Wine & Spirits

1. قائمة النبيد لو سمحت

   ʾĀʾimet en-nabīd law samaḥt

   The wine list, please

   Usage

   For places where alcohol is legally served (for example in Lebanon and Jordan); in Syria it is available only in limited places.

   Grammar Note

   "Nabīd" is the spoken spelling; the learned written form is نبيذ. Composed from dictionary-verified words.

2. بدي نبيد محلي، شو بتنصحني؟

   Biddi nabīd maḥalli, shū btinṣaḥni?

   I would like a local wine. What do you recommend?

   Usage

   For places where alcohol is legally served (for example in Lebanon and Jordan); in Syria it is available only in limited places.

   Grammar Note

   The "-ni" in "btinṣaḥni" is "me". Composed from dictionary-verified words.

3. بدي نبيد أحمر / أبيض

   Biddi nabīd aḥmar / abyaḍ

   I would like red wine / white wine

   Usage

   Orders by colour. Rosé has a separate name, so point at the menu.

   Grammar Note

   The adjective follows the noun. Composed from dictionary-verified words.

4. بدي كاسة / قنينة نبيد

   Biddi kāse / ʾannīnet nabīd

   I would like a glass / a bottle of wine

   Usage

   Chooses the quantity: "kāse" is a glass and "ʾannīnet" a bottle.

   Grammar Note

   Two nouns side by side, as in "ʾannīnet nabīd", mean "a bottle of wine". Composed from dictionary-verified words.

5. شو نبيد بيناسب هاد الطبق؟

   Shū nabīd bināseb hāda eṭ-ṭabaʾ?

   Which wine goes with this dish?

   Usage

   For places where alcohol is legally served (for example in Lebanon and Jordan); in Syria it is available only in limited places.

   Grammar Note

   "Hāda" + a noun with the article means "this ...". Composed from dictionary-verified words.

6. هاد النبيد ناشف ولا حلو؟

   Hāda en-nabīd nāshef wala ḥelu?

   Is this wine dry or sweet?

   Usage

   Checks the style. "Nāshef" means dry and is also used for a dry wine.

   Grammar Note

   In a question "wala" means "or". Composed from dictionary-verified words.

7. فيني جرب شوي قبل؟

   Fīni jarreb shwayy ʾabel?

   May I taste a little first?

   Usage

   Asks to taste a little before buying.

   Grammar Note

   "ʾAbel" at the end of the sentence means "first". Composed from dictionary-verified words.

8. مو حلو كتير لو سمحت

   Mū ḥelu ktīr law samaḥt

   Not too sweet, please

   Usage

   Used to ask for something less sweet.

   Grammar Note

   "Mū" negates an adjective; in Lebanon and elsewhere it is "mish". Composed from dictionary-verified words.

9. من أي منطقة هاد النبيد؟

   Min ayy minṭaʾa hāda en-nabīd?

   Which region is this wine from?

   Usage

   Asks where the wine comes from. The Bekaa Valley in Lebanon is a well-known source.

   Grammar Note

   "Ayy" + a noun means "which ...". Composed from dictionary-verified words.

10. بصحتك!

    Biṣaḥḥtak!

    Cheers!

    Usage

    A toast. Use "biṣaḥḥtkon" to several people; to a woman the spelling stays but is said "biṣaḥḥtik".

    Grammar Note

    A set phrase: "ṣaḥḥa" (health) with "bi-" (to) and "-ak" (your). A widely known formula.

11. هاد النبيد بارد؟

    Hāda en-nabīd bārid?

    Is this wine chilled?

    Usage

    Checks whether a white or rosé is chilled.

    Grammar Note

    No verb is needed in the predicate. Composed from dictionary-verified words.

12. عندكم شي بدون كحول؟

    ʿIndkon shī bidūn kuḥūl?

    Do you have anything without alcohol?

    Usage

    Useful for someone who does not drink alcohol and wants a drink to go with the table.

    Grammar Note

    "ʿIndkon" is the plural, addressing the staff as a group. Composed from dictionary-verified words.

13. فيني زور القبو؟

    Fīni zūr el-ʾabu?

    Can I visit the cellar?

    Usage

    Asks for a visit at a winery.

    Grammar Note

    The verb after "fīni" is used in its bare form. Composed from dictionary-verified words.

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