Learn Arabic: A Beginner’s Guide
Arabic is one of the world’s most significant languages, spoken by over 240 million people across multiple regions and continents. As one of the top ten most widely spoken languages, Arabic plays a key role in global communication, business, and culture. Since Arabic differs significantly from English and other European languages in structure and script, beginners should familiarize themselves with these differences early on.
Getting Started with Arabic
🔹 Use Online Resources – Explore digital tools to help you build a strong foundation in Arabic.
🔹 Learn the Arabic Alphabet – Arabic is written from right to left, unlike English. Some Arabic sounds do not exist in English and vice versa. Mastering the Arabic script is the first step in reading and writing.
🔹 Build Basic Vocabulary – Start with essential words to become comfortable with pronunciation and expand your language skills.
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مرحباً (Marhaban) – Hello
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مع السّلامة (Ma’a ssalamah) – Goodbye
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أهلاً وسهلاً بكَ (Ahlan wa sahlan bika) – Welcome (to a male)
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أهلاً وسهلاً بكِ (Ahlan wa sahlan biki) – Welcome (to a female)
🔹 Use Flashcards for Memorization – Create Arabic-English flashcards to practice vocabulary anytime, anywhere.
🔹 Understand Sentence Structure – Arabic typically follows a verb-subject-object order, which differs from English’s subject-verb-object pattern.
🔹 Practice Common Phrases – Learning essential expressions will help you communicate effectively.
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كيف حالك؟ (Kaifa haloka/haloki?) – How are you? (Male/Female)
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أنا بخير شكراً (Ana bekhair, shokran) – I’m fine, thank you.
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شكراً (Shokran) – Thank you.
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ما اسمك؟ (Ma esmouk?/Ma esmouki?) – What is your name? (Male/Female)
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اسمي... (Esmee...) – My name is...
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هل تتكلم اللغة الإنجليزية؟ (Hal tatakallamu allughah alenjleziah?) – Do you speak English?
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لا أفهم (La afham) – I don’t understand.
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هل بإمكانك مساعدتي؟ (Hal beemkanek mosa’adati?) – Can you help me?
Mastering Arabic takes time and practice, but by following these steps, you’ll develop a strong foundation in reading, writing, speaking, and comprehension. Keep practicing, and enjoy your language-learning journey! 🌍✨
Popular Arabic words and phrases:
Habeebi/Habeebti
Habibi in Arabic means 'my love' and is often used in conversation, both formally and informally. It's one of those words to learn as it can be used in any situation — when genuinely calling someone a friend, when fighting or even when being sarcastic!
Assalam Alaikum
Assalam Alaikum is a formal greeting in Arabic. It means 'Peace be upon you'.
Example: Assalam Alaikum! How are you?
Walaikum Assalam (pronounced wal-eye-kum ass-a-lam)
Walaikum Assalam means '…and Peace be upon you too' and is said in response to Assalam Alaikum.
Example: Walaikum Assalam! I'm fine, thanks. How are you?
Insha'Allah
Insha'Allah is one of those words that is used in abundance in conversations all over Dubai irrespective of whether it's a local, expat, arabic or non-arabic speaking person.
Insha'Allah means 'God willing' or 'If God wills it'.
Example: I'll see you tomorrow, Insha'Allah.
Masha'Allah
Explaining the meaning of Masha'Allah is a little difficult as it's used in myriad ways. The closest translation is 'God has willed it'.
It's mostly commonly said when admiring or praising something.
Example: Oh Masha'Allah! That's great!
Ahlan Wa Sahlan
Ahlan Wa Sahlan is probably the first phrase expats hear when landing in Kuwait. It means welcome.
This is not the welcome one says in response to 'thank you' though. This is used in response to welcoming someone in your home, party or country etc.
Ahlan Wa Sahlan is usually used as a stand alone phrase.
The above words and phrases are ones that get their message across even if you say them without attaching them to a sentence. Even then, if you're unsure of how to use them in your conversation, pay attention to how other people use these words in their sentences. It shouldn't take you long to figure out what context to use them in!