Chadian Arabic phrasebook Voyage Tips and guide

Contents

The Chadian dialect of Arabic (اللهجة التشادية‎) or Shuwa Arabic is one of the main languages of Chad, and also spoken in northern Cameroon and north-eastern Nigeria. The Arabic dialect (which can rather be described as a whole subgroup of regional dialects) serves in large parts of Chad as lingua franca. Chadian Arabic has many similarities with Sudanese Arabic although there are some key differences between them. As French is also widely spoken (especially in the southern parts of the country) the language also borrowed quite some vocabulary from the former colonial language. Especially in the northern and central Muslim regions of the country speaking some Chadian Arabic can be an important door opener that allows you to communicate with most of the people. This includes people (typically women or people on the countryside) who did not complete their primary education and therefore only speak limited French. It is important to consider though that French even if not that widely spoken remains the more common language for alphabetisation and literal expression in the country.

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.

Hello.

Salaam wa alekoum. (Peace be with you ):Wa alekoum salaam. (And also with you) - the response

Hello. (informal)

Lalê/marhaban: (phone)- allo: inviting someone inside: faddal (hello/come in)

How are you? (to a female)

Inti afé (to a female): Kayfa halk?

How are you? (to a male)

Inta afé (to a male): Kayfa haluk?

Intu afé seh? (to a group)

(family) Kayfa haluki?

Fine, thank you.

Ana aafé. ("I am fine"):Anina aafiin ("We are fine")

What is your name?

Inti Ousmik yatou ( to ask a girl her name):Inta Ousmak yatou? (to ask a boy his name)

My name is ______ .

Ana ousm-i/ismi ________ . ( )

Nice to meet you.

. (mushtageen ): nice to meet you too:(bel aktar)

Please.

Min fadlak. ( )

Thank you.

shukkran. ( )

You're welcome.

Afwan. ( )

Yes.

Ayé/nam. (Yes - people also click their throats to indicate agreement when someone is talking)

No.

La. (No )

Excuse me. (getting attention)

. (min isnak/al isnak )

Excuse me. (begging pardon)

min isnak/Sahmini

I'm sorry.

Sahmini. ( )

Goodbye

Maa salaama/ tamshi afé/ tagot afé ( )

Goodbye (informal)

maa salamak. ( )

I do not speak Arabic.

[ana ma natkalam Arabi] [I don't speak Arabic]/ana ma nuhaji Arabic[I don't talk in Arabic]/Ana ma na'arfa kalam Arab[i don't know how to speak Arabic].

Do you speak English?

(to a girl):inti tatkalam/Inti ta'arfa kalam [Anglais/inglisi]? :(to a boy):inta tatkalam/Inta t'arfa kalam [Anglais/inglisi]?:*ta'arfa? = do you know?

Is there someone here who speaks English?

hinee fil zol yatkalim/bithadis inglisi/nadum yarfa anglais fi?: *chadians will probably not use "bit hadis", but, if you're a Sudani refugee or Sudani resident of chad you might blend both dialects.

Help!

Saa'id-ni!/awiniinii (younger Chadian speakers will say "awiniinii"/older ones say saaidinii)

Look out!

Fakir!(fakir means think, in certain context such as this one it means be aware: Angara'! (angari is more of a menacing "look out", adults my say this to *gilal adap* kids or misbehaving teens - compare to "walking on thin ice": *Gilal Adap: Gilal Adap is a remark often said to misbehaving juniors or children. Adap means composure or respect, when you tell someone "gilal adap" you tell them to regain and maintain composure- usually, however, this word is said as a whole "Gilaladap" to describe someone who misbehaves rather than chastise them.

Good morning.

Sabah al-kheer.

Good evening.

Gayaltou al-kheer: *this statement is more of a rhetorical question- "gayaltou" is plural as in "(have) you guys (have) spent/lounged" and kheer means good. "have you guys (at least two or more people) spent the evening well/good/ok(?)

Good night.

. (Allah i sabina )

Good night (to sleep)

argoud aafé. ( )

I don't understand.

ma nafham(I don't understand)/Ana Ma fihimta(I didn't understand)

Where is the toilet?

hamam/dush da gait wen/wen?: *gait is another filler word- it means "stay" "the(da in this context) restroom(hamam/dush) stays(gait) where(wen)"

Leave me alone.

Haliinee (leave me alone) 'Khalini bakan wahid (leave me alone in one):*hali means leave it/nee is a conjugated version of me:Go away:amshii

Don't touch me!

! ( Ma ti lamissini!)

I'll call the police.

ni nadi police

Police!

police

Stop! Thief!

wegufoo sarak da (stop the thief) Akourbou saraak! (grab the thief/hold the thief)

I need your help.

Ni dora ti awinini: Saa'idni

It's an emergency.

. ( hazihee/hazaa/shoghol tawaree)

I'm lost.

Ana waddar

I lost my bag.

waaderta Shanta hagi/ma narfa wen sac hagi masha

I lost my wallet.

waaderta juslaan/magbakha/magfada hagi[I lost my wallet]/ma narfa wen portafay hagi masha [I dont know where my wallet went]

I'm sick.

Ana mardaan (male).: Ana mardaané (female).

I've been injured.

.Ana indi jerii [i have an injury] awwara [mark on the body, usually a scar/mole/acne/bug bite]: 'jerii' can both mean injury or running; utilize context

I need a doctor.

ana nidor docteur

Can I use your phone?

nagdar naastamili telephonik [can I use your phone]

• *by conjugating the noun telephone to the subject (your) telephone + ik/ak
• telephone + ni = my phone

samini ana nidor utilize telephone hanaki [sorry I want to use your phone]

1

wâhed ( )

2

itnên/tinên ( )

3

talâta ( )

4

arba'a ( )

5

xamsa ( )

6

sitte ( )

7

saba'a ( )

8

tamâne ( )

9

tis'a ( )

10

ashara ( )

11

hidashar(11)/ ashara wa wahid (10 and 1)

12

atnashar (12)/ashara wa tinên (10 and 2 )

13

talatashar (13)/ashara wa talâta (10 and 3 )

14

arbatashar (14)/ashara wa arba (10 and 4 )

15

qamistashar (15)/ashara wa khamsa (10 and 5 )

16

sittashar (16)/ashara wa sitte (10 and 6 )

17

sabatashar (17)/ashara wa saba'a (10 and 7 )

18

tamantashar (18)/ ashara wa tamâne(10 and 8 )

19

tizaatashar (19)/ashara wa tis'a (10 and 9)

20

ishrinn (20)/itnène (20)

21

wahid ishrinn (1 20 (21)) ishrinn wa wâhed (20 and 1)

22

itneen ishrinn (2 20) (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 ): 400: ourbumia: 500: qumsoomia: 600: sutumia: 700: soubomia: 800: toomunmia: 900: tuzoomia

1,000

(Alif )

2,000

(Alfène ): 3,000: talaata alif: 4,000: arbaa alif: 5,000: qamsa alif: 6,000: sitte alif: 7,000: sabaa alif: 8,000: tamanye alif: 9,000: teeza alif: 10,000: ashra alif: 100,000: miya alif: 200,000: mitenn alif: 300,000: toultumiya alif: 400,000: ourbumiya alif: 500,000: qumsoomiya alif: 600,000: soutumiya alif: 700,000: soubumiya alif: 800,000: toumunmiya alif: 900,000: touzumiya alif

1,000,000

(millyon )

1,000,000,000

(billyon )

1,000,000,000,000

( )

number _____ (train, bus, etc.)

(bus/gare nimbre )

half

(Nouss )

less

(Shiya )

more

( Kattir)

add

(ziid)

subtract

(nagis/nagiisi)

now

Hassa (now )

later

Bi-den (later):illa bi-den (until later)

before

(Awwal ): after: (baad)

morning

(Fodjour )

afternoon

( Assour)

evening

( Ashiyé )

night

( Fillele)

one o'clock AM

(saa wahid fajur)

two o'clock AM

(saa itneen fajur)

noon

( )

one o'clock PM

( )

two o'clock PM

( )

midnight

( )

_____ second(s)

(saaniya)

_____ minute(s)

(degiigee)

_____ hour(s)

(saa)

_____ day(s)

(yom)

_____ week(s)

(usbu)

_____ month(s)

(shahar)

_____ year(s)

(senee)

today

(Alyom )

yesterday

(Amiss )

tomorrow

( Ambakir): day after tommorow:(baad boukra)

this week

(usbu al hina )

last week

(usbu al faat )

next week

(usbu al jaiye )

Sunday

Yom al ahad (Sunday):Al yom (da) ahad (today is Sunday):*note, you do not have to add "da" Chadians use "da" as a filler word A LOT.

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)

January

( )

February

( )

March

()

April

()

May

()

June

()

July

()

August

( )

September

( )

October

( )

November

( )

December

( )

black

(azrag)

white

(abiyet)

gray

(Akhabash)

red

(aamar )

blue

(azarag)

yellow

(Asfar )

green

(Akhadar )

orange

(orangé )

purple

( )

brown

(booni/maron)

How much is a ticket to _____?

(Kam al-ticket li ____?)

One ticket to _____, please.

(Ticket wahid li ___? )

Where does this train/bus go?

al-bus da gaid yamshe wen?

Where is the train/bus to _____?

(Ween al-bus al-mashi ___? )

Does this train/bus stop in _____?

(Al-bus da bigif fi ___?)

When does the train/bus for _____ leave?

(Al-bus al yiamshe ___ maarig mata?)

When will this train/bus arrive in ____?

( )

How do I get to _____ ?

kef ana namchi le _____  ?

...the train station?

( )

...the bus station?

(Station de bus/ maugif baasat )

...the airport?

(Mataar )

...downtown?

(Centre)

...the youth hostel?

( )

...the _____ hotel?

(l'hotel )

...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate?

( )

Where are there a lot of...

( ween fi katir ___)

...hotels?

( hotelat)

...restaurants?

( restaurants/mataim)

...bars?

( bar)

...sites to see?

( )

Can you show me on the map?

(Mumkin Wassifini fi carté da )

street

(Darib, Shaari, rue)

Turn left.

(Lif bé issré/shemal )

Turn right.

(Lif bé zené/yameen )

left

(Issré/shemal )

right

(Zené/yameen )

straight ahead

(Direk)

towards the _____

( Alé___)

past the _____

(zamaan faat [time passed] )

before the _____

(naaman liisaa [time is still] )

Watch for the _____.

(shif le... )

intersection

( )

north

(Shimal )

south

(Djanub )

east

(Sabah/sharig )

west

(Gharb)

uphill

(Foog )

downhill

( ti(h)t)

Taxi!

( )

Take me to _____, please.

(wadinii le (bakan/place) min fadlak)

How much does it cost to get to _____?

(Bekam li ___ )

Take me there, please.

(widinii hinak min fadlak )

Do you have any rooms available?

(indoukoum chambre hana oudjoura )

How much is a room for one person/two people?

(awda/ghurfa/chambre li nadoum wahid/ nasene (niadjouroa) bikam)

Does the room come with...

(kurfa da yeji ma/mao )

...bedsheets?

(furash/bajo )

...a bathroom?

(hamam/dush )

...a telephone?

(telephone )

...a TV?

(télé )

May I see the room first?

neh shifa chambre da awal/gobul

Do you have anything quieter?

(indak ayyu shoghol samet )

...bigger?

(kabir min )

...cleaner?

(nadif min)

...cheaper?

(raqis min ): "min" can mean from or than

OK, I'll take it.

(OK Ana nishila)

I will stay for _____ night(s).

( nigudi le _____ nuits )

Can you suggest another hotel?

( tarif hotel akhar )

Do you have a safe?

( )

...lockers?

( )

Is breakfast/supper included?

( Jaai ma al-futur/asha?)

What time is breakfast/supper?

( al-futur bi saa kam? )

Please clean my room.

(min fadlak, nedhif ghurfa/awda/chambre hagi/hanai )

Can you wake me at _____?

(gaymni a _____? )

I want to check out.

(Nador na shifi )

Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars?

(inta [M] /inti [F] ta shilee gurush amerikani, canadi, ou/wala gurush Australia? )

Do you accept British pounds?

(inta [M] /inti [F] ta shilee gurush biritania? )

Do you accept euros?

(inta [M] /inti [F] ta shilee gurush urubiun/ooropean? )

Do you accept credit cards?

(inta [M] /inti [F] ta shilee kariit? )

Can you change money for me?

(Mumkin tughaiir li gurus(h)?)

Where can I get money changed?

(Ween nughaiir gurus(h)? )

Can you change a traveler's check for me?

( )

Where can I get a traveler's check changed?

( )

What is the exchange rate?

(Al-sir bekam? )

Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)?

( Ween distributeur hana al-banc?)

A table for one person/two people, please.

(table le nadum wahid/ table le itneen nas, min fadlak )

Can I look at the menu, please?

( mumkin nishuf al-menu da)

Can I look in the kitchen?

(Mumkin nishuf fil nadai da? )

Is there a house specialty?

( )

Is there a local specialty?

(Fi plat khas al-jaii min hina )

I'm a vegetarian.

(ana ma nakoul laham )

I don't eat pork.

( ma nakoul khanzir --- )

I don't eat beef.

(ana ma nakoul baggar )

I only eat kosher food.

(ana nakoul halal bes )

Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard)

( )

fixed-price meal

( )

a la carte

( )

breakfast

(Futuur )

lunch

( ghada)

tea (meal)

( shahi)

supper

(Asha )

I want _____.

( ana nidor _____ )

I want a dish containing _____.

(Ana nidor plat jai ma __ )

chicken

(jidaad )

beef

(bagger/laham baghaar )

fish

(hoot)

ham

( )

sausage

( )

cheese

(Fromage )

eggs

(bayd jidaad)

salad

(Salade )

(fresh) vegetables

(khudar)

(fresh) fruit

(fruif/fuakie)

bread

(mapa )

toast

( )

noodles

( maqaroona/spaghetti)

rice

( ris)

beans

( ful masri/haricot/fasuliye)

May I have a glass of _____?

( mumkin kas __)

May I have a cup of _____?

( mumkin kubaia __)

May I have a bottle of _____?

(Mumkin gazaza __ )

coffee

( gahwa)

tea (drink)

(shahi)

juice

(Jus)

(bubbly) water

( )

(still) water

( almee )

beer

(Biere)

red/white wine

(Vin blanc/rouge )

May I have some _____?

( antini --- )

salt

( mile(h))

black pepper

(Filfil aswad )

butter

(Beurre )

Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server)

(Taal Petit! )

I'm finished.

( ana khalas(ta))

It was delicious.

(Hiluu marawahid)

Please clear the plates.

(Shiil al-plat )

The check, please.

(La facture )

Do you serve alcohol?

( indoukoum alcohol ? )

Is there table service?

( Tijii ila al-table?)

A beer/two beers, please.

(Une biere/deux bieres svp )

A glass of red/white wine, please.

( un verre de vin rouge/blanc svp )

A pint, please.

( )

A bottle, please.

( gazaza )

_____ (hard liquor) and _____ (mixer), please.

( )

whiskey

( )

vodka

( )

rum

( )

water

( almee)

club soda

(Soda )

tonic water

( )

orange juice

( jus orange)

Coke (soda)

(Coca, Top)

Do you have any bar snacks?

( )

One more, please.

(Tani wahid )

Another round, please.

( )

When is closing time ?

(intu tasiddu mata?)

Cheers!

( )

Do you have this in my size?

(Eindak al-da bil magas hinai? )

How much is this?

( da bekam?)

That's too expensive.

(Da ghaali/ghasi marawahit )

Would you take _____?

( inta tashiil __)

expensive

(ghaali/ghasi)

cheap

(buti/rakhis)

I can't afford it.

(Ma eindi gurus(h) kifaiyan )

I don't want it.

( ma nidoora )

You're cheating me.

( )

I'm not interested.

()

OK, I'll take it.

( ok. Ana nishilah )

Can I have a bag?

(tadinii kiis/plastique? )

Do you ship (overseas)?

( )

I need...

( ana muhtaj )

...toothpaste.

( )

...a toothbrush.

( )

...tampons.

. ( )

...soap.

(Sabuun )

...shampoo.

(Shampoo )

...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen)

( )

...cold medicine.

( dawa hana al-zukhma)

...stomach medicine.

... (dawa hana al-batan )

...a razor.

( )

...an umbrella.

( )

...sunblock lotion.

( )

...a postcard.

( )

...postage stamps.

( )

...batteries.

(piles )

...writing paper.

(Papier/warag )

...a pen.

(Stylo)

...English-language books.

( kitaab bil anglais)

...English-language magazines.

( )

...an English-language newspaper.

( )

...an English-English dictionary.

( )

I want to rent a car.

(Nidoor nuajir watir)

Can I get insurance?

( )

stop (on a street sign)

( Giff! )

one way

( )

yield

( )

no parking

( )

speed limit

( )

gas (petrol) station

(Station essence)

petrol

(Essence )

diesel

( )

I haven't done anything wrong.

( ana ma saweta shey)

It was a misunderstanding.

( )

Where are you taking me?

( ween inti gaid tisheleni ? )

Am I under arrest?

( )

I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen.

(Ana citoyen/mawatin americain/… )

I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate.

( nidoor nuhajji ma al-ambassade/consulat al-americain/…)

I want to talk to a lawyer.

( )

Can I just pay a fine now?

( mumkin nadfa gharama bas hassa?)

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.

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

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

wên al daktor? - Where is the doctor?

wên al labtan? - Where is the hospital?

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

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

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?