ArabicPod101.com Blog

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

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

The best way to remember things is to connect them with your senses in some way. Remembering new words and rules on paper is a tough task unless you also have something you can feel. Something in the heart. And they always say food is the best way to the heart. Fortunately for you, you’ve chosen to learn Arabic—a language spoken across an enormous cultural and culinary tapestry. In this article, you’ll get the barest glimpse at the amazing diversity on display in the world of Arab food. You’ll even learn some interesting Arabic phrases to go along with your meal! Table of Contents What They Eat in Arabic-Speaking Countries In-Country vs. Overseas Unique Food You Can Only Get Abroad Food-Related Vocabulary Bonus:... 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

https://www.youtube.com/embed/I3U8SMjfIdQ Considering the fact that Mother’s Day likely arose from deity worship in Ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, it should come as no surprise that we have one day a year where we pamper our mothers.  In this article, you’ll learn about Mother’s Day in Egypt and how this tradition got its start in modern-day Arab countries. Let’s get started. 1. What is Mother’s Day? Odds are, you’re already familiar with the concept of عيد الأم (ʿiyd al-ʾum), or Mother’s Day—this holiday is widespread, celebrated in numerous countries around the world. While exact traditions and connotations may vary from one culture to another, one thing remains constant: Mother’s Day is a time to honor and... 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