chapter 4
This excerpt provides guidance on basic Arabic communication skills, specifically focusing on making introductions and engaging in small talk. It covers different levels of formality in greetings and farewells, teaches how to ask and answer questions about well-being, and explains how to inquire about and state names. The text also includes sections on discussing countries and nationalities, asking various questions using common Arabic question words, and talking about family and professions. Finally, it offers phrases and vocabulary for discussing the weather and seasons.
Notes
Greetings and Goodbyes
In Arabic, the greeting you use depends on who you are addressing; formal greetings are used when meeting someone for the first time, while informal forms are for old friends or close colleagues. If unsure, it is better to use formal greetings.
Formal Greeting: ‘as-salaamu ‘alaykum [السلام عليكم] (ass-sa-laam-ou a-lai-koum). This translates to "hello" but literally means "May peace be upon you".
Usage: Appropriate for potential business partners, formal events, or meeting someone for the first time.
Formal Reply: The most common reply is wa ‘alaykum ‘as-salaam [وعليكم السلام] (wa a-lai-koum ass-sa-laam; and upon you peace).
Informal Greeting: ‘ahlan wa sahlan [أهلاً وسهلاً] (ahel-an wah sah-lan). This resembles the informal "hi".
Usage: Appropriate when greeting old friends, family members, or someone at an informal gathering.
Informal Reply: When someone says ‘ahlan wa sahlan [أهلاً وسهلاً], you should also reply ‘ahlan wa sahlan [أهلاً وسهلاً].
Most Informal Greeting: Simply saying ‘ahlan [أهلاً]!. Use this only with people you are very comfortable with.
Saying goodbye in Arabic does not have formal or informal options. Common ways to say goodbye include:
ma’a as-salaama [مع السلامة] (ma-a ass-sa-laa-ma; go with peace, or goodbye).
‘ilaa al-liqaa’ [إلى اللقاء] (ee-laa al-li-kaa; until next time).
‘ilaa al-ghad [إلى الغد] (ee-laa al-gad; see you tomorrow).
Asking and Answering "How are you?"
Most Common Way to Ask "How are you?": kayf al-Haal? [كيف الحال؟] (ka-yef al-haal). This literally means "How is the health?" and is gender-neutral.
Gender-defined variations are derivatives of this phrase:
Addressing a man: kayf Haaluka [كيف حالكَ؟] (ka-yef haa-lou-ka).
Addressing a woman: kayf Haaluki [كيف حالكِ؟] (ka-yef haa-lou-kee).
A more personal and informal way to ask is kayf Haalak? [كيف حالك؟] (ka-yef haa-lak; How is your health?).
Typical Response ("I'm doing well"): al-Hamdu li-llah [الحمد لله] (al-ham-dou lee-lah). This literally means "Praise to God" but translates to "I'm doing well" in this context. Typically, you follow this with shukran [شكراً] (shouk-ran; thank you).
Asking the Other Person How They Are Doing: After saying al-Hamdu li-llah [الحمد لله], shukran [شكراً], you should ask the other person back.
Speaking with a man: wa ‘anta kayf al-Haal [وأنتَ كيف الحال؟] (wa an-ta ka-yef al-haal; And you, how are you?).
Speaking with a woman: wa ‘anti kayf al-Haal [وأنتِ كيف الحال؟] (wa an-tee ka-yef al-haal; And you, how are you?).
Making Introductions
This section explains how to ask for and share names.
Key Words: ‘ism [اسم] (name) and maa [ما] (what) are needed to ask someone's name.
Asking "What's your name?":
Addressing a man: maa ‘ismuka? [ما اسمكَ؟] (maa ees-moo-ka; What’s your name?) (M).
Addressing a woman: maa ‘ismuki? [ما اسمكِ؟] (maa ees-moo-kee; What’s your name?) (F).
A gender-neutral form, maa ‘ismuk? [ما اسمك؟] (maa ees-mook; What’s your name?) (GN), is also perfectly acceptable.
Saying "My name is...": To say "my name," add the suffix –ii [ـي] to ‘ism [اسم] to get ‘ismii [اسمي] (ees-mee; my name).
Example: To say "My name is Amine," you say ‘ismii amiin [اسمي أمين].
Responding to an Introduction:
A polite response is tasharrafnaa [تشرفنا] (tah-shah-raf-nah; It’s a pleasure to meet you).
A more informal response is ‘ahlan wa sahlan [أهلاً وسهلاً] (ahel-an wah sah-lan; Nice to meet you.).
Talking about Countries and Nationalities
Many Arabic country names are similar to their English names.
Asking "Where are you from?":
Asking a man: min ‘ayna ‘anta [من أين أنتَ؟] (min ay-na ann-ta).
Asking a woman: min ‘ayna ‘anti [من أين أنتِ؟] (min ay-na ann-tee).
Asking "Are you from...?" (Example: America):
Asking a man: hal ‘anta min ‘amriikaa? [هل أنتَ من أمريكا؟] (hal ann-ta min am-ree-kaa; Are you from America?) (M).
Asking a woman: Replace ‘anta [أنتَ] with ‘anti [أنتِ].
Answering "I am from...": Use the preposition min [من] (from) and the personal pronoun ‘anaa [أنا] (I/me).
Example: ‘anaa min ‘amriikaa [أنا من أمريكا] (I’m from America).
Table 4-1 lists Country Names and Nationalities:
al-maghrib [المغرب] (al-magh-rib; Morocco)
maghribii [مغربي] (magh-ree-bee; Moroccan (M))
maghribiiyya [مغربية] (magh-ree-bee-ya; Moroccan (F))
al-jazaa’ir [الجزائر] (al-jah-zah-eer; Algeria)
jazaa’irii [جزائري] (ja-zaa-ee-ree; Algerian (M))
jazaa’iriiyya [جزائرية] (ja-zaa-ee-ree-ya; Algerian (F))
tuunis [تونس] (tuu-nis; Tunisia)
tuunisii [تونسي] (tuu-nee-see; Tunisian (M))
tuunisiiyya [تونسية] (tuu-nee-see-ya; Tunisian (F))
miSr [مصر] (mees-sar; Egypt)
miSrii [مصري] (mees-ree; Egyptian (M))
miSriiyya [مصرية] (mees-ree-ya; Egyptian (F))
al-’iraaq [العراق] (al-i-raa-q; Iraq)
‘iraaqii [عراقي] (ee-raa-qee; Iraqi (M))
‘iraaqiiyya [عراقية] (ee-raa-qee-ya; Iraqi (F))
as-sa’uudiiyya [السعودية] (as-sa-uu-dee-ya; Saudi Arabia)
sa’uudii [سعودي] (sa-uu-dee; Saudi (M))
sa’uudiiyya [سعودية] (sa-uu-dee-ya; Saudi (F))
‘amriikaa [أمريكا] (am-ree-kaa; America/USA)
‘amriikii [أمريكي] (am-ree-kee; American (M))
‘amriikiiyya [أمريكية] (am-ree-kee-ya; American (F))
Alternatively, state your nationality:
Example: ‘anaa min al-maghrib [أنا من المغرب] (ann-aa min al-magh-rib; I am from Morocco).
Example: ‘anaa maghribii [أنا مغربي] (ann-aa magh-ree-bee; I am Moroccan) (M).
Asking Questions
Asking a su’aal [سؤال] (soo-aahl; question) is a good way to start a conversation.
Key Question Words:
man? [من؟] (meh-n; Who?).
‘ayna? [أين؟] (eh-yeh-nah; Where?).
mataa? [متى؟] (mah-taah; When?).
maa? [ما؟] (maah; What?).
maadhaa? [ماذا؟] (maah-zaah; What?) (used with verbs).
lii maadhaa? [لماذا؟] (lee maah-zaah; Why?).
kayfa? [كيف؟] (keh-yeh-fah; How?).
bikam? [بكم؟] (bee-kah-m; How much?).
kam min? [كم من؟] (kam meen; How many?).
Examples of More Elaborate Questions:
maa ‘ismuka? [ما اسمكَ؟] (maah ees-moo-kah; What’s your name?) (MS).
maa ‘ismuki? [ما اسمكِ؟] (maah ees-moo-kee; What’s your name?) (FS).
maa mihnatuka? [ما مهنتكَ؟] (maah meeh-nah-too-kah; What do you do?; literally “What is your job?”) (MS).
maa mihnatuki? [ما مهنتكِ؟] (maah meeh-nah-too-kee; What do you do?; literally “What is your job?”) (FS).
maadha taf’al? [ماذا تفعل؟] (maah-zaah tah-feh-al; What are you doing?) (MS).
maadha taf’aliina? [ماذا تفعلين؟] (maah-zaah tah-feh-alee-nah; What are you doing?) (FS).
min ‘ayna ‘anta? [من أين أنتَ؟] (meh-n eh-yeh-nah ahn-tah; Where are you from?) (MS).
min ‘ayna ‘anti? [من أين أنتِ؟] (meh-n eh-yeh-nah ahn-tee; Where are you from?) (FS).
hal tuHibbu al-qiraa’a? [هل تحب القراءة؟] (hal too-hee-buh al-kee-raa-ah; Do you like to read?) (MS).
hal haadhaa kitaabuka? [هل هذا كتابكَ؟] (hal hah-zah kee-tah-boo-kah; Is this your book?).
‘ayna maHaTTatu al-qiTaar? [أين محطة القطار؟] (eh-yeh-nah mah-hah-tah-too al-kee-taar; Where is the train station?).
mataa satadhhab ‘ilaa al-maTaar? [متى ستذهب إلى المطار؟] (mah-taah sa-taz-hab ee-laah al-mah-taar; When will she go to the airport?).
‘ayna ‘aHsan maT’am? [أين أحسن مطعم؟] (eh-yeh-nah ah-sah-n mah-tam; Where is the best restaurant?).
Key Note on Gender: When asking a question, you indicate the subject's gender by modifying the gender suffix of the noun in question. For example, kitaab [كتاب] (kee-tab) means "book", while kitaabuka [كتابكَ] (kee-tah-boo-kah) means "your book" (M) and kitaabuki [كتابكِ] (kee-tah-boo-kee) means "your book" (F).
Talking about Yourself and Your Family
Getting acquainted often involves talking about ‘usra [أسرة] (oos-rah; family).
Table 4-2 lists Family Members ('usra [أسرة]):
‘ab [أب] (ah-b; father)
‘um [أم] (oo-m; mother)
waalidayn [والدين] (wah-lee-day-en; parents)
‘ibn [ابن] (ee-ben; son)
bint [بنت] (bee-net; daughter)
‘abnaa’ [أبناء] (ah-ben-aah; children)
zawj [زوج] (zah-weh-j; husband)
zawja [زوجة] (zah-weh-jah; wife)
‘akh [أخ] (ah-kh-eh; brother)
‘ukht [أخت] (oo-khe-t; sister)
jadd [جد] (jah-d; grandfather)
jadda [جدة] (jah-dah; grandmother)
Hafiid [حفيد] (hah-feed; grandson)
Hafiida [حفيدة] (hah-fee-dah; granddaughter)
‘amm [عم] (ahm; paternal uncle (father’s brother))
‘amma [عمة] (ah-mah; paternal aunt (father’s sister))
khaal [خال] (kah-l; maternal uncle (mother’s brother))
khaala [خالة] (kah-lah; maternal aunt (mother’s sister))
zawj al-’amma [زوج العمة] (zah-weh-j al-ah-mah; paternal aunt’s husband)
zawjat al-’amm [زوجة العم] (zah-weh-jaht al-ahm; paternal uncle’s wife)
zawj al-khaala [زوج الخالة] (zah-weh-j al-kah-lah; maternal aunt’s husband)
zawjat al-khaal [زوجة الخال] (zah-weh-jaht al-kah-l; maternal uncle’s wife)
‘ibn al-’amm [ابن العم] (ee-ben al-ahm; male cousin from the father’s side)
bint al-’amm [بنت العم] (bee-net al-ahm; female cousin from the father’s side)
‘ibn al-khaal [ابن الخال] (ee-ben al-kah-l; male cousin from the mother’s side)
bint al-khaala [بنت الخالة] (bee-net al-kah-lah; female cousin from the mother’s side)
‘ahl az-zawj [أهل الزوج] (ahel az-zah-weh-j; in-laws (M; collective))
‘ahl az-zawja [أهل الزوجة] (ahel az-zah-weh-jah; in-laws (F; collective))
Hamou [حمُ] (hah-mooh; father-in-law)
Hamaat [حماة] (hah-maht; mother-in-law)
silf [صِلف] (see-lef; brother-in-law)
silfa [صِلفة] (see-leh-fah; sister-in-law)
rabboun [ربّون] (rah-boon; stepfather)
rabba [ربّة] (rah-bah; stepmother)
‘akh min al-’ab [أخ من الأب] (ah-kh-eh min al-ah-b; stepbrother from the father’s side)
‘ukht min al-’ab [أخت من الأب] (oo-khe-t min al-ah-b; stepsister from the father’s side)
‘akh min al-’umm [أخ من الأم] (ah-kh-eh min al-oo-m; stepbrother from the mother’s side).
‘ukht min al-’umm [أخت من الأم] (oo-khe-t min al-oo-m; stepsister from the mother’s side).
Key Note: The ‘usra [أسرة] plays a very important role in Arab life and culture, and the structure is different from the Western nuclear family. The Arab ‘usra [أسرة] is an extended, close-knit network. It is common for children to live with extended family, and the idea of immediate family includes second and third-degree cousins. Terms differentiate cousins based on whether they are from the mother's or father's side.
Talking about Work
You can learn a lot about someone based on their mihna [مهنة] (meeh-nah; job).
Asking "What do you do?":
maa mihnatuka? [ما مهنتكَ؟] (maah meeh-nah-too-kah; What is your job?; literally “What do you do?”) (M).
maa mihnatuki? [ما مهنتكِ؟] (maah meeh-nah-too-kee; What is your job?; literally “What do you do?”) (F).
Asking "Where do you work?":
‘ayna ta’mal? [أين تعمل؟] (eh-yeh-nah tah-mal; Where do you work?) (M).
‘ayna ta’maliina? [أين تعملين؟] (eh-yeh-nah tah-mah-lee-nah; Where do you work?) (F).
Table 4-3 lists Professions (Masculine forms):
maSrafii [مصرفي] (mah-srah-fee; banker (M))
SaHafii [صحفي] (sah-hah-fee; journalist (M))
kaatib [كاتب] (kah-teeb; writer (M))
mumathil [ممثل] (moo-mah-theel; actor (M))
muhandis [مهندس] (moo-han-dees; architect (M))
Tabiib [طبيب] (tah-beeb; doctor (M))
fannaan [فنان] (fah-nan; artist (M))
mughannii [مغني] (moo-ghah-nee; singer (M))
muTarjim [مترجم] (moo-tar-jeem; translator (M))
mumarriD [ممرض] (moo-mah-reed; nurse (M))
muHaamii [محامي] (moo-hah-mee; lawyer (M))
Tabbaakh [طباخ] (tah-bah-kh; cook (M))
taajir [تاجر] (tah-jeer; merchant (M))
muHaasib [محاسب] (moo-hah-seeb; accountant (M))
simsaar [سمسار] (seem-sahr; broker (M))
Hallaaq [حلاق] (hah-lahk; barber (M))
fallaaH [فلاح] (fah-lah; farmer (M))
raaqiS [راقص] (rah-kees; dancer (M))
shurTii [شرطي] (shoor-tee; police officer (M))
‘iTfaa’ii [إطفائي] (eet-fah-ee; fireman)
rajul ‘a’maal [رجل أعمال] (rah-jool ah-maal; businessman)
Key Note on Gender: To convert masculine professions to feminine forms, add a fatHa [فتحة] (often resulting in an 'a' ending).
Example: muTarjim [مترجم] (moo-tar-jeem; translator (M)) becomes muTarjima [مترجمة] (moo-tar-jee-mah; translator) (F).
Example Conversation:
Alexandra: maa mihnatuka? [ما مهنتكَ؟] (maah meeh-nah-too-kah? What do you do?).
Hassan: ‘anaa muhandis fii dar al-baydaa’. [أنا مهندس في دار البيضاء] (ah-nah moo-han-dees fee dar al-bay-dah. I’m an architect in Casablanca.).
Alexandra: haadhaa mumtaaz! [هذا ممتاز] (hah-zah moom-taz! That’s excellent!).
Hassan: wa ‘anti, ‘ayna ta’maliina? [وأنتِ، أين تعملين؟] (wah ahn-tee, eh-yeh-nah tah-mah-lee-nah? And you, where do you work?).
Alexandra: ‘anaa SaHafiyya. [أنا صحفية] (ah-nah sah-hah-fee-yah. I’m a journalist.).
Hassan: ma’a ‘ayy jariida? [مع أي جريدة؟] (mah-ah ay jah-ree-dah? With which newspaper?).
Alexandra: ma’a nyuu yoork taymz. [مع نيويورك تايمز] (mah-ah noo-york tie-mez. With The New York Times.).
Talking about the Weather
Talking about Taqs [طقس] (tah-kes; weather) is a safe topic for kalaam khafiif [كلام خفيف] (shoot the breeze, chitchat).
Weather Words:
shams [شمس] (shah-mes; sun)
maTar [مطر] (mah-tar; rain)
ra’d [رعد] (rah-ed; thunder)
barq [برق] (bah-rek; lightning)
suHub [سحب] (soo-hoob; clouds)
Harara [حرارة] (hah-rah-rah; temperature)
daraja [درجة] (dah-rah-jah; degrees)
bard [برد] (bah-red; cold)
sukhoun [سخون] (suh-koon; hot)
ruTuuba [رطوبة] (roo-too-bah; humidity)
riiH [ريح] (ree-eh; wind)
‘aaSifa [عاصفة] (ah-tee-fah; storm)
thalj [ثلج] (thah-lej; snow)
qawsu quzaH [قوس قزح] (qah-wuh-suh koo-zah; rainbow)
Key Note on Temperature: To say "It's x degrees," use the construct: al-Harara [الحرارة] (insert number) daraja [درجة].
Example: al-Harara 35 daraja [الحرارة 35 درجة] (It’s 35 degrees).
Expressions to Start Talking about Weather:
hal sayakun maTar al-yawm? [هل سيكون مطر اليوم؟] (hal sah-yah-koon mah-tar al-yah-oum; Is it going to rain today?).
yawm sukhoun, na’am? [يوم سخون، نعم؟] (yah-oum suh-koon, nah-am; Hot day, isn’t it?).
‘inna yahubbu al-bard faj’atan. [إنه يهب البرد فجأة] (ee-nah yah-hoo-boo al-bah-red fah-jeh-ah-tan; It’s gotten cold all of a sudden.).
kayfa aT-Taqs fii nyuu yoork? [كيف الطقس في نيويورك؟] (keh-yeh-fah ah-tah-kes fii noo york? How’s the weather in New York?).
hal satakun shams? [هل ستكون شمس؟] (hal sah-tah-koon shah-mes? Is it going to be sunny?).
hal sayabqaa aT-Taqs haakadhaa kul al-usbuu’? [هل سيبقى الطقس هكذا كل الأسبوع؟] (hal sah-yab-qah at-tah-kes hah-kah-zah kool al-oos-boo; Will the weather remain like this all week?).
Seasons: The seasons are fuSuul [فصول] (fuh-sool; seasons).
Sayf [صيف] (sah-yef; summer).
khariif [خريف] (kah-reef; fall).
shitaa’ [شتاء] (shee-tah; winter).
rabii’ [ربيع] (rah-beeh; spring).
Key Note on Temperature Scale: Temperatures in most Middle Eastern countries are stated in Celsius. al-harara 25 daraja [الحرارة 25 درجة] is about 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Formula to convert Celsius to Fahrenheit: (Celsius x 1.8) + 32 = Degrees Fahrenheit.
English to Arabic Words and Phrases
Here is a list of English terms and their Arabic equivalents with pronunciation provided in the sources:
accountant (M): muHaasib [محاسب] (moo-hah-seeb)
actor (M): mumathil [ممثل] (moo-mah-theel)
Algeria: al-jazaa’ir [الجزائر] (al-jah-zah-eer)
Algerian (F): jazaa’iriiyya [جزائرية] (ja-zaa-ee-ree-ya)
Algerian (M): jazaa’irii [جزائري] (ja-zaa-ee-ree)
America/USA: ‘amriikaa [أمريكا] (am-ree-kaa)
American (F): ‘amriikiiyya [أمريكية] (am-ree-kee-ya)
American (M): ‘amriikii [أمريكي] (am-ree-kee)
And you, how are you? (F): wa ‘anti kayf al-Haal [وأنتِ كيف الحال؟] (wa an-tee ka-yef al-haal)
And you, how are you? (M): wa ‘anta kayf al-Haal [وأنتَ كيف الحال؟] (wa an-ta ka-yef al-haal)
architect (M): muhandis [مهندس] (moo-han-dees)
artist (M): fannaan [فنان] (fah-nan)
barber (M): Hallaaq [حلاق] (hah-lahk)
banker (M): maSrafii [مصرفي] (mah-srah-fee)
Is it going to rain today?: hal sayakun maTar al-yawm? [هل سيكون مطر اليوم؟] (hal sah-yah-koon mah-tar al-yah-oum)
Is it going to be sunny?: hal satakun shams? [هل ستكون شمس؟] (hal sah-tah-koon shah-mes)
Is this your book?: hal haadhaa kitaabuka? [هل هذا كتابكَ؟] (hal hah-zah kee-tah-boo-kah)
Are you from America? (M): hal ‘anta min ‘amriikaa? [هل أنتَ من أمريكا؟] (hal ann-ta min am-ree-kaa)
businessman: rajul ‘a’maal [رجل أعمال] (rah-jool ah-maal)
brother: ‘akh [أخ] (ah-kh-eh)
brother-in-law: silf [صِلف] (see-lef)
children: ‘abnaa’ [أبناء] (ah-ben-aah)
clouds: suHub [سحب] (soo-hoob)
cold: bard [برد] (bah-red)
cook (M): Tabbaakh [طباخ] (tah-bah-kh)
dancer (M): raaqiS [راقص] (rah-kees)
daughter: bint [بنت] (bee-net)
degrees: daraja [درجة] (dah-rah-jah)
doctor (M): Tabiib [طبيب] (tah-beeb)
Do you like to read? (MS): hal tuHibbu al-qiraa’a? [هل تحب القراءة؟] (hal too-hee-buh al-kee-raa-ah)
Egypt: miSr [مصر] (mees-sar)
Egyptian (F): miSriiyya [مصرية] (mees-ree-ya)
Egyptian (M): miSrii [مصري] (mees-ree)
fall: khariif [خريف] (kah-reef)
family: ‘usra [أسرة] (oos-rah)
farmer (M): fallaaH [فلاح] (fah-lah)
father: ‘ab [أب] (ah-b)
father-in-law: Hamou [حمُ] (hah-mooh)
fireman: ‘iTfaa’ii [إطفائي] (eet-fah-ee)
from: min [من]
female cousin from the father’s side: bint al-’amm [بنت العم] (bee-net al-ahm)
female cousin from the mother’s side: bint al-khaala [بنت الخالة] (bee-net al-kah-lah)
go with peace, or goodbye: ma’a as-salaama [مع السلامة] (ma-a ass-sa-laa-ma)
Good luck!: HaDHan sa’iidan! [حظاً سعيداً] (had-dan sa-ee-dan)
good evening: masaa’ al-khayr [مساء الخير] (ma-saa al-kha-yer)
good night: tasbaH ‘alaa khayr [تصبح على خير] (tas-bah ‘a-la kha-yer)
grandmother: jadda [جدة] (jah-dah)
grandfather: jadd [جد] (jah-d)
granddaughter: Hafiida [حفيدة] (hah-fee-dah)
grandson: Hafiid [حفيد] (hah-feed)
hello (formal): ‘as-salaamu ‘alaykum [السلام عليكم] (ass-sa-laam-ou a-lai-koum)
hi; or nice to meet you, depending on the context: ‘ahlan wa sahlan [أهلاً وسهلاً] (ahel-an wah sah-lan) (Also used as an informal greeting and informal response to introduction).
hot: sukhoun [سخون] (suh-koon)
How?: kayfa? [كيف؟] (keh-yeh-fah)
How are you? (gender-neutral): kayf al-Haal? [كيف الحال؟] (ka-yef al-haal)
How are you? (M): kayf Haaluka [كيف حالكَ؟] (ka-yef haa-lou-ka)
How are you? (F): kayf Haaluki [كيف حالكِ؟] (ka-yef haa-lou-kee)
How is your health? (more personal/informal): kayf Haalak? [كيف حالك؟] (ka-yef haa-lak)
How many?: kam min? [كم من؟] (kam meen)
How much?: bikam? [بكم؟] (bee-kah-m)
How's the weather in New York?: kayfa aT-Taqs fii nyuu yoork? [كيف الطقس في نيويورك؟] (keh-yeh-fah ah-tah-kes fii noo york)
Hot day, isn’t it?: yawm sukhoun, na’am? [يوم سخون، نعم؟] (yah-oum suh-koon, nah-am)
humidity: ruTuuba [رطوبة] (roo-too-bah)
husband: zawj [زوج] (zah-weh-j)
I/me: ‘anaa [أنا]
### **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 need help with this problem.
Arabic: أحتاج مساعدة في هذه المشكلة.
Transliteration: Ahtaju musa'adatan fi hathihi al-mushkila.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Ahtaju [I need] musa'adatan [help (accusative)] fi [in] hathihi [this (feminine)] al-mushkila [the problem].
* English: She is a doctor in the hospital.
Arabic: هي طبيبة في المستشفى.
Transliteration: Hiya tabibatun fi al-mustashfa.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Hiya [she] tabibatun [a doctor (feminine nominative)] fi [in] al-mustashfa [the hospital].
* English: He is a teacher at the school.
Arabic: هو معلم في المدرسة.
Transliteration: Huwa mu'allimun fi al-madrasa.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Huwa [he] mu'allimun [a teacher (masculine nominative)] fi [in] al-madrasa [the school].
* English: We live in a small apartment.
Arabic: نحن نسكن في شقة صغيرة.
Transliteration: Nahnu naskunu fi shaqqatin saghira.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Nahnu [we] naskunu [we live] fi [in] shaqqatin [an apartment (feminine genitive)] saghira [small (feminine)].
* English: They work in a big company.
Arabic: هم يعملون في شركة كبيرة.
Transliteration: Hum ya'maluna fi sharikatin kabira.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Hum [they (masculine plural)] ya'maluna [they (masculine plural) work] fi [in] sharikatin [a company (feminine genitive)] kabira [big (feminine)].
* English: The movie was very interesting.
Arabic: الفيلم كان ممتعاً جداً.
Transliteration: Al-filmu kana mumti'an jiddan.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Al-filmu [the movie (nominative)] kana [was] mumti'an [interesting (masculine accusative)] jiddan [very].
* English: The music is very loud.
Arabic: الموسيقى صاخبة جداً.
Transliteration: Al-musiqa sakhiba jiddan.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Al-musiqa [the music (feminine nominative)] sakhiba [loud (feminine)] jiddan [very].
* English: The food at the restaurant was delicious.
Arabic: الطعام في المطعم كان لذيذاً.
Transliteration: At-ta'amu fi al-mat'ami kana lathidhan.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): At-ta'amu [the food (nominative)] fi [in] al-mat'ami [the restaurant (genitive)] kana [was] lathidhan [delicious (masculine accusative)].
* English: The weather today is very pleasant.
Arabic: الطقس اليوم لطيف جداً.
Transliteration: At-taqsu al-yawma lateefun jiddan.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): At-taqsu [the weather (nominative)] al-yawma [the day (accusative)/today] lateefun [nice/pleasant (masculine nominative)] jiddan [very].
* English: The book I am reading is very good.
Arabic: الكتاب الذي أقرأه جيد جداً.
Transliteration: Al-kitabu alladhi aqra'uhu jayyidun jiddan.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Al-kitabu [the book (nominative)] alladhi [which] aqra'uhu [I read it] jayyidun [good (masculine nominative)] jiddan [very].
* English: I am going to the beach tomorrow.
Arabic: سأذهب إلى الشاطئ غداً.
Transliteration: Sa-athhabu ila ash-shati' ghadan.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Sa- [will (future particle)] athhabu [I go] ila [to] ash-shati' [the beach] ghadan [tomorrow].
* English: She is planning to visit her family.
Arabic: هي تخطط لزيارة عائلتها.
Transliteration: Hiya tukhattitu li-ziyarati 'a'ilatiha.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Hiya [she] tukhattitu [she plans] li-ziyarati [for visiting] 'a'ilatiha [her family].
* English: He is trying to learn a new language.
Arabic: هو يحاول أن يتعلم لغة جديدة.
Transliteration: Huwa yuhawilu an yata'allama lughatan jadida.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Huwa [he] yuhawilu [he tries] an [that/to] yata'allama [he learns] lughatan [a language (accusative)] jadida [new (feminine)].
* English: We are thinking about traveling abroad.
Arabic: نحن نفكر في السفر إلى الخارج.
Transliteration: Nahnu nufakkiru fi as-safari ila al-kharij.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Nahnu [we] nufakkiru [we think] fi [in/about] as-safari [the travel] ila [to] al-kharij [the outside/abroad].
* English: They are excited about the party.
Arabic: هم متحمسون للحفلة.
Transliteration: Hum mutahammasuna lil-hafla.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Hum [they (masculine plural)] mutahammasuna [excited (masculine plural)] lil-hafla [for the party].
* English: The coffee I made is still hot.
Arabic: القهوة التي صنعتها لا تزال ساخنة.
Transliteration: Al-qahwatu allati sana'tuha la tazalu sakhina.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Al-qahwatu [the coffee (feminine nominative)] allati [which] sana'tuha [I made it] la [not] tazalu [remains/is still] sakhina [hot (feminine)].
* English: The car he bought is very fast.
Arabic: السيارة التي اشتراها سريعة جداً.
Transliteration: As-sayyara allati ishtaraha sari'a jiddan.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): As-sayyara [the car (feminine nominative)] allati [which] ishtaraha [he bought it] sari'a [fast (feminine)] jiddan [very].
* English: The book she is reading is very long.
Arabic: الكتاب الذي تقرأه طويل جداً.
Transliteration: Al-kitabu alladhi taqra'uhu taweelun jiddan.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Al-kitabu [the book (masculine nominative)] alladhi [which] taqra'uhu [she reads it] taweelun [long (masculine nominative)] jiddan [very].
* English: The city we visited was very crowded.
Arabic: المدينة التي زرناها كانت مزدحمة جداً.
Transliteration: Al-madinatu allati zurnaha kanat muzdahima jiddan.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Al-madinatu [the city (feminine nominative)] allati [which] zurnaha [we visited it] kanat [was] muzdahima [crowded (feminine)] jiddan [very].
* English: The people they met were very friendly.
Arabic: الأشخاص الذين قابلوهم كانوا ودودين جداً.
Transliteration: Al-ashkhasu alladhina qabaluuhum kanu wadudeen jiddan.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Al-ashkhasu [the people (plural nominative)] alladhina [who (masculine plural)] qabaluuhum [they (masculine plural) met them] kanu [were] wadudeen [friendly (masculine plural)] jiddan [very].
* English: I am interested in learning about history.
Arabic: أنا مهتم بتعلم التاريخ.
Transliteration: Ana muhtammun bi-ta'allumi at-tarikh.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Ana [I] muhtammun [interested (masculine nominative)] bi-ta'allumi [in learning] at-tarikh [the history].
* English: She is good at playing the piano.
Arabic: هي جيدة في العزف على البيانو.
Transliteration: Hiya jayyida fi al-'azfi 'ala al-biyanu.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Hiya [she] jayyida [good (feminine)] fi [in/at] al-'azfi [the playing] 'ala [on] al-biyanu [the piano].
* English: He is skilled in fixing cars.
Arabic: هو ماهر في إصلاح السيارات.
Transliteration: Huwa mahirun fi islahi as-sayyarat.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Huwa [he] mahirun [skilled (masculine nominative)] fi [in] islahi [fixing/repairing] as-sayyarat [the cars].
* English: We are happy about the good news.
Arabic: نحن سعداء بالأخبار الجيدة.
Transliteration: Nahnu su'ada' bil-akhbari al-jayyida.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Nahnu [we] su'ada' [happy (plural)] bil-akhbari [with the news (plural)] al-jayyida [the good (feminine)].
* English: They are talking about their plans for the future.
Arabic: هم يتحدثون عن خططهم للمستقبل.
Transliteration: Hum yatahaddathuna 'an khutatihim lil-mustaqbal.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Hum [they (masculine plural)] yatahaddathuna [they (masculine plural) talk] 'an [about] khutatihim [their plans] lil-mustaqbal [for the future].
* English: Please speak more slowly.
Arabic: من فضلك، تحدث ببطء أكبر.
Transliteration: Min fadlik, tahaddath bi-but'in akbar.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Min [from] fadlik [your favor/please], tahaddath [speak (masculine singular)] bi-but'in [with slowness/slowly] akbar [greater/more].
* English: Can you repeat that, please?
Arabic: هل يمكنك تكرار ذلك، من فضلك؟
Transliteration: Hal yumkinuka tikraru dhalik, min fadlik?
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Hal [can/question particle] yumkinuka [it is possible for you (masculine)] tikraru [repeating] dhalik [that (masculine)], min [from] fadlik [your favor/please]?
* English: I am trying to improve my Arabic.
Arabic: أحاول أن أحسن لغتي العربية.
Transliteration: Uhawilu an uhassina lughati al-'arabiyya.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Uhawilu [I try] an [that/to] uhassina [I improve] lughati [my language] al-'arabiyya [the Arabic].
* English: The view from the mountain was amazing.
Arabic: المنظر من الجبل كان رائعاً.
Transliteration: Al-manzaru min al-jabali kana ra'i'an.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Al-manzaru [the view (nominative)] min [from] al-jabali [the mountain (genitive)] kana [was] ra'i'an [amazing/wonderful (masculine accusative)].
* English: I am looking forward to the weekend.
Arabic: أتطلع إلى نهاية الأسبوع.
Transliteration: Atatalla'u ila nihayati al-usbu'.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Atatalla'u [I look forward] ila [to] nihayati [the end of] al-usbu' [the week].
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