At the Market (فِي السُّوق) | Arabic Conversation Series: Lesson 4

Conversation Series: Lesson 4

At the Market (فِي السُّوق)

After enjoying a meal in Lesson 3, it's time to go shopping! Whether you are at a modern mall or a traditional Souq, knowing how to ask for prices and negotiate politely is a vital skill in Arabic.

الحِوار (The Dialogue)

الْمُشْتَرِي (The Buyer): بِكَمْ هَذَا الثَّوْبُ الْجَمِيل؟

(How much is this beautiful garment?)

الْبَائِع (The Seller): هَذَا بِمِائَةِ (١٠٠) دِرْهَمٍ فَقَط.

(This is for 100 dirhams only.)

الْمُشْتَرِي: هَذَا غَالٍ جِدًّا! هَلْ يُمْكِنُ تَقْلِيلُ السِّعْر؟

(This is very expensive! Is it possible to reduce the price?)

الْبَائِع: مَا هُوَ سِعْرُكَ الْمُنَاسِب؟

(What is your suitable price?)

الْمُشْتَرِي: مَا رَأْيُكَ فِي ثَمَانِينَ (٨٠) دِرْهَمًا؟

(What do you think of 80 dirhams?)

الْبَائِع: حَسَنًا، اتَّفَقْنَا! مُبَارَكٌ عَلَيْك.

(Alright, agreed! Congratulations [on your purchase].)

الْمُشْتَرِي: شُكْرًا لَك، بَارَكَ اللهُ فِيك.

(Thank you, may Allah bless you.)

Shopping Vocabulary (مُفْرَدَاتُ التَّسَوُّق)

English	Arabic	Transliteration
How much?	بِكَم؟	Bi-kam?
Price	السِّعْر	As-si'r
Expensive	غَالٍ	Ghalin
Cheap	رَخِيص	Rakhees
Agreed / Deal	اتَّفَقْنَا	Ittafaqna

💡 Grammar Insight: Numbers & I'rab

Notice the change between مِائَةِ دِرْهَمٍ (100 dirhams) and ثَمَانِينَ دِرْهَمًا (80 dirhams). Numbers in Arabic change the I'rab state of the noun that follows them! This is why 100 takes a Kasra (Genitive), while 80-99 takes a Fatha (Accusative/Tamyeez).

Next Lesson: Traveling by Plane and at the Airport! (Lesson 5)