Arabic · Beginnerأَبْحَثُ عَنْ شَقَّةٍRenting an Apartment

Follow along

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00:00Intro
Welcome Layla! How was your day yesterday?
Welcome Ryan! It was a very tiring day in the city.
Why? Were you looking for a new apartment?
Exactly! I have been looking for a suitable apartment for a week.
When I was looking for an apartment last year, I met a good landlord.
And was the monthly rent cheap in your apartment?
Yes, monthly rent was suitable, and location was good too!
How lucky you are, Ryan!
Moving furniture and searching for housing is an important task.
Correct! I was walking all day in the streets.
How many apartments did you visit last week, Mia?
I visited four apartments in very different places.
And how many rooms do you want in the new apartment?
I want a bedroom and a living room with a clean kitchen.
And was the kitchen big in the apartments that you visited?
In some apartments it was big, and in others small.
And did you find what you want in those apartments?
No, there were problems with the rent and location.
So you are looking for an apartment in a good location at a suitable price!
Yes! I want a good location and a monthly rent suitable for me.
And what about quietness? Do you like living in a quiet place?
Certainly! I always prefer living in a quiet place.
And did you ask the landlord about the deposit amount and move-in date?
Yes, but a very strange story happened to me yesterday!
A strange story? Tell me what happened with the landlord!
Today we learn six phrases about renting apartments first!
Excellent! Then we listen to your funny story in renting the apartment.
Last week, I was telling everyone: I am looking for an apartment.
And did you find a beautiful apartment in the city?
Yes! I found an ad saying: big apartment in a good location.
A good location? That is a very wonderful thing, Layla!
I went to see the apartment and it was close to all shops.
And was the apartment near the train station?
Yes, it was near the station, mosque, and restaurant.
That makes it in a very good location for commuting!
Correct! But noise was a lot at night.
And did you talk with the landlord in the street?
Yes, the landlord was talking very quickly.
And did you read the lease contract before signing?
Yes, I read the lease contract very carefully.
And what about the price? Was the monthly rent suitable?
The landlord said: the monthly rent is very cheap today.
How wonderful! So why were you tired yesterday?
Because the landlord asked for the deposit amount for six months in advance!
The deposit amount for six months? That is a very large amount!
Yes! And when I asked about the move-in date, he said: Today!
Today? And the old tenant was still in the apartment?
Yes! And workers were painting the walls inside.
Hahaha! That is a very strange move-in date!
And also the street was full of cars and the busy bakery.
So it is not in a quiet place at all!
Correct! It was not in a quiet place, so I did not rent it.
Speaking of houses, do you know a fact about the traditional Arab house?
What is the fact, Ryan? I love knowing history!
The traditional house relies on the courtyard in the middle.
This makes the house in a quiet and cool place in summer!
And also neighbors welcome you on the move-in date with coffee and dates.
They carry mint tea and sweets for new neighbors!
Yes! Neighborhood culture among Arabs is very warm and beautiful.
How beautiful these traditions are! Hospitality among Arabs is wonderful.
Now we explain the six phrases easily for beginners.
The first phrase: abḥathu 'an shaqqah, means I am looking for an apartment.
You say this phrase when you want a new home in the city.
Just as I said to the agent: I am looking for an apartment in the city.
When you say: I am looking for an apartment, the friend helps you in search.
And the second phrase: al-ījāru ash-shahriyy, means monthly rent.
It is the money you pay every month to the landlord.
It sometimes includes water, electricity, and internet in some apartments.
It is important to ask the landlord: is monthly rent fixed every year?
And the third phrase: mawqi'un jayyid, means good location.
It means the apartment is close to buses, shops, and restaurants.
A good location saves time every day when going to work.
And you walk to restaurants and cafes in five minutes.
And the fourth phrase: makānun hādi', means quiet place.
There is no noise or many cars in this place.
A quiet place is very important for sleep and reading at night.
We don't need to hear cars early in the morning.
And the fifth phrase: mablaghu at-ta'mīn, means deposit amount.
You pay this money once before entering the apartment.
The landlord keeps this money to protect furniture and apartment.
Remember to take a written receipt when paying the deposit amount.
And the sixth phrase: maw`idu al-intiqāl, means move-in date.
It is the day you start living and take the keys.
Choose move-in date on weekend day for rest.
Now repeat with us these phrases at home!
Say with me: I am looking for an apartment in a quiet place.
And say also: how much is monthly rent and deposit amount?
Well done! Repetition helps in learning the Arabic language quickly.
Now it is time to choose between the two teams, Mia!
Yes! Are you in Team Ryan or Team Mia?
I am in Team Ryan! I prefer living in a quiet place.
And I am in Team Mia! I prefer living in a good location.
Team Ryan loves quietness and nature far from crowd.
And Team Mia loves life close to cafes and shops.
Excellent! In your opinion Layla, what percentage search for an apartment?
In my opinion, maybe seventy percent of people.
I read that eighty percent search online before visiting.
And what about deposit amount? How many months do they usually pay?
I heard that most people pay two months rent as deposit amount.
That is a reasonable number! Internet helps everyone in search.
Now it is time for the quick quiz, Ryan!
I am very ready! Ask the questions, Mia.
First question: you write a letter to the landlord. What do you say?
I say with joy: I am looking for a new apartment, sir!
Correct answer! Second question: you want to know the money every month. What do you ask?
I ask calmly: how much is the monthly rent for this apartment?
Wonderful! Third question: apartment is near buses and shops. How do you describe it?
I describe it with happiness: this apartment is in a very good location!
Well done! Fourth question: you don't like noise at night. What do you want?
I declare strongly: I always want to live in a quiet place!
Excellent! Fifth question: landlord asks for money before entry. What is it called?
I answer with confidence: this money is the deposit amount, Mia!
Wonderful answer! Sixth question: you want to know entry day. What do you ask?
I ask with a smile: when is the move-in date to the new apartment?
God bless you! Seventh question: your friend asks about your work today. What do you say?
I say with laughter: I am looking for an apartment with Mia all day!
Eighth question: lease contract is ready and money is paid. What do you ask now?
I ask enthusiastically: when is the move-in date, my dear friend?
Ninth question: you write in the ad about quietness of apartment. What do you write?
I write clearly: I am looking for an apartment in a quiet place!
Tenth question: your friend asks about the day of your coming to the city. What do you say?
I say with joy: this is the move-in date, my friend!
Eleventh question: you set the day of moving boxes. What do you call this day?
I call it with happiness: the move-in date, Mia!
Twelfth question: you ask about closeness of apartment to city bus. What do you say?
I ask with a smile: is the apartment in a good location?
Thirteenth question: you ask about a place far from noise. What do you ask?
I ask: do you know a quiet place in the city?
Fourteenth question: you write a thank you message to landlord after entry. What do you say?
I say with happiness: thanks, this is a very happy move-in date!
Well done in the answers, Ryan!
Thank you very much Mia! And now it is time for homework for listeners.
Homework is very easy: stand in front of the mirror at home.
And write this sentence or say it out loud three times!
The sentence is: I am looking for an apartment in a good location.
Repeat this sentence three times to remember the phrase always.
And don't forget to write your comments: are you in Team Ryan or Team Mia?
And if you rent an apartment, call me to help you on move-in date!
Especially if it is next to a bakery working all night! Hahaha!
Good bye in the next episode, my friends!
Good bye and go with safety to everyone!

Key phrases

4 to keep
أَبْحَثُ عَنْ شَقَّةٍI am looking for an apartment
أَبْحَثُ عَنْ شَقَّةٍ قَرِيبَة مِنَ العَمَل.I am looking for an apartment close to work.
الإِيجَارُ الشَّهْرِيُّMonthly rent
the monthly rent
كَمْ يَبْلُغُ الإِيجَارُ الشَّهْرِيُّ لِهٰذِهِ الشَّقَّة؟How much is the monthly rent for this apartment?
مَوْقِعٌ جَيِّدٌGood location
a good location
أُحِبُّ هٰذَا المَكَان، مَوْقِعٌ جَيِّدٌ جِدًّا.I like this place; it's a very good location.
مَكَانٌ هَادِئٌQuiet place
a quiet place
أَبْحَثُ عَنْ مَكَانٌ هَادِئٌ لِلنَّوْم جَيِّدًا.I am looking for a quiet place to sleep well.

دورك

Your turn
قلها بصوت عالٍ
Today's small task

Thank you very much Mia! And now it is time for homework for listeners.Thank you very much Mia! And now it is time for homework for listeners.

cocoaأَبْحَثُ عَنْ شَقَّةٍ
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