Life and Death in Lebanese Arabic
Learn Arabic vocabulary by topic with Arabic script, phonemic transcription (pronunciation), English translation, and audio.
Life and Death in Egyptian Arabic
Learn Arabic vocabulary by topic with Arabic script, phonemic transcription (pronunciation), English translation, and audio.
When you speak to Arabs from other countries, what kind of Arabic do you speak together?
Part 9 in the “Arabs Say…” series, we ask: When you speak to Arabs from other countries, what kind of Arabic do you speak together?
Which Arabic Dialects Are the Easiest and Most Difficult for Arabs to Understand?
Part 8 in the “Arabs Say…” series, we ask: Which Arabic dialects are the easiest and most difficult for you, as an Arab, to understand?
Egyptian Arabic Pronunciation
Learn how to pronounce Egyptian Arabic and about the sound changes that distinguish it from other varieties of Arabic.
Is Modern Standard Arabic Difficult for Arabs?
Part 7 in the “Arabs Say…” series, we ask: How proficient are you in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA)? What is difficult for you? Do you make any mistakes?
Egyptian Arabic Song: Zay Manty (Amr Diab)
Learn Egyptian Arabic with Amr Diab’s Zay Manty (video, English translation, and language notes).
Lebanese Arabic Song: Albi Ya Albi (Nancy Ajram)
Learn Lebanese Arabic with Nancy Ajram’s hit Albi Ya Albi (video, English translation, and language notes).
Unique Words in Arabic Dialects that Even Other Arabs May Not Understand
Part 6 in the “Arabs Say…” series, we ask: What are a few words that are unique to your dialect which Arabs from other countries might find amusing or not understand?
Let’s Compare the Advantages and Disadvantages of Using a Dialect with Modern Standard Arabic
Part 5 in the “Arabs Say…” series: What are the advantages of using your local dialect over MSA? And what are the disadvantages?
Should Dialects Replace Standard Arabic as Official National Languages?
Part 4 in the “Arabs Say…” series: Imagine that your government made your dialect the official language of your country (instead of MSA). It would have a new, standardized spelling system and grammar rules and be used in newspapers and books. What is your opinion?
Lebanese Arabic Song: Khalik Bel Bait (Fairuz)
Learn Lebanese Arabic with Fairuz’s classic song Khalik Bel Bait (video with lyrics, English translation, and language notes).