Oh my God! Can you speak Kuwaiti? Well, after we're done with you, you will be going around with all the lingo that you need to sound just like a Kuwaiti (not that you're unhappy with who you are or anything! J

Not only are the words and phrases presented, but also the pronunciation, so you will be able to listen and copy it exactly the way that you hear it.  Just click on the sound player to hear the words in Arabic.

If you have any phrases that you want or need to learn, please contact us, and we will be happy to get them on!

Souk Talk

The "Souk" is any shopping area. So, Kuwait is loaded with "souks". The big ones in Kuwait are Mubarakiyah (traditional shopping in the city), Salmiyah (old and new), Khaitan, Farwaniyah, Jahra, Feheheel, and now the malls too! When you go to the souk and you need to speak Arabic there are several phrases that you will need to know. We will be giving you new phrases and words for the souk over the next few weeks. If you have any questions, please post. :)

Click above for our sound intro to Souk Talk!

When asking about prices....                     

Chem? (or Kem?)  (How much?)    Chem hatha*? (or Kem Hatha?)  (How much is that?) 

 *Note that hatha is the masculine, and since things are both masculine and feminine here in Kuwait, later when you become a professional, you will be able to discern, but "hatha" for now is fine. Or simply "Chem"  (or "kem") while you are pointing at whatever it is that you would like to buy will do nicely as well.

Click below to hear this lesson!

When the shop person tells you the price of whatever it is you're buying and, say you're in the Friday Market where everything is bought with bargaining, you will want to cut them down by a lot. Like half or more, and then work your way up again from there. So, you will then say

"Akher Shay" meaning "Last Price" or "Last thing" technically.

(You say the "kh" like a kind of kh gagging sound (without dwelling on it for too long) kind of like having a hair ball stuck in your throat).

The person will give you another price, or maybe say "Akher Shay" back to you. That would mean that is their best price. If you like it ok. but if you don't then say

"Shukran"  meaning "Thank you" and walk away.. invariably they will call you back anyway and give you a better price, but be firm.

You can also say "Shukran Jezeelan" meaning "Thank you very much".

Listen to the lesson below!

Here are the Arabic Numbers transliterated into English. When you pronounce the letter with an "   'a   "  is a guttural sound that is like a really deep "a" sound in the throat.