The Host and Emphatic Negation
Hosting a successful gathering starts with the host (مضيف) providing a warm welcome (ترحيب) to the guests.
In formal Arabic, you can add emphasis to a negative sentence by using the particle ما (not) at the beginning of the sentence, and attaching the preposition بـ to the predicate (the descriptive word). For example, to strongly say "The host is not tired," you would say ما المضيف بمتعب.
Additionally, to emphasize an action, Arabic often uses the verb's corresponding noun (known as the absolute object) in the same sentence, as seen with "welcomed us a warm welcome" (رحبت بنا ترحيبا حارا).
| The host is not tired today. | ما المضيف بمتعب اليوم.mā al-muḍīfu bimutabin al-yawma |
| She gave us a warm welcome. | رحبت بنا ترحيبا حارا.rahhabat binâ tarheeban hârran. |
Setting the Table
Preparing the dining area involves setting out a clean tablecloth (مفرش) and perhaps a pitcher (إبريق) of water or juice. Whether you are mixing drinks or cooking, you will also need to measure the right amount (مقدار) of your ingredients.
| Arrange the white tablecloth on the dining table. | رتبي المفرش الأبيض على المائدة.rattibi al-mafrasha al-abyada ‘alâ al-mâ'idati |
| The juice pitcher is not empty now. | ما إبريق العصير بفارغ الآن.mâ ibrîqu al-'aṣîri bifârighin al-âna. |
| Add a small amount of salt. | أضف مقدارا صغيرا من الملح.adif miqdâran saghîran mina almilh. |
Serving the Meal
Once everything is prepared, it is time to serve (قدم) the food. A delicious, well-presented meal is sure to earn you a lovely compliment (إطراء) from your guests.
| Serve the appetizers first, please. | قدمي المقبلات أولا لو سمحت.qaddimi al-muqabbilât awwalan law samahti |
| She smiled when she heard the nice compliment. | ابتسمت عندما سمعت الإطراء اللطيف.ibtasamat 'indama sami'ati l-itraa'a l-latîf |
| The compliment is not strange from him. | ما الإطراء بغريب منه.mâ al-'iṭrâ'u bigharîbin minhu |
Leftovers and Farewells
At the end of a generous feast, you will likely have leftovers (بقايا) to pack away. Make sure every container (حاوية) is sealed tightly before storing them in the fridge. Finally, as the night winds down, you will see off (ودع) your friends.
| Store the leftovers in the fridge. | خزني البقايا في الثلاجة.khazzinî al-baqâyâ fî ath-thallâjah. |
| The container is not completely closed. | ما الحاوية بمغلقة تماما.mâ al-hâwiyatu bimughlaqatin tamâman |
| See off the guests at the door. | ودع الضيوف عند الباب.waddi'i d-duyûfa 'inda l-bâb. |
