Welcome to our guide on how to say “how much” in Moroccan. In this article, we will explore both the formal and informal ways to ask this question, focusing primarily on Standard Moroccan Arabic. While there may be slight regional variations, we will highlight them only if necessary. So, let’s dive in and learn how to ask “how much” in Moroccan!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Ask
When you want to ask “how much” formally, you can use the following phrases:
1. “كم ثمنها؟” (Kam thamanha?)
This phrase translates to “How much is it?” and is commonly used when asking about the price of an item or service. You can replace “ها” (ha) with the appropriate pronoun to match the gender and number of the item.
Example:
“كم ثمن هذا الكتاب؟” (Kam thaman hadha al-kitab?) – “How much is this book?”
2. “بكم؟” (Bikam?)
This simple phrase means “How much?” and can be used when asking about the price of something in a formal setting.
Example:
“بكم هذا السيارة؟” (Bikam hadhihi as-sayara?) – “How much is this car?”
Informal Ways to Ask
In informal situations, you can use the following phrases to ask “how much”:
1. “كم ثمنها؟” (Kam kayn?)
This phrase means “How much does it cost?” and is commonly used to inquire about prices in a casual setting.
Example:
“كم ثمن هاذ اللبس؟” (Kam kayn hada lbess?) – “How much does this clothing cost?”
2. “كم راه؟” (Kam rah?)
Used in Moroccan Arabic, this phrase translates to “How much is it?” and is often used to ask about the price of goods or services.
Example:
“كم راه هاد الشاي؟” (Kam rah hada shay?) – “How much is this tea?”
Tips for Usage
Here are some tips to keep in mind when using these phrases:
1. Non-Specific Items
If you want to ask “How much is it?” without referring to a specific item, you can use the phrases mentioned above without mentioning the noun directly. For example:
“كم ثمنها؟” (Kam thamanha?)
“بكم؟” (Bikam?)
These generic phrases work well when you are looking for price information but haven’t mentioned the specific item yet.
2. Bargaining
In Moroccan markets, bargaining is a common practice. When asking “How much” while bargaining, you can add “شديد؟” (shadyid?) at the end of your question, which means “too much?” This implies that you think the price is high and are seeking a better deal.
Example:
“كم ثمنها شديد؟” (Kam thamanha, shadyid?) – “How much is it, is it too much?”
3. Numbers
If you want to understand the price in Moroccan Arabic, it’s helpful to learn numbers. Here are the numbers from one to ten:
- واحد (wahed) – one
- إتنين (etnen) – two
- تلاتة (tlata) – three
- أربعة (arba’a) – four
- خمسة (khamsa) – five
- ستة (sitta) – six
- سبعة (sab’a) – seven
- تمانية (tmanya) – eight
- تسعة (tes’a) – nine
- عشرة (ashara) – ten
Knowing the numbers will help you understand prices and negotiate in Moroccan markets.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You have successfully learned various ways to ask “how much” in Moroccan Arabic. Remember to use the formal expressions in more formal situations, and the informal ones in casual settings. Additionally, don’t forget to practice your numbers to fully grasp the pricing in Moroccan markets. Happy communicating and happy shopping in Morocco!
