Twenty phrases for your trip to Jordan

السَّلَامُ عَلَيْكُم

as-salamu 'alaykum · Peace be upon you (hello)The everyday greeting, for anyone at any time of day.

وَعَلَيْكُمُ السَّلَام

wa 'alaykumu s-salam · And peace be upon you (the reply)The answer to as-salamu 'alaykum.

صَبَاحُ الخَيْر

sabahu l-khayr · Good morningThe reply is sabahu n-nur, “morning of light”.

مَسَاءُ الخَيْر

masa'u l-khayr · Good eveningThe reply is masa'u n-nur.

كَيْفَ حَالُك؟

kayfa haluk? · How are you?To a woman: kayfa haluki?

أَنَا بِخَيْر، الحَمْدُ لِلّه

ana bikhayr, al-hamdu lillah · I'm fine, thank GodThe usual answer, even on a hard day.

مِنْ فَضْلِك

min fadlak · PleaseTo a woman: min fadliki.

شُكْرًا جَزِيلًا

shukran jazilan · Thank you very muchA warmer thank you than shukran alone.

عَفْوًا

'afwan · You're welcome / Excuse meFor answering thanks, and for getting past someone.

آسِف

asif · SorryA woman says asifa.

أَيْنَ الفُنْدُق؟

ayna l-funduq? · Where is the hotel?Swap the place: ayna l-mat'am? (the restaurant).

أُرِيدُ أَنْ أَذْهَبَ إِلَى البَتْرَاء

uridu an adhhaba ila l-batra' · I want to go to PetraHandy with taxi drivers.

كَمِ السَّاعَة؟

kami s-sa'a? · What time is it?The answer starts as-sa'a…, “it is…”.

هَلْ تَتَكَلَّمُ الإِنْجِلِيزِيَّة؟

hal tatakallamu l-injliziyya? · Do you speak English?To a woman: hal tatakallamina l-injliziyya?

لَا أَفْهَم

la afham · I don't understandSay it with a smile: people will slow down for you.

كَمِ السِّعْر؟

kami s-si'r? · How much is it?In Jordan you will also hear addesh? for the same question.

غَالٍ جِدًّا

ghalin jiddan · Too expensiveBargaining in the souq starts here.

الحِسَابُ مِنْ فَضْلِك

al-hisabu min fadlak · The bill, pleaseCatch the waiter's eye and raise your hand a little.

أُرِيدُ قَهْوَةً بِدُونِ سُكَّر

uridu qahwatan biduni sukkar · I'd like coffee without sugarArabic coffee with cardamom is often served without sugar anyway.

الأَكْلُ لَذِيذ

al-aklu ladhidh · The food is deliciousThe best thing to say to your host.