ArabicPod101.com Blog

So, what are Arabic numbers? Arabic numbers are, perhaps, one of the most challenging things for Arabic learners. Numbers in Arabic language-learning may be difficult, but they’re so vital to language mastery! Have you ever been listening to a pleasant conversation in a language you understand, then suddenly get hit with something like "…and then, on a date that would live in infamy..." Poof. There goes your comprehension. You’ll never know when it happened. It’s really hard to truly internalize the rules for a new number system to the point where you can hear and understand the numbers being spoken to you. And on top of that, if the numbers are relatively complex, it takes even more time to produce numbers on demand. For that... 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

Egypt takes pride for its military seriously, and rightly so. On Armed Forces Day, Egypt commemorates one of its most successful and ambitious feats: regaining occupation of Sinai from the Israeli army. Naturally, this celebration extends to a holiday of recognition and appreciation for the country’s military as a whole. In learning about Armed Forces Day, or any other major holidays in Egypt, you’re gaining practical knowledge about Egypt’s history and, by extension, its modern culture. As any successful language-learner can tell you, this is a vital step in mastering any language. At ArabicPod101.com, we hope to make every aspect of your language-learning journey both fun and informative! 1. What is Armed Forces Day? ... Show more

If you tie up an Arab’s hands while he’s speaking, you might as well have tied up his tongue. So goes an old saying about the importance of body language in Arab cultures. And there’s a lot of truth to it, which is why we’re going over UAE etiquette in today’s article. It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve repeated after your teacher or your textbook to nail the perfect Arabic accent. If you aren’t aware of how your body language impacts your communication, you’ll stick out as a foreigner at best—and actually impede your meaning at worst. Of course, there are many different "Arab cultures" out there, and each one is going to have slight differences in what’s considered normal in terms of gestures when speaking. But there are... Show more

What holiday is Eid Al-Adha? Each year in Egypt, Muslims celebrate Eid Al-Adha in remembrance of Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son at Allah’s request, and Allah’s provision of a ram to sacrifice instead. This is one of the most significant Islamic holidays. In this article, we’ll be going over the Eid Al-Adha meaning as well as Eid Al-Adha observances and traditions. At ArabicPod101.com, we hope to make this learning journey both fun and informative! 1. What is Eid Al-Adha in Egypt? Eid Al-Adha (sometimes called Eid Ul-Adha or the Feast of the Sacrifice) is the second-most-important holiday in the Islamic nation, and here we’ll give you some Eid Al-Adha background so you can better appreciate this holiday. The... Show more

Egypt’s national day, Egyptian Revolution Day, is considered one of the most important holidays in the country and for good reason. It marks the end of monarchy in Egypt as the result of a coup against then-King Farouk, who lost the throne as a result. Learn more about the Egyptian Revolution and Egypt’s Revolution Day with ArabicPod101.com! 1. Why Should You Know About Egyptian Revolution Day? Egyptian Revolution Day is the single most important holiday in Egypt, commemorating the end of Egypt’s monarchy in 1952 and the events leading up to it. To fully grasp Egypt’s culture—and therefore its language—one must first understand the country’s origins and history, for these things also reveal the heart of Egypt and its people. ... Show more

There’s no way this is the first article about untranslatable words you’ve ever seen (maybe you’ve even seen articles about untranslatable Arabic words already). You may even be thinking: "How can you write an article about untranslatable words without explaining, and then just translating, each word?" You’ve got me there. But to ease your doubt about untranslatable words in Arabic, keep in mind that there’s a progression to how this works. There’s also a progression involved in realizing what it means for a word to be "untranslatable," which I’ll try to outline below: First, you’re amazed at the world of languages out there, and you love the idea of certain words that have no equivalents in expressing meaning. Then, you... Show more

Why are you learning Arabic in the first place? To talk with people, right? The thing is, people want to get to know the people they meet. It’s only natural, really. Interestingly enough, if you spend enough time introducing yourself to new people, you’ll realize that you’re answering the same questions over and over. Whether you’ve just started learning Arabic or you’ve already got the basics down, it never hurts to go over a list of common situations to make sure you’re linguistically prepared for what’s coming. So, let’s learn "hi" in Arabic, and go over how to introduce yourself in Arabic language, as well as how to write self introduction in Arabic. Table of Contents It Started with Hello Name Where... Show more

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