Cooking & Markets

1. دا اسمو شنو؟

   Da ismu shinu?

   What is this called?

   Usage

   Use it at a market or in a kitchen to learn the name of an ingredient or seasoning. Point as you ask

   Grammar Note

   Literally "this, its name is what". For a feminine thing use "دي اسمها شنو؟". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

2. الاكل دا فيهو شطة؟

   Il-akil da fīhu shatta?

   Does this food have chili in it?

   Usage

   Ask it if you dislike hot food or want to know how spicy it is. To ask for none, follow with "without"

   Grammar Note

   "فيهو" means "it has in it". The vowels are inferred. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

3. بتعملو الاكل دا كيف؟

   Bitiʿmilu l-akil da kēf?

   How do you make this food?

   Usage

   Ask the cook or shop staff when you are curious how a dish is made. Asking about the ingredients too keeps the talk going

   Grammar Note

   The plural verb addresses the cooks as a group. The vowels are inferred. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

4. وين ممكن اشتري خضار؟

   Wēn mumkin ashtiri khuḍār?

   Where can I buy vegetables?

   Usage

   Ask where to buy produce when you want to cook. Markets usually have more choice in the morning

   Grammar Note

   "Vegetables" may have the same form as in Standard Arabic. The vowels are inferred. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

5. داير اتعلم اطبخ كسرة و ملاح

   Dāyir atʿallam aṭbukh kisra wi mulāḥ

   I want to learn to cook kisra and mulah

   Usage

   Say it when you want to learn home cooking. Kisra is a thin bread and mulah a stew. If accepted, check who covers the cost of ingredients

   Grammar Note

   Two verbs in a row ("learn" + "cook"), both subjunctive; "و" means "and". The vowels are inferred. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

6. الاكل دا فيهو بهارات شنو؟

   Il-akil da fīhu buhārāt shinu?

   What spices are in this dish?

   Usage

   Ask when you are curious about the seasoning or want to avoid a flavour you dislike

   Grammar Note

   The question word "شنو" can come at the end. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

7. ممكن اجرب شوية؟

   Mumkin ajarrib shuwayya?

   Can I try a little?

   Usage

   Use it at a market or in a kitchen to taste something. Thank them afterwards, and buy it if you like it

   Grammar Note

   "Try" works for both food and objects. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

8. بدون شطة لو سمحت

   Bidūn shatta law samaḥt

   Without chili, please

   Usage

   Say it when ordering if you do not want it hot. Tell them before they start cooking

   Grammar Note

   "بدون" + noun means "without". Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

9. الاكل دا فيهو لحمة؟

   Il-akil da fīhu laḥma?

   Does this food have meat in it?

   Usage

   Use it to check ingredients if you avoid meat or care about the kind of meat

   Grammar Note

   "لحمة" is the everyday word for meat. The vowels are inferred. Composed from known words and sentence patterns; native review recommended

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