هل يمكنني استخدام هذا الكمبيوتر؟

Just point at the device and say the phrase. Keep your tone rising at the end like a question. If you are in a library, whisper it. If you are at a friend's house, say it while reaching for the mouse. You can add law samaht (please) at the end for extra politeness. It’s like adding sprinkles to a cupcake. It makes everything better.

Use it when your phone dies and you need a map. Use it at an internet cafe or a hotel business center. It works perfectly when visiting a friend's home. It’s also great in an office if you need to show a colleague something. Basically, any time a screen is involved, this works. Even if it's a tablet, people will understand you.

Don't use this for a computer that isn't yours to ask for. If it’s a high-security server at a bank, maybe don't ask. Also, don't use it if the person is clearly in the middle of a gaming marathon. They might throw a headset at you. In very formal classical Arabic settings, deh changes to hadha. But for 99% of life, stick with deh.

In Arab culture, hospitality is huge. If you ask to use something, the answer is almost always 'yes.' People love being helpful. However, privacy is also respected. Asking shows you have zoq (good manners). It’s a small phrase that proves you aren't entitled. It builds a bridge of trust between you and the owner.

In Saudi Arabia or the Gulf, you might hear hatha instead of deh. In Lebanon, they might say fiyi instead of mumkin. If you want to be very casual with a best friend, just say stakhdim deh? while pointing. If the computer is a laptop, you can say laptop instead of computer. Most people use the English terms anyway. It’s a very flexible sentence structure.