Conversational Arabic

[~Jackie~ 30]

I would like to learn common phrases and words to use on our vacation. Help!!!

I need things to use when trying to communicate with Mohammed's family.

Jackie

[Bosco 1]

Jackie,

What type of phrases are you looking for?

asalamu alaikum - peace be upon you

kaif halek - how are you

ana bikhair, al humdullilah - i am fine, thank God

sabah al khair - good morning

shukran - thank you

[amal 4]

moshtaglekko - i miss you all

sho betsawee - what are you doing

naaeeman - you say this when someone gets out of the shower

[dollface41601 0]

naaeeman....never heard that

[amal 4]

bedak tashrab shi - do you want to drink something

bedak tashrab chai - do you want to drink tea

bedak takol shi - do you want to eat something

bedak trooh ala bait hasa? - do you want to go home now?

bedak trooh ala bait mama? - do you want to go to mamas home?

gdaish saaah - what time is it

min fadlaak - please

[Nasturtium 500]

Jackie,

What type of phrases are you looking for?

asalamu alaikum - peace be upon you

kaif halek - how are you

ana bikhair, al humdullilah - i am fine, thank God

sabah al khair - good morning

shukran - thank you

Jackie-- I would use "Alhamdulillah, quasi" as your response to Kaif halek since you're going to the Irbed area, right?

Sabah el khair's response is "Sabah el noor" (although some really romantic husbands will say somehting else, ward (roses) or yasmeen (jasmine) or whatever.)

Shukran's response is Afwon-- you're welcome.

Marhaba! Hello

Marhaba or Marhabten is the response-- whether or not you like them enough to only give one or two hellos

Ahlan wa Sahlan-- welcome (as in welcome to our home or something like that)

Ahlan- response given or Ahlain-- lots of welcomes

Make them talk about themselves! "wa enti?" (and you? female) or "wa enta?" (and you, male).

al bait? at home?

seyara is a car

wagif-- stop for a man

wagfi- stop for a woman

hellas-- enough, stop

[amal 4]

naaeeman....never heard that

Noor says it all the time to me when I am done taking a shower... and his brother has said it to him many times after a shower... I don't know if it is used by everybody or not Noor swears it is though

Edited February 13, 2007 by amal

[~Jackie~ 30]

Oh this is great! Keep em coming. Think of things you would say if you were going back.

Kelly, Mohammed pronounces it n-eye-aymen. Says it every time I get out of the shower. I think it means congrats on your shower..lol Ok JP what does it mean?

Jackie

[amal 4]

Oh this is great! Keep em coming. Think of things you would say if you were going back.

Kelly, Mohammed pronounces it n-eye-aymen. Says it every time I get out of the shower. I think it means congrats on your shower..lol Ok JP what does it mean?

Jackie

habeebi said there isn't an english translation but your idea is about as close as it gets lol...

[amal 4]

hhehe if you are at his family home and he wants to leave but you want to stay, you can say... "ma baddee arooh hassa" meaning "I don't want to leave right now".... that will make his family happy to hear you say that you don't want to leave

[amal 4]

if mohammed leaves unexpectedly and you wonder where he went... you can say "wain mohammed" meaning "where's mohammed"

[amal 4]

YOU CAN'T FORGET THIS ONE...

when they offer you the nasty nasty coffee... and you've had your drink...and shook the cup, say "daymeh"

Edited February 13, 2007 by amal

[~Jackie~ 30]

Well he hinted at the idea that we might stay with family while there and not get an apartment I'm spoiled. I've always had an apartment in Jordan, some better than others, but a closed door and privacy all the same. This might be a long 2 weeks.

oh...how could I compliment the food? Like, 'the dinner was delicious?'

Jackie

[amal 4]

the food was delicious - el akel zaki

hehe i like to make him laugh by saying, when he asks how the food was..... mmmmm it was m-tak tak

bede arooh ala hamam - i have to go to the bathroom

Edited February 13, 2007 by amal

[~Jackie~ 30]

Phrase NOT to use: 'Do you like cous cous?' (don't ask me how I know.....)

Jackie