Learning conversational Arabic is an exciting and rewarding journey. Arabic is a language deeply rooted in history, culture, and regional diversity. While Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) is used in formal writing and media, everyday conversations rely on regional dialects. The examples below focus primarily on Levantine Arabic (spoken in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Palestine), which is widely understood across the Arab world thanks to music, TV series, and films.
This short Arabic lesson includes more phrases, grouped by theme, with Arabic script, accurate transliteration (using a simple phonetic system), English translation, and usage notes. Many examples continue to feature the versatile Levantine verb ساوى (saawa) meaning "to do/make," but I've added variety with other common verbs and full conversational exchanges.
1. Greetings and Introductions
|
Arabic Script
|
Transliteration
|
English Translation | Usage Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| مرحبا | Marhaba | Hello / How are you? | Standard casual greeting. |
| أهلين وسهلين | Ahlein wa sahlein | Welcome / Hello (response) | Warm reply to "Ahlein" or when welcoming someone. |
| شو أخبارك؟ | Shu akhbarak? | What's new? / How's it going? | Common follow-up after greeting. |
| الحمدلله | Al-hamdulillaah | Fine, thank God | Typical positive response. |
2. Talking About Daily Activities (Featuring ساوى)
| Arabic Script | Transliteration | English Translation | Usage Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| شو ساويت إمبارح بعد الشغل؟ | Shu saaweit imbar7 ba3d ash-shughl? | What did you (m) do yesterday after work? | Casual opener about routine. Use saaweiti for female. |
| ساويت حفلة يوم الخميس الماضي | Saaweit 7afleh yawm al-khamees al-madi | I had a party last Thursday. | Sharing a fun past event. |
| ساوينا كل الوظايف | Saawīna kill al-wazaayif | We did all the homework. | Great for students. |
| شو ساويت اليوم؟ | Shu saaweit il-yoom? | What did you do today? | General daily check-in. |
| ما ساويت شي | Maa saaweit shi | I didn't do anything. | Common relaxed response. |
3. Making Plans and Future Intentions
| Arabic Script | Transliteration | English Translation | Usage Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| شو بدك تساوي يوم الجمعة؟ | Shu biddak tsaawi yawm al-jum3a? | What do you (m) want to do on Friday? | Weekend planning. Use biddik for female. |
| بدّا تساوي عيد ميلادا بهادا المطعم | Bidda tsaawi 3eed milada b-hada al-mat3am | She wants to celebrate her birthday in this restaurant. | Suggesting venues. |
| رح تساوي الامتحان يوم الأحد | Ra7 tsaawi al-imti7an yawm al-a7ad | I'm going to take the exam on Sunday. | Future plans (ra7 = going to). |
| بدي أروح عالسينما | Biddi aroo7 3al cenama | I want to go to the cinema. | Simple plan suggestion. |
| خلينا نطلع مع بعض | Khalleena nitla3 ma3 ba3d | Let's go out together. | Inviting friends. |
4. Food and Dining
| Arabic Script | Transliteration | English Translation | Usage Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| شو بدك تاكل؟ | Shu biddak taakul? | What do you want to eat? | At a restaurant or home. |
| بدي منسف | Biddi mansaf | I want mansaf (Jordanian dish). | Ordering or expressing preference. |
| الطبخة كانت زاكية | At-tabkha kanet zakyeh | The food was delicious. | Complimenting a meal. |
| جرب هالطبق | Jarrab hal-tabaq | Try this dish. | Encouraging someone to taste something. |
| فاتورة لو سمحت | Faatoora law sama7t | The bill, please. | Polite way to ask for the check. |
5. Ongoing Activities and Work/Study
| Arabic Script | Transliteration | English Translation | Usage Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| عم ساوي برنامج خاص بوسائل الإعلام | 3am saawi barnamaj khaas b-wasa2il al-i3laam | I'm working on a special media program. | Professional context (3am = ongoing action). |
| عم بدرس عربي | 3am badrus 3arabi | I'm studying Arabic. | Ongoing study. |
| شو عم تساوي هلق؟ | Shu 3am tsaawi halla2? | What are you doing right now? | Checking in during a call/chat. |
Quick Grammar & Pronunciation Tips
- Gender: Verbs and pronouns change for male/female (e.g., saaweit vs. saaweiti, biddak vs. biddik).
- بـ (b-): Means "in/with/by" – very common (e.g., بـ هادا المطعم = in this restaurant).
- رح (ra7): Future marker ("going to").
- عم (3am): Present continuous ("-ing").
- Stress is usually on the last long syllable. Listen to our podcast for more audio Arabic lessons
