Let’s face it. Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) is probably one of the most (if not the most) difficult languages to learn. A new script, complex grammar, and very intricate conjugation rules that even native speakers struggle to master... But I’m going to let you in on a secret. There is one way you can make HUGE progress towards mastery in MSA (or any other Arabic dialect) with little to no effort. A method you can use while driving, lying in bed, traveling, hiking, walking around town, or even relaxing in the park. Enter Arabic podcasts. Podcasts bring you the best Arabic-language audio content out there, all condensed into straight-to-the-point clips that both educate and entertain. To help you get started, we’ve... Show more

Arabic is the richest language in the world. With 12,300,000 words, Arabic blows other languages out of the water. Luckily, with the rise of technology, people tend to take a lazier approach to everything—including communication. As fewer and fewer words are being used, the number of words that language learners need to memorize continues to reduce.  Starting out with Arabic could be a little bit difficult, especially when you’re presented with a new script and totally different sentence structures than what you’re used to in your native language. Assuming you’ve passed the beginner level, your next step is to learn some intermediate Arabic words and phrases to help you press forward.  Learning vocabulary is the most... Show more

You may have encountered the statistic that more than 90 percent of our communication is based on body language. While the accuracy of this number is debatable, it’s not far-fetched. Body language and other subtle communication cues allow us to think less about what to say and make conversations easier. But what about...the dreaded phone call?  When you get a sudden call from a delivery guy, an unknown number, or even an old friend, you probably hesitate to pick up. Normally, the call goes smoothly—unless the caller starts talking in Arabic and you remember that you’re in an Arabic-speaking country. That’s where learning some Arabic phone call phrases will come in handy for you. Below, we’ve compiled a list of more than... Show more

Remember back when you had to grab a giant dictionary every time you wanted to find or translate one word? Back when you had to say the alphabet from A all the way to that first letter of the word you were looking up…only to never find it or to take forever doing so? We’re all happy those days are behind us, and that we now enjoy the luxury of Google Translate and the internet. Still, learning new words in a foreign language like Arabic is difficult if you lack proper systems and strategic learning methods. So, what’s a strategic way to learn new basic Arabic words for beginners? According to statistics, learning 1000 words covers 85.5% of conversation in a given language. Technically, this means you’ll be able to speak... Show more

Imagine if people were like programmed robots. No typos. No slips of the tongue. No blemishes. Just plain perfection. That would make everything pretty boring, wouldn’t it? Filler words are one of those imperfections that make human interactions unique.  Without further ado, let’s get right into the top Arabic filler words and how to use them. Table of Contents What are filler words and why do we use them? The Top Arabic Filler Words Pros and Cons of Filler Words Conclusion 1. What are filler words and why do we use them? Filler words (or "fillers") are the sounds we use to let others know that we have not yet finished talking, even if we’re pausing for a few seconds. They help remove... Show more

I get it, when learning a language we always want to be positive and say Yes! to everything that comes our way. New experiences, new skills, more language practice… However, we need to learn how to say no as well. And not just that, but also how to use negative sentences. If you want to master negation in Arabic, keep reading. In this article, we’ll look at how to...  ...form negative sentences in Arabic (for both nominal and verbal sentences)....answer yes-or-no questions correctly and politely....use other common negative expressions such as "never," "no one," and "nowhere."  Sure, sometimes saying no isn’t easy…especially for us people-pleasers. But I assure you it will be (at least from a language-learning point of view!),... Show more

What is a verb?  Along with nouns, verbs are the most important part of any sentence. They are the words we use to describe an action (يُغَنّي - he sings), a state of being (يوجَد - he exists), or an occurrence (يُطَوِّر - he develops), and they usually agree with the subject, which is who or what performs the action described.  Basically, every sentence needs a verb to be complete—and this is why it’s so important to get them right when learning a foreign language! This includes using the right tenses, hence this article on tenses in the Arabic language.  We’ll admit that Arabic verbs are one of the most challenging aspects of learning this beautiful and complex language, but don’t worry. In this article, we’ll have a look... Show more

Everyone agrees: Learning a foreign language is an amazing (if hard) and fulfilling process. By learning to speak, understand others, and think in a language different from our own, not only do we add a new skill to our repertoire, but we can also change the way we see the outside world and our relationship to it. Now for the question at hand: How long does it take to learn Arabic, and is it worth it? Well, consider the fact that there are more than ten words for "love" in Arabic—and over 100 words for "camel"! I mean, these facts will certainly have an impact on the way you think about your love life…and about those amazing desert creatures! Learners of Arabic would all love to dedicate endless hours to studying the language and... Show more

Proverbs are popular sayings that provide a little dose of wisdom, a truth that is sometimes so obvious that it’s overlooked.  Can you think of a proverb in your native language that touched you in an important moment of your life? The Arabic language is so rich and so widely used that it offers countless idiomatic sayings and expressions. If you want to sound like a native speaker, you’d better learn some of these Arabic proverbs yourself! Doing so is a great way to let your language skills shine, and it will help you better understand the culture so you can fit right in! As they say, "There is no time like the present"! Learn the thirty most used Arabic proverbs now and you’ll be certain to leave a good impression!  Keep in... Show more

Cairo (القاهرة‎) is the chaotic capital of Egypt, a city that feels like it’s built on contradictions and stuck between timelines. With a population of 22 million living in its metropolitan area, Cairo is the biggest African city and the sixteenth-largest metropolis. But the capital of Egypt is not only vast and chaotic. It’s also one of the richest cities in world history, a place where the past intertwines with the present and where many different cultures mix like nowhere else in the world. In this Cairo travel guide, we’ll show you the best way to navigate this beautiful mix!  In the words of Aldous Huxley: "To travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries." So, ignore everyone’s opinion about the... Show more