Question Words

1. شنوا؟

   shnuwwa?

   What?

   Usage

   The basic question word for things, as in "shnuwwa hādhā?".

   Grammar Note

   It is written with a final alef because the spelling with ة is also the dictionary word for "Chinese person"; Standard Arabic "mādhā" is not used.

2. وين؟

   wīn?

   Where?

   Usage

   Asks for a place; add a noun, as in "wīn t-twālāt?".

   Grammar Note

   Standard Arabic "ayna" is not used.

3. وقتاش؟

   waqtāsh?

   When?

   Usage

   Asks about a time, such as when a shop opens or a train leaves.

   Grammar Note

   Built from "waqt" (time) + "āsh" (what), fused into one word; Standard Arabic "matā" is not used.

4. شكون؟

   shkūn?

   Who?

   Usage

   Asks about a person.

   Grammar Note

   Standard Arabic "man" is not used.

5. علاش؟

   ʿlāsh?

   Why?

   Usage

   Asks for a reason.

   Grammar Note

   Comes from "ʿalā" (on) + "āsh" (what); Standard Arabic "limādhā" is not used.

6. كيفاش؟

   kīfāsh?

   How?

   Usage

   Asks how to do something, as in "kīfāsh nemshi l-sūsa?" (how do I get to Sousse?).

   Grammar Note

   Standard Arabic "kayfa" is not used.

7. قداش؟

   qaddāsh?

   How many? How much?

   Usage

   Asks for a number or an amount; the single word is enough.

   Grammar Note

   Standard Arabic "kam" is not used. For prices attach "b-": "bqaddāsh".

8. بقداش هاذا؟

   bqaddāsh hādhā?

   How much is this?

   Usage

   The standard way to ask a price in markets and shops; point at the item.

   Grammar Note

   "b-" (for) + "qaddāsh" (how much). For a feminine thing say "hādhi".

9. شنوا هاذا؟

   shnuwwa hādhā?

   What is this?

   Usage

   Point at an unknown item or dish and ask what it is.

   Grammar Note

   There is no verb "is"; placing the two words side by side makes the sentence. A sentence assembled from attested words.

10. وين التوالات؟

    wīn t-twālāt?

    Where is the toilet?

    Usage

    Asks the way to the toilet in stations and shops.

    Grammar Note

    "twālāt" comes from French "toilettes"; "ḥammām" means a bath house and is not used for the toilet. A sentence assembled from attested words.

11. قداش الساعة؟

    qaddāsh s-sāʿa?

    What time is it?

    Usage

    Asks the time.

    Grammar Note

    "s-sāʿa" is the hour or the clock; "what time" is asked as "how much the hour". A sentence assembled from attested words.

12. عندك؟

    ʿandek?

    Do you have it?

    Usage

    In a shop, asks if an item is available; put it after the item's name.

    Grammar Note

    Having is "ʿand + person"; "ʿandek" is the same for both genders. A sentence assembled from attested words.

13. تنجم تعمل هاذا؟

    tnajjem teʿmel hādhā?

    Can you do this?

    Usage

    Asks a shop assistant or craftsperson whether they can do something.

    Grammar Note

    "Can" is "najjem", not Standard Arabic "yastaṭīʿ". A sentence assembled from attested words.

14. هاذا بلاش؟

    hādhā blāsh?

    Is this free?

    Usage

    Checks whether a sample or an entry is free.

    Grammar Note

    "blāsh" means free; rising tone makes it a question. A sentence assembled from attested words.

15. هاذا مسموح؟

    hādhā masmūḥ?

    Is this allowed?

    Usage

    Asks whether something such as photography or entry is allowed.

    Grammar Note

    "masmūḥ" is close to the standard language and is used as is in speech. A sentence assembled from attested words.

16. هاذا ممنوع؟

    hādhā mamnūʿ?

    Is this forbidden?

    Usage

    When you see a ban sign or are unsure whether something is not done.

    Grammar Note

    The "mamnūʿ" seen on signs is also used in speech. A sentence assembled from attested words.

17. لاباس عليك؟

    lābās ʿlīk?

    Are you OK?

    Usage

    Said to someone who looks unwell or hurt.

    Grammar Note

    "lābās" + "ʿlīk" (on you) asks "are you all right"; same for both genders.

18. بالحق؟

    b-l-ḥaqq?

    Really?

    Usage

    A quick reaction to check what someone just said.

    Grammar Note

    "b-" (in) + "l-ḥaqq" (the truth); said with rising tone.

19. إنت منين؟

    ent mnīn?

    Where are you from?

    Usage

    Asks where someone is from; a standard opener when travelling.

    Grammar Note

    "mnīn" is "from where"; answer with "ana men …" and the country. A sentence assembled from attested words.

20. شنوا إسمك؟

    shnuwwa ismek?

    What's your name?

    Usage

    Asks someone's name on first meeting; the same sentence for a man or a woman.

    Grammar Note

    The question word comes first; Standard Arabic "mā ismuka" is not used.

21. قداش عمرك؟

    qaddāsh ʿomrek?

    How old are you?

    Usage

    Asks someone's age; better once you know the person.

    Grammar Note

    "ʿomr" (age, life) plus the "your" suffix -ek; same for both genders.

22. ننجمو نتصورو مع بعضنا؟

    nnajjmu ntṣawru maʿ baʿḍna?

    Can we take a photo together?

    Usage

    Asks a local for a photo at a sight; always get consent first.

    Grammar Note

    "We" is shown by adding -u to the verb ("ntṣawru"). A sentence assembled from attested words.

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