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Lesson 2 of 10

Order anything by pointing in Arabic

I would like, this one, how much, the bill: survive any counter or menu. Play the ten Arabic words against the clock, with a note on how locals really use each one after every answer. All ten are written out below.

The mud-brick buildings of Al-Ula Old Town in Saudi Arabia
Order anything by pointing
11 words · 20 seconds each · 9 of 11 to pass
What it meansHow to say it
Richard Mortel, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

All 11 Arabic phrases in this lesson

أريد...u-REED
I would like...

Correct but direct. To soften it, people start with "mumkin" (MUM-kin), could I have: "mumkin qahwa?". In the Gulf "abgha" (AB-gha) means I want.

هذاHA-tha
This one

HA-tha (masculine), HA-thi (feminine). The gender depends on the item, but pointing at something and saying "hatha" is understood regardless of grammatical precision. For emphasis: "hatha bass" (just this one).

بكم هذا؟bi-KAM HA-tha
How much is it?

Literally "for how much is this". "Bi-kam" is the most universal price question across dialects. The answer comes in the local currency: Egyptian pounds, Saudi riyals, Emirati dirhams, Jordanian dinars. Carry cash for markets; cards work well in hotels and malls.

الحساب من فضلكal-hi-SAB min FAD-lak
The bill, please

In restaurants the bill usually comes when requested; servers do not drop it unbidden. Tipping is expected: 10 to 15 percent in upscale restaurants, rounding up in casual places. Service charge is sometimes added; check before adding more.

بالبطاقةbil-bi-TA-qa
By card

Card payment is standard in Gulf hotels, malls, and restaurants. In Egypt and Jordan it is widespread in tourist-facing businesses. Traditional souqs, smaller restaurants, and service providers still prefer cash. Ask before eating or purchasing.

نقداًNAQ-dan
In cash

Cash remains king in traditional markets, taxis, and small local businesses across the region. ATMs are widely available in cities and malls. Use bank ATMs rather than standalone machines for security.

مياهmi-YAH
Water

Bottled water is the default for visitors. "Miya zulal" is clear pure water; "miya ghaziyya" is sparkling. The word miya is the colloquial pronunciation; the formal "ma'" appears on labels. Either works in conversation.

قهوةQAH-wa
Coffee

In the Gulf this means cardamom Arabic coffee from a dallah pot; elsewhere it is often Turkish-style. Shake the cup to say you have had enough.

شايshaay
Tea

Usually served sweet, often with mint, نعناع (NAA-naa).

بيرةBEE-ra
Beer

Alcohol is served only in licensed hotels and bars in most of the region, and is banned outright in some countries. Never drink in public.

بدون...bi-DOON
Without...

"Bidoon sukkar" (bi-DOON SUK-kar), without sugar. Arabic tea and coffee come sweet unless you ask.

Where Arabic is spoken

Next lesson: Yes, no and the essentials →