Arabic/عربية

Arabic is a Semitic language spoken by over 420 million people worldwide, making it the fifth most spoken language in the world. It is the official or co-official language in 26 countries, primarily in the Middle East and North Africa. Arabic has a rich history, having been used in literature, poetry, and religious texts for over a millennium. It is also an official language of the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

Arabic for Beginners

Introduction

Arabic is a fascinating language with a rich history and an important role in the world today. Whether you are interested in learning Arabic for personal or professional reasons, this guide will help you get started.

The Arabic Alphabet

The Arabic alphabet consists of 28 letters, which are written from right to left. Unlike the English alphabet, many Arabic letters change shape depending on their position in a word. It is important to learn the shapes and sounds of each letter before attempting to read or write in Arabic.

There are several Arabic letters that have a unique sound and are not present in the English language. Here are a few examples:

• "ص" (ṣād) - a "s" sound pronounced with the tongue pressed against the roof of the mouth
• "ض" (ḍād) - a "d" sound pronounced with the tongue pressed against the roof of the mouth
• "ع" ('ayn) - a guttural sound pronounced from the back of the throat, similar to the "gh" in "rough"
• "ح" (ḥā') - a guttural sound pronounced from the middle of the throat, similar to the "ch" in "loch"
• "ق" (qāf) - a "k" sound pronounced from the back of the throat, similar to the "q" in "queen"

Basic Vocabulary

• Greetings:
  • السلام عليكم (as-salaamu alaykum) - "Peace be upon you" (formal greeting)
  • مرحبا (marhaban) - "Hello" (informal greeting)
• How are you?
  • كيف حالك؟ (kayf haaluk?) - "How are you?" (formal)
  • شلونك؟ (shlonak?) - "How are you?" (informal)
• Thank you:
  • شكرا (shukran) - "Thank you"
• You're welcome:
  • عفوا (afwan) - "You're welcome"
• Goodbye:
  • مع السلامة (maa' as-salaamah) - "Goodbye" (formal)
  • بياع (bye) - "Bye" (informal)
• Yes:
  • نعم (na'am) - "Yes"