When you want to go beyond your textbook and your classroom, you’ve got two basic escape routes. The first is the written word. You could read blogs, newspapers, or books in Arabic. Not a bad idea—but it still sounds suspiciously like work. What if you just relaxed your way into Arabic in a way that let you become more fluent with the language, more educated about the culture, and more knowledgeable about art in general? What if you watched a bunch of Arabic movies? If you’ve never watched Arabic movies before, well, of course you’re missing out. But you’re probably also misinformed. Cinema around the world is not, generally speaking, kind to Arabs on screen. It’s not hard to think of examples. That’s why it’s important... Show more

One of the most compelling reasons to learn another language is to be able to enjoy entertainment from around the world. And if you’ve come this far without dipping your toes into the wellspring of Arabic television, prepare to be amazed. Because the Arab world is enormous. In addition to several thriving film industries, Arabic-speaking people have enjoyed television programs of every sort for generations. From sprawling battle scenes to nail-biting game shows to thrilling political dramas, there truly is something for everyone. So let ArabicPod101.com help you find your new favorite Arab show! (And in case you’re wondering where to watch Arabic TV shows, keep in mind that YouTube and Netflix are good places to start.) ... Show more

We’re going to talk now about an important day in Egyptian history: Sinai Liberation Day (or just Sinai Day). On this day, Egypt regained the land of Sinai and the last Israeli soldier left it after Camp David agreement. The liberation of Egypt’s Sinai put a large mark of victory on Egypt’s history. In learning about this holiday, you’re delving into some of Egypt’s most significant history, particularly involving the Sinai Peninsula. This will give you a deeper knowledge of the country’s culture and its people. At ArabicPod101.com, we hope to make this learning adventure both fun and informative. So let’s get started! 1. What is the Arabic Day of Liberation? Sinai Liberation Day is the day when all the land of Sinai, except... Show more

1. Introduction In the Arabic language, there are two words for a “gift.” هدية (hadieh) is the type of gift that you would give for a birthday or Eid al-Fitr—a gift to celebrate a special occasion. هبة (hiba) is a gift that truly comes from the heart—a donation, a sponsorship, even a sacrifice of some sort. The language itself tells you how important the concept of gift-giving is in Arab culture. And as anyone who’s done business in the Arab world or experienced Arab hospitality knows, it’s an aspect that’s impossible to ignore. So whether you’re preparing for a trip to Saudi Arabia or welcoming new Iraqi neighbors, check out the guide below to make sure you’re checking all the right boxes. 2. Outstanding Gifts for... Show more

“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.” Nelson Mandela gave some solid advice. Your words, and the language they’re spoken in, can make a powerful impact. But what about what you’re not saying? What are you communicating without even realizing it? Is your message, “I’m confident, trustworthy, and capable,” or something more like “Watch out!”? In this article, we’re going to take a holistic look at the nonverbal signals you might be giving your business partner. When you’re in another culture, you can’t expect your body language to stay the same. In Dubai, you might accidentally be sending messages that tip the scales in the... Show more

Do you often feel lonely and sad? Do you long for romance and are willing to do whatever it takes to meet that special person? Speaking another language could revolutionize your love life! So, why wait? Learning how to say ‘love’ in Arabic could be just what you need to find it. Or perhaps you were lucky, and have found your Arabic partner already. Fantastic! Yet, a cross-cultural relationship comes with unique challenges. Learning how to speak your lover’s language will greatly improve your communication and enhance the relationship. At ArabicPod101, our team will teach you all the words, quotes and phrases you need to woo your Arabic lover with excellence! Our tutors provide personal assistance, with plenty of extra material available... Show more

Do you know what the most decisive moment of a day in the office is? It happens in the blink of an eye, and it could mean the start of a great deal—or a disaster. It’s the length of time it takes for you to click “Send.” A scary moment, to be sure. Are you positive there weren’t any mistakes in that last email? Did it go to the right person? And when you’re doing business in another culture and another language, the pressure gets turned up to eleven. But at the same time, the rewards could be enormous. If you’re someone who’s already got a decent grasp of the written Arabic language, then you might be ready for the challenge of writing business emails in Arabic. What does it take—and what’s in it for you? In this... Show more

You tell me! Every expat from Morocco to the UAE knows that Arabic is a tough language to learn. With gendered verbs, consonantal roots, and archaic vocabulary, it’s no walk in the park. And what’s the deal with that writing system? Wouldn’t it be better to skip the whole thing and hire a translator? Of course, that’s how the vast majority of foreigners doing business in Arabic-speaking countries deal with this problem. But is that really worth it? What do you lose and what do you gain by spending the time to learn the Arabic language? 1. Can You Get By Without Arabic? Sure! Lots of people already do. Big cities in the Arab world are already cosmopolitan. In Dubai alone, more than seventy-five percent of the... Show more

Picture a crowded Dubai street. What do you see? Maybe you thought of towering skyscrapers, sweltering sunshine, luxury cars. Who do you see? Men in flowing white kandurahs? Women in abayas? Or a sea of faces from all over the world? The United Arab Emirates is made up of eighty percent expats. That’s an astounding number. But they must be doing something right. The average annual income in the UAE is nearly US $130,000. That means that aside from a strong sense of business savvy, the expats living, working, and thriving in the UAE have something truly special. They understand and embrace the local business culture. It’s not an easy task. That’s why we’ve compiled this one-size-fits-all guide to UAE... Show more

Most everyone is familiar with this day, as it is celebrated nearly everywhere the world. Yet, when exactly is April Fools’ Day? And where did April Fools come from? April Fools’ Day is observed on April 1st every year. This day of jokes and pranks is believed to have stemmed from the 16th-century calendar change in France, when New Year’s Day was moved from April 1 to January 1. This action was taken due to the adoption of the Gregorian calendar. However, a few people were resistant to the calendar change, so they continued to observe New Year’s Day on April 1st, rather than the new date. They were referred to as the “April Fools”, and others started playing mocking tricks on them. This custom endured, and is practiced to this day... Show more