بكم التذكرة؟
bikam al-tadhkarah?
How much is the ticket?
Literally: The ticket [is] by how much?
In 15 Seconds
- Used to ask the price of any entry or travel ticket.
- Works at cinemas, train stations, museums, and stadiums.
- Simple structure: 'The ticket' + 'for how much?'
Meaning
This is the most direct way to ask for the price of a ticket, whether you're at a train station, a cinema, or a museum.
Key Examples
3 of 7At the metro station
لو سمحت، التذكرة بكام؟
Excuse me, how much is the ticket?
Buying a cinema ticket
التذكرة بكام للفيلم ده؟
How much is the ticket for this movie?
In a formal travel agency
كم ثمن التذكرة إلى دبي؟
How much is the price of the ticket to Dubai?
Cultural Background
In Egypt, you will hear 'tazkara' (with a Z). It is common to add 'ya basha' or 'ya rayyes' to the end of the question when talking to a male clerk to be friendly. With the rise of modern entertainment (cinemas, concerts), 'Bikam al-tadhkira' is now a daily phrase. Digital booking is very common, but the phrase remains standard for in-person help. Lebanese people often mix Arabic with French. You might hear 'Bikam el-ticket?' or 'Adaysh el-biye?'. In the Maghreb, 'Bsh-hal' is the local word for 'Bikam'. However, 'Bikam' is understood by everyone due to its use in media and education.
Add 'Min Fadlik'
Always add 'min fadlik' (please) to the end to sound more polite and like a seasoned traveler.
Watch the 'Dh'
If you say 'Tadkira' with a 'D', people will still understand you, but you'll sound like you're struggling. Aim for the 'th' sound.
In 15 Seconds
- Used to ask the price of any entry or travel ticket.
- Works at cinemas, train stations, museums, and stadiums.
- Simple structure: 'The ticket' + 'for how much?'
What It Means
This phrase is your golden key to getting around and having fun. It is the standard way to ask 'How much is the ticket?' in spoken Arabic, particularly in Egyptian and Levantine dialects. You are literally asking, 'The ticket, for how much?' It is simple, effective, and gets straight to the point without any fluff. Whether you are standing in a dusty bus station or a shiny new mall, this phrase works perfectly.
How To Use It
You don't need to worry about complex grammar here. Just say the word for ticket, Et-tazkara, and follow it with the question be kam. If you want to be extra polite, you can add law samaht (if you please) at the beginning or end. It is like a verbal shortcut. You are pointing at the service you want and asking for the price tag. It is very common to drop the 'the' and just say tazkara be kam? if you are in a rush.
When To Use It
Use this anytime there is a booth or a counter involved. It is perfect for the metro, the local bus, or a long-distance train. It is also the right choice for the cinema, a football match, or an art gallery. If you are texting a friend to see if you can afford to go to a concert together, this is the phrase to send. It is a functional, everyday tool for your linguistic belt.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for physical objects like a kilo of tomatoes or a new pair of shoes. For those, you would just say be kam da? (How much is this?). Using tazkara for a sandwich will definitely get you some funny looks! Also, if you are in a very formal government office or writing a formal email to an airline, you might want to use the more classical kam thaman al-tadhkira?, but for 99% of your daily life, the standard version is king.
Cultural Background
In many Arabic-speaking cities, public transport is the lifeblood of the streets. You will hear this phrase shouted over the noise of traffic or whispered at a ticket window. While bargaining is a sport in the souks (markets), ticket prices are usually fixed. However, asking the price is still a way of starting the interaction. It shows you are savvy and know how the system works. In some places, the price might even change depending on the time of day or the type of seat, so always ask!
Common Variations
In Modern Standard Arabic, you might hear kam al-tadhkira?. In some Gulf dialects, they might say be kam el-tathkira?. In Egypt, the 'dh' sound in tadhkira almost always turns into a 'z' sound, making it tazkara. You might also hear people just say be kam? while pointing at the ticket sign, which is the ultimate 'lazy' but effective way to communicate.
Usage Notes
This phrase is neutral and safe for almost any everyday situation. In Egypt, remember to pronounce the 'dh' as a 'z' (`tazkara`) for a more natural flow.
Add 'Min Fadlik'
Always add 'min fadlik' (please) to the end to sound more polite and like a seasoned traveler.
Watch the 'Dh'
If you say 'Tadkira' with a 'D', people will still understand you, but you'll sound like you're struggling. Aim for the 'th' sound.
Ask for 'Dhabab wa Iyaban'
Buying a round-trip ticket is usually cheaper. Ask: 'Bikam al-tadhkira dhabab wa iyaban?'
Examples
7لو سمحت، التذكرة بكام؟
Excuse me, how much is the ticket?
Adding 'law samaht' makes the request much more polite.
التذكرة بكام للفيلم ده؟
How much is the ticket for this movie?
Adding 'lil-film da' specifies which movie you want.
كم ثمن التذكرة إلى دبي؟
How much is the price of the ticket to Dubai?
Using 'thaman' (price) is slightly more formal.
عرفت التذكرة بكام؟
Did you find out how much the ticket is?
A very common way to check prices via text.
التذكرة بكام؟! دي غالية قوي!
The ticket is how much?! That's so expensive!
Used with a shocked tone when the price is unexpected.
تذكرة الطفل بكام؟
How much is the child's ticket?
Specifying the type of ticket needed.
يا باشا التذكرة بكام النهاردة؟
Hey boss, how much is the ticket today?
Using 'Ya basha' is a very Egyptian, friendly way to address the seller.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct way to ask for the price of a ticket in Modern Standard Arabic.
How do you say 'How much is the ticket?'
'Bikam' is the correct interrogative for price. 'Kam' is for quantity, 'Kayf' is for how, and 'Ayn' is for where.
Fill in the missing word to complete the question.
بكم _______ إلى القاهرة؟
The context of 'to Cairo' (إلى القاهرة) and 'How much' (بكم) strongly suggests asking for a ticket.
Complete the dialogue at the museum.
Tourist: عفواً، بكم التذكرة؟ Clerk: _________ عشرون ريالاً.
'Tadhkira' is feminine, so the pronoun 'hiya' (she/it) is used to refer back to it.
Match the phrase to the correct situation.
Situation: You are at a train station in Morocco.
When at a station, asking for the ticket price is the most relevant action.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Where to use 'Tadhkira'
Transport
- • Train
- • Bus
- • Plane
Events
- • Cinema
- • Concert
- • Match
Sites
- • Museum
- • Zoo
- • Park
Practice Bank
4 exercisesHow do you say 'How much is the ticket?'
'Bikam' is the correct interrogative for price. 'Kam' is for quantity, 'Kayf' is for how, and 'Ayn' is for where.
بكم _______ إلى القاهرة؟
The context of 'to Cairo' (إلى القاهرة) and 'How much' (بكم) strongly suggests asking for a ticket.
Tourist: عفواً، بكم التذكرة؟ Clerk: _________ عشرون ريالاً.
'Tadhkira' is feminine, so the pronoun 'hiya' (she/it) is used to refer back to it.
Situation: You are at a train station in Morocco.
When at a station, asking for the ticket price is the most relevant action.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questionsIt is neutral. It works in both formal and informal settings.
Yes, it works for any kind of ticket, including 'tadhkirat tayaran' (plane ticket).
Say 'Bikam tadhkiratan?' (using the dual form) or 'Bikam tadhkiratayn?'.
Yes, 'Al-tadhkira' means 'the ticket'. If you say 'tadhkira', it sounds like 'How much is a ticket?'.
You can say 'Bikam al-tadhkira li?' but it's more natural to just say 'Bikam al-tadhkira?'.
Related Phrases
كم السعر؟
synonymWhat is the price?
تذكرة ذهاب فقط
builds onOne-way ticket
حجز تذكرة
relatedTo book a ticket
شباك التذاكر
relatedTicket window/office
