Egyptian Arabic A1, Unit 16: Buying and bargaining

Buying and bargaining

Egyptian Arabic A1 · Unit 16

GoalBargain politely and agree on a price.

New words

آخِر سِعْر (ākhir siʿr) · last priceخَصْم (khaṣm) · discountمُمْكِن خَصْم؟ (mumkin khaṣm?) · can I have a discount?قَلِّل شُوَيَّة (ʾallil shwayya) · lower it a littleهَاخُد دَه (hākhud da) · I will take thisخَلَاص (khalāṣ) · OK, done

Explanation

In many markets you can bargain. First ask the price: بِكَام دَه؟ If it is too much, say غَالِي أَوِي and ask: آخِر سِعْر كَام؟ You can also say قَلِّل شُوَيَّة or مُمْكِن خَصْم؟ When you agree, say هَاخُد دَه. The small هَـ before the verb means «will». Finish with خَلَاص. Stay polite and smile: bargaining is a friendly game. In big shops the prices are fixed.

Step	Say	Meaning
1	بِكَام دَه؟	ask the price
2	غَالِي أَوِي!	too expensive
3	آخِر سِعْر كَام؟	ask the last price
4	هَاخُد دَه. خَلَاص.	agree

Worked examples

Karim

بِكَام دَه؟

Seller

مِيَّة جِنِيه.

Karim

غَالِي أَوِي! آخِر سِعْر كَام؟

Seller

تَمَانِين جِنِيه.

Karim

قَلِّل شُوَيَّة.

Seller

خَمْسَة وِسَبْعِين، آخِر سِعْر.

Karim

تَمَام. هَاخُد دَه.

Karim bargains for a bag. Press each line.

Useful phrases. Press each card.

Class activity

Play a market scene with a friend. One of you is the seller and one is the buyer. Choose an object. The seller says a price, the buyer bargains in three steps and then they agree. Write the prices in Arabic words.

Practice

Say «I will take this».

Say «too expensive!».

Ask for the last price.

Ask politely for a discount.

Press Listen. Which word do you hear?

Shopping and prices

Buying and bargaining