Learn the phrases you will use on the next errand: greeting a shopkeeper, asking a price, showing an address and checking what is in a meal. A short sentence said clearly is more useful than memorising a long conversation you cannot follow when someone replies.
Arabic is Jordan’s official language. The Jordan Tourism Board notes that English is widely spoken in cities and that Latin spellings of Arabic street names vary. Jordan Tourism Board language guidance. Keep the Arabic name or a map pin alongside an English address. The pronunciations here are approximate reading aids; local pronunciation varies.
Greetings and a polite opening
| Meaning | Arabic | Approximate pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | مرحبا | marhaba |
| Peace be upon you | السلام عليكم | as-salaamu alaykum |
| Reply to that greeting | وعليكم السلام | wa alaykum as-salaam |
| Good morning | صباح الخير | sabaah il-khayr |
| Please, to a man | من فضلك | min fadlak |
| Please, to a woman | من فضلك | min fadlik |
| Thank you | شكراً | shukran |
| You’re welcome / excuse me | عفواً | afwan |
| Yes / no | نعم / لا | na’am / laa |
| Goodbye | مع السلامة | ma’a s-salaameh |
Start with marhaba, then the request. Listen for the reply before adding another sentence. If the conversation moves too quickly, ask for slower speech or English. You can use Arabic for a greeting and still complete a payment or a complicated question in another language.
At a grocery shop or food counter
| Meaning | Arabic | Approximate pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| How much is it? | قديش؟ | qaddaysh? |
| Half a kilo, please | نص كيلو، لو سمحت | nuss keelo, law samaht |
| One kilo | كيلو واحد | keelo waahid |
| Do you have bread? | عندكم خبز؟ | indkum khubz? |
| Without sugar | بدون سكر | bidoon sukkar |
| Without meat | بدون لحمة | bidoon lahmeh |
| The bill, please | الحساب، لو سمحت | il-hisaab, law samaht |
| Can I pay by card? | ممكن أدفع بالبطاقة؟ | mumkin adfa bil-bitaaqa? |
Point to the item, state the quantity and confirm the total. For produce, establish whether the amount is for a kilogram, a pack or one piece. Use the produce and bread guide for units, and the grocery basket to see how pack prices become ingredient costs.
A simple exchange is “marhaba, nuss keelo, law samaht”, followed by pointing to the product. Before paying, look at the scale or ask the seller to show the total. You do not need to bargain over every labelled supermarket item. The practical task is to understand the quantity and price.
Directions and getting to the right entrance
| Meaning | Arabic | Approximate pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Where is…? | وين…؟ | wayn…? |
| Here | هون | hoon |
| Right / left | يمين / شمال | yameen / shmaal |
| Straight ahead | دغري | dughri |
| Stop here, please | وقف هون، لو سمحت | waqqif hoon, law samaht |
| This is the address | هذا العنوان | haadha l-unwaan |
| Where is the entrance? | وين المدخل؟ | wayn il-madkhal? |
Show the written destination and map pin when asking for directions. A driver needs the building entrance, not only the neighbourhood. If you are going to German Jordanian University (GJU), keep the particular Jabal Amman building name with the room details. The campus-building guide explains those distinctions.
Say a direction only when the vehicle can act on it safely. If you miss a turn, let the driver choose a lawful place to change the route. Keep your address in writing for the journey home, particularly while you are learning how the hills and circles connect.
When you need the conversation to slow down
| Meaning | Arabic | Approximate pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| I don’t understand | مش فاهم / مش فاهمة | mish faahem / mish faahmeh |
| Could you speak slowly? | ممكن تحكي شوي شوي؟ | mumkin tihki shway shway? |
| Do you speak English? | بتحكي إنجليزي؟ | btihki ingileezi? |
| Could you write it? | ممكن تكتبها؟ | mumkin tiktubha? |
| I need help | محتاج مساعدة / محتاجة مساعدة | mihtaaj musaa’adeh / mihtaajeh musaa’adeh |
The paired forms describe a male or female speaker. You do not need a perfect accent to ask for a number in writing. For documents, fees and deadlines, repeat the information back and save it. A friendly nod should not stand in for understanding a charge or an appointment.
Reporting a household problem
Keep a repair message concrete: name the item, explain what happens and send a clear photograph if useful. For example, “المي مقطوعة” (il-may maqtuu’a) means the water is cut off, while “الكهربا مقطوعة” (il-kahraba maqtuu’a) means the electricity is off. Name the affected room or item and describe what has stopped working.
For “the internet is not working”, use “الإنترنت مش شغال” (il-internet mish shaghghaal). Add whether one device or every device is affected. Keep the contact’s reply and the next action in writing. Use the paperwork and address vocabulary guide for account labels and contact records.
Practise without making an errand harder
Choose a few phrases for one situation, try them, and add the reply you hear to your notes. Ask before recording someone’s voice. Keep identity documents and private conversations out of translation screenshots you share. For an ingredient question that affects your health, use clear written communication and your established medical advice.
Our rooms for rent in Jabal Amman for international students learning Arabic are available by room or as whole apartments across four properties. Confirm your unit’s address and save it in a form you can show. The etiquette guide covers greetings and invitations, while useful apps and offline information helps with the practical side of a first week.
