Asking “How Much Is This?” in Arabic: A Guide to Understanding and Using “بكم هذا / هذه؟”
This guide focuses on learning how to correctly ask “how much is this?” in Arabic, using the phrase “بكم هذا / هذه؟” (pronounced “bikam hadha / hadi”). This phrase is essential for navigating everyday interactions in Arabic-speaking environments, whether you’re shopping, inquiring about services, or simply trying to understand the cost of something.
You can also use “كم” (pronounced “kam”) instead of “بكم” in some situations. However, “بكم” is more commonly used in formal contexts.
If you are asking about the price of multiple items, you can use the plural “هذه” (pronounced “hadi” with a long “i”) instead of “هذه” (hadi).
The phrase “بكم هذا / هذه؟” is generally considered polite and appropriate in most situations.
5. Example Sentences
“بكم هذا القلم؟” (bikam hadha al-qalam?) – “How much is this pen?”
“بكم هذه الحقيبة؟” (bikam hadi al-haqibeh?) – “How much is this bag?”
“بكم هذه الوجبة؟” (bikam hadi al-wajbeh?) – “How much is this meal?”
By mastering the use of “بكم هذا / هذه؟”, you can confidently ask about prices in Arabic and engage in transactions with ease. Remember to pay attention to the gender of the item you are asking about and use the correct form of “this.” With practice, you’ll become comfortable using this essential phrase in your daily interactions.
Frequently Asked Questions about “How Much is This?” in Arabic
How do I ask “How much is this?” in Arabic?
The most common way to ask “How much is this?” in Arabic is: “بكم هذا / هذه?” (pronounced “bikam hadha / hadi?”).
What is the difference between “هذا” and “هذه”?
“هذا” (pronounced “hadha”) is used for masculine singular nouns, while “هذه” (pronounced “hadi”) is used for feminine singular nouns.
How do I know if an object is masculine or feminine in Arabic?
Unfortunately, there’s no easy rule to determine the gender of all objects. You’ll need to learn the gender of each noun individually through memorization or by consulting a dictionary.
For multiple items, you can use the plural form of “هذه,” which is pronounced “hadi” with a long “i.”
Can I use “كم” instead of “بكم”?
While “كم” (pronounced “kam”) can be used in some situations, “بكم” is more commonly used in formal contexts.
What if I want to ask about the price of something specific, like a book or a dress?
You can add the noun after “بكم هذا / هذه?” using the definite article “ال” (pronounced “al”). For example: “بكم هذا الكتاب؟” (bikam hadha al-kitab?) for “How much is this book?” or “بكم هذه الفستان؟” (bikam hadi al-fusta?n?) for “How much is this dress?”
What if I want to say “This costs ______ dollars”?
You can use the following phrases:
For masculine objects: “هذا ال يكلف دولار” (haadha al yaklaf __ doowlaar)
For feminine objects: “هذه ال تكلف __ دولار” (haadhihi al taklaf ______ doowlaar)
You can use “بكم” (bikam) or “كم” (kam) to ask “How much?”
Use “هذا” (hadha) for masculine objects and “هذه” (hadi) for feminine objects.
Add “ال” (al) before the noun when asking its price.
Use “يكلف” (yaklaf) for masculine objects and “تكلف” (taklaf) for feminine objects to say “costs”.
Pointing is acceptable when asking “How much?”.
Learn common Arabic phrases like “How much is this book?” (بكم هذا الكتاب؟) and “This dress costs 50 dollars.” (هذه الفستان تكلف 50 دولار).
Practice with different objects to solidify your understanding.
Listen to native speakers to get a feel for the pronunciation.
Be patient and don’t be afraid to make mistakes.
Understand that bargaining is common in some Arabic cultures.
Be respectful and polite when asking about prices.
Learn about the local customs in the region you are visiting.
