لازم أدفع مقدم؟

You can drop this phrase at the end of a negotiation. It usually comes after you have agreed on a price. Just say lazem adfa' muqaddam? with a rising intonation. It is a complete sentence on its own. You don't need fancy grammar to make it work. If you want to be more specific, add the item at the end. For example, lazem adfa' muqaddam lil-sayyara? (Do I pay a deposit for the car?).

Use it when renting an apartment or booking a hotel. It is perfect for hiring a freelancer or a contractor. Use it when ordering custom furniture from a carpenter. It is also common when booking a large table at a fancy restaurant. Basically, use it whenever a service isn't immediate. It saves you from the awkward moment of reaching for your wallet too late.

Don't use this at a grocery store or a pharmacy. You pay for those things immediately, so it sounds weird. Avoid using it when a friend offers you a favor. Asking if you need to pay a deposit for a friend's help might sound like a joke. Also, don't use it for small, everyday purchases like a cup of coffee. It might make the barista think you're trying to start a payment plan for a latte.

In many Middle Eastern cultures, trust is the foundation of business. However, a muqaddam (deposit) provides security for the seller. There is also a related concept called arboon. This is specifically 'earnest money' that you might lose if you back out. People appreciate when you ask about the deposit upfront. It shows you respect their time and their business rules. Sometimes, if you know the person well, they might say 'no need' out of courtesy.

You might hear fih 'arboon? which is more specific to a non-refundable deposit. In some regions, people say lazem adfa' 'arabon?. If you want to be very formal, you could say hal yajib 'alayya daf' muqaddam?. But in 99% of daily life, the simple version is king. It is short, clear, and gets the job right to the point.