Hot Springs & Baths

1. وين في حمام تقليدي؟

   Wēn fī ḥammām taʾlīdi?

   Where is there a traditional hammam (public bath)?

   Usage

   "Ḥammām" alone can also mean a bathroom or toilet, so "taʾlīdi" (traditional) makes clear it is a bath house. For a traditional hammam (public bath), such as those in the old cities of Damascus and Aleppo or in Beirut.

   Grammar Note

   "Fī" means "there is". The question word comes first and the word order is otherwise unchanged. Composed from dictionary-verified words.

2. إيمتى بيفتح الحمام وإيمتى بيسكر؟

   Īmta byefteḥ el-ḥammām w-īmta bisakker?

   When does the bath open and when does it close?

   Usage

   Asks for the bathing hours. Some baths set different hours for men and women.

   Grammar Note

   "Byefteḥ" and "bisakker" are the b- present tense, third person masculine. Composed from dictionary-verified words.

3. بيفوتو الناس اللي عندهم وشم؟

   Byefūto en-nās elli ʿindhom washm?

   Are people with tattoos allowed in?

   Usage

   Asks whether entry is allowed. Rules differ from place to place.

   Grammar Note

   "Elli" is the relative word meaning "who" or "which". Composed from dictionary-verified words.

4. الحمام مختلط ولا في قسم للرجال وقسم للسيدات؟

   El-ḥammām mukhtaleṭ wala fī ʾism lir-rijjāl w-ʾism lis-sayyidāt?

   Is the bath mixed, or is there a section for men and a section for women?

   Usage

   Checks how men and women are separated. Most traditional baths separate them by hours or by sections.

   Grammar Note

   The prefix "l-" plus the article gives "for the ..." (lir-rijjāl). Composed from dictionary-verified words.

5. في غرفة خاصة؟

   Fī ghurfe khāṣṣa?

   Is there a private room?

   Usage

   Asks whether a private room or private session is available.

   Grammar Note

   The adjective follows the noun and agrees in gender. Composed from dictionary-verified words.

6. قديش درجة حرارة المي؟

   ʾAddēsh darajet ḥarāret el-mayy?

   What is the temperature of the water?

   Usage

   Asks the water temperature. "Mayy" is water.

   Grammar Note

   Two nouns in a row (daraje + ḥarāra + el-mayy) express "the temperature of the water". Composed from dictionary-verified words.

7. في مناشف؟ وبدي أدفع تمن إلها؟

   Fī manāshef? W-biddi adfaʿ taman ilha?

   Are there towels? Do I have to pay for them?

   Usage

   Asks whether towels are provided and whether they cost extra. "Manāshef" is the plural of "manshafe".

   Grammar Note

   "Biddi" plus a bare verb means "I want to" or "I need to". "Ilha" means "for them". Composed from dictionary-verified words.

8. وين لازم اغسل قبل ما فوت عالحمام؟

   Wēn lāzem aghsel ʾabl ma fūt ʿal-ḥammām?

   Where should I wash before I go into the bath?

   Usage

   Asks where to wash before entering the bath.

   Grammar Note

   After "ʾabl ma" the verb is in the bare subjunctive form. "ʿa-" is the short form of "ʿala". Composed from dictionary-verified words.

9. المي سخنة كتير، في حوض أبرد؟

   El-mayy sakhne ktīr, fī ḥawḍ abrad?

   The water is very hot. Is there a cooler pool?

   Usage

   Used when the water is too hot. "Sakhne" is the feminine form of hot or warm, agreeing with "el-mayy".

   Grammar Note

   "Abrad" is the comparative of "bārid" (cold). "El-mayy" takes feminine agreement, hence "sakhne". Composed from dictionary-verified words.

10. كيف بستعمل الخزانة؟

    Kīf bistaʿmel el-khizāne?

    How do I use the locker?

    Usage

    Asks how to use the locker for clothes and valuables.

    Grammar Note

    The b- prefix with the first person singular gives the present tense. Composed from dictionary-verified words.

11. شو في معادن بهالمي؟

    Shū fī maʿādin b-hal-mayy?

    What minerals are in this water?

    Usage

    Asks about the mineral content of a spring or mineral water.

    Grammar Note

    "Ha-" plus a noun means "this ..." (hal-mayy). "B-" means "in". Composed from dictionary-verified words.

12. قديش سعر الدخول؟

    ʾAddēsh siʿr ed-dukhūl?

    How much is the entry fee?

    Usage

    Asks the entry price.

    Grammar Note

    Two nouns in a row give "the price of entry". Composed from dictionary-verified words.

13. قديش لازم أقعد بالمي؟

    ʾAddēsh lāzem aʾʿod bil-mayy?

    How long should I stay in the water?

    Usage

    Asks how long to soak. "ʾAddēsh" is used for duration as well as for price.

    Grammar Note

    "Lāzem" is followed by the bare verb (aʾʿod). Composed from dictionary-verified words.

14. في مطعم هون؟

    Fī maṭʿam hōn?

    Is there a restaurant here?

    Usage

    Asks whether there is a place to eat on the premises.

    Grammar Note

    "Fī" means "there is"; the negative is "mā fī". Composed from dictionary-verified words.

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