Shopping

1. كم سعر هذا؟

   Kam siʿr hādhā?

   How much is this?

   Usage

   The most basic phrase for asking the price of an item.

   Grammar Note

   "Kam" asks about quantity or price. "Si'r hadha" is an idafa construction (possessive: price of this). For feminine items use "hadhihi" instead of "hadha".

2. هذا غالٍ جدًا

   Hādhā ghālin jiddan

   This is too expensive

   Usage

   The first step in price negotiation. Bargaining is a normal part of shopping culture in Arab countries.

   Grammar Note

   "Ghālin" ends in kasratan (double kasra) in its indefinite form. With the definite article it becomes "al-ghāli". The antonym is "rakhis" (cheap).

3. هل يمكنك تخفيض السعر؟

   Hal yumkinuk takhfīḍ as-siʿr?

   Can you reduce the price?

   Usage

   Used to negotiate a lower price at a souk or bazaar.

   Grammar Note

   "Hal yumkinuk" is used to a male. For females the pronunciation changes slightly with a kasra. Alternatively "hal bi-imkanik" is also used.

4. سآخذ هذا

   Sa-ākhudhu hādhā

   I will take this

   Usage

   Used when you have decided to purchase an item.

   Grammar Note

   The Arabic future is formed with prefix "sa-" (short) or "sawfa" (long) before the present tense verb. "Sa-" often implies the near future.

5. أنا أتفرج فقط

   Anā atafarraj faqaṭ

   I am just looking

   Usage

   Used when a shopkeeper approaches but you are not ready to buy.

   Grammar Note

   "Atafarraj" is a Form V verb expressing deliberate browsing. Adding "shukran" (thank you) makes it more polite: "I'm just looking, thank you".

6. هل تقبلون بطاقة الائتمان؟

   Hal taqbalūn biṭāqat al-iʾtimān?

   Do you accept credit cards?

   Usage

   Used to check whether card payment is accepted before purchasing.

   Grammar Note

   "Taqbalun" is 2nd person plural (addressing the store/multiple staff). For one person use "taqbal". "Bitaqat al-i'timan" is an idafa: "card of credit".

7. هل عندكم مقاس أصغر؟

   Hal ʿindakum maqās aṣghar?

   Do you have a smaller size?

   Usage

   Used when trying on clothes that are too large. Use "akbar" (bigger) for a larger size.

   Grammar Note

   "ʿInda" expresses possession/availability without a verb. "Asghar" is the comparative أفعل pattern. Opposite: "akbar" (bigger).

8. هل يمكنني تجربة هذا؟

   Hal yumkinunī tajribat hādhā?

   Can I try this on?

   Usage

   Used to ask to try on clothing. Also works for tasting food samples.

   Grammar Note

   "Tajriba" is a Form II verbal noun meaning "trying/experiencing". "Yumkinuni" is the possibility expression with 1st person pronoun attached.

9. ما هذا مصنوع منه؟

   Mā hādhā maṣnūʿ minhu?

   What is this made of?

   Usage

   Used to check materials or ingredients. Important if you have allergies.

   Grammar Note

   "Masnu'" is a passive participle from root s-n-ʿ (to make/manufacture). "Sina'a" (industry/manufacturing) shares the same root.

10. أريد الأزرق

    Urīdu al-azraq

    I want the blue one

    Usage

    Used to specify a color when shopping. Other colors: al-ahmar (red), al-akhdar (green), al-abyad (white), al-aswad (black).

    Grammar Note

    Basic Arabic color names follow the أفعل (masculine) / فعلاء (feminine) pattern. "Al-azraq/al-zarqa'" (blue), "al-ahmar/al-hamra'" (red), etc.

11. هل يمكنني الحصول على إيصال؟

    Hal yumkinunī al-ḥuṣūl ʿalā īṣāl?

    Can I have a receipt?

    Usage

    Used to request a receipt after purchase. "Al-fatura" (invoice/bill) is also used.

    Grammar Note

    "Isal" is a Form IV verbal noun meaning "delivering/receipt". "Al-husul 'ala" is a verbal noun phrase meaning "obtaining/getting".

12. لا أحتاج إلى إيصال

    Lā aḥtāju ilā īṣāl

    I don't need a receipt

    Usage

    Used to decline a receipt at checkout.

    Grammar Note

    The verb "ihtaja" (to need) governs the preposition "ila": "ila + noun" = "to need something". Negation places "la" before the verb.

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