Meaning
Asking about food preference.
Cultural Background
It is polite to initially refuse food or say you aren't hungry. The host will ask 'What do you want to eat?' multiple times to show they are sincere. The phrase is often followed by 'Sahtain' (Two healths) once you decide or start eating. Food is often shared from a central dish. Asking what someone wants might result in a suggestion to share a specific 'Mahshi' or 'Koshary' dish. Hospitality involves a long tea ceremony before the food question is even settled.
The 'An' Rule
Always remember that 'an' is like a bridge. Without it, your sentence will collapse!
Be Specific
If a host asks you this, try to name a general category (meat, veg) to help them out, rather than just saying 'anything'.
Meaning
Asking about food preference.
The 'An' Rule
Always remember that 'an' is like a bridge. Without it, your sentence will collapse!
Be Specific
If a host asks you this, try to name a general category (meat, veg) to help them out, rather than just saying 'anything'.
Gender Matters
Don't forget to add the 'ī' sound at the end when talking to a woman: 'turīdīna... ta'kulī'.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'to want' for a female.
ماذا ____ أن تأكلي؟
The feminine singular form of 'you want' is 'turīdīna'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct in Modern Standard Arabic?
Select the correct version:
It requires 'Mādhā', the particle 'an', and the subjunctive fatḥa ending.
Match the dialect to the region.
Dialect Matching
These are the most common regional variations.
Complete the dialogue.
Host: تفضل يا ضيفي العزيز. ماذا تريد أن تأكل؟ Guest: ________.
The guest should respond with a food preference.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Food Vocabulary to use with this phrase
Meats
- • دجاج (Chicken)
- • لحم (Meat)
- • سمك (Fish)
Sides
- • أرز (Rice)
- • خبز (Bread)
- • سلطة (Salad)
Practice Bank
4 exercisesماذا ____ أن تأكلي؟
The feminine singular form of 'you want' is 'turīdīna'.
Select the correct version:
It requires 'Mādhā', the particle 'an', and the subjunctive fatḥa ending.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are the most common regional variations.
Host: تفضل يا ضيفي العزيز. ماذا تريد أن تأكل؟ Guest: ________.
The guest should respond with a food preference.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsYes, but it's less specific. It just means 'What do you want?'. Adding 'an ta'kula' makes it clear you are talking about a meal.
The individual words are, but this specific conversational structure is more modern and characteristic of Modern Standard Arabic.
Because of the word 'an'. It's a grammar rule called 'Nasb' which changes the 'u' to an 'a'.
The Egyptian 'Ayiz takul eh?' is arguably the most widely understood due to Egyptian cinema.
Related Phrases
ماذا تريد أن تشرب؟
similarWhat do you want to drink?
بالهناء والشفاء
builds onWith pleasure and health.
أنا جائع
contrastI am hungry.
تفضل إلى المائدة
builds onPlease come to the table.
