Have you ever wanted to order from a local Lebanese snack or restaurant but felt unsure about speaking on the phone? While many places have English-speaking operators, knowing how to order in Lebanese Arabic opens up a world of authentic and delicious food.
In this lesson, Hiba walks you through every step of ordering food for delivery, from the first “hello” to customizing your meal and asking about the price.
Full Transcript: A Step-by-Step Guide to Ordering Delivery
1. Starting the Call
First, you need to greet them and state your purpose. You can use any of the following phrases.
“Hello, I would like to order some food.”
You can say this in a few ways, so pick the easiest one for you:
- marHaba, baddeh otlob akel (Hello, I want to order food)
- marHaba, baddeh otlob delivery (Hello, I want to order a delivery)
- marHaba, baddeh otlob talabiyyeh (Hello, I want to place a delivery order)
The operator will then need to know your location and phone number.
They might ask: la wein mn wassela? (To where do we deliver it?)
They might also confirm your number: 3ala hayda rra’em? (To this number?)
2. Giving Your Address
Describing your address in Lebanon can be tricky. You’ll need to use landmarks.
- Street: sheri3 (e.g., “ana 3eyish b sheri3 Saint Lourdes…”)
- Floor: tabi’ (e.g., “…bl tabi’ l khamis”)
- Facing: biwejj (e.g., “biwejj al supermarket”)
- Near: Hadd
- Ask about: s’aal 3ann (e.g., “s’aal 3ann l sheri3”)
3. Customizing Your Order
This is where you can get specific with your food. Here are some examples.
Example 1: Chicken Sandwich
“I want a chicken sandwich without garlic, with pickles, and extra hummus.”
baddeh sandwich tawook, bala toom, ma3 kabees, hummus extra.
- Without garlic: bala toom
- With pickles: ma3 kabees
Example 2: Pizza
“I want three pepperoni pizzas with extra cheese.”
baddeh tleteh pizza pepperoni, zyedeh jibneh.
- Extra cheese: zyedeh jibneh
4. Asking Questions About the Menu
Don’t be afraid to ask for more information about the food.
- To ask if they have a vegetarian option: 3endak pizza vegetarian?
- To ask what ingredients are in something: shou betHott fiya? (What do you put in it?)
- To ask for an ingredient to be removed: fik tshilleh l champignon? (Can you remove the mushrooms?)
- To ask for an ingredient to be added: fik tzidleh khardal? (Can you add mustard?)
- To ask for something light: shou 3endkoun shi khafeef? (What do you have that’s light?)
- To ask for the special of the day: shou taba’ l yom? (What’s the dish of the day?)
5. Finalizing the Order (Time & Cost)
Before hanging up, confirm the time and price.
- To ask how long it will take: adeh baddon wa’et? (How much time will it need?)
- To ask how much it costs: adeh byetla3o? or adeh Ha’on? (How much will they come out to? or How much is their price?)
- To ask if the price includes delivery: ma3 delivery charge aw bala delivery charge? (With delivery charge or without delivery charge?)
And finally, the most important word after your food arrives: SaHtein! (Bon Appétit!)
Key Vocabulary & Phrases
| Lebanese Phrase | Transliteration | English Meaning |
| بدي أطلب أكل | Baddeh otlob akel | I want to order food |
| لوين منوصلها؟ | La wein mn wassela? | Where do we deliver it to? |
| بلا توم | Bala toom | Without garlic |
| مع كبيس | Ma3 kabees | With pickles |
| زيادة جبنة | Zyedeh jibneh | Extra cheese |
| شو بتحطّ فيها؟ | Shou betHott fiya? | What do you put in it? |
| فيك تشلّي؟ | Fik tshilleh? | Can you remove (for me)? |
| فيك تزيدلي؟ | Fik tzidleh? | Can you add (for me)? |
| شو عندكُن شي خفيف؟ | Shou 3endkoun shi khafeef? | What do you have that’s light? |
| شو طبق اليوم؟ | Shou taba’ l yom? | What is the dish of the day? |
| قدّيه بدّهن وقت؟ | Addeh baddon wa’et? | How much time will they need? |
| قدّيه حقّهن؟ | Addeh Ha”on? | How much is their price? |
| صحتين | Sahtein | Bon Appétit / To your health |
