Traveling with Kids

1. فيه منيو للاطفال؟

   Fīh minyu lil-aṭfāl?

   Is there a children's menu?

   Usage

   "Minyu" is borrowed from English "menu".

   Grammar Note

   "Fīh + noun?" asks whether something exists. A composed sentence built from regular parts.

2. فيه كرسي عالي للاطفال؟

   Fīh kursi ʿāli lil-aṭfāl?

   Is there a high chair for children?

   Usage

   Ask the staff at a restaurant.

   Grammar Note

   Noun then adjective. A composed sentence built from regular parts.

3. فين أقرب ملعب للاطفال؟

   Fēn aʾrab malʿab lil-aṭfāl?

   Where is the nearest playground?

   Usage

   "Malʿab" also means a sports ground, so "lil-aṭfāl" (for children) makes it clear.

   Grammar Note

   "Aʾrab" is the superlative of "near". A composed sentence built from regular parts.

4. ده أمان للاطفال؟

   Da amān lil-aṭfāl?

   Is this safe for children?

   Usage

   Ask about rides, water or food.

   Grammar Note

   "Amān" (safety) is used as the predicate, and the question mark makes it a question. A composed sentence built from regular parts.

5. ابني عيان

   Ibni ʿayyān

   My son is sick

   Usage

   "Ibni" means my son; for a daughter say "binti ʿayyāna".

   Grammar Note

   The adjective agrees with gender (m. ʿayyān / f. ʿayyāna).

6. فيه مكان لعب للاطفال جوه؟

   Fīh makān laʿb lil-aṭfāl gōwa?

   Is there an indoor play area?

   Usage

   Handy to avoid rain or heat.

   Grammar Note

   A noun chain: "place of play". A composed sentence built from regular parts.

7. محتاج حفاضات

   Miḥtāg ḥafāḍāt

   I need diapers

   Usage

   Ask at a pharmacy or supermarket; a woman says "miḥtāga".

   Grammar Note

   "Ḥafāḍāt" is a plural. A composed sentence built from regular parts.

8. ينفع الاطفال يدخلوا؟

   Yinfaʿ il-aṭfāl yidkhulu?

   Are children allowed to enter?

   Usage

   Ask at the door of mosques, museums and venues.

   Grammar Note

   "Yinfaʿ" + subject + subjunctive asks for permission. A composed sentence built from regular parts.

9. ابني خايف من الزحمة

   Ibni khāyif min iz-zaḥma

   My son is afraid of crowds

   Usage

   For a daughter say "binti khāyfa min iz-zaḥma".

   Grammar Note

   "Khāyif min + noun" means afraid of; the adjective agrees in gender. A composed sentence built from regular parts.

10. فيه حمام سباحة للاطفال؟

    Fīh ḥammām sibāḥa lil-aṭfāl?

    Is there a children's pool?

    Usage

    "Ḥammām" also means bathroom; "ḥammām sibāḥa" is a swimming pool.

    Grammar Note

    A noun chain: "bath of swimming". A composed sentence built from regular parts.

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