Chadian Arabic phrasebook
The Chadian dialect of Arabic (لهجة تشادية) is the main language of Chad.
Pronunciation guide[edit]
Vowels[edit]
Consonants[edit]
Common diphthongs[edit]
Phrase list[edit]
Some phrases in this phrasebook still need to be translated. If you know anything about this language, you can help by plunging forward and translating a phrase.
Basics[edit]
Common signs
|
- Hello.
- Salaam wa alekoum. (Peace be with you ):Wa alekoum salaam. (And also with you) - the response
- Hello. (informal)
- Lalê. ( )
- How are you? (to a female)
- Inti afé (to a female)
- How are you? (to a male)
- Inta afé (to a male)
- Intou afé (to a group)
- Fine, thank you.
- Ana aafé. ("I am fine"):Anina aafiin ("We are fine")
- What is your name?
- Inti Ousm-ki yatou ( to ask a girl her name):Inta Ousm-ak yatou? (to ask a boy his name)
- My name is ______ .
- Ana ousm-i ________ . ( )
- Nice to meet you.
- . ( )
- Please.
- Min fadlak. ( )
- Thank you.
- Chukkran. ( )
- You're welcome.
- Afwan. ( )
- Yes.
- Ayé. (Yes - people also click their throats to indicate agreement when someone is talking)
- No.
- La. (No ),An an
- Excuse me. (getting attention)
- . ( )
- Excuse me. (begging pardon)
- Sahmini. ( )
- I'm sorry.
- Sahmini. ( )
- Goodbye
- Maa salaam. ( )
- Goodbye (informal)
- maa salamak. ( )
- I do not speak Arabic.
- [Ana ma na'arfa kalam Arab]. ( )
- Do you speak English?
- (to a girl):Inti ta'arfa kalam [Anglais]? :(to a boy):Inta t'arfa kalam [Anglais]?
- Is there someone here who speaks English?
- nadum yarfa anglais fi ?
- Help!
- Saa'id-ni!
- Look out!
- Fakir!: Angara'!
- Good morning.
- Sabah al-kheer.
- Good evening.
- Gayaltou al-kheer
- Good night.
- . (Allah i sabina )
- Good night (to sleep)
- argoud aafé. ( )
- I don't understand.
- Ana Ma fihimta
- Where is the toilet?
- wen warabet?
Problems[edit]
- Leave me alone.
- . ('Khalini bakan wahid
- Don't touch me!
- ! ( Ma ti lamissini!)
- I'll call the police.
- ni nadi police
- Police!
- police
- Stop! Thief!
- Akourbou saraak!
- I need your help.
- Ni dora ti awinini: Saa'idni
- It's an emergency.
- . ( .)
- I'm lost.
- Ana waddar
- I lost my bag.
- ma narfa wen sac hagi masha
- I lost my wallet.
- ma narfa wen portafay hagi masha
- I'm sick.
- Ana mardaan (male).: Ana mardaané (female).
- I've been injured.
- .Ana indi awwara.
- I need a doctor.
- ana nidor docteur
- Can I use your phone?
- samini ana nidor utilize telephone hanaki
Numbers[edit]
- 1
- wâhed ( )
- 2
- tinên ( )
- 3
- talâta ( )
- 4
- arba'a ( )
- 5
- xamsa ( )
- 6
- sitte ( )
- 7
- saba'a ( )
- 8
- tamâne ( )
- 9
- tis'a ( )
- 10
- ashara ( )
- 11
- ashara wa wahid ( 11)
- 12
- ashara wa tinên (12 )
- 13
- ashara wa talâta (13 )
- 14
- ashara wa arba (14 )
- 15
- ashara wa khamsa (15 )
- 16
- ashara wa sitte (16 )
- 17
- ashara wa saba'a (17 )
- 18
- ashara wa tamâne(18 )
- 19
- ashara wa tis'a (19 )
- 20
- itnène (20)
- 21
- itnène wa wâhed (21)
- 22
- itnène wa tinên (22)
- 23
- itnène wa talâta (23)
- 30
- talatine (30 ):talatine wa wâhed
- 40
- arba-ine (40):arba-ine wa wâhed (41)
- 50
- khamsine (50):khamsine wa wâhed (51)
- 60
- (Sittine )
- 70
- ( Sabaine)
- 80
- Tamianine (80)
- 90
- (Tissine )
- 100
- Miya(100)
- 200
- (Miteen )
- 300
- (Toultoumiya )
- 1,000
- (Alif )
- 2,000
- (Alfène )
- 1,000,000
- ( )
- 1,000,000,000
- ( )
- 1,000,000,000,000
- ( )
- number _____ (train, bus, etc.)
- ( )
- half
- (Nouss )
- less
- (Shiya )
- more
- ( Kattir)
Time[edit]
- now
- Hassa (now )
- later
- Bi-den (later):illa bi-den (until later)
- before
- (Awwal )
- morning
- (Fodjour )
- afternoon
- ( Assour)
- evening
- ( Ashiyé )
- night
- ( Fillele)
Clock time[edit]
- one o'clock AM
- ( )
- two o'clock AM
- ( )
- noon
- ( )
- one o'clock PM
- ( )
- two o'clock PM
- ( )
- midnight
- ( )
Duration[edit]
- _____ minute(s)
- ( )
- _____ hour(s)
- ( )
- _____ day(s)
- ( )
- _____ week(s)
- ( )
- _____ month(s)
- ( )
- _____ year(s)
- ( )
Days[edit]
- today
- (Alyom )
- yesterday
- (Amiss )
- tomorrow
- ( Ambakir)
- this week
- ( )
- last week
- ( )
- next week
- ( )
- Sunday
- Yom al ahad (Sunday):Al yom al ahad (today is Sunday)
- Monday
- Yom al itnên (Monday)
- Tuesday
- Yom al sabaa (Tuesday)
- Wednesday
- Yom al arba (Wednesday)
- Thursday
- Yom al khmasa (Thursday)
- Friday
- Yom al joumla (Friday)
- Saturday
- Yom al sabat (Saturday)
Months[edit]
- January
- ( )
- February
- ( )
- March
- ( )
- April
- ( )
- May
- ( )
- June
- ( )
- July
- ( )
- August
- ( )
- September
- ( )
- October
- ( )
- November
- ( )
- December
- ( )
Writing time and date[edit]
Colors[edit]
- black
- (azaraq)
- white
- (abiyet)
- gray
- (Akhabash)
- red
- (aamar )
- blue
- ( )
- yellow
- (Asfar )
- green
- (Akhadar )
- orange
- ( )
- purple
- ( )
- brown
- (maron)
Transportation[edit]
Bus and train[edit]
- How much is a ticket to _____?
- ( )
- One ticket to _____, please.
- ( )
- Where does this train/bus go?
- bus da gai yamshe wen
- Where is the train/bus to _____?
- ( )
- Does this train/bus stop in _____?
- ( )
- When does the train/bus for _____ leave?
- When will this train/bus arrive in ____?
- ( )
Directions[edit]
- How do I get to _____ ?
- kikef namchi _____ ?
- ...the train station?
- ( )
- ...the bus station?
- ( )
- ...the airport?
- (Mataar )
- ...downtown?
- ( )
- ...the youth hostel?
- ( )
- ...the _____ hotel?
- ( )
- ...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate?
- ( )
- Where are there a lot of...
- ( )
- ...hotels?
- ( )
- ...restaurants?
- ( )
- ...bars?
- ( )
- ...sites to see?
- ( )
- Can you show me on the map?
- (Wassibini fi carté da )
- street
- (Darib, Shaari )
- Turn left.
- (Lif bé issré )
- Turn right.
- (Lif bé zené )
- left
- (Issré )
- right
- (Zené )
- straight ahead
- ( Direk)
- towards the _____
- ( Alé___)
- past the _____
- ( )
- before the _____
- ( )
- Watch for the _____.
- ( )
- intersection
- ( )
- north
- ( )
- south
- ( )
- east
- ( )
- west
- ( )
- uphill
- ( )
- downhill
- ( )
Taxi[edit]
- Taxi!
- ( )
- Take me to _____, please.
- ( )
- How much does it cost to get to _____?
- ( )
- Take me there, please.
- ( )
Lodging[edit]
- Do you have any rooms available?
- (indoukou chambre hana oudjoura )
- How much is a room for one person/two people?
- (nadoum wahid/ nasene ti adjourou low/lome b kam)
- Does the room come with...
- ( )
- ...bedsheets?
- ( )
- ...a bathroom?
- ( )
- ...a telephone?
- ( )
- ...a TV?
- ( )
- May I see the room first?
- neh shifa chambre da kobul
- Do you have anything quieter?
- ( )
- ...bigger?
- ( )
- ...cleaner?
- ( )
- ...cheaper?
- ( )
- OK, I'll take it.
- (ni shila)
- I will stay for _____ night(s).
- ( ni gohdi _____ nuits )
- Can you suggest another hotel?
- ( tarfi hotel ahhar )
- Do you have a safe?
- ( )
- ...lockers?
- ( )
- Is breakfast/supper included?
- ( )
- What time is breakfast/supper?
- ( )
- Please clean my room.
- ( )
- Can you wake me at _____?
- (gaymini a _____? )
- I want to check out.
- ( )
Money[edit]
- Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars?
- ( )
- Do you accept British pounds?
- ( )
- Do you accept euros?
- ( )
- Do you accept credit cards?
- ( )
- Can you change money for me?
- ( )
- Where can I get money changed?
- ( )
- Can you change a traveler's check for me?
- ( )
- Where can I get a traveler's check changed?
- ( )
- What is the exchange rate?
- ( )
- Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)?
- ( )
Eating[edit]
- A table for one person/two people, please.
- ( )
- Can I look at the menu, please?
- ( )
- Can I look in the kitchen?
- ( )
- Is there a house specialty?
- ( )
- Is there a local specialty?
- ( )
- I'm a vegetarian.
- ( )
- I don't eat pork.
- ( ma gai nakoul --- )
- I don't eat beef.
- ( )
- I only eat kosher food.
- ( )
- Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard)
- ( )
- fixed-price meal
- ( )
- a la carte
- ( )
- breakfast
- ( )
- lunch
- ( )
- tea (meal)
- ( )
- supper
- ( )
- I want _____.
- ( ana ni dora _____ )
- I want a dish containing _____.
- ( )
- chicken
- ( )
- beef
- ( )
- fish
- ( )
- ham
- ( )
- sausage
- ( )
- cheese
- ( )
- eggs
- ( )
- salad
- ( )
- (fresh) vegetables
- ( )
- (fresh) fruit
- ( )
- bread
- ( )
- toast
- ( )
- noodles
- ( indoumi)
- rice
- ( ris)
- beans
- ( )
- May I have a glass of _____?
- ( )
- May I have a cup of _____?
- ( )
- May I have a bottle of _____?
- ( )
- coffee
- ( shahi)
- tea (drink)
- ( )
- juice
- ( )
- (bubbly) water
- ( )
- (still) water
- ( almeh )
- beer
- ( beer)
- red/white wine
- ( )
- May I have some _____?
- ( antini --- )
- salt
- ( )
- black pepper
- ( )
- butter
- ( )
- Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server)
- ( )
- I'm finished.
- ( ana khalas )
- It was delicious.
- ( )
- Please clear the plates.
- ( )
- The check, please.
- ( )
Bars[edit]
- Do you serve alcohol?
- ( indoukoum alcohol ? )
- Is there table service?
- ( )
- A beer/two beers, please.
- ( )
- A glass of red/white wine, please.
- ( )
- A pint, please.
- ( )
- A bottle, please.
- ( )
- _____ (hard liquor) and _____ (mixer), please.
- ( )
- whiskey
- ( )
- vodka
- ( )
- rum
- ( )
- water
- ( almeh )
- club soda
- ( )
- tonic water
- ( )
- orange juice
- ( )
- Coke (soda)
- ( )
- Do you have any bar snacks?
- ( )
- One more, please.
- ( )
- Another round, please.
- ( )
- When is closing time ?
- Cheers!
- ( )
Shopping[edit]
- Do you have this in my size?
- ( )
- How much is this?
- ( )
- That's too expensive.
- ( )
- Would you take _____?
- ( )
- expensive
- ( )
- cheap
- ( )
- I can't afford it.
- ( )
- I don't want it.
- ( ma ni dora )
- You're cheating me.
- ( )
- I'm not interested.
- (..)
- OK, I'll take it.
- ( ok. ni shilah )
- Can I have a bag?
- ( )
- Do you ship (overseas)?
- ( )
- I need...
- ( ana ni dora ... )
- ...toothpaste.
- ( )
- ...a toothbrush.
- ( )
- ...tampons.
- . ( )
- ...soap.
- ( )
- ...shampoo.
- ( )
- ...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen)
- ( )
- ...cold medicine.
- ( )
- ...stomach medicine.
- ... ( )
- ...a razor.
- ( )
- ...an umbrella.
- ( )
- ...sunblock lotion.
- ( )
- ...a postcard.
- ( )
- ...postage stamps.
- ( )
- ...batteries.
- ( )
- ...writing paper.
- ( )
- ...a pen.
- ( )
- ...English-language books.
- ( )
- ...English-language magazines.
- ( )
- ...an English-language newspaper.
- ( )
- ...an English-English dictionary.
- ( )
Driving[edit]
- I want to rent a car.
- ( )
- Can I get insurance?
- ( )
- stop (on a street sign)
- ( )
- one way
- ( )
- yield
- ( )
- no parking
- ( )
- speed limit
- ( )
- gas (petrol) station
- ( )
- petrol
- ( )
- diesel
- ( )
Authority[edit]
- I haven't done anything wrong.
- ( ana ma sawehta shey)
- It was a misunderstanding.
- ( )
- Where are you taking me?
- ( mala inti gai ti sheleni ? )
- Am I under arrest?
- ( )
- I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen.
- ( )
- I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate.
- ( )
- I want to talk to a lawyer.
- ( )
- Can I just pay a fine now?
- ( )
Other[edit]
Entries that might not conform to the guidelines at Wikivoyage:Phrasebook article template.
Here are some basic Chadian Arabic phrases to get you started on the road to interacting with Chadians.
Typical More Formal Greeting Conversation[edit]
- Ahlan wa sahlan
- Welcome! (to our place, shop, home)
- Salâm alek, _____
- greeting to an adult man, or boy (formal)
- Keif-ak?
- How are you?
- Hamdulillah, kwayyis.
- Thank God, I'm fine.
- Inta, keif halak?
- And how are you?
- Hamdulillah, wa nass beitak?
- Thank God. And your family?
- Kullum kwaysin
- They are all fine.
- Ma salaam.
- Goodbye
Other Greetings[edit]
Salâm aleki - greeting to an adult woman, or girl (formal)
Wa alêk al-salâm - response to the greeting (formal)
Lalê - hello (familiar, peer to peer greeting)
Inta (m)/inti (f) âfé? - are you well? (note the difference between addressing a man and a woman)
(anâ) âfé - I am well. (response to above; first word is optional)
agod âfé - you (sing.) stay well (I am leaving, a leave-taking phrase when addressing one person)
agodu âfé - you (plural) stay well (when addressing more than one person)
amshi âfé - you (sing.) go well (leave-taking, when you are the one who is staying)
amshu âfé - you (plural) go well (when addressing more than one person)
ma salamak - Goodbye
Medical[edit]
wên al daktor? - Where is the doctor?
wên al labtan? - Where is the hospital?
Ordering Something[edit]
antini almi hana churâb - Give me water to drink (In such phrases, "please" is not necessary)
antini Coka hana churâb - Give me a Coca-Cola to drink
antini mapa - Give me a baguette (French bread)
bêkam al kitab da? - How much does that book cost?
shunu al kitab da? - What is that book there?
mâla? - Why?
êsh wa mulah - boule (millet paste, staple food of Chad) and sauce
General[edit]
usumak shunu? - What is your name?
wên inta? - Where are you from?
shukran - Thank you
afwân - You are welcome (response to "shukran")
Al hamdu l'llah! - Praise God
How To Learn New Words[edit]
ma' anata... - What does... mean?"
Da shunu? - What is this?
Kikef tigul ... - How do you say...?
Kikef tigul be fransawi? - How do you say in French?
Kikef tigul be arabi? - How do you say in Arabic?
Kikef tigul be inglezi? - How do you say In English?