Learn how to answer the first question you are asked at a restaurant
Now Playing: Lesson Audio
Get a breakdown of the dialogue and translations instantly with the Premium line-by-line Audio. Sign up for your Free Lifetime Account Now and get 7 Days of Premium Access including this feature.
Get this lesson’s key vocab, their translations and pronunciations. Sign up for your Free Lifetime Account Now and get 7 Days of Premium Access including this feature.
Unlock Lesson Notes and Transcripts for every single lesson. Sign Up for a Free Lifetime Account and Get 7 Days of Premium Access.
| INTRODUCTION |
| ArabicPod101.com presents Arabic Survival Phrases. This course is designed to equip you with the language skills and knowledge to enable you to get the most out of your visit to Arabic speaking countries, with particular focus on Morocco. So join us for Arabic Survival phrases. You will be surprised at how far a little Arabic will go. |
| Now before we jump in, remember to stop by ArabicPod101.com, there you’ll find an accompanying PDF, additional learning tools in the premium learning center, and other great Arabic language learning materials. In addition, you’ll find more information in the post. And if you stop by, be sure to leave us a comment. |
Lesson focus |
|---|
| Today we’ll learn how to place an order at a restaurant. What can you do if you can’t read the Arabic menu? Today’s phrases will be of great help! When you enter a restaurant, you may first have to get a hold of the staff. You can accomplish this by waving your hand and saying Min faḍlik (من فضلك) which means “please.” |
| Min faḍlik. |
| Let’s break it down by syllable: Min faḍlik. |
| Now let's hear it once again: Min faḍlik. |
| Min faḍlik. is the Standard Arabic word for “please.” Therefore, it is pretty formal, and you will be understood if you use it. But if you want to sound more Moroccan, here’s a word for you: ‘afâk (عفاك). |
| The word ‘afâk means “please” in spoken Arabic across Morocco. |
| Let's break down this word and hear it one more time: ‘afâk |
| ‘afâk |
| Once the waiter or waitress comes to your table, you can go with the standard point and “This please.” In Arabic, “This please” is haḏī min faḍlik. (هذي من فضلك). |
| haḏī min faḍlik |
| haḏī min faḍlik |
| Now let's hear it once again: haḏī min faḍlik |
| The first word, haḏī, means “this.” |
| Let's break down this word and hear it one more time: haḏī |
| haḏī |
| This is followed by min faḍlik. |
| min faḍlik |
| min faḍlik |
| Now, you can also replace min faḍlik with ‘afâk and you’ll sound like a Moroccan native. |
| Haḏī ‘afâk, simple, right? |
| Now, if you're feeling ambitious, you could go for "What do you recommend?" This expression is pretty difficult to pronounce in Arabic, so we’re going to use a simpler version that can be used in this situation. |
| In spoken Arabic, "What do you recommend?" is: šunū liī binīn? (شنو لي بنين؟) |
| šunū liī binīn? |
| Let’s break it down by syllable: šunū liī binīn? |
| Now let's hear it once again: šunū liī binīn? |
| The first word, šunū, means “what” |
| Let's break down this word and hear it one more time:šunū |
| šunū |
| This is followed by liī binīn, which in spoken Arabic means “is delicious.” |
| liī binīn |
| Altogether, šunū liī binīn? means “what’s delicious?” or "What do you recommend?" |
| I use it a lot myself. |
| Now two more phrases that will come in handy have to do with water and ice! |
| In Morocco, tap water is safe for locals to drink, but I found that after living a few years abroad and go back home, tap water gives me stomach cramps. My body always needed a few months to adjust to the water. So I use mineral water in the beginning and gradually switch to tap water. For you, as a tourist, I recommend you to do the same thing. Drink only mineral water in the beginning and give time for your body to adjust to the local water if you’re staying for a long period. |
| Now on to the ice issue, in cafes and restaurants, ice is usually not served with water or juice, so whether it is a health concern or economic decision, you shouldn’t worry about them putting ice in your drink. |
| Now, what if you want some ice? Let’s learn the expression “Give me ___, please.” |
| In spoken Arabic, “Give me (something), please.” is: ‘aeṭīnī ‘afâk. (أعطني عفاك) |
| ‘aeṭīnī ‘afâk |
| Let’s break it down by syllable: ‘aeṭīnī ‘afâk |
| Once again: ‘aeṭīnī ‘afâk |
| The first word, ‘aeṭīnī, means “give me.” |
| ‘aeṭīnī, “give me.” |
| This is followed by ‘afâk, which in Arabic is “please.” |
| ‘afâk |
| ‘afâk |
| “Ice” in Arabic is ṯalǧ (ثلج) |
| “Give me ice, please.” is simply: ‘aeṭīnī ṯalǧ ‘afâk |
| One more time, slowly: ‘aeṭīnī ṯalǧ ‘afâk |
| The expression ‘aeṭīnī (something) ‘afâk is very useful because you can use it at restaurants when you know what you want to eat, or at stores when you want to buy something. |
Outro |
| Okay, to close out today's lesson, we'd like for you to practice what you've just learned. I'll provide you with the English equivalent of the phrase and you're responsible for saying it aloud. You'll have a few seconds before I give you the answer, so حظ سعيد, that means "good luck" in Arabic. |
| Ok, here we go! |
| To get a hold of the staff - ‘afâk |
| ‘Afâk |
| ‘afâk |
| “This please.” - haḏī ‘afâk. |
| haḏī ‘afâk. |
| haḏī ‘afâk. |
| “What’s delicious?” or "What do you recommend?" - šunū liī binīn? |
| šunū liī binīn? |
| šunū liī binīn? |
| “Give me (something), please.” - ‘aeṭīnī (something) ‘afâk |
| ‘aeṭīnī (something) ‘afâk |
| ‘aeṭīnī (something) ‘afâk |
| All right. This is going to do it for this lesson of Arabic Survival Phrases. Remember to stop by ArabicPod101.com. There you’ll find an accompanying PDF, additional learning tools in the premium learning center, and other great Arabic language learning materials. See you soon, which in Arabic is - ilā al-liqāʾ. |
Comments
Hide