Money & Exchange

1. فين أقرب ماكينة صراف؟

   Fēn aʾrab makanit ṣarrāf?

   Where is the nearest ATM?

   Usage

   Prefer ATMs inside banks or big hotels over isolated ones.

   Grammar Note

   "Makanit ṣarrāf" is "teller machine". A composed sentence with regular grammar.

2. محتاج أسحب فلوس من ماكينة الصراف

   Miḥtāg asḥab filūs min makanit iṣ-ṣarrāf

   I need to withdraw money from the ATM

   Usage

   A woman says "miḥtāga".

   Grammar Note

   "Miḥtāg" + subjunctive means "I need to …".

3. سعر الصرف النهارده كام؟

   Siʿr iṣ-ṣarf in-nahārda kām?

   What is today's exchange rate?

   Usage

   Change money at banks or licensed exchange offices, not on the street.

   Grammar Note

   "Siʿr iṣ-ṣarf" is the exchange rate; "kām" at the end asks the amount. A composed sentence with regular grammar.

4. السعر فيه البقشيش؟

   Is-siʿr fīh il-baʾshīsh?

   Is the tip included?

   Usage

   Tipping (baʾshīsh) is the norm in Egypt; small bills are handed over in restaurants.

   Grammar Note

   "Fīh" also means "includes". A composed sentence with regular grammar.

5. الحساب كام؟

   Il-ḥisāb kām?

   How much is the total?

   Usage

   Used for the total of a meal or purchase; for a single item say "bi-kām da?".

   Grammar Note

   "Kām" is the question word for amount or number. A composed sentence with regular grammar.

6. ممكن آخد فاتورة؟

   Mumkin ākhud fatūra?

   Can I get a receipt?

   Usage

   "Fatūra" means both a receipt and an invoice.

   Grammar Note

   "Take" (khud) is also used for "receive". A composed sentence with regular grammar.

7. رسوم الخدمة كام؟

   Rusūm il-khidma kām?

   What is the service charge?

   Usage

   Restaurant bills often add a service charge and tax on top.

   Grammar Note

   "Rusūm" is a plural meaning "fees". A composed sentence with regular grammar.

8. عندك فكة؟

   ʿAndak fakka?

   Do you have change?

   Usage

   Useful when you only have large notes; the spelling is the same for a woman (read "ʿandik").

   Grammar Note

   "Fakka" comes from "to break up", hence small change. A composed sentence with regular grammar.

9. الحساب لو سمحت

   Il-ḥisāb law samaḥt

   The bill, please

   Usage

   Say it to the waiter with a slight wave; to a woman, "law samaḥti".

   Grammar Note

   "Il-ḥisāb" means "the account/bill"; "law samaḥt" makes it polite.

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