Useful Phrases

1. أنا عملت التطبيق ده

   Ana ʿamalt it-taṭbīʾ da

   I made this app

   Usage

   A line for introducing your own app.

   Grammar Note

   "ʿAmalt" is the 1st person past; the demonstrative "da" follows the noun. Composed from words checked in dictionaries and corpora.

2. التطبيق ده ببلاش

   It-taṭbīʾ da bi-balāsh

   This app is free

   Usage

   "Bi-balāsh" is the everyday word for "for free".

   Grammar Note

   A verbless sentence; "bi-balāsh" is bi- "for/with" + balāsh "free".

3. ممكن تنزل التطبيق وتجربه؟

   Mumkin tinazzil it-taṭbīʾ wi-tigarrabu?

   Could you download the app and try it?

   Usage

   To a woman: "mumkin tinazzili it-taṭbīʾ wi-tigarribīh".

   Grammar Note

   "Nazzil" ("bring down") is also used for "download". Composed from words checked in dictionaries and corpora.

4. أنا ياباني

   Ana yabāni

   I'm Japanese

   Usage

   A woman says "ana yabāniyya".

   Grammar Note

   No verb is used: "I + nationality". The nationality has masculine and feminine forms.

5. أنا سايح

   Ana sāyiḥ

   I'm a tourist

   Usage

   A woman says "ana sāyiḥa".

   Grammar Note

   A verbless noun sentence; the feminine adds -a.

6. أنا مسافر لوحدي

   Ana musāfir li-waḥdi

   I'm traveling alone

   Usage

   A woman says "ana musāfira li-waḥdi".

   Grammar Note

   "Li-waḥdi" is "by myself"; the suffix changes with the person (li-waḥdu "by himself"). Composed from words checked in dictionaries and corpora.

7. دي أول مرة أجي فيها هنا

   Di awwil marra agi fīha hina

   It's my first time here

   Usage

   Useful to say at sights and shops when you are a first-time visitor.

   Grammar Note

   "Di awwil marra" = "this is the first time"; the relative clause repeats the noun with a pronoun: "agi fīha" (I come in it).

8. ممكن آخد صورة؟

   Mumkin ākhud ṣūra?

   May I take a photo?

   Usage

   Always ask before pointing a camera at someone; be especially careful with women.

   Grammar Note

   "Take a photo" is literally "take a picture" (khud ṣūra).

9. ممكن ناخد صورة سوا؟

   Mumkin nākhud ṣūra sawa?

   Shall we take a photo together?

   Usage

   With a stranger of the opposite sex it can be misread as an invitation; families or groups are an easier choice.

   Grammar Note

   "Nākhud" is the "we" form of "ākhud"; "sawa" means "together".

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