chapter 1
This excerpt introduces readers to the fundamentals of the Arabic language, beginning with a look at familiar English words that have Arabic origins, like "coffee" and "magazine," highlighting the historical connection between the languages. It then transitions to explaining the Arabic alphabet, noting that it is read and written from right to left and consists of consonants modified by vowel symbols. The text details the main vowels (fatHa, damma, kasra) and various vowel derivatives such as double vowels, long vowels, and diphthongs, explaining how they are formed and pronounced. Finally, it provides a comprehensive overview of the 28 Arabic consonants, offering pronunciation guides and examples, while also addressing the use of Arabic transcription in the book as a tool for beginners.
Summary
This chapter welcomes you to the world of Arabic. Part of exploring a new language like Arabic involves discovering a new culture and a new way of looking at things.
The chapter begins by looking at English words that have Arabic origins, which can help create connections between Arabic and English words. You may be surprised to learn that quite a few English words trace their roots to Arabic, such as "magazine," "candy," and "coffee". Table 1-1 in the source lists several examples, including "admiral" from amir al-baHr [أمير البحر] (Ruler of the Sea), "alcohol" from al-kuHul [الكحول] (a mixture of powdered antimony), "algebra" from al-jabr [الجبر] (to reduce or consolidate), "arsenal" from daar As-SinaaH [دار الصناعة] (house of manufacture), "candy" from qand [قند] (cane sugar), and "coffee" from qahwa [قهوة]. Other examples include "cotton" from quTun [قطن], "magazine" from al-makhzan [المخزن] (a storehouse; a place of storage), "satin" from zaytuun [زيتون] (Arabic name for a Chinese city), "sugar" from sukkar [سكر], and "zero" from Sifr [صفر]. Arabic has had a major influence on English, though influence also runs the other way for contemporary terms like tilifizyuun [تلفزيون] (television).
Next, the chapter introduces the Arabic alphabet. Unlike English and other Romance languages, you write and read Arabic from right to left. Arabic has both vowels and consonants. Arabic vowels are not actual letters but are symbols placed on top of or below consonants to create sounds. There are 28 different consonants, each represented by a letter. To vocalize these letters, a vowel is placed above or below the consonant.
The sources describe Arabic vowels and consonants in detail:
Vowels: Arabic has three main vowels that are similar to English vowels. Their pronunciation depends on surrounding consonants.
fatHa [فتحة] (feht-hah): Sounds like the short "a" in "hat" or "cat," or occasionally the short "e" in "bet". It's written as a small horizontal line above a consonant in Arabic script and represented by "a" in the English transcription used in the book. Examples: kalb [كلب] (kah-leb; dog) or walad [ولد] (wah-lahd; boy).
damma [ضمة] (dah-mah): Sounds like the "uh" in "foot" or "book". It's written like a tiny backward "e" above a consonant and represented by "u" in transcription. Examples: funduq [فندق] (foon-dook; hotel) or suHub [سحب] (soo-hoob; clouds).
kasra [كسرة] (kahs-rah): Sounds like the long "e" in "feet" or "treat". It's written as a small horizontal line underneath the consonant and represented by "i" in transcription. Examples: bint [بنت] (bee-neht; girl) or ‘islaam [إسلام] (ees-lahm; Islam).
Vowel Derivatives: Arabic also has important vowel derivatives.
Double vowels (tanwiin [تنوين]): Created by placing the same main vowel symbol next to itself.
Double fatHa [فتحتان] creates the "an" sound, as in ‘ahlan wa sahlan [أهلاً وسهلاً] (ahel-an wah sahel-an; Hi).
Double damma [ضمتان] creates the "oun" sound, as in kouratoun [كرةٌ] (koo-rah-toon; ball).
Double kasra [كسرتان] creates the "een" sound, as in SafHatin [صفحةٍ] (sahf-hah-teen; page).
Long vowels: Elongate the main vowels, lasting for two beats compared to one beat for main vowels. They are created by adding a specific consonant letter to a main vowel.
A long fatHa [فتحة طويلة] is created by attaching an ‘alif [ألف] to the consonant and is written as "aa" in transcription. Examples: kitaab [كتاب] (kee-taab; book) or baab [باب] (bahb; door).
A long damma [ضمة طويلة] is created by attaching a waaw [واو] to the consonant and is written as "uu" in transcription. Examples: nuur [نور] (noohr; light) or ghuul [غول] (ghoohl; ghost).
A long kasra [كسرة طويلة] is created by attaching a yaa’ [ياء] to the consonant and is written as "ii" in transcription. Examples: kabiir [كبير] (kah-beer; big) and Saghiir [صغير] (sah-gheer; small).
Diphthongs: Monosyllabic sounds that glide from one vowel to another. There are two diphthong sounds related to the yaa’ [ياء] and waaw [واو]. You can distinguish a diphthong from a long vowel when a suukun [سكون] (a small circle symbol) is placed above the consonant. The suukun [سكون] is not vocalized.
waaw [واو] diphthongs: yawm [يوم] (yah-oom; day), nawm [نوم] (nah-oom; sleep), Sawt [صوت] (sah-oot; noise).
yaa’ [ياء] diphthongs: bayt [بيت] (bah-yet; house), ‘ayn [عين] (ah-yen; eye), layla [ليلة] (lah-ye-lah; night).
Consonants: Arabic uses 28 different consonants. Most consonants have English equivalents, but some are foreign to nonnative speakers. The chapter provides a table listing each consonant, its name, pronunciation, and examples. Some consonants are described as having no direct English equivalent, such as Haa’ [حاء] (H), which sounds like blowing on glasses, and ‘ayn [عين] (‘), which is produced at the back of the throat by intermittently choking off airflow. Others are described as deep sounds like Saad [صاد] (S), Daad [ضاد] (D), and Taa’ [طاء] (T), or sounds produced at the back of the throat like ghayn [غين] (gh) and qaaf [قاف] (q). Practicing the sounds through repetition is key to fluency.
The chapter also helps you focus on the pronunciation of difficult letters like Haa’ [حاء], ‘ayn [عين], qaaf [قاف], and ghayn [غين], providing examples of words using these letters. Enunciation is highlighted as the difference between native and nonnative speakers.
Finally, the chapter describes the transcription method used in the book. This method is widely used and recognized and represents every Arabic letter with a Roman letter. It is case-sensitive, meaning a lowercase and capital Roman letter represent different Arabic letters. Transcription is helpful for beginners to speak without reading Arabic script, but intermediate and advanced students are recommended to master the Arabic script fundamentals.
Key Terms from the Chapter with Arabic Text Representation
The chapter introduces Arabic by first connecting it to English through English words that have Arabic origins. The sources provide the Arabic origin of these words using transcription and give their meanings:
amir al-baHr [أمير البحر] (Ruler of the Sea)
al-kuHul [الكحول] (a mixture of powdered antimony)
al-qubba [القبة] (a dome or arch)
al-jabr [الجبر] (to reduce or consolidate)
al-manakh [المناخ] (a calendar)
daar As-SinaaH [دار الصناعة] (house of manufacture)
al-azward [الأزورد] (lapis lazuli)
qand [قند] (cane sugar)
qahwa [قهوة] (coffee)
quTun [قطن] (cotton)
al-iksiir [الإكسير] (philosopher’s stone)
ghazaal [غزال] (gazelle)
az-zahr [الزهر] (dice)
al-makhzan [المخزن] (a storehouse; a place of storage)
matraH [مطرح] (a place where things are thrown)
rizma [رزمة] (a bundle)
za’fran [زعفران] (saffron)
SaHraa’ [صحراء] (desert)
zaytuun [زيتون] (Arabic name for a Chinese city)
sharaba [شرب] (to drink)
Sofaa [صوفا] (a cushion)
sukkar [سكر] (sugar)
Sifr [صفر] (zero)
tilifizyuun [تلفزيون] (television)
Arabic is written from right to left and has vowels and consonants.
For Arabic vowels, the sources describe three main vowels and some derivatives. While the exact Arabic script symbols aren't shown, their appearance and transcription are described:
fatHa [فتحة] (feht-hah): Represented as "a" in transcription and written as a small horizontal line above a consonant in Arabic script.
damma [ضمة] (dah-mah): Represented as "u" in transcription and written like a tiny backward "e" above a consonant in Arabic script.
kasra [كسرة] (kahs-rah): Represented as "i" in transcription and written as a small horizontal line underneath a consonant in Arabic script.
tanwiin [تنوين] (tahn-ween): Refers to double vowels, created by placing the same main vowel next to itself. Examples include double fatHa [فتحتان] ("an" sound), double damma [ضمتان] ("oun" sound), and double kasra [كسرتان] ("een" sound).
suukun [سكون] (soo-koon): Written as a small circle above the consonant; it is not vocalized.
There is long vowels and diphthongs, which are created by adding specific consonant letters to main vowels or having these letters appear with a suukun. The sources show the Arabic characters for these key letters:
- ‘alif: ا - Used to create a long fatHa (transcribed as "aa").
- waaw: و - Used to create a long damma (transcribed as "uu") or as part of a diphthong (e.g., "aw").
- yaa’: ي - Used to create a long kasra (transcribed as "ii") or as part of a diphthong (e.g., "ay").
Arabic has 28 different consonants. The sources provide a comprehensive list with their Arabic characters, names, pronunciations, and transcriptions. Here are some key consonant letters with their Arabic characters as shown in the sources:
- ‘alif (‘a): ا
- baa’ (b): ب
- taa’ (t): ت
- thaa’ (th): ث
- jiim (j): ج
- Haa’ (H): ح
- khaa’ (kh): خ
- daal (d): د
- dhaal (dh): ذ
- raa’ (r): ر
- zaay (z): ز
- siin (s): س
- shiin (sh): ش
- Saad (S): ص
- Daad (D): ض
- Taa’ (T): ط
- DHaa’ (DH): ظ
- ‘ayn (‘): ع
- ghayn (gh): غ
- faa’ (f): ف
- qaaf (q): ق
- kaaf (k): ك
- laam (l): ل
- miim (m): م
- nuun (n): ن
- haa’ (h): ه
- waaw (w): و
- yaa’ (y): ي
The chapter also specifically mentions practicing the pronunciation of difficult letters like Haa’ (ح), ‘ayn (ع), qaaf (ق), and ghayn (غ), emphasizing the importance of enunciation.
### **English** | **Arabic** | **Transliteration**
1. **Book** | **كِتَاب** | *Kitāb*
2. **Sun** | **شَمْس** | *Shams*
3. **Water** | **مَاء** | *Mā’*
4. **House** | **بَيْت** | *Bayt*
5. **Dog** | **كَلْب** | *Kalb*
6. **Tree** | **شَجَرَة** | *Shajara*
7. **Love** | **حُبّ** | *Hubb*
8. **Friend** | **صَدِيق** | *Sadīq*
9. **Food** | **طَعَام** | *Ta‘ām*
10. **Night** | **لَيْل** | *Layl*
11. **City** | **مَدِينَة** | *Madīna*
12. **Car** | **سَيَّارَة** | *Sayyāra*
13. **Moon** | **قَمَر** | *Qamar*
14. **Hand** | **يَد** | *Yad*
15. **Eye** | **عَيْن** | *‘Ayn*
16. **School** | **مَدْرَسَة** | *Madrasa*
17. **Road** | **طَرِيق** | *Tarīq*
18. **Time** | **وَقْت** | *Waqt*
19. **Peace** | **سَلَام** | *Salām*
20. **Fire** | **نَار** | *Nār*
21. **Mirror** | **مِرْآة** | *Mirʾāh*
22 **Window** | **نَافِذَة** | *Nāfidha*
23. **Door** | **بَاب** | *Bāb*
24. **Cloud** | **سَحَابَة** | *Saḥāba*
25. **Teacher** | **مُعَلِّم** | *Muʿallim*
26. **Student** | **طَالِب** | *Ṭālib*
27. **Key** | **مِفْتَاح** | *Miftāḥ*
28. **Phone** | **هَاتِف** | *Hātif*
29. **Garden** | **حَدِيقَة** | *Ḥadīqa*
30. **Summer** | **صَيْف** | *Ṣayf*
* English: I am hungry.
Arabic: أنا جائع.
Transliteration: Ana ja'i'.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Ana [I] ja'i' [hungry (masculine)].
* English: She is tired.
Arabic: هي تعبانة.
Transliteration: Hiya ta'bana.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Hiya [she] ta'bana [tired (feminine)].
* English: We are happy.
Arabic: نحن سعداء.
Transliteration: Nahnu su'ada'.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Nahnu [we] su'ada' [happy (plural)].
* English: They are busy.
Arabic: هم مشغولون.
Transliteration: Hum mashghulun.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Hum [they (masculine plural)] mashghulun [busy (masculine plural)].
* English: The door is open.
Arabic: الباب مفتوح.
Transliteration: Al-babu maftuh.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Al-babu [the door (nominative)] maftuh [open (masculine)].
* English: The window is closed.
Arabic: النافذة مغلقة.
Transliteration: An-nafithatu mughlaqa.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): An-nafithatu [the window (nominative)] mughlaqa [closed (feminine)].
* English: I have a question.
Arabic: لدي سؤال.
Transliteration: Ladayya su'al.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Ladayya [I have (at me)] su'al [a question].
* English: He has a new car.
Arabic: لديه سيارة جديدة.
Transliteration: Ladayhi sayyaratun jadida.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Ladayhi [he has (at him)] sayyaratun [a car (nominative)] jadida [new (feminine)].
* English: We have a big house.
Arabic: لدينا بيت كبير.
Transliteration: Ladayna baytun kabir.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Ladayna [we have (at us)] baytun [a house (nominative)] kabir [big (masculine)].
* English: They have many friends.
Arabic: لديهم أصدقاء كثيرون.
Transliteration: Ladayhim asdiqa' kathirun.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Ladayhim [they (masculine plural) have (at them)] asdiqa' [friends (plural)] kathirun [many (masculine plural)].
* English: I am learning to cook.
Arabic: أتعلم الطبخ.
Transliteration: Ata'allamu at-tabkh.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Ata'allamu [I learn] at-tabkh [the cooking].
* English: She likes to swim in the sea.
Arabic: تحب أن تسبح في البحر.
Transliteration: Tuhibbu an tasbaha fi al-bahr.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Tuhibbu [she likes/loves] an [that/to] tasbaha [she swims] fi [in] al-bahr [the sea].
* English: He is reading a newspaper.
Arabic: هو يقرأ جريدة.
Transliteration: Huwa yaqra'u jarida.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Huwa [he] yaqra'u [he reads] jarida [a newspaper].
* English: We are watching television.
Arabic: نحن نشاهد التلفزيون.
Transliteration: Nahnu nushahidu at-tilifizyun.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Nahnu [we] nushahidu [we watch] at-tilifizyun [the television].
* English: They are listening to music.
Arabic: هم يستمعون إلى الموسيقى.
Transliteration: Hum yastami'una ila al-musiqa.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Hum [they (masculine plural)] yastami'una [they (masculine plural) listen] ila [to] al-musiqa [the music].
* English: The cat is sleeping.
Arabic: القطة نائمة.
Transliteration: Al-qittatu na'ima.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Al-qittatu [the cat (feminine nominative)] na'ima [sleeping (feminine)].
* English: The dog is playing.
Arabic: الكلب يلعب.
Transliteration: Al-kalbu yal'abu.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Al-kalbu [the dog (masculine nominative)] yal'abu [he plays].
* English: The flowers are beautiful.
Arabic: الزهور جميلة.
Transliteration: Az-zuhuru jamila.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Az-zuhuru [the flowers (plural nominative)] jamila [beautiful (plural)].
* English: The food is delicious.
Arabic: الطعام لذيذ.
Transliteration: At-ta'amu lathidh.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): At-ta'amu [the food (nominative)] lathidh [delicious (masculine)].
* English: The coffee is hot.
Arabic: القهوة ساخنة.
Transliteration: Al-qahwatu sakhina.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Al-qahwatu [the coffee (feminine nominative)] sakhina [hot (feminine)].
* English: I will go tomorrow.
Arabic: سأذهب غداً.
Transliteration: Sa-athhabu ghadan.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Sa- [will (future particle)] athhabu [I go] ghadan [tomorrow].
* English: She will travel next week.
Arabic: ستسافر الأسبوع القادم.
Transliteration: Sa-tusafiru al-usbu'a al-qadim.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Sa- [will (future particle)] tusafiru [she travels] al-usbu'a [the week (accusative)] al-qadim [the next (masculine)].
* English: He will study tonight.
Arabic: سيدرس الليلة.
Transliteration: Sa-yadrusu al-layla.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Sa- [will (future particle)] yadrusu [he studies] al-layla [the night/tonight].
* English: We will visit the museum.
Arabic: سنزور المتحف.
Transliteration: Sa-nazuru al-mathaf.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Sa- [will (future particle)] nazuru [we visit] al-mathaf [the museum].
* English: They will arrive soon.
Arabic: سيصلون قريباً.
Transliteration: Sa-yasiluna qariban.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Sa- [will (future particle)] yasiluna [they (masculine plural) arrive] qariban [soon].
* English: Excuse me.
Arabic: عفواً.
Transliteration: 'Afwan.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): 'Afwan [pardon/excuse me/you're welcome].
* English: Please sit down.
Arabic: تفضل بالجلوس.
Transliteration: Tafaddal bil-julus.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Tafaddal [please (masculine singular)/help yourself] bil-julus [with the sitting/to sit].
* English: I am happy to meet you.
Arabic: سعيد بلقائك.
Transliteration: Sa'eedun bi-liqa'ik.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Sa'eedun [happy (masculine)] bi-liqa'ik [with your (masculine) meeting].
* English: Have a good trip.
Arabic: رحلة سعيدة.
Transliteration: Rihlatun sa'eeda.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Rihlatun [a trip (feminine nominative)] sa'eeda [happy (feminine)].
* English: Take care.
Arabic: انتبه لنفسك.
Transliteration: Intabih li-nafsik.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Intabih [pay attention/take care (masculine singular)] li-nafsik [to yourself (masculine)].
Practice the phrases you learned so far or any new phrases, you can use the AI chatbot or translator provided/تدرب على العبارات التي تعلمتها حتى الآن أو أي عبارات جديدة، يمكنك استخدام روبوت الدردشة أو المترجم المتوفر