صرف النقود
sarf an-nuqūd
To change money in Arabic is صرف النقود (sarf an-nuqūd).
صرف النقود refers to the act of exchanging one currency for another. If you are referring to the actual business or the service of currency exchange, the noun صرافة is used instead.
What does it mean word for word?
The word صرف (sarf) literally means 'to exchange' or 'to change' in the context of currency.
Which one should you use?
صرف النقود is a way to express the concept, but صرف العملات (sarf al-'umalāt) is used for a more formal expression meaning 'exchange of currencies'.
How do you pronounce it?
sarf an-nuqūd
Did you know?
- If you are looking for an ATM to get cash, you might see the word صراف آلي (sarrāf ālī) on the machine, which literally translates to 'automated money changer'.
- In some dialects, using the word صرف can also mean 'to dismiss' someone or 'to send them away', as if you are 'exchanging' their presence for absence.
- The term صرافة (sarāfa) historically referred to a specialized guild of money changers who managed the complex conversions between various gold and silver dinars and dirhams across the Islamic empire.
Examples in context
- أود تبديل بعض العملة.I would like to change some money.
- أين يمكنني العثور على مكتب صرف العملات؟Where can I find a currency exchange office?
- أريد صرف النقود هنا.urīdu sarfa al-nuqūd hunā.I want to change money here.
- أين يمكنني صرف النقود؟ayna yumkinunī sarfa al-nuqūd?Where can I change money?
Example conversation
Yousef and Sarah are at the airport.
- يوسف Youssefيا سارة، أحتاج إلى صرف النقود الآن.Ya Sarah, ahtaju ila sarf al-nuqud al-an.Sarah, I need to change money now.
- سارة Saraهل ترى مكتب الصرافة هناك؟Hal tara maktab al-sarrafa hunak?Do you see the exchange office over there?
- يوسف Youssefنعم، سأذهب إلى هناك لصرف النقود.Naam, sa-adhhabu ila hunak li-sarf al-nuqud.Yes, I will go there to change money.
- سارة Saraحسناً، سأنتظرك هنا يا يوسف.Hasanan, sa-antaziruka huna ya Yousef.Okay, I will wait for you here, Yousef.
