Useful Phrases

1. أنا عملت هاذا الأبليكاسيون

   ana ʿmelt hādhā l-ablīkāsyūn

   I made this app

   Usage

   A self-introduction when showing this app to local people.

   Grammar Note

   "ablīkāsyūn" comes from French "application". A sentence assembled from attested words.

2. هاذا الأبليكاسيون بلاش

   hādhā l-ablīkāsyūn blāsh

   This app is free

   Usage

   Tell people the app costs nothing when you show it to them.

   Grammar Note

   "blāsh" means free; Standard Arabic "majjānī" is not used. A sentence assembled from attested words.

3. جرب تهبطو

   jarreb tehbeṭu

   Try downloading it

   Usage

   When recommending the app to someone you meet.

   Grammar Note

   "hbeṭ" (go down) is also used for "download". A sentence assembled from attested words.

4. أنا من اليابان

   ana men l-yābān

   I am from Japan

   Usage

   The simplest way to give your nationality; the same for men and women.

   Grammar Note

   "from + country" avoids the gender-changing nationality adjective. A sentence assembled from attested words.

5. أنا نسافر وحدي

   ana nsāfer waḥdi

   I am travelling alone

   Usage

   Useful when asked about your plans or when you tell a hotel.

   Grammar Note

   The first-person present does not change with gender. A sentence assembled from attested words.

6. هاذي أول مرة نجي لتونس

   hādhi awwel marra njī l-tūnes

   It is my first time in Tunisia

   Usage

   Tells locals it is your first visit; it often leads to recommendations.

   Grammar Note

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

7. ننجم نصورك؟

   nnajjem nṣawwrek?

   May I take your photo?

   Usage

   Always ask before photographing a person; if the answer is no, do not take the picture.

   Grammar Note

   "ṣawwer" (photograph) plus the "you" suffix -ek, the same for both genders. A sentence assembled from attested words.

8. ما تغشنيش

   mā teghshni-sh

   Don't cheat me

   Usage

   Said calmly when a price is clearly inflated.

   Grammar Note

   A negative command is "mā + present verb + -sh"; "ghashsh" means cheat. A sentence assembled from attested words.

9. عندي مشكل

   ʿandi mushkil

   I have a problem

   Usage

   The opening line when you are in trouble; explain the details afterwards.

   Grammar Note

   Having is "ʿand + person". A sentence assembled from attested words.

Browse all TravelPhrases languages