muqaddama

    Prepayment

    Usage

    Use when referring to payment made in advance.

15. رسوم إضافية

    rusūm iḍāfiyya

    Extra charge

    Usage

    Use when referring to an additional fee charged afterward.

16. رسوم الخدمة

    rusūm al-khidma

    Service fee

    Usage

    Use when referring to a fee charged for a procedure or service.

17. نقداً

    naqdan

    Cash

    Usage

    Says you will pay in cash; colloquially kāsh works everywhere

18. بطاقة ائتمان

    biṭāqat iʾtimān

    Credit card

    Usage

    Shown when you want to pay by card

19. كل واحد يدفع حسابه

    kull wāḥid yadfaʿ ḥisābah

    Split the bill

    Usage

    Arabic has no single word for this — you say each person pays their own

20. حساب واحد

    ḥisāb wāḥid

    One bill together

    Usage

    Shown when you want the whole table on one bill

21. الباقي

    al-bāqī

    Change (money back)

    Usage

    The money owed back to you; loose coins themselves are fakka

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