Episode 31 · Mraja3a: Shopping across the square

Welcome back to Sahet el-Teeneh. So far, you've usually had Jad or Maya holding your hand when navigating the neighbourhood. But today, you're flying solo.

You've stepped out of Téta Nabiha's flat because her fridge is completely empty, and it's time to run a real errand. You are becoming a local. It's time to prove it.

Only one problem. You took a different stairwell today, and now you're turned around. The square looks entirely different from this angle.

Luckily, you spot a familiar face. Dr. Hala is stepping out of her pharmacy for a moment of fresh air.

wein el-dekkéné?

وين الدكانة؟ — على اليمين، جنب الفرن — Where's the shop? — On the right, next to the bakery · wein el-dekkéné? — 3a-l-yamin, jamb el-furn

3a-l-yamin, jamb el-furn.

وين الدكانة؟ — على اليمين، جنب الفرن — Where's the shop? — On the right, next to the bakery · wein el-dekkéné? — 3a-l-yamin, jamb el-furn

A perfect, polite exchange. You asked where the shop is, and she gave you precise directions. Let's break that down.

First, your question: wein el-dekkéné? This simply means, where is the corner shop? Say it with me: wein el-dekkéné?

وين الدكانة؟ — على اليمين، جنب الفرن — Where's the shop? — On the right, next to the bakery · wein el-dekkéné? — 3a-l-yamin, jamb el-furn

And Dr. Hala's reply is the perfect blueprint for neighborhood directions: 3a-l-yamin, jamb el-furn. That's on the right, next to the bakery.

وين الدكانة؟ — على اليمين، جنب الفرن — Where's the shop? — On the right, next to the bakery · wein el-dekkéné? — 3a-l-yamin, jamb el-furn

Notice the word for next to: jamb. It sounds just like jumping, without the ending. Let's practice her whole reply. Say: 3a-l-yamin, jamb el-furn.

وين الدكانة؟ — على اليمين، جنب الفرن — Where's the shop? — On the right, next to the bakery · wein el-dekkéné? — 3a-l-yamin, jamb el-furn

One more time, all together. You ask, and answer yourself: wein el-dekkéné? — 3a-l-yamin, jamb el-furn.

وين الدكانة؟ — على اليمين، جنب الفرن — Where's the shop? — On the right, next to the bakery · wein el-dekkéné? — 3a-l-yamin, jamb el-furn

You follow her directions, past the smell of fresh bread, and there it is. Sett Sana is behind the counter, organizing a towering display of apples.

ahlan! chou baddak el-yom? (ahlan! chou baddak el-yom? - Welcome! What do you want today?)

Little Lili isn't here to point out exactly which one to pick today, so you have to do it yourself. You see a perfect, giant apple at the top of the pile.

You did it! baddé hayda el-kbir. I want this big one.

بدّي هيدا الكبير — I want this big one · baddé hayda el-kbir

We know baddé means I want. And you remember Lili teaching us the word for big last week? Put them together with hayda, meaning this. Try it: baddé hayda el-kbir.

بدّي هيدا الكبير — I want this big one · baddé hayda el-kbir

Make sure you catch the strong K sound. Not just bir, but el-kbir. Once more: baddé hayda el-kbir.

بدّي هيدا الكبير — I want this big one · baddé hayda el-kbir

tekram. bas hayda? (tekram. bas hayda? - You got it. Just this?)

Before we buy anything else, let's lock in what we've just used. Listen and repeat.

wein el-dekkéné? — 3a-l-yamin, jamb el-furn. Where is the shop? On the right, next to the bakery.

وين الدكانة؟ — على اليمين، جنب الفرن — Where's the shop? — On the right, next to the bakery · wein el-dekkéné? — 3a-l-yamin, jamb el-furn

baddé hayda el-kbir. I want this big one.

بدّي هيدا الكبير — I want this big one · baddé hayda el-kbir

Back at the shop, Sett Sana is holding the one massive apple. But you're feeling ambitious today. You want a whole batch.

Exactly. You're buying like a real Beiruti now. baddé noss kilo, 2addesh? Half a kilo, how much?

بدّي نصّ كيلو، قدّيش؟ — Half a kilo — how much? · baddé noss kilo, 2addesh?

Let's look at that. You already know how to ask for half a kilo: noss kilo. And to ask the price, you just add 2addesh at the end.

بدّي نصّ كيلو، قدّيش؟ — Half a kilo — how much? · baddé noss kilo, 2addesh?

That word 2addesh starts with that little catch in the throat, the qaf. Say it aloud: 2addesh.

بدّي نصّ كيلو، قدّيش؟ — Half a kilo — how much? · baddé noss kilo, 2addesh?

Now put the whole request together. Say: baddé noss kilo, 2addesh?

بدّي نصّ كيلو، قدّيش؟ — Half a kilo — how much? · baddé noss kilo, 2addesh?

tekram 3aynak. (tekram 3aynak. - Happy to.)

She weighs it out perfectly. Usually, this is where she tells you to put it on the tab, the famous daftar. But today, you pull out real cash. A nice, crisp bill.

She says: b-alfein, khod el-be2é. For two thousand, take the rest. We use this anytime change is handed over.

بألفين، خود الباقي — For two thousand — keep the change · b-alfein, khod el-be2é

The price is b-alfein. And then she tells you to take your change: khod el-be2é. Literally, take the remainder.

بألفين، خود الباقي — For two thousand — keep the change · b-alfein, khod el-be2é

Listen to the heavy throat catch in the middle of el-be2é. Practice the whole thing as if you're the one handing the money back. Say: b-alfein, khod el-be2é.

بألفين، خود الباقي — For two thousand — keep the change · b-alfein, khod el-be2é

Try it one more time. Say: b-alfein, khod el-be2é.

بألفين، خود الباقي — For two thousand — keep the change · b-alfein, khod el-be2é

Look at you! You left the house, asked for directions, found the shop, asked for a specific weight, and handled the cash. All in Lebanese.

Téta Nabiha's fridge won't be empty tonight. Let's do one final review of everything you achieved today.

wein el-dekkéné? — 3a-l-yamin, jamb el-furn. Where's the shop? On the right, next to the bakery.

وين الدكانة؟ — على اليمين، جنب الفرن — Where's the shop? — On the right, next to the bakery · wein el-dekkéné? — 3a-l-yamin, jamb el-furn

baddé hayda el-kbir. I want this big one.

بدّي هيدا الكبير — I want this big one · baddé hayda el-kbir

baddé noss kilo, 2addesh? Half a kilo, how much?

بدّي نصّ كيلو، قدّيش؟ — Half a kilo — how much? · baddé noss kilo, 2addesh?

b-alfein, khod el-be2é. For two thousand, keep the change.

بألفين، خود الباقي — For two thousand — keep the change · b-alfein, khod el-be2é

Now that you've got snacks sorted, you're ready for when Maya drops by with her next big plan. Join us every Tuesday and Friday for more life in Sahet el-Teeneh. See you soon!