Car Rental & Driving

1. نحب نكري كرهبة

   nḥebb nekri karhba

   I would like to rent a car

   Usage

   The first line at a rental desk; same for men and women.

   Grammar Note

   "Kra" is to rent, the same verb as in renting an umbrella. A sentence assembled from attested words.

2. نحب نكري كرهبة لأسبوع

   nḥebb nekri karhba l-usbūʿ

   I would like to rent a car for a week

   Usage

   States the rental period; swap the last word to change it.

   Grammar Note

   "L-" plus a period means "for". A sentence assembled from attested words.

3. الكرهبة هاذي أوتوماتيك؟

   l-karhba hādhi otomātīk?

   Is this car automatic?

   Usage

   Check this before booking if you cannot drive a manual.

   Grammar Note

   "Karhba" is feminine, so "hādhi". A sentence assembled from attested words.

4. الكرهبة فيها تأمين؟

   l-karhba fīha taʾmīn?

   Does the car come with insurance?

   Usage

   Checks whether insurance is part of the price.

   Grammar Note

   "Fīha" is the feminine "it has", agreeing with "karhba". A sentence assembled from attested words.

5. نحب نعمل تأمين على الكرهبة

   nḥebb neʿmel taʾmīn ʿlā l-karhba

   I would like to take out insurance on the car

   Usage

   For asking for extra cover.

   Grammar Note

   A dictionary example uses "neʿmel taʾmīn ʿlā l-karhba". A sentence assembled from attested words.

6. لازم نرجع الكرهبة معبية بالإسونس؟

   lāzem nerjaʿ l-karhba meʿabbiya b-l-isūns?

   Do I have to return the car with a full tank?

   Usage

   Checks the fuel condition on return.

   Grammar Note

   "Isūns" is petrol; "meʿabbi" is "full". A sentence assembled from attested words.

7. وين الكيوسك القريب؟

   wīn l-kyūsk l-qrīb?

   Where is the nearest petrol station?

   Usage

   "Kyūsk" is the dictionary word for a petrol station; signs are in Arabic or French.

   Grammar Note

   A dictionary example about filling a car with diesel takes place at this spot. A sentence assembled from attested words.

8. عبيلي بالإسونس من فضلك

   ʿabbīli b-l-isūns min faḍlek

   Fill it with petrol, please

   Usage

   To the attendant; for diesel say "b-d-dyāzāl".

   Grammar Note

   The imperative "ʿabbi" takes -li ("for me"). A sentence assembled from attested words.

9. الكرهبة هاذي تخدم بالديازال؟

   l-karhba hādhi tekhdem b-d-dyāzāl?

   Does this car run on diesel?

   Usage

   Check the fuel type before filling; the wrong fuel damages the engine.

   Grammar Note

   "Khdem" is "work, run"; a dictionary example uses it for a car running on diesel. A sentence assembled from attested words.

10. فما بياج في الطريق هاذا؟

    fammā biyāj fī ṭ-ṭrīq hādhā?

    Is there a toll on this road?

    Usage

    Motorway tolls are called "biyāj" (French "péage"); keep change handy.

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary headword is spelt with "پ"; here it is written with "ب". A sentence assembled from attested words.

11. الكرهبة ما تخدمش

    l-karhba mā tekhdem-sh

    The car doesn't work

    Usage

    To tell the rental firm or a tow service that the car has broken down.

    Grammar Note

    Negated with "mā … -sh". A sentence assembled from attested words.

12. العجلة تنقبتلي

    l-ʿajla tenqebtli

    I have a flat tyre

    Usage

    To say that a tyre has a puncture.

    Grammar Note

    A dictionary example reads "his tyre got a puncture"; "-li" means "on me". A sentence assembled from attested words.

13. عندك عجلة ريزارف؟

    ʿandek ʿajla rizerv?

    Do you have a spare tyre?

    Usage

    Check the car's kit before you drive off.

    Grammar Note

    A dictionary example reads "do you have a spare tyre for the car". A sentence assembled from attested words.

14. وين ننجم نبلص الكرهبة؟

    wīn nnajjem nballeṣ l-karhba?

    Where can I park the car?

    Usage

    Asks where parking is allowed.

    Grammar Note

    "Ballaṣ" is to park a car (dictionary headword). A sentence assembled from attested words.

15. عندي برمي

    ʿandi bermi

    I have a driving licence

    Usage

    Tells the rental desk you hold a licence.

    Grammar Note

    "Bermi" is from French "permis". A sentence assembled from attested words.

16. نحب نرجع الكرهبة بكري

    nḥebb nerjaʿ l-karhba bekri

    I would like to return the car early

    Usage

    For returning the car ahead of schedule.

    Grammar Note

    "Bekri" is "early". A sentence assembled from attested words.

17. وقفني البوليس، شنوا نعمل؟

    waqqafni l-bulīs, shnuwwa neʿmel?

    The police stopped me. What do I do?

    Usage

    For calling the rental firm after a roadside stop.

    Grammar Note

    "Waqqaf" is "stop (someone)"; "-ni" is "me". A sentence assembled from attested words.

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