30 Jordanian Arabic Phrases You’ll Hear on the Streets of Amman
عربي حقيقي، عمّان حقيقيةThese are the Jordanian Arabic phrases Amman actually uses: in the taxi, at the falafel counter, on the stairs between the hills. Thirty of them, in Arabic script and transliteration, with what each one means and when to say it.
How to read this list
Every phrase below is spoken Ammani Arabic, the way people in Jabal Al-Weibdeh, downtown and Jabal Amman really say it. It is not the formal Arabic of news and textbooks, so do not be surprised if a phrasebook gives you something different.
- The apostropheAn apostrophe ( ‘ ) marks the Arabic letter ع, a sound made deep in the throat. If it is hard at first, a short pause works.
- The soft qIn Amman’s city speech the letter ق is often softened to a catch in the throat. That is why “how much” is addeish, not qaddeish.
- Said to a manPhrases are written as you would say them to a man. The small changes for speaking to a woman are further down the page.
First words
The greetings that open every conversation, and the replies that close it.
- 01السلام عليكمas-salamu alaykumPeace be upon you.The standard greeting, everywhere. The reply: wa alaykum as-salam.
- 02صباح الخيرsabah el-kheirGood morning.The reply you will hear: sabah en-nour, a morning of light.
- 03كيفك؟kifak?How are you?The first question of every conversation in Amman.
- 04كل شي كويسkull shi kwayyesEverything is fine.The answer to almost every question about your day.
- 05بشوفك بعدينbashoofak ba'deinSee you later.Leaving the shop, the class or the café. Say it with a wave.
The polite words Amman runs on
Learn these six first. They do more for you than any grammar rule.
- 06يعطيك العافيةya'teek el-'afyehMay God give you strength.Say it to anyone at work: the waiter, the driver, the shopkeeper. The reply: allah y'afeek.
- 07تفضّلtfaddalPlease, go ahead.Come in, sit down, help yourself. You will hear it a hundred times a day.
- 08يسلمواyislamuThank you.Literally: may your hands be safe. Amman's everyday thank-you.
- 09على راسي'ala rasiWith pleasure.Literally: on my head. The warmest way to say yes to a favour.
- 10عيدها، لو سمحتeedha, lau samahtSay it again, please.The most useful sentence any learner can know. Nobody minds.
- 11بدي تساعدني لو سمحتbaddi tsa'idni, lau samahtCould you help me, please?Polite, simple, and it always works.
In the shop
Downtown, Weibdeh or the mall: five sentences cover almost every visit.
- 12بدي أشوفbaddi ashoofI want to have a look.Just browsing. Useful in every shop downtown.
- 13بدي أجرّبbaddi ajarrebI want to try it.In the clothes shop, at the knafeh counter, anywhere.
- 14مش عارف شو بديmish 'aref shu baddiI don't know what I want.For the moment the shopkeeper asks what you are looking for.
- 15بدي أشتريbaddi ashtariI want to buy.The sentence every shopkeeper is happy to hear.
- 16كم هاد؟kam hada?How much is this?Point, ask, and listen for the number.
Prices and bargaining
In small shops and markets, talking about the price is part of the visit.
- 17قدّيش؟addeish?How much?The one word you need in every downtown market.
- 18غالي شوي، بتنزّل؟ghali shway, bitnazzil?A bit expensive. Can you bring it down?In small shops a little bargaining is normal and friendly.
- 19آخر سعر؟akher si'r?Your final price?Ask it with a smile, and be ready to say yes.
- 20هيك بكفّيheik bikaffiThat's enough.At the vegetable stall, the falafel counter and your host's dinner table.
Taxis and directions
For the yellow taxi, and for every time you ask the way.
- 21شغّل العدّاد، لو سمحتshaghghil el-'addad, lau samahtPlease turn on the meter.Say it as you get into a yellow taxi.
- 22عالويبدة، لو سمحتal-weibdeh, lau samahtTo Weibdeh, please.Tell your taxi driver. Our school is waiting for you there.
- 23دغريdughriStraight ahead.The word you will hear most when you ask for directions.
- 24وين المحل؟wein il-mahal?Where is the shop?Ask anyone on the street. Amman gives directions with its hands.
A city of stairs
Amman is built on hills, and the stairs between them are the shortcut.
- 25وين أقرب درج؟wein a'rab daraj?Where is the nearest staircase?In Amman, the stairs are the shortcut between the hills.
- 26دير بالك وانت طالع الدرجdir balak w-inta tale' id-darajCareful going up the stairs.Amman is a city of stairs. Take your time, and say it to a friend.
- 27دير بالك وانت نازل الدرجdir balak w-inta nazel id-darajCareful going down the stairs.Going down is the hard part. Watch your step.
Weather and cafés
Small talk, and the drink that ends a Jordanian evening.
- 28الجو لطيفij-jaw latifThe weather is lovely.Small talk starts with the weather, in Amman too.
- 29الجو شوبij-jaw shobIt is hot today.From June to September, you will say this one every afternoon.
- 30شاي بالميرميةshai bil-maramiyyehTea with sage.The drink of a Jordanian evening. Order it in any café.
Speaking to a woman
Arabic changes a word slightly depending on who you are talking to. Most phrases on this page stay the same. These are the ones that change:
- كيفك؟kifik? How are you?
- تفضّليtfaddali Please, go ahead.
- بشوفك بعدينbashoofik ba’dein See you later.
- ديري بالِك وانتِ طالعة الدرجdeeri balik w-inti tal’a id-daraj Careful going up the stairs.
- ديري بالِك وانتِ نازلة الدرجdeeri balik w-inti nazleh id-daraj Careful going down the stairs.
- يعطيكِ العافيةya’teeki el-‘afyeh May God give you strength.
- عيديها، لو سمحتِeedeeha, lau samahti Say it again, please.
Get it wrong and nobody will mind. People in Amman are used to learners, and they will understand you either way.
Questions learners ask about Jordanian Arabic phrases
Is Jordanian Arabic the same as Levantine Arabic?
Jordanian city speech is one of the Levantine dialects, the family spoken in Jordan, Palestine, Syria and Lebanon. A phrase you learn in Amman will be understood across that region. Read how far Levantine Arabic actually gets you.
Should I learn these phrases or formal Arabic first?
It depends on your goal. If you want to talk to people in Amman, start with the spoken dialect. If you need to read documents and news, start with Modern Standard Arabic. We explain the choice in the best way to learn Arabic.
Will people answer me in English?
Sometimes, out of kindness. Answer back in Arabic, even with one word. In our experience, most people in Amman are delighted to hear a visitor try, and will happily slow down for you.
A list is a start, not a language
Thirty phrases will get you through a taxi ride, a shop and a cup of tea. They will not yet let you follow the conversation that comes after. That is what lessons are for.
The first time a shopkeeper answers your question in Arabic, and you understand him, the city changes.
Want to see these phrases at work? Spend a day in downtown Amman or a week in Jabal Al-Weibdeh with us, both written around the Arabic you will need there.
Learn the Arabic behind the phrases
Learn the Levantine Arabic Amman actually speaks, in small classes in Jabal Al-Weibdeh. Your first lesson is free.
