So, why exactly should you learn Arabic customs and etiquette? Imagine for a moment two foreigners coming to your place of work. The first one speaks your native language flawlessly—but they’re a total jerk. It’s easy to communicate with them, but it’s just words. You have no evidence that your message is actually getting through to their behavior. The second has a moderate to thick accent, and sometimes there are things you have to ask them to repeat. But they fit right in with the work culture, and every time you’re able to communicate, things work out exactly as you intended. Which one do you prefer? Someone who knows your language, or someone who knows your culture? Since you’re reading this article, it’s clear that you’re... Show more

Everybody knows that numbers are just no fun to learn in other languages. I’ve had plenty of language teachers—fluent, expressive users of English—fall back on their native tongues when quickly counting out handouts. Sorry to tell you, but the numbers are easy. It’s dates you have to worry about. Especially Arabic dates. Ever read through an article in a foreign language, and just mentally read the dates out in your head in English because you didn’t want to figure out how to really say them? Everybody has. If you’re not used to reading numerals aloud in Arabic, check out our article on numbers in Arabic for a little bit of practice. It’s good to have a strong foundation in number-reading before you tackle date-reading; this way,... Show more

No matter what culture you visit, you’ll likely learn that the way other people think of family is completely different from how you do. When you speak in your native language about your own family, you’re drawing on many years of ingrained cultural knowledge that shapes what you’re likely to share and what you’re likely to keep private. This cultural influence may even affect the way you present that knowledge. But if you use another language to talk about your own family, like if you speak about your family in Arabic, you may sometimes find that it doesn’t quite line up. Certain phrases you expect to use aren’t there, and the person you’re speaking with may have a very different expectation of what you’re going to communicate. All... Show more

Isn’t it exciting to imagine? The crashing surf of a Moroccan beach or the tall and rugged mountains of Jordan. The streetside bazaars in Cairo or the resorts in Dubai. And you’re there. Speaking in Arabic. Or rather, that’s the plan, right? You’re still working on it. And that’s okay. Arabic is a long, long journey for anybody. Speaking of journeys, there are a couple of Arabic travel phrases that tourists need to learn in the local language, no matter where they go. In this article, I’ll outline some of the most useful travel phrases in Arabic for any traveler, tourist, or expat in an Arabic-speaking country. Let’s get started. Table of Contents Using Modern Standard Arabic vs. Using Dialects The Most Essential Arabic... Show more

You're learning to speak Arabic, and it's going well. Your confidence is growing! So much so that you feel ready to share your experiences on social media—in Arabic. At Learn Arabic, we make this easy for you to get it right the first time. Post like a boss with these phrases and guidelines, and get to practice your Arabic in the process. 1. Talking about Your Restaurant Visit in Egyptian Arabic Eating out is fun, and often an experience you'd like to share. Take a pic, and start a conversation on social media in Arabic. Your friend will be amazed by your language skills...and perhaps your taste in restaurants! ʾAmīr eats at a restaurant with his friends, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment: POST Let's break down... Show more

Well, you blew it. Perhaps it wasn’t even your fault. Maybe it was a moment of weakness and you definitely won’t do it again. The point is, you’ve got to apologize for something now. And you’re going to have to do it in Arabic, which is why, when learning Arabic, how to say sorry is so essential. Trying to navigate the intricacies of politeness in a new language isn’t the easiest thing in the world. It would be a lot easier if you could just communicate in English—easier for you, that is! Saying sorry in Arabic is something you shouldn’t do until you’re well past the language-learning level of taking phrases from articles like this one. Each situation that calls for an apology is unique and complex. But everyone has to start... Show more

A possessive suffix is an ending to a word that indicates possession, similar to the apostrophe-'s' in "John's notebook". Possessive suffixes are the Arabic equivalents of the words "my", "your", "his", "her", "our", and "their". هذِهِ صِديقتي. haadhihi Sadiiqatii. This is my friend. ما إسْمُكَ؟ ma ismuka? What is your name? (when asking a man) ما إسْمُكِ؟ ma ismuki? What is your name? (when asking a woman) Single Dual Plural 3rd person masculine …هُ …هُما …هُم 3rd person feminine …ها …هُما …هُنَّ 2nd person masculine …كَ …كُما …كُم 2nd person feminine …كِ …كُما …كُنَّ 1st person …ي …نا …نا Try to practice and write... Show more

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year from everyone here at ArabicPod101.com! We're grateful to have listeners just like you, and we're eagerly waiting for the upcoming year to learn Arabic together! And when the New Year comes around, be sure to make a resolution to study Arabic with ArabicPod101.com! Have a healthy and happy holiday season. From the ArabicPod101.com Team