Essential Arabic Vocabulary – Shopping
Although many international and local shopping malls, hypermarkets and supermarkets do exist in most of the Arab countries, the most interesting and effective location to shop remains the local markets known as “suq”. In local markets you can find everything from spices and perfumes to carpets and pottery, usually at much lower prices. It goes without saying that, as a tourist, you will always need to bargain, but trying to find out different price ranges before hitting the shops is essential so as to form an idea about what to pay. Most shops in the Arab world, except Lebanon, open only after 2:00 PM on Friday, which is a holiday in almost all Arab countries.
| Phrase in Arabic | Phrase in English | Pronunciation | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
أين أقرب…؟ |
Where is the nearest…? | ʾAyna ʾaqrab…? | |
|
لحّام |
Butcher | Laḥḥām | |
|
مخبز |
Bakery | Maḫbaz | |
|
صيدليّة |
Chemist / Pharmacist | Ṣaydaleyah | |
|
مركز تجاري |
Shopping Center | Markaz tiǧāri | |
|
سوق |
Market | Sūq | |
|
مكتبة |
Bookshop | Maktabah | |
|
هل تساعدني من فضلك؟ |
Could you help me, please? | Hal tusāʿidni min faḍlik…? | |
|
…أبحث عن |
I am looking for… | ʾAbḥaṯu ʿan | |
|
تي شيرت |
T-shirt | Ti-šert | |
|
بلوزة |
Blouse | Bulūzah | |
|
بنطلون |
Trousers/pants | Banṭalūn | |
|
ربطة عنق/كرافاتة |
Tie | Rabṭatu ʿunuq/krāfata | |
|
حزام |
Belt | Ḥizām | |
|
جاكيت |
Jacket | Ǧaket | |
|
معطف |
Coat | Miʿṭaf | |
|
مايوه نسائي |
Swimsuit | Māyūh nisā’i | |
|
منشفة |
Towel | Minšafah | |
|
شبشب حمّام |
Flip-flops | Šibšib ḥammām | |
|
حذاء |
Shoes | Ḥiḏāʾ | |
|
بوت |
Boots | Būt | |
|
تنّورة/جيبة |
Skirt | Tannūrah/ǧībah | |
|
فرشاة أسنان |
Toothbrush | Furšātu ʾasnān | |
|
بدلة |
Suit | Badlah | |
|
إيشارب |
Scarf | ʾIšārp | |
|
جينز |
Jeans | Ǧīnz | |
|
قبّعة |
Hat | Qubaʿah | |
|
.إنّي أتفرّج فقط |
I’m just looking | ʾInni ʾatafarraǧu faqaṭ | |
|
…مقاسي |
I take size… | Maqāsi… | |
|
غرفة تبديل الملابس |
Changing room | Ġurfatu tabdīl ʾal-malābis | |
|
هل تأخذ…؟ |
Do you take…? | Hal taʾḫuḏu? | |
|
شيك |
Check | Šīk | |
|
نقداً |
Cash | Naqdan | |
|
بطاقة ائتمان |
Credit card | Biṭāqatu ʾitimān |
