When traveling or living in an Arabic-speaking country, knowing some basic culinary phrases can greatly enhance your dining experience. Here, we’ll explore some essential Arabic phrases that will help you navigate through any dining situation with ease.
مطعم (mat’am) – Restaurant
هل تعرف مطعمًا جيدًا هنا؟
This phrase is helpful when you are looking for a good restaurant.
قائمة الطعام (qā’imatu alṭa‘ām) – Menu
أرجو أن تعطيني قائمة الطعام.
Use this phrase when you want to ask for the menu.
طلب (ṭalab) – Order
ماذا تود أن تطلب؟
This is used when someone is asking what you would like to order.
نادل (nādel) – Waiter
من فضلك، اطلب من النادل أن يأتي هنا.
You might need this term to call the waiter over.
نادلة (nādila) – Waitress
النادلة لطيفة جداً.
This is the feminine form of “waiter” and can be used similarly.
ماء (mā’) – Water
أرجو أن تجلب لي بعض الماء.
A basic necessity, this phrase can be used to ask for some water.
فاتورة (fatūrah) – Bill
هل يمكنك أن تجلب الفاتورة من فضلك؟
When you’re ready to leave, you’ll need to ask for the bill.
شكراً (shukran) – Thank you
شكراً على الخدمة الممتازة.
It’s always polite to thank your server or the chef after a meal.
لذيذ (lazīz) – Delicious
كان الطعام لذيذًا جداً.
If you enjoyed your meal, this is a great way to express your satisfaction.
ملح (milḥ) – Salt
هل يمكنك تمرير الملح؟
Sometimes, you might need to ask for some salt to add to your meal.
فلفل (filfil) – Pepper
أحتاج إلى بعض الفلفل لو سمحت.
Just like salt, asking for pepper is quite common in a dining setting.
حلويات (ḥalawiyāt) – Desserts
ما هي الحلويات المتوفرة اليوم؟
To top off a great meal, inquire about the desserts available with this phrase.
خالٍ من الجلوتين (khālin min al-jalūtīn) – Gluten-free
هل لديكم خيارات خالية من الجلوتين؟
For those with dietary restrictions, knowing how to ask for gluten-free options is crucial.
نباتي (nabātī) – Vegetarian
أنا نباتي، ماذا تنصحني أن أطلب؟
If you follow a vegetarian diet, this phrase will help you communicate your preferences.
حساسية (ḥasāsīyah) – Allergy
لدي حساسية من الفول السوداني.
It’s important to notify your server if you have any allergies, especially in a foreign language.
مشروب (mashrūb) – Drink
ما المشروبات المتوفرة؟
Whether you want a soft drink, water, or something else, use this phrase to ask about available beverages.
الغداء (al-ghadā’) – Lunch
ما الوقت المعتاد للغداء هنا؟
This will help you find out the usual lunch times, which can vary greatly in different cultures.
العشاء (al-‘ashā’) – Dinner
في أي ساعة يقدم العشاء؟
Knowing when dinner is served is particularly useful if you’re planning your evening.
By mastering these phrases, you will not only enhance your dining experience but also deepen your cultural understanding and appreciation of the Arabic-speaking world. Enjoy your culinary adventures with confidence and the right vocabulary at your disposal.
