INTRODUCTION |
In the last lesson, you learned how to get a table at a restaurant, but you have to know that sometimes it can be difficult to get a seat, especially on the weekends. The best thing to do, without a doubt, is to make a reservation for the time you want to eat. |
GRAMMAR POINT |
In this lesson, we'll cover making a reservation at a restaurant. |
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Normally you will make a phone call to reserve a table. You would say “I would like to make a reservation for tonight”. |
ʿayez aḥgez tarabeeza lel naharda belleel law samaḥt. |
Let’s break it down: |
(slow) ʿayez aḥgez tarabeeza lel naharda belleel law samaḥt. |
Once more: |
ʿayez aḥgez tarabeeza lel naharda belleel law samaḥt. |
عايز أحجز ترابيزة لو سمحت |
The first word, ʿayez, is translated as “I would like”. Literally it means “would like.” In Egyptian Arabic, the subject is not necessary in this sentence. |
(slow) ʿayez. |
ʿayez. |
Next we have the word ahgez, which is translated in English as “to reserve”. |
(slow) ahgez. |
ahgez. |
Next we have tarabeeza which means “table.” |
(slow) tarabeeza. |
tarabeeza. |
Next we have lel naharda belleel which means “for tonight.” |
(slow) lel naharda belleel. |
lel naharda belleel. |
The last word, law samaht, means “Please”: |
(slow) law samaht. |
law samaht. |
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Normally you’ll be asked “For how many people?” and “What time would you like a table?” |
“For how many people?” in Egyptian Arabic is: |
kam fard? |
Let’s break it down: |
kam fard? |
Once more: |
kam fard? |
كام فرد؟ |
The first word, kam, means “How many/much” |
(slow) kam |
kam |
This is followed by fard, meaning “person” |
(slow) fard |
fard |
Let’s say you want to reserve a table for three. You’ll answer: “For three people, please.” |
talaata. |
(slow) talaata. |
talaata. |
تلاتة |
talaata means “three”. |
You might think that it’s too short, but that’s how we say it! |
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Finally, they will ask you the time of your reservation. |
el saʿa kam? |
Let’s break it down: |
(slow) el saʿa kam? |
Once more: |
el saʿa kam? |
الساعة كام؟ |
el saʿa means “hour” |
(slow) el saʿa |
el saʿa |
And kam means “how much/many” |
(slow) kam |
kam |
Altogether, it means “At what time?” |
el saʿa kam? |
Let’s say you want to reserve a table at eight o’clock. You will say “At eight o’clock, please.” In Egyptian Arabic that is: |
tamanya. |
Let’s break it down: |
(slow) tamanya. |
Once more: |
tamanya. |
تمانية |
tamanya means “eight” or “eight o’clock”. |
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