How to Learn Basic Arabic Words and Phrases

Learning Arabic can help you in many areas of your life. If you’re traveling, you’ll be able to communicate with local people, ensuring a safe and pleasant trip. In addition, several companies hire individuals that are fluent in Arabic, because many counties that speak Arabic as their native language are quickly becoming important business centers throughout the world. Learning Arabic can open up a whole new career field for you in areas like Islamic banking.

The basic purpose for learning Arabic words and phrases could be:-

1. To use Arabic in day to day conversations
2. To enjoy traveling in the Middle East from tourism point of view
3. To learn Arabic culture
4. To engage in business with the Arabs

Arabic words and phrases can be learnt through books, Internet and classroom training. Some examples are:-

Books for Learning Arabic:

• Arabic Verbs and Essentials of Grammar- Jane Wightwick and Mahmoud Gaafar
• The First Thousand Words in Arabic (Heather Amery & Stephen Cartright).
• Get By in Arabic (BBC)

Internet Resources for Learning Arabic

• learnarabiconline
• arabic.speak7
• funwitharabic

Learning Arabic isn’t easy. However, there are many resources available to help you learn the language correctly. You’ll just need to dedicate a specific amount of time each day to learning new words and phrases. One of the best ways to learn is through an online course, since you can easily access a lesson and pick up where you left off. There are also many courses that offer online lessons, as well as CDs or tapes that you can listen to while driving. Several of these courses also have textbooks and flashcards to help you learn.

Below are some examples of basic Arabic words and phrases:-

Greetings and Goodbyes
Hi or Hello: Salam
Good Morning: Sabah el kheer
Good Bye: Salama     

General Conversation
How are you? Kaifa Haloki (female)
Kaifa Haloka (male)
Thank you: Shokran or Mushkoor
You’re welcome: Aafwaan
Can you help me? Hal Beemkanek mosa dati?
I’m sorry: Fwan (for not understanding something)
I’m sorry: Aasef (for making a mistake)
How much is this? Kam howa thamanoh?
I don’t understand: La afham
Do you speak English? Hal tatakallamu alloghah alenjleziah?
What is your name? Aysh ismuk
I don’t know: Ma adhri
Peace be upon you: Assalaam Alaikum
And peace be upon you: Wa Alaikum assalaam
I don’t speak Arabic: Ana la atakellem al arabi
I speak English: Atakullum inglieezi
Yes: Naam
Yeah/Ok: Aywa
No: La
Please: Min fudluk

These are the basic Arabic Words/Phrases. Once you are familiar with basics, then it is up to an individual to decide whether he/she wants pursue this language further or not.