ممكن تفتح العداد؟
mumkin taftah al-'addad?
Can you turn on the meter?
Literally: Possible you open the counter?
In 15 Seconds
- Ask the taxi driver to use the official meter for pricing.
- Use it immediately upon entering the car to avoid haggling.
- Shows you are a savvy traveler who knows local norms.
Meaning
This is the essential phrase you use when getting into a taxi to ensure you pay the official price. It's a polite way to ask the driver to use the electronic meter instead of haggling over a fixed fare.
Key Examples
3 of 6Entering a taxi in downtown
صباح الخير، ممكن تفتح العداد؟
Good morning, can you turn on the meter?
The driver starts driving without the meter
يا اسطى، معلش ممكن تفتح العداد؟
Driver, sorry, can you turn on the meter?
A formal request to a limousine driver
لو سمحت، هل ممكن تفتح العداد؟
Excuse me, is it possible to turn on the meter?
Cultural Background
In Cairo, 'White Taxis' are legally required to use meters. If a driver refuses, you can threaten to call the traffic police (Bolice al-Morour), but usually, just starting to get out of the car is enough to make them 'fix' the meter. Jordanians are generally very strict about meters. It is rare for a driver to refuse, but if they do, it's often because they want to charge a 'night rate' or a 'tourist rate'. Due to economic fluctuations, meters in Beirut are sometimes ignored in favor of a price agreed upon at the end of the ride. However, asking for the meter is still a good way to start the negotiation. In cities like Casablanca or Marrakech, 'Petit Taxis' (small cars) always use meters, while 'Grand Taxis' (larger shared cars) do not. Make sure you are in the right kind of taxi before asking.
The Golden Rule
Always ask for the meter *before* the car moves. It's much harder to negotiate once you're in traffic.
The 'Broken' Excuse
If the driver says the meter is broken, it's usually a lie. Politely say you'll wait for another taxi.
In 15 Seconds
- Ask the taxi driver to use the official meter for pricing.
- Use it immediately upon entering the car to avoid haggling.
- Shows you are a savvy traveler who knows local norms.
What It Means
This phrase is your best friend when navigating busy cities like Cairo, Amman, or Casablanca. The word ممكن means 'is it possible' or 'can you.' The verb تفتح literally means 'to open,' but in this context, it means 'to start' or 'to turn on.' Finally, العداد is the meter. When you put them together, you are asking the driver to play by the rules. It’s a polite request that shows you aren't a total stranger to how things work.
How To Use It
You should say this immediately after you get into the car and tell the driver your destination. Don't wait until you are halfway there! Keep your tone light and friendly. You can add لو سمحت (if you please) at the end to make it extra polite. If the driver nods or says حاضر (certainly), you’re good to go. If they hesitate, you might need to insist or find another taxi.
When To Use It
Use this every single time you enter a traditional street taxi. It is the standard way to ensure a fair price for both you and the driver. It’s especially useful in tourist-heavy areas where drivers might try to offer a 'special' fixed price. Using the meter is almost always cheaper than a negotiated fare. It’s also great for showing you are a savvy traveler who knows the local customs.
When NOT To Use It
Never use this in an Uber, Careem, or any ride-hailing app car. Their prices are calculated by the app, and asking for a meter will just confuse them. Also, avoid using it for very long, inter-city trips. For example, if you are traveling from Cairo to Alexandria, a flat rate is usually negotiated beforehand. In those cases, the meter isn't used because the distance is too great for standard city rates.
Cultural Background
In many Arab countries, the taxi meter is a symbol of modernization. Before meters, every single ride involved a long negotiation session. While haggling is a fun cultural experience at a souq, it’s exhausting for a morning commute! Some drivers might claim the meter is 'broken' (عطلان) to get a higher fare. This phrase is your first line of defense in the polite 'dance' of taxi culture.
Common Variations
You might hear people say شغل العداد (shaghal al-addad), which means 'operate the meter.' This is a bit more direct and firm. In some regions, they might just say بالعداد؟ (bi-l-addad?), which translates to 'by the meter?' as a question before even getting in. If you want to be very formal, you can say هل من الممكن تشغيل العداد؟, but that sounds a bit like a textbook!
Usage Notes
The phrase is neutral and safe for all social interactions with service workers. The biggest 'gotcha' is making sure the driver actually resets the meter to the starting fare when they 'open' it.
The Golden Rule
Always ask for the meter *before* the car moves. It's much harder to negotiate once you're in traffic.
The 'Broken' Excuse
If the driver says the meter is broken, it's usually a lie. Politely say you'll wait for another taxi.
Check the Starting Fare
Every city has a 'starting price' (fatahat al-addad). Know what it is so you know the meter isn't rigged.
Be Friendly
A smile and a 'Ya basha' (Sir/Boss) goes a long way in making the driver happy to use the meter.
Examples
6صباح الخير، ممكن تفتح العداد؟
Good morning, can you turn on the meter?
A standard, polite way to start a ride.
يا اسطى، معلش ممكن تفتح العداد؟
Driver, sorry, can you turn on the meter?
Using 'Ya Osta' is a common, friendly way to address drivers.
لو سمحت، هل ممكن تفتح العداد؟
Excuse me, is it possible to turn on the meter?
Adding 'Law samaht' increases the politeness level.
ايه يا عم، هتفتح العداد عليا ولا ايه؟
What's up man, are you going to start the meter on me?
A funny way to tell a friend they are being too transactional.
العداد شغال؟ ممكن تفتحه؟
Is the meter working? Can you turn it on?
Good for avoiding the 'it's broken' excuse later.
ممكن تفتح العداد بسرعة عشان مستعجل؟
Can you turn on the meter quickly because I'm in a hurry?
Adds a reason for the request to keep things moving.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence to ask the driver to use the meter.
لو سمحت يا أسطى، ممكن ____ العداد؟
'Taftah' (open) is the correct verb for starting a meter.
Which response is best if the driver says the meter is broken?
Driver: العداد عطلان يا باشا. (The meter is broken, sir.)
This is the polite way to insist on a meter or leave the taxi.
Match the Arabic word to its English meaning.
Words: 1. ممكن, 2. العداد, 3. تفتح, 4. لو سمحت
Basic vocabulary matching for the phrase components.
Complete the dialogue naturally.
Passenger: ممكن تفتح العداد؟ Driver: ________.
'Hadir, min 'uyuni' is a very polite way for a driver to say 'Certainly, with pleasure'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesلو سمحت يا أسطى، ممكن ____ العداد؟
'Taftah' (open) is the correct verb for starting a meter.
Driver: العداد عطلان يا باشا. (The meter is broken, sir.)
This is the polite way to insist on a meter or leave the taxi.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Basic vocabulary matching for the phrase components.
Passenger: ممكن تفتح العداد؟ Driver: ________.
'Hadir, min 'uyuni' is a very polite way for a driver to say 'Certainly, with pleasure'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNot at all! It is your legal right as a passenger. Using 'Mumkin' makes it very polite.
You can either agree on a fixed price (if you know the fair rate) or simply thank them and find another taxi.
Yes, 'Iftah' (open) and 'Shaghil' (operate/turn on) are used interchangeably in this context.
It is common to round up the fare to the nearest whole number or add a small tip (5-10%) for good service.
No, the meter price is for the whole car, regardless of how many passengers (up to the limit).
It comes from the root 'to count', so it literally means 'the counter'.
No, Uber and Careem use app-based pricing, so there is no physical meter to 'open'.
This is rare but possible. If you suspect a 'fast meter', note the taxi number and report it to the authorities.
Yes, but in Morocco, they often call it 'le compteur' (the counter).
It's neutral. It's safe to use with anyone, from a taxi driver to a government official.
Related Phrases
شغل العداد
synonymTurn on the meter
على العداد
similarOn the meter
العداد عطلان
contrastThe meter is broken
كم الحساب؟
builds onHow much is the bill?
