Baghdad Market Arabic: 10 Iraqi Phrases for Prices and Shopping

Baghdad Market Arabic is the focus of this EasyArabicNow guide, with practical travel context and useful planning tips for your trip.

Shopping in Baghdad gets easier when you can ask the price, look at another color, and politely decide whether you want to buy.

You do not need formal Arabic for this. A handful of Iraqi Arabic phrases will take you much further in markets, small shops, clothing stores, and souvenir stalls. Say them naturally, smile, and let the conversation do the rest.

10 Iraqi Arabic Phrases for Shopping

Arabic	English	Say it
بشكد هذا؟	How much is this?	Bish-gad ha-tha?
غالي هواية	That’s very expensive	Gha-li hwa-ya
تنزل شوي بالسعر؟	Can you lower the price a little?	Tnaz-zil shway-ya bis-si-er?
آخر سعر شكد؟	What’s your final price?	A-kher si-er shgad?
ماكو أرخص؟	Is there anything cheaper?	Ma-ku ar-khas?
أريد أشوف هذا	I want to see this	A-reed a-shoof ha-tha
عندك غير لون؟	Do you have another color?	In-dak gheir loon?
عندك قياس أكبر؟	Do you have a bigger size?	In-dak gi-yas ak-bar?
بس أتفرج، شكراً	I’m just looking, thanks	Bas at-far-raj, shuk-ran
أريد هذا	I want this	A-reed ha-tha

Start With the Price

Point to the item and ask بشكد هذا؟, meaning “How much is this?” Say it: Bish-gad ha-tha?

The Iraqi word for “how much” is one of the most useful things you can recognize in Baghdad. You may hear the seller answer quickly, especially in a busy market. If you do not catch the number, asking them to repeat it slowly or showing the amount on a calculator can keep things simple.

If the price feels high, you can smile and say غالي هواية, meaning “That’s very expensive.” Say it: Gha-li hwa-ya.

Keep the tone light. You are opening a conversation, not starting an argument.

Bargain When Bargaining Makes Sense

In some traditional market situations, there may be room to discuss the price. In fixed-price shops, there may not be. Follow the seller’s lead.

To ask politely for a small reduction, say تنزل شوي بالسعر؟, meaning “Can you lower the price a little?” Say it: Tnaz-zil shway-ya bis-si-er?

If you have already gone back and forth and want to know where the seller really stands, ask آخر سعر شكد؟, meaning “What’s your final price?” Say it: A-kher si-er shgad?

You can also ask ماكو أرخص؟, meaning “Is there anything cheaper?” Say it: Ma-ku ar-khas? This is useful when you like the type of item but want a less expensive option.

A friendly bargaining exchange can be part of the fun. Do not worry about winning every last dinar. If the difference is small and you are happy with the item, enjoy the interaction and move on with your day.

Looking at Clothes, Gifts, and Souvenirs

If something is behind a counter or hanging out of reach, say أريد أشوف هذا, meaning “I want to see this.” Say it: A-reed a-shoof ha-tha.

For another color, ask عندك غير لون؟, meaning “Do you have another color?” Say it: In-dak gheir loon?

If you are shopping for clothing and need more room, try عندك قياس أكبر؟, meaning “Do you have a bigger size?” Say it: In-dak gi-yas ak-bar?

Do not be surprised if the seller starts pulling out several alternatives. Shopping can quickly turn into a conversation, especially in smaller stores where the person helping you knows the merchandise well.

When You Are Just Browsing

You do not have to buy something simply because a seller starts showing you items.

Say بس أتفرج، شكراً, meaning “I’m just looking, thanks.” Say it: Bas at-far-raj, shuk-ran.

It is friendly, clear, and especially useful when you want time to browse without immediately discussing prices.

When you do find what you want, point to it and say أريد هذا, meaning “I want this.” Say it: A-reed ha-tha.

Simple Arabic like this is often enough. You can use your fingers, point, smile, and confirm the price before paying.

Enjoy the Market Conversation

Baghdad shopping is not only about buying things. Give yourself time to look around, notice the food, fabrics, household goods, spices, and everyday life around you.

Try asking the price yourself instead of immediately switching to English. Even if your pronunciation is not perfect, using a few Iraqi words can make the exchange more personal.

Remember three phrases first: بشكد هذا؟, meaning “How much is this?” Say it: Bish-gad ha-tha? Then تنزل شوي بالسعر؟, meaning “Can you lower the price a little?” Say it: Tnaz-zil shway-ya bis-si-er? Finally, بس أتفرج، شكراً, meaning “I’m just looking, thanks.” Say it: Bas at-far-raj, shuk-ran.

Use those three confidently, and let the rest come naturally.

Travel information can change. Recheck important prices, schedules, entry rules, health requirements and local regulations with the relevant official source before relying on them.