How to say "coffee" in Levantine Arabic
بِدّي قَهْوَة، لَوْ سَمَحْت
biddi ahwa, law sama7t
- Without tashkeel
- بدي قهوة، لو سمحت
- Franco / chat alphabet
- bddi 2ahwa law sm7t
- Literally
- I want coffee, if you permitted.
When to use it
This is the standard, polite way to order coffee in a cafe or restaurant across the Levant. The word for coffee is pronounced 'ahwa' in most urban areas, though rural or Bedouin speakers may say 'gahwa' or 'qahwa'. When ordering traditional Arabic coffee, the server will expect you to specify your preferred sugar level immediately.
Other ways to say it
to a woman
بدي قهوة، لو سمحتي
biddi ahwa, law sama7ti
I want a coffee, please.
Use this when ordering from a female server or barista.
medium sugar
بدي قهوة وسط
biddi ahwa wasat
I want a medium-sugar coffee.
The most common way to order traditional coffee, meaning a moderate amount of sugar is boiled into it.
no sugar (black)
بدي قهوة سادة
biddi ahwa sada
I want a black/unsweetened coffee.
Used for bitter, unsweetened coffee, which is also traditionally served at funerals and formal gatherings.
sweet
بدي قهوة حلوة
biddi ahwa 7elwe
I want a sweet coffee.
Specify this if you want extra sugar boiled into your traditional coffee.
ordering two
بدي قهوتين، لو سمحت
biddi ahwtein, law sama7t
I want two coffees, please.
Uses the dual form 'ahwtein' instead of saying the number two.
How people reply
تكرم
tikram
Right away / You're welcome (to a man).
كيف بتحبها؟
kif bit7ibha?
How do you like it? (asking for sugar level).
من عيوني
min 3youni
With pleasure (literally: from my eyes).
In a sentence
لو سمحت، بدي قهوة وسط وكاسة مي.
law sama7t, biddi ahwa wasat wa kaset mayy.
Please, I want a medium-sugar coffee and a glass of water.
بتحب تشرب قهوة ولا شاي؟
bit7ib tishrab ahwa wla shay?
Would you like to drink coffee or tea?
ريحة هالقهوة بتجنن.
ri7et hal-ahwa bitjannin.
The smell of this coffee is amazing.