Expressing "When"
Arabic uses two common words for "when":
- لما: Used with past-tense verbs to describe completed events.
- عندما: Used with past and present-tense verbs for general statements, future events, or ongoing situations.
| When I received the confirmation message, I paid the fees. | لما استلمت رسالة التأكيد، دفعت الرسوم.lammâ istalamtu risâlata at-ta'kîdi, dafa'tu ar-rusûm |
| When the tourism sector flourishes, trips increase. | عندما يزدهر قطاع السياحة، تزيد الرحلات.'indamâ yazdahiru qitâ'u s-siyâhati, tazîdu r-rihlâtu. |
The Conditional "If it weren't for"
To express "if it weren't for [something]," use the conditional particle لولا.
- لولا is always followed directly by a noun.
- The result clause usually begins with لـ ("would have") for a positive outcome, or لما ("would not have") for a negative outcome. Both are followed by a past-tense verb.
| If it weren't for the available room, we wouldn't have traveled. | لولا الغرفة المتاحة، لما سافرنا.lawlâ al-ghurfatu al-mutâhatu, lamâ sâfarnâ |
Travel Itineraries
Use ذهاب for an outbound journey and إياب for a return journey.
| Maryam booked only an outbound ticket to London. | حجزت مريم تذكرة ذهاب فقط إلى لندن.hajazat maryamu tadhkirata dhahâbin faqat ilâ landan |
| If it weren't for the return ticket, we wouldn't have traveled together. | لولا تذكرة الإياب، لما سافرنا معا.lawlâ tadhkiratu l-iyâbi, lamâ sâfarnâ ma'an |
Accommodation Types
Use مفرد for a single room or bed, and مزدوج for a double.
| Fatima requested a double room with a view. | طلبت فاطمة غرفة مزدوجة مع إطلالة.talabat fâtimatu ghurfatan muzdawijatan ma'a itlâlah |
| Is there a single room for me? | هل هناك غرفة مفردة لي؟hal hunâka ghurfatun mufradatun lî? |
Cancellations and Refunds
If plans change, you might need to handle a cancellation (إلغاء), request a refund (استرداد), or confirm the total (إجمالي) cost.
| Can I get a refund of the amount after the cancellation? | هل يمكنني استرداد المبلغ بعد الإلغاء؟hal yumkinuni istirdâdu al-mablaghi ba'da al-ilghâ'? |
| When the manager pays the total, we will send her the confirmation. | عندما تدفع المديرة الإجمالي، سنرسل لها التأكيد.'indamâ tadfa'u al-mudîratu al-ijmâliyya, sanursilu lahâ atta'kîda. |
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