Question Words

1. شنو؟

   shnū?

   What?

   Usage

   To ask about a thing or event; pointing helps.

   Grammar Note

   Standard Arabic "mādhā" is not used.

2. فين؟

   fīn?

   Where?

   Usage

   To ask about a place; put it before the noun.

   Grammar Note

   Standard Arabic "ayna" is not used.

3. إمتا؟

   imta?

   When?

   Usage

   To ask about time; "waqtāsh" is a variant.

   Grammar Note

   Corresponds to Standard Arabic "matā".

4. شكون؟

   shkūn?

   Who?

   Usage

   To ask about a person.

   Grammar Note

   Standard Arabic "man" is not used.

5. علاش؟

   ʿlāsh?

   Why?

   Usage

   To ask for a reason.

   Grammar Note

   Standard Arabic "limādhā" is not used.

6. كيفاش؟

   kīfāsh?

   How?

   Usage

   To ask about the way to do something.

   Grammar Note

   Corresponds to Standard Arabic "kayfa".

7. شحال؟

   shḥāl?

   How many?

   Usage

   Asks for a number or amount; with a noun use "shḥāl dyāl …" (how many …).

   Grammar Note

   The same word asks for prices.

8. شحال هادا؟

   shḥāl hāda?

   How much is it?

   Usage

   In souks and shops. Sellers may quote old "riyal" units (1 dirham = 20 riyal); ask them to repeat in dirhams.

   Grammar Note

   Use "hādi" for feminine and "hādu" for plural things.

9. شنو هادا؟

   shnū hāda?

   What is this?

   Usage

   For an unfamiliar food or object.

   Grammar Note

   No verb is needed: there is no present-tense copula. Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar.

10. فين بيت الما؟

    fīn bīt l-mā?

    Where is the toilet?

    Usage

    Avoid "ḥammām" for the toilet: it means bath / hammam.

    Grammar Note

    "Fīn + noun" asks for a place without a verb.

11. شحال عندك فالساعة؟

    shḥāl ʿndek f-s-sāʿa?

    What time is it?

    Usage

    Literally "how much do you have on the clock"; the form is the same for men and women.

    Grammar Note

    "ʿand" plus a pronoun ending expresses "have".

12. واش عندك؟

    wāsh ʿndek?

    Do you have it?

    Usage

    In a shop, while pointing at what you want.

    Grammar Note

    You can add the thing after it. Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar.

13. واش تقدر تدير هادشي؟

    wāsh tqder tdīr hādshī?

    Can you do it?

    Usage

    When asking a favour; for a woman use "tqdri tdīri".

    Grammar Note

    "Qder" + a verb in the subjunctive means "can". Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar.

14. واش خاصني نخلص؟

    wāsh khāṣṣni nkhelleṣ?

    Is there a charge?

    Usage

    For entrance, toilets or parking; literally "do I have to pay".

    Grammar Note

    "Khāṣṣ" plus a pronoun ending means "must". Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar.

15. واش واخا؟

    wāsh wākha?

    Is this OK?

    Usage

    To ask permission, e.g. to take a photo or sit down.

    Grammar Note

    The answer is typically "wākha" (OK).

16. واش ممنوع؟

    wāsh mamnūʿ?

    Is it not allowed?

    Usage

    Asks whether something such as photos or smoking is forbidden; "mamnūʿ" is also the word on signs.

    Grammar Note

    "Mamnūʿ" is the adjective "forbidden". Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar.

17. واش نتا لاباس؟

    wāsh nta lābās?

    Are you OK?

    Usage

    To someone who looks unwell; "nti" for a woman. Answer: "lābās" or "l-ḥamdu lillāh".

    Grammar Note

    "Lābās" does not change for gender or number.

18. واش بصّح؟

    wāsh bṣṣaḥ?

    Really?

    Usage

    To show surprise or to double-check.

    Grammar Note

    "Bṣṣaḥ" is the adverb "really".

19. واش نتا متأكد؟

    wāsh nta mtʾekked?

    Are you sure?

    Usage

    To double-check prices or directions; for a woman say "nti mtʾekkda".

    Grammar Note

    The adjective agrees with the listener's gender (mtʾekked / mtʾekkda).

20. منين نتا؟

    mnīn nta?

    Where are you from?

    Usage

    In small talk; "mnīn nti" for a woman.

    Grammar Note

    "Mnīn" means "from where".

21. شنو سميتك؟

    shnū smītek?

    What's your name?

    Usage

    The usual way to ask someone's name.

    Grammar Note

    "Smiya" (name) takes the "your" ending.

22. شحال فعمرك؟

    shḥāl f-ʿumrek?

    How old are you?

    Usage

    Literally "how much in your age"; asking age can be impolite with adults.

    Grammar Note

    Built from "f-" (in) + "ʿumr" (age) + the "your" ending. Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar.

23. واش نقدر ناخد تصويرة معاك؟

    wāsh nqder nākhod tṣwīra mʿāk?

    Can we take a photo together?

    Usage

    Always ask before photographing people, especially women.

    Grammar Note

    "Wāsh nqder …" asks permission. Composed from dictionary-verified words by regular grammar.

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