Arabic has quickly become one of the most important languages in the world. With 120 speakers spanning various countries and continents, Arabic is among the top 10 most spoken languages in the world. Arabic itself is fundamentally different from English or any other language spoken in Europe, so it's important for beginners to notice the differences in form and structure from the start.
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Part 1 of 3: Learn the Basics
Step 1. Buy books used to learn the language
Arabic is very different from English, so it's important that you have some kind of grammar book to help you learn the language, especially if you are a beginner. Here are some types of books that can help you learn the basic elements of Arabic grammar:
- Teaching and Learning Arabic as a Foreign Language: A Guide for Teachers by Karin C. Ryding. This book was published by Georgetown University Press in 2013.
- The Arabic Alphabet: How to Read and Write It by Nicholas Awde and Putros Samano.
- Easy Arabic Grammar by Jane Wightwick and Mahmoud Gaafar. This book was published by McGraw Hill in 2004.
- Arabic Verbs and Essentials of Grammar by Jane Wightwick and Mahmoud Gaafar. This book was published by McGraw Hill in 2007.
Step 2. Use online resources to help you understand the basics
There are tons of online tools available to help beginners learning a language get the information they need. While there are a lot of programs touted for very high prices (such as Rosetta Stone), there are also a number of online tutorials that offer free tutoring. Here are some of the most popular sources for learning Arabic online and free:
- Salaam Arabic, hosted by Pangea Learning, offers free online tutorials on learning Arabic. These lessons are divided according to categories: Numbers, Days, Greetings, Religion, Substitute Subjects, etc. There is even a grammar section for beginners and intermediate learners.
- Arabic Speak 7 provides free and online learning of Arabic grammar. Their program includes an extensive list of very useful verbs, pronouns and other words/phrases with clear English instructions.
- Madinah Arabic offers free, online Arabic learning that focuses on numbering, vocabulary, and situational Arabic. They also provide a discussion forum where you can ask more advanced members of the community when you need more help understanding something.
Step 3. Learn the Arabic alphabet
Arabic letters are written and read horizontally from right to left (as opposed to English and other European languages). Some sounds/letters in the English alphabet cannot be found in the Arabic alphabet, and vice versa.
- Use online resources, such as Salaam Arabic, to memorize the Arabic alphabet. Sites like these usually have audio pronunciation guides that help you learn how to pronounce each word correctly. (ت is taa or "t", is baa or "b", and so on).
- In addition, short vowels are not written in Arabic as letters, but as symbols (called fathas) written over consonants to indicate vowel sounds.
Step 4. Learn some basic words
When learning a new language, you should familiarize yourself with a few basic words so you can get comfortable with pronunciation and start building your knowledge of the language. Here are some of the most basic words in Arabic that you should remember.
- اً, or Marhaban, is the formal word for "Hello."
- السّلامة, or Maᶜa ssalamah, is the word for "Goodbye."
- لاً لاً, or Aahlan wa sahlan bika, is a word for "Welcome" that is addressed to men.
- لاً لاً, or Aahlan wa sahlan biki, is the word for "Welcome" which is addressed to women.
- , or Kabir, is the word for "big."
- , or Sagheer, is the word for "little."
- اليوم, or Alyawm, is the word for "today."
- احد, ان, لاثة, or wahed, ithnaan, thalatha, is the word for "one, two, three."
- ل, or akala, is the word for "eat."
- , or dahaba, is the word for "go."
Step 5. Create a vocabulary reminder card
One way to learn a new language is to start memorizing words. Create reminder cards with Arabic words on one side and English translations on the other. You can use that to test your memory. Plus, reminder cards aren't the size of a book, so you can always take them with you wherever you go and practice when you have free time.
It may be helpful to group words according to the meanings you are learning. Unlike English, Arabic uses roots that will indicate and allow Arabic speakers to anticipate the meaning or order of the word. For example, in English, words like computer, keyboard, and internet may be ideas or objects that are related but don't sound alike. In Arabic, related words are usually also sonically related
Step 6. Learn the basic sentence structure
Sentences in Arabic are usually structured like this: verb-direct subject-object. This is one of the reasons why Arabic is so different from English, with the general structure of the sentence being subject-verb-direct object.
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However, some sentences in Arabic do not include verbs at all because they have their own implied "to be". These sentences start with a noun and are referred to as nominal sentences.
For example, الولد, or al-walad miSri, means "The boy is Egyptian," but there is no verb. So, literally translated it means "The boy is Egyptian."
Step 7. Understand how to ask
To ask a question in Arabic, you can simply add ل, or hal, at the beginning of the sentence (remember that the sentence starts on the right side!).
For example, ل لديه, or the thing above the stanza? ("Does he own a house?") is the interrogative form of لديه, or ladaihi bai, which means "He has a house."
Step 8. Learn some common phrases. Especially if you are traveling to a place where Arabic is spoken, you should learn how to combine words into a single phrase to communicate
Here are some of the most used phrases you should know in Arabic:
- الك؟, or Kaifa haloka, is the phrase for "How are you?"
- ا ا, or Ana bekhair, shokran, is the phrase for "I'm good, thank you."
- ا, or Shokran, is the word for "Thank you."
- ا, or Ma esmouk? for men and Ma esmouki?" for women, is the phrase for "What is your name?"
- …., or Esmee…, is the word for “My name is…”
- , or Motasharefon, is the word for "Nice to meet you."
- ل لم اللغة الإنجليزية, or Hal tatakallamu alloghah alenjleziah, is the phrase for "Do you speak English?"
- لا, or La afham, is the phrase for "I don't understand."
- ل انك اعدتي؟, or Hal beemkanek mosa'adati?, is the phrase for "Can you help me?"
- اللغة العربية, or adrusu allughah al arabia mundu shahr, means "I've been studying Arabic for 1 month."
- , or Uhibbok, is the word for "I love you."
- الساعة؟, or Uhibbok, is the phrase for "What time is it?"
Part 2 of 3: Expanding Your Knowledge
Step 1. Take a language class at the University
If you can, take Arabic classes at your local University. You usually have to take a placement test to determine your proficiency level, but you will then be placed with students of the same level. This will give you an automated support system from other students where you can study and practice speaking together.
Step 2. Read the text in Arabic
One of the best ways to expand your language skills is to read books written in that language. The more you read, the more you will get to know the words and understand how they work together. Try reading the Qur'an, which is the main religious text in Islam. You can find English versions, but you can also find Arabic editions easily.
Step 3. Listen to the language spoken
You have to immerse yourself in the language to learn all its uses. Try listening to conversations around you, or if you don't live where the language is spoken, try watching Arabic films with English subtitles. There are tons of films in the very famous Arabic that you can choose from.
Step 4. Read the dictionary
Improving your understanding of vocabulary is very important in learning a new language. Try memorizing some new words through an Arabic-English dictionary. The more words you know, the more proficient you will be at using the language.
Part 3 of 3: Maintaining Your Language Skills
Step 1. Visit a place where the language you are learning is your mother tongue
Pushing yourself into the culture and visiting places where the language you are learning as a mother tongue is one of the best ways to practice your language skills. While you may find it difficult to use your Arabic skills regularly at home, when you visit an Arabic-speaking country, almost all of your interactions can practice your speaking skills – from entering a hotel to your interaction with a merchant. street vendors in the market.
Step 2. Join the group conversation
One good way to practice your language skills is to join an Arabic conversation group. Try searching for one in your area online, or check with a local college. University campuses will usually provide support groups (such as conversation groups) for language learners.
Step 3. Find a native Arabic speaker to have regular conversations with
Try to find a native Arabic speaker who lives close to you. Establishing conversations with native speakers on a regular basis is a good way to keep your language skills active. Even if you don't know anyone who can speak Arabic, maybe you can find someone willing to skype with you regularly through online forums.
Step 4. Visit the center of Arab culture
Almost all countries have Arab cultural centers that you can visit to learn Arabic language and culture. These organizations host cultural events for the wider community and often provide assistance to members of their Arab American community.
- In Houston, Texas, there is a very large Arab-American cultural community center that aims to help unite Arabs and Americans and help promote cultural education for interested people.
- The Arab American cultural center in Silicon Valley aims to promote aspects of Arab culture in the United States and provide resources for members of their Arab American community.
Warning
- In Arabic, you will usually find words related to gender. For example, Anta (you) for men and Anti (you) for women.
- Some people in the Middle East (especially young children) cannot understand the pronunciation of Arabic by foreigners so try to use the pronunciation as accurately as possible.
