Language Learning

1. عم اتعلم عربي

   ʿAm ataʿallam ʿarabi

   I am learning Arabic

   Usage

   A good opener with locals. "ʿArabi" names the language.

   Grammar Note

   "ʿAm" + bare verb = progressive. Composed from dictionary-verified words.

2. فيك تحكي عالبطيء لو سمحت؟

   Fīk tiḥki ʿal-baṭīʾ law samaḥt?

   Could you speak more slowly, please?

   Usage

   The spelling is the same for a woman.

   Grammar Note

   "ʿAl-baṭīʾ" means slowly. Composed from dictionary-verified words.

3. فيك تكرر هاد لو سمحت؟

   Fīk tkarrer hāda law samaḥt?

   Could you repeat that?

   Usage

   Use it when you did not catch something.

   Grammar Note

   "Karrer" means repeat. Composed from dictionary-verified words.

4. شو معنى هالكلمة؟

   Shū maʿna hal-kilme?

   What does this word mean?

   Usage

   Ask about a word on a sign or in conversation.

   Grammar Note

   "Shū maʿna ..." = "what is the meaning of ...".

5. كيف بيقولو هاد بالعربي؟

   Kīf biʾūlu hāda bil-ʿarabi?

   How do you say this in Arabic?

   Usage

   Point at the object while you ask.

   Grammar Note

   "Biʾūlu" is the impersonal "they say". Composed from dictionary-verified words.

6. فيك تصححلي كلامي؟

   Fīk tṣaḥḥeḥli kalāmi?

   Could you correct my language?

   Usage

   Asks a conversation partner to correct you.

   Grammar Note

   The suffix "-li" means "for me". Composed from dictionary-verified words.

7. وين في دروس عربي؟

   Wēn fī durūs ʿarabi?

   Where can I take Arabic language lessons?

   Usage

   Look for a language school or a tutor.

   Grammar Note

   "Wēn fī" asks where something is available. Composed from dictionary-verified words.

8. ما فهمت، فيك تكتبها؟

   Mā fhimt, fīk tiktebha?

   I don’t understand, could you write it down?

   Usage

   Seeing it written often helps.

   Grammar Note

   "Mā" + past form negates. Composed from dictionary-verified words.

9. بتحكي إنكليزي؟

   Btiḥki inglīzi?

   Do you speak English?

   Usage

   Same spelling for a woman.

   Grammar Note

   Rising tone only; no question particle.

10. بتحكي عربي منيح كتير

    Btiḥki ʿarabi mnīḥ ktīr

    You speak Arabic very well

    Usage

    A compliment for someone who speaks Arabic well; it says "you speak Arabic well".

    Grammar Note

    "Menīḥ" means good / well. Composed from dictionary-verified words.

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