What does it mean word for word?
The phrase بكم is a combination of the preposition bi (meaning "with" or "for") and the interrogative kam (meaning "how many" or "how much"). The word هذا means "this."
Which one should you use?
Use بكم هذا؟ to ask about a specific item in your hand or near you, rather than asking a general question about a price list. You can also use كم ثمن هذا؟ to specifically ask "What is the price of this?" when pointing at an item. If you are referring to a singular feminine object, use كم ثمنها؟ to mean "What is its price?"
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
بكم هذا؟ is part of Modern Standard Arabic. It is a polite way to inquire about a price and is appropriate for formal settings or when speaking to someone you do not know.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase بكم هذا؟ uses the masculine demonstrative pronoun هذا (this), which is the standard way to refer to a single item. If the item you are asking about is grammatically feminine, you should replace هذا with هذه.
How do you pronounce it?
bikam hatha?
Did you know?
- If you are in a very traditional souq (market), you might hear the merchant respond not with a number, but by asking you كم ميزانيتك؟ meaning 'how much is your budget?' This turns the question back on the buyer.
- In many Arabic-speaking markets, asking بكم هذا؟ is only the start of a social ritual. It is culturally expected to haggle, and accepting the first price offered can be seen as a lack of interest or a sign that you are a tourist.
- The word بكم is closely related to the word for 'how many' in other Semitic languages, such as the Hebrew word כמה (kama).
Examples in context
- كم ثمن هذا الشاي؟What is the price of this tea?
- أريد شراء هذا، بكم هذا؟uridu shira' hadha, bi kam hadha?I want to buy this, how much is it?
Example conversation
Yousef is at a market and asks Nour about a piece of fruit.
- يوسف Youssefبكم هذا؟bi kam hadha?How much is this?
- نور Nourهذا بخمسة دراهم.hadha bi khamsat dirahim.This is five dirhams.
- يوسف Youssefحسناً، سآخذ هذا.hasanan, sa'akhudhu hadha.Okay, I will take this.
- نور Nourشكراً لك يا يوسف.shukran laka ya Yousef.Thank you, Yousef.
