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Lesson Transcript

INTRODUCTION
ArabicPod101.com presents Arabic Survival Phrases. This course is designed to equip you with the language skills and knowledge to enable you to get the most out of your visit to Arabic speaking countries, with particular focus on Morocco. So join us for Arabic Survival phrases. You will be surprised at how far a little Arabic will go.
Now before we jump in, remember to stop by ArabicPod101.com, there you’ll find an accompanying PDF, additional learning tools in the premium learning center, and other great Arabic language learning materials. In addition, you’ll find more information in the post. And if you stop by, be sure to leave us a comment.

Lesson focus

After spending a long day walking the streets of old medinas and souqs (which is Arabic for marketplace), you will be craving a cold drink or a warm meal. Today, we’re going to start a series of lessons aimed at helping you navigate your way through restaurants.
In this lesson, we’ll cover getting a table in the section of the restaurant you want. In Morocco smoking in restaurants is still accepted, but there are occasions when you can ask for a non-smoking seat. Or, perhaps you would like a smoking seat. Either way let's cover that first.
"Non-smoking" is ġaīr mudaḫḫan (غير مدخن).
ġaīr mudaḫḫan
Let’s break it down by syllable: ġaīr mudaḫḫan
Once again: ġaīr mudaḫḫan
The first word ġaīr (غير) means "non."
Let's break down this word and hear it one more time: ġaīr
ġaīr
This is followed by mudaḫḫan (مدخن), which in Arabic is "smoker."
mudaḫḫan
mudaḫḫan
So put together, ġaīr mudaḫḫan(غير مدخن) means "non-smoker."
"Smoking" is simply mudaḫḫan (مدخن).
mudaḫḫan
mudaḫḫan
So the question "smoking or non-smoking?" in Arabic is simply Mudaḫḫan 'aw ġaīr mudaḫḫan?
Mudaḫḫan 'aw ġaīr mudaḫḫan?
mudaḫḫan means "smoker", "aw" (أو) means "or", and ġaīr mudaḫḫan (غير مدخن) means "non smoker". To answer the question, simply say mudaḫḫan (smoker) if you want a smoking seat, and ġaīr mudaḫḫan (non-smoker) if you want a non-smoking seat.
Now, second-hand smoke may not be the only obstacle on your path towards the perfect meal, as you may not like the location of the table selected for you. Perhaps you want a table by the window, or one not next to the kitchen door!
In Arabic, "May we sit there?" This expression can be translated as: mumkin ʾan naǧlis hunāk? (ممكن أن نجلس هناك؟)
mumkin ʾan naǧlis hunāk?
mumkin ʾan naǧlis hunāk?
The first word mumkin (ممكن) means "possible."
mumkin
mumkin
This is followed by ʾan naǧlis (أن نجلس), which in Arabic means "we sit."
ʾan naǧlis
ʾan naǧlis
This is followed by hunāk (هناك), which in Arabic means "there."
hunāk
hunāk
If the table you desire is closer by "May we sit here?" is mumkin ʾan naǧlis hunā? (ممكن أن نجلس هنا؟)
mumkin ʾan naǧlis hunā?
You simply replace hunāk (“there”) with hunā (“here”).
Now, you can beat them to the punch by saying "non-smoking" and "may we sit there?"
ġaīr mudaḫḫan mumkin ʾan naǧlis hunāk? (غير مدخن. ممكن أن نجلس هناك؟)
If you manage to say both phrases, you’ll have your favorite seat!
Now, let’s follow this with the number of people in your party. In Arabic, the same numbers are used to count people and things alike. So let’s take a look at numbers 1-5 for now.
“One” - ūāḥid (واحد).
“Two” - ʾiṯnān (جوج).
“Three” - ṯalāṯah (تلاتة).
“Four” - ʾarbaʿah (ربعة).
“Five” - ḫamsah (خمسة).
To say a number of people, just add al-nās, which means “people” in Moroccan spoken Arabic.
One more time. Al-nās.

Outro

Okay, to close out today's lesson, we'd like for you to practice what you've just learned. I'll provide you with the English equivalent of the phrase and you're responsible for saying it aloud. You'll have a few seconds before I give you the answer, so حظ سعيد, that means "good luck" in Arabic.
Ok, here we go!
"Non-smoking" - ġaīr mudaḫḫan
ġaīr mudaḫḫan
ġaīr mudaḫḫan
"Smoking" - mudaḫḫan
mudaḫḫan
mudaḫḫan
"May we sit there?" - mumkin ʾan naǧlis hunāk?
mumkin ʾan naǧlis hunāk?
mumkin ʾan naǧlis hunāk?
"May we sit here?" - mumkin ʾan naǧlis hunā?
mumkin ʾan naǧlis hunā?
mumkin ʾan naǧlis hunā?
All right. This is going to do it for this lesson of Arabic Survival Phrases. Remember to stop by ArabicPod101.com. There you’ll find an accompanying PDF, additional learning tools in the premium learning center, and other great Arabic language learning materials. See you soon, which in Arabic is - ilā al-liqāʾ.

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