One of the best ways to know a country is by going out shopping! Especially if you are traveling to the Middle East. Arabs are known for their negotiation skills and customer pleasing attitude. Moreover, trade has been an important part of their culture for hundreds of years.
The street market ( sooq / سوق ) is an iconic place for the Arab world. There you can find vendors carrying everything, from fruits and veggies, to clothing and accessories and sometimes even household items and furniture. Generally, be prepared to negotiate and you will go home with a great deal. Certainly, this is a great opportunity for you to practice your Arabic vocabulary. However, when asking “How much is this?” ( kam thaman haTHaa / كَمْ ثَمَن هَذا؟ ) expect the salesperson to start at twice the expected price or higher. You can always respond that it’s expensive ( ghaalee / غالي ) and get it for a cheaper ( rakheeS / رَخيص ). Don’t worry, salespeople are always willing to close the deal, so after you agree on the price and give the money ( nuqood / نُقود ) most probably both of you will be satisfied.
However, compared to the street market where the price is flexible, you can always go to a convenience store ( baqqaalah / بَقَّالَة ) or shop ( maHal / مَحَل ) where your groceries will have a fixed price. Afterward just ask for a bag ( ʼureedu kees / أُريدُ كيس ) and be on your way home with your finds for the day.
In conclusion, shopping in Arabic is a great addition to your vocabulary, so go through the lesson to learn more.
سوق
/sooq/
Means
Market
مَحَل
/maHal/
Means
Shop
بَقَّالَة
/baqqaalah/
Means
Grocery
أَشْتَري
/ʼashtaree/
Means
I buy
كَيْفَ أَذْهَبُ إِلى؟
/kayfa ʼaTHhabu ʼilaa/
Means
How can I go to...?
كَمْ ثَمَن هَذا؟
/kam thaman haTHaa/
Means
How much is this?
أُريدُ كيس
/ʼureedu kees/
Means
I want a bag
نُقود
/nuqood/
Means
Money
دينار
/deenaar/
Means
Dinar
هَلْ يُمْكِنُكَ مُساعَدَتي؟
/hal yumkinuka musaaʻadatee/
Means
Can you please help me?
تَفَضَّل
/tafadhal/
Means
- Go on
- Come in
- Have a seat
- Here you go
For more info regarding shopping, you can check supermarket conversation in Arabic and you can also download the Arabic learning app Kaleela to learn Arabic the right way.