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

You’re studying English, right? Or was it Arabic? When you look at certain types of Arabic words, it can be hard to notice the difference.  The English language has left its permanent mark on Arabic, just as it has on many other languages around the world. In every Arabic-speaking country, people at all levels of society mix English with Arabic from time to time. Even people not fluent in English do some mixing now and then. How exactly does this mixing work? What’s involved, and what should an Arabic learner look out for? That’s exactly what you’ll find out in our guide to English words in Arabic! Table of Contents The Basics of English Words Used in Arabic Arablish Examples English Loanwords in Arabic How to... Show more

Whether you’ve enrolled in a formal Arabic class or are picking up the language out of personal interest, you should probably start getting familiar with the culture as well. Becoming familiar with Arab culture and traditions means understanding a lifestyle and point of view far removed from what you’re used to. Of course, Arabic is spoken in many countries and each of them has its own cultural norms. However, on this page, you’ll get a brief glance at the way culture and language intersect in Arab society. Table of Contents Values and Beliefs Philosophies and Religions Family Art Food Traditional Holidays Conclusion 1. Values and Beliefs Generally speaking, Arab culture values tradition and... Show more

Some people say that you can study a language and never learn the grammar. They’ve got some compelling points.  But the thing is, after enough time, your brain really will pick up a lot of the patterns of a language and you’ll be able to use it correctly and automatically. The key concept here is "enough time," though. As it happens, most people don’t have three years from the beginning of their studies to when they want to use it. This is especially true of Arabic, whose grammar is different from that of English in several key ways. Why wait for your brain to trial-and-error its way into Arabic grammar when you can just learn the main differences yourself? That’s why, in this article, we’re going to tell you just what to look... Show more

Arabic is a language of learning and a language of the learned.  For centuries, Modern Standard Arabic has been used by the greatest thinkers of the Middle East and North Africa to write novels, essays, plays, and speeches of the highest quality.  When you have a language with such a powerful literary history as Arabic at your fingertips, you want your own Arabic to measure up. But it can be a little difficult if you’re only starting out. In fact, it can be difficult even if you’ve been working on Arabic for a while! Arabic quotes and sayings can be a great way to remedy this, providing you with cultural insight and more opportunities for growth. The ones we’ve compiled here are ideal for more formal situations, where you need to... Show more

Have you been binging on YouTube lately? Hopefully not in English! To supplement your normal Arabic lessons, YouTube videos in your target language can be of immense help.  YouTube is a fantastic tool for language learning, more so than most people give it credit for.  And when you’re studying a world language like Arabic, you’ll practically be spoiled for choice when it comes to deciding what to watch. There’s seriously something out there for everybody!  Interested in gaming? Arabic gamers. Food? You betcha. Documentaries? Right there with you.  And even if you’re just beginning to get comfortable with Arabic, there are still fantastic free resources on Arabic YouTube channels to guide you along the way—including one that you’ll... Show more

Before too long in your Arabic studies, people are going to ask you a simple question: "Which dialect are you going for?" Well, it sounds simple. But there’s a lot under the surface. For example, how many different Arabic dialects are there? Where are they spoken, and where are they understood? Who teaches what dialects? These questions don’t have easy answers. Learning more about this topic, though, will help you see a broader picture of Arab culture and history in general—and we’ll tell you up front that no matter which dialect you choose, you will be richer for it. Start with a bonus, and download the Must-Know Beginner Vocabulary PDF for FREE!(Logged-In Member Only) Table of Contents An Overview of the Arabic Language,... Show more

"You’re learning Arabic? Wow, I could never do that!" You’ve probably heard that sentiment, or something like it, dozens of times. Or perhaps you’ve become intimidated hearing it said to other people.  For English-speakers, Arabic has a reputation for being an incredibly tough language to learn. Nobody offers Arabic classes in middle school, and nobody talks about picking up Arabic from watching cartoons. But does Arabic deserve such a reputation? Is Arabic hard to learn? Could it be that there’s more to a language than its perceived difficulty? Let’s find out! Table of Contents Is Arabic Really the Hardest Language? Why Arabic is Hard to Learn Why Arabic is Easier Than You Think What Every New Arabic Learner... Show more

Wouldn’t it be fantastic to speak flawless Arabic? It’s a language that flummoxes students around the world daily. Even in Arabic-speaking countries, people are divided on what’s really "correct" and "proper" Arabic. The truth is, you really don’t have to speak Arabic by the book in order to show your respect for the cultures and languages of Arab people. A little really does go a long way! In this article, you’ll see some of the most common mistakes Arabic speakers make when learning the language, as well as the best ways to overcome them. Table of Contents Pronunciation Vocabulary Mistakes Word Order Mistakes Arabic Grammar Mistakes Uniquely Arabic Mistakes The Biggest Mistake Conclusion 1.... Show more