Markets & Souvenirs

1. قديش هاد؟

   ʾAddēsh hāda?

   How much is this?

   Usage

   The basic way to ask a price at a market stall.

   Grammar Note

   "ʾAddēsh" comes first. Use "hāy" for a feminine noun. Composed from dictionary-verified words.

2. فيني ساوم عالسعر؟

   Fīni sāwem ʿas-siʿr?

   Can I bargain over the price?

   Usage

   Asks whether bargaining is acceptable. Some shops have fixed prices.

   Grammar Note

   "Fīni" + bare verb means "may I...". Composed from dictionary-verified words.

3. بعطيك عشرين دولار

   Baʿṭīk ʿishrīn dōlār

   I will give you twenty dollars

   Usage

   Used to name your own price when haggling. Change the amount and currency to the local one (lira in Syria and Lebanon, dinar in Jordan).

   Grammar Note

   The "b-" prefix marks a present-tense offer. Composed from dictionary-verified words.

4. فيك تنزل السعر شوي؟

   Fīk tinzel es-siʿr shwayy?

   Can you lower the price a little?

   Usage

   Asks for a discount. It works better with a smile.

   Grammar Note

   "Fīk" + bare verb. Use "fīki" to a woman. Composed from dictionary-verified words.

5. هاد مصنوع بالإيد؟

   Hāda maṣnūʿ bil-īd?

   Is this handmade?

   Usage

   Checks whether a craft or textile is made by hand.

   Grammar Note

   A statement turned into a question by rising intonation. Use "maṣnūʿa" for a feminine noun. Composed from dictionary-verified words.

6. من شو مصنوع هاد؟

   Min shū maṣnūʿ hāda?

   What is this made of?

   Usage

   Asks about the material. Expect answers such as leather, wood or brass.

   Grammar Note

   "Min shū" means "from what". Use "maṣnūʿa" for a feminine noun. Composed from dictionary-verified words.

7. بدي هاد هدية، فيك تلفو؟

   Biddi hāda hadiyye, fīk tlaffo?

   This is a gift. Can you wrap it?

   Usage

   Asks the seller to wrap a souvenir as a gift.

   Grammar Note

   "Laff" means to wrap; the ending "-o" is "it". Composed from dictionary-verified words.

8. شو ساعات دوام السوق؟

   Shū sāʿāt dawām es-sūʾ?

   What are the market's opening hours?

   Usage

   Asks when the market is open. Many markets close or open late on Friday morning.

   Grammar Note

   Nouns placed side by side give "the market's hours". Composed from dictionary-verified words.

9. عم بتفرج بس، شكرا

   ʿAm btfarraj bas, shukran

   I am just looking, thank you

   Usage

   A gentle way to decline a seller's sales pitch.

   Grammar Note

   "ʿAm" marks an ongoing action. The form is the same for men and women. Composed from dictionary-verified words.

10. بتقبلوا بطاقات الائتمان؟

    Btiʾbalu biṭāʾāt el-iʾtimān?

    Do you accept credit cards?

    Usage

    Stalls often take cash only, so check first.

    Grammar Note

    The verb form addresses several people ("you all"). Composed from dictionary-verified words.

11. عم اشتري هاد هدية لحدا

    ʿAm ishtri hāda hadiyye la-ḥada

    I am buying this as a gift for someone

    Usage

    Saying it is a gift makes it easier to ask for wrapping or a price.

    Grammar Note

    "Ḥada" means "someone"; in a negative sentence, "nobody". Composed from dictionary-verified words.

12. فيك تبعت هاد لبلدي؟

    Fīk tibʿat hāda la-baladi?

    Can you send this to my country?

    Usage

    Asks whether a large purchase can be sent abroad. Ask about cost and days too.

    Grammar Note

    "Balad" means country or town; "-i" is "my". Composed from dictionary-verified words.

13. شو أحسن شي عندك؟

    Shū aḥsan shi ʿindak?

    What is the best thing you have?

    Usage

    Asks the seller for the best item on offer.

    Grammar Note

    To a woman the spelling stays the same but is pronounced "ʿindik". Composed from dictionary-verified words.

14. عندك مقاس تاني؟

    ʿIndak miʾās tāni?

    Do you have another size?

    Usage

    Looks for another size of clothing or shoes.

    Grammar Note

    "ʿind" + a pronoun ending means "to have". Composed from dictionary-verified words.

15. هاد غالي كتير

    Hāda ghāli ktīr

    This is too expensive

    Usage

    An opening move for bargaining. Follow it with your own price.

    Grammar Note

    No verb is needed. Use "ghālye" for a feminine noun. Composed from dictionary-verified words.

16. فيني آخد فاتورة؟

    Fīni ākhod fātūra?

    Can I get a receipt?

    Usage

    Asks for a receipt, which may be needed for tax refunds or warranties.

    Grammar Note

    "Ākhod" means "take". "Fātūra" is a bill or receipt. Composed from dictionary-verified words.

17. ملح

    Milḥ

    Salt

    Usage

    Say it while pointing when buying seasonings at a market.

    Grammar Note

    A bare noun works as an order.

18. سكر

    Sukkar

    Sugar

    Usage

    Asks for sugar. The verb "to close" is a different word, written "sakkar".

    Grammar Note

    A single noun.

19. فلفل أسود

    Filfil aswad

    Black pepper

    Usage

    Used at spice stalls. "Filfil" alone can also mean chili.

    Grammar Note

    The adjective follows the noun.

20. زيت

    Zēt

    Cooking oil

    Usage

    For buying oil.

    Grammar Note

    A single noun.

21. خل

    Khall

    Vinegar

    Usage

    For buying vinegar.

    Grammar Note

    A single noun.

22. زبدة

    Zibde

    Butter

    Usage

    Asks for butter.

    Grammar Note

    The final "-ة" is pronounced "-e".

23. جبنة

    Jibne

    Cheese

    Usage

    Asks for cheese. White brined cheese is common in Syria and Lebanon.

    Grammar Note

    The final "-ة" is pronounced "-e".

24. عسل

    ʿAsal

    Honey

    Usage

    For buying honey.

    Grammar Note

    A single noun.

25. لبن

    Laban

    Yogurt

    Usage

    In the Levant "laban" means yogurt (plain milk is "ḥalīb").

    Grammar Note

    A single noun.

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