Jordanian Arabic phrasebook

From traveller-now

The Jordanian dialect of Arabic is similar to that spoken in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and by Arabs in the Palestinian territories and Israel. As with all dialects of Arabic, the variations are in the spoken form of the language only; the written language always conforms to standard (or classical) Arabic.

The spoken Arabic language provides many difficulties for English speakers. Aside from the various dialects, one must also deal with the differences in addressing males, females, and groups; plurals and verb conjugations are highly irregular and difficult to determine from their root letters; and there are several letters in the Arab alphabet that are difficult for an English speaker to pronounce.

Pronunciation guide

There are some letters of the Arabic alphabet that transliterate into English; others are completely foreign to English speakers, making them difficult to pronounce. The pronunciation guide shown below is case- sensitive; for example, 'th' is a different sound from 'Th' and 'TH'.

There are only two glides, or dipthongs, in Arabic. The first glides from 'a' to 'i' and gives an 'ay' sound as in the English word for bait; the second glides from 'a' to 'u' and gives the 'aw' sound as in the Arabic word mawt meaning 'death'.

One syllable of every Arabic word has more stress than the other syllables of that word. Much meaning is communicated in Arabic by the location of the stress. This is much truer than in most Western languages.

Vowels

Although some dialects have an 'e' and an 'o', there are only three phonemic vowels that are common to Arabic:

a: like 'a' in "apple"
i: like 'ee' in "cheese"
o: like 'oo' in "too"

Consonants

Characters marked by an asterisk (*) are ones that may prove more difficult for English speakers than the others.

a (ا): like 'aa' in "back"
b (ب): like 'b' in "bed"
t (ت): like 't' in "top"
th (ث): like 'th' in "think"
j (ج): like 'j' in "jump"
H (ح) *: like 'h' in "hot" (this sound is created by tightly constricting the throat muscles as you force air through; commonly referred to as "heavy h")
kh (خ): like like 'ch' in Scottish "loch" or German "nach" (this sound is similar to a gargled exasperation, as if someone were clearing his throat)
d (د): like 'd' in "dog"
Th (ذ): like 'th' in "that"
r (ر): like 'r' in "row"
z (ز): like 'z' in "haze"
s (س): like 's' in "sing"
sh (ش): like 'sh' in "sheep"
S (ص) *: like 's' in "sorry" or "saw" (this sound has more force than an English 's'; commonly referred to as "heavy s")
D (ض) *: like 'd' in "dot" (this sound has more force than an English 'd'; commonly referred to as "heavy d")
T (ط) *: like 't' in "taught" (this sound has more force than an English 't'; commonly referred to as "heavy t")
TH (ظ) *: like 'th' in "other"
9 (ع) *: like 'ei' in German "nein" (while there are different methods of transliterating this difficult character, this phrasebook sometimes uses the number 9, as the sound of the character mimics the sound of the stressed 'i' in "nine".)
g (غ) *: like French 'r' (this sound is a more gutteral—or gargled—version of the English 'g')
f (ف): like 'f' in "fox"
q (ق): like 'c' in "cough"
k (ك): like 'k' in "kitten"
l (ل): like 'l' in "lamb"
m (م): like 'm' in "mother"
n (ن): like 'n' in "noon"
h (ھ): like 'h' in "help"
w (و): like 'w' in "wow"
y (ي): like 'y' in "yes"
' (ء): a glottal stop

Phrase list

Alternate versions of each word—used when addressing men, women, or groups—have been listed where applicable. Other variations include word differences if spoken by a male or a female. The Arabic words have been included although the spoken pronunciation may differ from the written script.

Basics

Common signs

OPEN: مفتح (maftooH)
CLOSED: مغلق (mugalaq/imsakir)
ENTRANCE: مدخل (madkhal)
EXIT: مخرج (makhraj)
PUSH: ادفع (idfa'a)
PULL: اسحب (isHab)
TOILET: حمام (hammaam)
MEN: رجال (rijaal)
WOMEN: نساء (nisa' )
FORBIDDEN: ممنوع (mamnuu'a)

Hello.

مرحبا (marHaba)

How are you?

كيف حالك

(keef Haa'lak) - When speaking to a male; can be abbreviated kee fak
(keef Haa'lik) - When speaking to a female; can be abbreviated kee fik
(keef Haalkom) - When speaking to a group of two or more; can be abbreviated keef kom

Fine, thank you

(mniH) - Literally means "good"
(kwayyis) - Literally means "very good"
(hamdillah) - A very common phrase which can mean "Fine, thank you", but literally means "Praise be to God"

What is your name?

شو اسمك؟

(shu ismak) - When speaking to a male
(shu ismik) - When speaking to a female

My name is ______ .

اسمي ______ . (ismi _____ .)

Nice to meet you.

أهلاً و سهلاً ( 'ahlan wa' salan) - This phrase literally means "welcome", but is used in place of "Nice to meet you."

Please.

من فضلك

(min faDlak/arjook) - When speaking to a male
(min faDlik/arjooki) - When speaking to a female

Thank you.

شكرا (shukran)

You're welcome.

عفواً

( 'afwan) - Literally means "excuse me" but is also used in this case
( 'ahlan wa' sahlan) - Literally means "welcome" but is also used in this case

Yes.

نعم (na'am) or (aah)

No.

لا (laa)

Excuse me. (getting attention or begging pardon)

عفوا ( 'afwan)

I'm sorry.

اسف

( 'ana assif) - If spoken by a man
( 'ana assfeh) - If spoken by a woman

Goodbye

مع السلام (ma'salama)

I can't speak Arabic [well].

ما بحكي عربي (ma baHaki arabi [mniH])

Do you speak English?

بتحكي انجليزي؟

(ibtiHki ingleezi?) - When speaking to a man
(ibtiHkti ingleezi?) - When speaking to a woman

Is there someone here who speaks English?

في ناس بيحكي انجليزي؟ (fi naas bHaki ingleezi?)

Help!

إلحقوني(ilHaquuni!) - Literally means "follow me"

Look out!

انتبة

(deer balak!) - When speaking to a man
(deer balik!) - When speaking to a woman

Good morning.

صباح الخير (SabaaH el-khair)

Good evening.

مساء الخير (masa' el-khair)

Good night.

تصبع على خير (tuSbaaH ala khair)

I don't understand.

انا مش فاهم

(ana mish faahim) - Literally "I don't understand"
(mish faahim alayk) - Literally "I don't understand you"

Where is the toilet?: وين الحمام (wayn il-Hamaam?)

Problems

Leave me alone.

أتركني وشأني (siibni laHalli/itrikni)

Don't touch me!

لأ تلمسني (ma talmisni/laa tseebnni)

Police!

الشرطة (al-shurtah)

Stop! Thief!

قف أيها اللص (waqif ya Haarami)

I need your help.

أحناج امساعدتك

(baHtaj musaa'adtak) - When addressing a man
(baHtaj musaa'adtik) - When addressing a woman

I'm lost.: أنا ضائع (ana Daayi'a)
I lost my bag.: أضعت شنطتي (Daayaat shanTiti)
I lost my wallet.: أضعت محفظتي (Daayaat maHdaTHiti)
I'm sick.: أبا مريض (ana mariiD)
I need a doctor.: أحتاج الى طبيب (biddi doktor)
Can I use your phone?: هل يمكنني استعمال تلفونك (mumkin 'asta'amil talafonak/bagdar astaamil talafonak?)

Numbers

The Arabic numeric characters are provided in place of the words due to their more common usage. Unlike Arabic script, Arabic numerals are printed from left to right. In the case where two pronunciations are provided, either can be used interchangably.

1: ١ (waaHid)
2: ٢ (tinain or ithnain)
3: ٣ (talaata or thalaatha)
4: ٤ (arba'a)
5: ٥ (khamseh)
6: ٦ (sitah)
7: ٧ (saba'a)
8: ٨ (thamaaniyeh or tamaaniyeh)
9: ٩ (tisa'a)
10: ١٠ (asharah)
11: ١١ (iH'dash or H'dash)
12: ١٢ (it'nash or t'nash)
13: ١٣ (talaatash)
14: ١٤ (arba'tash)
15: ١٥ (khamistash)
16: ١٦ (sittash)
17: ١٧ (saba'tash)
18: ١٨ (tamaantash)
19: ١٩ (tisatash)
20: ٢٠ (ashriin)
21: ٢١ (waHid u' ashriin) - Literally "one and twenty"
22: ٢٢ (tinain u' ashriin) - Literally "two and twenty"
23: ٢٣ (talaata u' ashriin) - Literally "three and twenty"
30: ٣٠ (talaatiin)
40: ٤٠ (arba'iin)
50: ٥٠ (khamsiin)
60: ٦٠ (sittiin)
70: ٧٠ (saba'iin)
80: ٨٠ (tamaaniin)
90: ٩٠ (tisa'iin)
100: ١٠٠ (miiyeh)
200: ٢٠٠ (miitayn) - Literally "two [one] hundreds"
300: ٣٠٠ (talaat miiyeh)
1000: ١٠٠٠ (alf)
2000: ٢٠٠٠ (alfayn) - Literally "two [one] thousands"
1,000,000: ١٠٠٠٠٠٠ (milyon)
number _____ (train, bus, etc.): رقم _____ (raqam)
half: نصف (nuuS)
less: اقل (aqal)
more: اكثر (akthar)

Time

now: هلا (hala)
later: بعدين (baa'dain)
before: قبل (qabil)
morning: صباح (SaabaH)
afternoon: بعد الظهر (ba'ad id-duhur) - Literally "after the noon"
evening: مساءاً (masa)
night: ليلاً (layl)

Clock time

one o'clock AM: (issay'a waHdeh)
two o'clock AM: (issay'a tintayn)
noon: (issay'a itna'ash)
one o'clock PM: (issay'a waHdeh [ba'ad id-duhur])
two o'clock PM: (issay'a tintayn [ba'ad id-duhur])

Duration

_____ minute(s)

_____ دقيقة

(daqiqa) - 1 minute
(daqiqtayn) - 2 minutes
(daqay'iq) - 3 to 10 minutes (example: khams daqayiq = 5 minutes)
(daqiqa) - 11 minutes and above (example: khamistaashar daqiqa = 15 minutes)

_____ hour(s)

_____ ساعة

(say'a) - 1 hour
(say'atayn) - 2 hours
(say'aat) - 3 to 10 hours (example: khams say'aat = 5 hours)
(say'a) - 11 hours and above (example: khamistaashar say'a = 15 hours)

_____ day(s)

_____ يوم

(yawm) - 1 day
(yawmayn) - 2 days
(ayyaam) - 3 to 10 days
(yawm) - 11 days and above

_____ week(s)

_____ اسبوع

(uusbuu'a) - 1 week
(uusbuu'ayn) - 2 weeks
(aasaabia) - 3 to 10 weeks
(uusbuu'a) - 11 weeks and above

_____ month(s)

_____ شهر

(shahir) - 1 month
(shahirayn) - 2 months
(tushur) - 3 to 10 months
(shahir) - 11 weeks and above

_____ year(s)

_____ سنة

(sani) - 1 year
(sanitayn) - 2 years
(siniin) - 3 to 10 years
(sani) - 11 years and above

Days

today: البوم (il yawm)
yesterday: امبارح(mbarriH)
tomorrow: غداً (bukra)
this week: هذا اسبوع (hadda uusbuu'a or uusbuu'a)
last week: الأسبوع الماضي (qabil uusbuu'a)
next week: الأسبوع المقبل (ba'ad uusbuu'a)

Sunday: الأحد (yawm il-aHad)
Monday: الاثنين (yawm it-tinayn)
Tuesday: الثلاثاء (yawm it-talaata)
Wednesday: الأربعاء (yawm il-arba'a)
Thursday: الخميس (yawm il-khamiis)
Friday: الجمعة (yawm il-juma'a)
Saturday: السبت (yawm is-sabt)

Months

The following months coordinate with the Islamic calendar and is used only for Muslim holidays. Generally, the Gregorian calendar is used. When defining a month, however, most people use the month numbers (like shahir waaHid, which means "month one" or January).

January: كانون الثاني (kaanuun it-taani)
February: شباط (shbaaT)
March: اذار ( 'aaThaar)
April: نيسان (niisaan)
May: ايار ( 'ayyaar)
June: حزيران (Huzayraan)
July: تموز (tammuuz)
August: اّب ( 'aab)
September: ايلول ( 'ayluul)
October: تشرن الأو (tishriin il'awwal)
November: تشرن الثاني (tishriin it-taani)
December: كانون الأول (kaanuun il'awwal)

Colors

Each Arabic color has a masculine and feminine form. Only the masculine forms are displayed here.

black: اسود (aswad)
white: ابيض (abyaD)
gray: رمادي (ramaadi or sakini)
red: احمر (aHmar)
blue: ازرق (azraq)
yellow: اصفر (aSfar)
green: اخضر (akhDar)
orange: برتقالي (burtuqaali)
purple: ارجوان (naHadi)
brown: اسمر (buuni)

Transportation

Bus and train

How much is a ticket to _____?: How much is a ticket to _____? (...)
One ticket to _____, please.: One ticket to _____, please. (...)
Where does this train/bus go?: Where does this train/bus go? (...)
Where is the train/bus to _____?: Where is the train/bus to _____? (...)
Does this train/bus stop in _____?: Does this train/bus stop in _____? (...)
When does the train/bus for _____ leave?: When does the train/bus for _____ leave? (...)
When will this train/bus arrive in _____?: When will this bus arrive in _____? (...)

Directions

How do I get to _____ ?

_____ كيف ممكن الوصول الى (kiif mumkin awSal _____?)

...the train station?

محطة القطار (maHaTah al-qaTaar)

...the bus station?

موقف الباص (mauqif al-baaS)

...the airport?

المطار (al-maTaar)

...downtown?

وسط البلد (wasaT il-balad)

...the _____ hotel?

فندق (il-funduq _____)

...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate?

السفاره (is-safaareh)

American: (is-safaareh amerikiyyi)
Canadian: (is-safaareh al-kanadiyah)
Australian: (is-safaareh aastraliyah)
British: (is-safaareh baritaniyah)

Where are there a lot of...: أين يوجد _____ كثير (wayn fi _____ ktiir?)
...hotels?: فنادق (fanaadiq)
...restaurants?: مطاعم (moTaa'aim)
...sites to see?: اماكن تاريخية (amaakin taariikhiyeh) - Literally "historical places"
Can you show me on the map?: أريني ذاك الخارطة (farjiini ala al-khaariTah)
street: شارع (shar'iah)
Turn left.: خذ يسار (lif shmaal)
Turn right.: خذ يمين (lif yaamiin)
left: يسار (shmaal or yasaar)
right: يمين (yaamiin)
straight ahead: مستقيم (dugri)
towards the _____: _____ تجاه (tijaah)
past the _____: _____ بعد (ba'ad _____)
before the _____: _____ قبل (qabil _____)
Watch for the _____.: انتبه (dir balak)
intersection: مفترق طرق (taqaaTa'a)
north: شمال (shmaal)
south: جنوب (junuub)
east: شرق (sharq)
west: غرب (garb)
uphill: أعلى الجبل (ala jabal) - Literally "on the hill"; one may also use fuuq, which means "up" or "above"
downhill: تحت (taHt) - Literally means "down"

Taxi

Taxi!

تكسي (taksi)

Take me to _____, please.

_____ أريد الذ هاب الي

(biddi 'aruuH ah _____ law samaHt) – Literally "I want to go to _____,if you please."
(bidna naruuH ah _____ law samaHt) – Literally "We want to go to _____, if you please."

How much does it cost to get to _____?: كم سيكلف (aysh huwwa thaman fi...) – Literally "What is the cost for..."

Lodging

Do you have any rooms available?: هل يوجد غرف فارغة؟ (fi guraf faaDiyeh)
How much is a room for one person/two people?: ما هي التكلقة (qadaysh bitkalif [lilwaaHid/lilshakhSayn]) – Literally "What cost [for one/for two people]"
Does the room come with...: هل يوجد في الغرفة (fi bil gurfeh...)
...bedsheets?: شراشف؟... (sharaashif)
...a bathroom?: همام؟... (hamaam)
...a telephone?: تلفون؟... (telefuun)
...a TV?: تافزيون؟... (televeesion)
May I see the room first?: هل يمكنني رؤية الغرفة أولاً؟ (mumkin 'ashuuf ilgurfeh?)
Do you have anything bigger?: هل يوجد غرفة أكبر؟ (fi gurfeh akbar?)
...cleaner?: أنظف؟... ('anDaf?)
...cheaper?: أرخص... ('arkhas?)
OK, I'll take it.: موافق (kwayyis, raH 'akhudha)
I will stay for _____ night(s).: اياة واحدة (...layleh waaHdeh)
Can you suggest another hotel?: هل يوجد فنادق أخري في المنطقة؟ (fi fanaadiq itaaniyeh [fil mantiqa])
Do you have a safe?: هل يوجد لديكم؟ (fi a'indkum khazneh)
Is breakfast/supper included?: هل هذا يتضمّن الفطور/العشاء (hal hadda ma'a il-faTuur/il-9asha)
Please clean my room.: هل يمكنك تنظتف غرفتي (mumkin tanaTHif gurfiti, law samaHt)
I want to check out.: أريد أن ادفع الحسان (biddi 'adfa'a al-Hasaab)

Money

Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars?: هل تقبل دولارات؟ (btiqbal dulaaraat?)
Do you accept British pounds?: هل تقبل باند انكليزي؟ (btiqbal pound enkliizi?)
Do you accept credit cards?: هل تقبل كردت كرد؟ (btiqbal credit card?)
Where can I get money changed?: أين يوجد صرّاف؟ (wayn fi Sarraf?)
What is the exchange rate?: ما هوا سعر الدولار؟ (qadaysh saa'ir [dollar]?)
Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)?: أين يوجد جهاز سحب آلي؟ (wayn fi jihaz saHib aalii?)

Eating

Can I look at the menu, please?: لائحة الطعام لو سمحت (aa'Tini laa'ihah, law samaHt)
I'm a vegetarian.: انا نباتي (ana nabaati)
breakfast: فطور (faTuur)
lunch: غداء (gadda' )
supper: عشاء ( 'ashaa)
I want _____.: _____ أريد (biddi)
chicken: دجاج (jaaj)
beef: بقر (baqar) - Literally "cow"
fish: سمك (samak)
ham: خنزير (khanziir)
cheese: جبنة (jibneh)
eggs: بيض (bayD)
salad: سلطة (salaTa)
(fresh) vegetables: خضروات (khuDruwaat [Tazeh])
(fresh) fruit: فواكه (fawaakeh [Tazeh])
bread: خبز (xubiz)
toast: محمّر (mHammar) - Literally "slightly browned"
noodles: معكرونة (maa'karunah)
rice: رزّ (ruzz)
beans: فول (fuul)
May I have a glass of _____?: _____اعطتني كاسة (aa'tiini kaasit _____, law samaHt) - Literally "give me a glass of _____, if you please."
May I have a cup of _____?: _____ اعطتيني فنجان (aa'tiini finjaan _____, law samaHt)
May I have a bottle of _____?: _____ اعطيني قنينة (aa'tiini qaaniinit _____, law samaHt)
coffee: قهوة (qahweh)
tea (drink): شاي (shay)
juice: عصير (aa'Siir)
(bubbly) water: مياه غازية (miyeh gaziyeh)
water: مياه (maiy)
beer: بيرة (biirah)
May I have some _____?: اعطيني _____ لو سمحت (aa'tiini _____, law samaHt) - Literally "give me _____, if you please."
salt: ملح (milH)
black pepper: فلفل أسود (filfil 'aswad)
butter: زبدة (zibdeh)
Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server): عفواً ('afwan) or لو سمحت (law samaHt)
I'm finished.: انتهيت (inta-heit) or خلاص(khallaSt)
It was delicious.: زاكي (zaaki)
The check, please.: الفاتورة لو سمحت (ilfaatuurah, law samaHt)

Shopping

Do you have this in my size?

عندك مقاسي؟

(indak maqaasi) - When speaking to a male
(indik maqaasi) - When speaking to a female

How much is this?: ما ثمن هذا؟ (qaddaysh ha' hadda?)
That's too expensive.: غالي كتير (hadda gali ktiir)
Would you take _____?: سأدفع لك _____ فقط (raaH adfa'alak...) - Literally "I'm going to pay you..."
expensive: غالي (gali)
cheap: رخيص (raxiis)
I can't afford it.: ما معي كفاية (ma ma9i kifaayeh) - Literally "I don't have enough"
I don't want it.: لاأريد هذا (ma biddi ya)
You're cheating me.: انت تغشني (inta bitgushni)
I'm not interested.: ابا غير مهتم (ana mish mohtam)
OK, I'll take it.: ابا موافق (Tayyib,ana muwaffiq)
Can I have a bag?: أعطيني كيس لو سمحت (a'tiini kiis, law samaHt)
Do you ship (overseas)?: بتشحن؟ (mumkin btishHam?)
I need...: أحتاج (a'Htah...)
...toothpaste.: معجون أسنان (ma'juun asnaan)
...a toothbrush.: فرشاية أسنان (furshayit asnaan)
...tampons.: كتكس (kotex)
...soap.: صابون (Saabuun)
...shampoo.: شامبو (shaambuu)
...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen): مسكّن (musakkin') - Literally "coming down"
...cold medicine.: دواء رشح (dawa' rasheH)
...stomach medicine.: دواء للمعدة (dawa' lil ma'deh)
...a razor.: شفرة حلاقة (shafrah xilaaqah)
...an umbrella.: شمسيّة (shamsiyyeh)
...sunblock lotion.: دواء للشمس (dawa' lil shams) - Literally "medicine for the sun"
...a postcard.: كرت (kart)
...postage stamps.: طوابع (tawaaba)
...batteries.: بطاريات (baTaariyaat)
...writing paper.: ورق (waraq)
...a pen.: قلم (qalam)
...English-language books.: كتب اللغة الانكلزية (kutuub illugah ingliziyah)
...English-language magazines.: مجلاّت اللغة الانكلزية (majellaat illugah ingliziyah)
...an English-language newspaper.: جريدة اللغة الانكلزية (jariideh illugah ingliziyah)
...an English-English dictionary.: قاموس اللغة الانكلزية (qaamus illugah ingliziyah)

Driving

I want to rent a car.: I want to rent a car. (...)
Can I get insurance?: Can I get insurance? (...)
stop (on a street sign): stop (...)
one way: one way (...)
yield: yield (...)
no parking: no parking (...)
speed limit: speed limit (...)
gas (petrol) station: gas station (...)
petrol: petrol (...)
diesel: diesel (...)

Authority

I haven't done anything wrong.: I haven't done anything wrong. (...)
It was a misunderstanding.: It was a misunderstanding. (...)
Where are you taking me?: Where are you taking me? (...)
Am I under arrest?: Am I under arrest? (...)
I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen.: I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. (...)
I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate.: I need to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate. (...)
I want to talk to a lawyer.: I want to talk to a lawyer. (...)
Can I just pay a fine now?: Can I just pay a fine now? (...)

Learning more

This is where you would give more information on learning the language, such as links to online courses or textbooks, suggestions for in-person courses to take, or pointers to a dictionary or two.

How do you say _____ in Arabic?: How do you say _____ ? (...)kiif bitquul___ bil Arabi?
What is this/that called?: What is this/that called? (...)shu isim haada?

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