Meaning
Commenting on the high price of something.
Cultural Background
Bargaining (Mufawada) is a social skill. Saying 'Hādha ghālī' is the expected first step. If you accept the first price, the seller might actually feel they could have gotten more, or that the social interaction was too short. Egyptians often use humor in bargaining. They might say 'Hādha ghālī' followed by a joke about the economy to soften the negotiation. In the Gulf, 'Ya Ghālī' is a very common and respectful way to address a male peer or someone slightly younger, showing warmth and brotherhood. In Lebanon and Syria, the word 'ghālī' is used frequently in pop songs to describe a beloved, often paired with 'habibi'.
The 'Souk' Strategy
When you say 'Hādha ghālī,' look slightly disappointed but keep the item in your hand. This shows you are interested but the price is the only barrier.
Gender Matters
Always check the gender of the noun. 'Saa'a' (watch) is feminine, so say 'ghāliya'. 'Hatif' (phone) is masculine, so say 'ghālī'.
Meaning
Commenting on the high price of something.
The 'Souk' Strategy
When you say 'Hādha ghālī,' look slightly disappointed but keep the item in your hand. This shows you are interested but the price is the only barrier.
Gender Matters
Always check the gender of the noun. 'Saa'a' (watch) is feminine, so say 'ghāliya'. 'Hatif' (phone) is masculine, so say 'ghālī'.
Don't Overuse with People
While 'Ya Ghali' is friendly, don't use it in very formal business emails unless you have a long-standing relationship.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct feminine form for 'This car is expensive.'
هذه السيارة ____.
Since 'Sayyara' (car) is feminine, the adjective must also be feminine by adding 'Ta Marbuta'.
Complete the sentence to say 'This is very expensive.'
هذا غالي ____.
'Jiddan' is the standard intensifier for 'very' in Arabic.
Match the phrase to the correct context.
Context: You are talking to your best friend.
In this context, 'ghali' means 'dear' or 'precious'.
Complete the market dialogue.
Seller: 'هذا القميص بـ 500 جنيه.' Buyer: 'لا! هذا ____.'
The buyer is reacting to a high price (500 pounds).
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Ghali vs. Rakhis
The Two Faces of Ghali
Money
- • High Price
- • Exorbitant
- • Costly
Heart
- • Dear Friend
- • Precious Memory
- • Beloved
Practice Bank
4 exercisesهذه السيارة ____.
Since 'Sayyara' (car) is feminine, the adjective must also be feminine by adding 'Ta Marbuta'.
هذا غالي ____.
'Jiddan' is the standard intensifier for 'very' in Arabic.
Context: You are talking to your best friend.
In this context, 'ghali' means 'dear' or 'precious'.
Seller: 'هذا القميص بـ 500 جنيه.' Buyer: 'لا! هذا ____.'
The buyer is reacting to a high price (500 pounds).
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes! It means 'dear' or 'precious'. You can say 'Ya ghali' to a close friend.
'Ghali' refers to the price (cost), while 'thamin' refers to the value (worth). A diamond is both 'ghali' and 'thamin'.
You can say 'ghali jiddan' (very expensive) or 'ghali kathiiran'.
That is the strict grammatical form in Classical Arabic for an indefinite noun in the nominative case. In speaking, we always say 'ghālī'.
No, for temperature use 'har' (hot) or 'murtafi' (high).
Not at all! In many Arab countries, it's a normal part of the shopping conversation.
The opposite is 'rakhis' (رخيص), which means cheap.
For people, 'ghāliyūn' (masc) or 'ghāliyāt' (fem). For things, use the feminine singular 'ghāliya'.
In Arabic, adjectives come after the noun. e.g., 'Kitab ghali' (An expensive book).
Yes, 'khata' ghali' (a costly mistake) is a common metaphorical use.
Related Phrases
سعره مرتفع
synonymIts price is high
رخيص
contrastCheap
بلاش
contrastFor free / very cheap
ثمين
similarValuable
