Dialogue

Vocabulary

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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

In today’s lesson we continue on with basic etiquette. Moroccans are exceptionally hospitable, and phrases of gratitude and those related are used at an extremely high frequency. During your travels in Morocco, while you may not get the chance to use the Arabic phrase for "You're welcome" there is a very good chance you'll hear it. So let’s cover this.
In Arabic, "You're welcome" is al-cafuu( العفو).
Let’s break it down by syllable: al-cafuu
Now let's hear it once again: al-cafuu
The word al-cafuu literally means “sorry” but it’s also used to mean “you’re welcome.” Another way of responding to a phrase of gratitude in Morocco is laa shukra cala waajib (لا شكرعلى واجب) which means “not at all” or “don’t mention it.”
Let’s break it down by syllable: laa shukra cala waajib
Now let's hear it once again: laa shukra cala waajib
The first word ,laa (لا) means “no”.
Next is shukra (شكر) which in Moroccan Arabic is “thanks”.
So to recap here, we have laa shukra and literally this means “no thanks”.
Let's take a look at the next cala (على) which means “on” or “upon”.
The last word waajib (واجب) means “duty.” So all together the phrase laa shukra cala waajib literally means “Don’t thank me, it’s my duty” and is used to mean “not at all.”
In fact, Morocco is a very collective society and the sense of community is very important. So when somebody has a problem or needs help with something, it is considered everyone’s duty to do what they can to help them. And this is regardless of whether you know the person or not. That’s why when you thank someone you’ll usually hear laa shukra cala waajib, which again means, “Don’t thank me, it’s my duty.”

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!
"You're welcome" - al-cafuu
al-cafuu
al-cafuu
“not at all” - laa shukra cala waajib
laa shukra cala waajib
laa shukra cala waajib
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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