هذا غال جدا.

Modern Standard Arabic

This is a Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) phrase. While universally understood, in casual street markets you are more likely to hear regional variations like "ghali awi" (Egyptian) or "ghali bzaf" (Moroccan).

How it works

The phrase consists of a demonstrative pronoun followed by an adjective and an adverbial intensifier.

• هذا (hadha): 'this'
• غال (ghalin): 'expensive'
• جدا (jiddan): 'very'

Hidden Vowels

The word غال is a defective noun. In its indefinite nominative form, the final 'ya' is dropped, and it is pronounced with an unwritten 'in' sound (tanween kasra) at the end. The word جدا takes an unwritten 'an' sound (tanween fatha) as an adverbial intensifier.

Tone and Delivery

While this phrase is direct, delivering it with a friendly tone and a smile can prevent sounding rude when negotiating prices.

Notes

Useful but keep your tone friendly. Neutral polite wording.