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'll introduce you to a phrase that you'll need if you plan on stopping by to visit any friends in Morocco. Today we will provide you with the phrases needed to get inside and the replies you can expect to hear.
In Arabic, "May I Come in?" is mumkin ndḫul? (ممكن ندخل؟)
mumkin ndḫul?
Let’s break it down by syllable: mumkin ndḫul?
Let's hear it once again: mumkin ndḫul?
The first word, mumkin (ممكن) means “possible”
Let's break it down and hear it one more time: mumkin
mumkin
This is followed by ndḫul (ندخل), which is a conjugated form of “come in” that means "I come in."
ndḫul
ndḫul
So to recap here, we have: mumkin ndḫul?
And literally, this means “possible I come in?” or "May I Come in?"
Hopefully, after using this phrase, you will be invited in. If not, it may be time to make some new friends!
In Arabic, "Please come in" is tfḍal (تفضل)
tfḍal
Let’s break it down: tfḍal
tfḍal
When addressing a woman, we use the feminine form of the word, which is tfḍaliī (تفضلي).
tfḍaliī
tfḍaliī
In many households, it's generally a good idea to get a gift for your home visit. Usually, people in Morocco bring pastries or cakes, but it's a good idea to bring something from your own country if you can as a token of appreciation.
In Arabic, "This is just a small gift" is hadī hadiyyah ṣġīrah (هدي هدية صغيرة).
hadī hadiyyah ṣġīrah
Let’s break it down by syllable: hadī hadiyyah ṣġīrah
Let's hear it once again: hadī hadiyyah ṣġīrah
The first word, hadī (هدي) means "this" in the feminine form.
Let's break it down and hear it once again: hadī
hadī
This is followed by hadiyyah (هدية), which in Arabic is "gift."
hadiyyah
hadiyyah
Hadiya is a feminine noun which explains why we used the feminine form of "this," hadī, to proceed it.
So to recap here, we have: hadī hadiyyah
And literally, this means “this gift.”
Let’s take a look at the next: ṣġīrah (صغيرة), which means "small" in the feminine form.
ṣġīrah
ṣġīrah
So altogether, we have: hadī hadiyyah ṣġīrah
And literally, this means “this present small” or “this is a small present.”
Cultural Insights
Another thing you could probably use when entering someone's home is this: take off your shoes before entering the living room or the dining room. This is because Moroccans usually put nice carpet in the living rooms and everyone takes their shoes off to keep things clean. This is not a rule in every household but it's a sign of respect and politeness to do so. And the best thing is, always observe your host and do what’s appropriate.

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!
"May I Come in?" - mumkin ndḫul?
mumkin ndḫul?
mumkin ndḫul?
"Please come in. (for men)" - tfḍal
tfḍal
tfḍal
"Please come in. (for women)" - tfḍaliī
tfḍaliī
tfḍaliī
"This is a small gift." - hadī hadiyyah ṣġīrah
hadī hadiyyah ṣġīrah
hadī hadiyyah ṣġīrah
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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