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Dialects
30 posts
Standard Arabic isn’t enough. We analyze the grammar and vocabulary of spoken dialects, from Levantine to Maghrebi, and understand how Arabs actually speak.
Subcategories
Beyond ‘Akbar’: Your Guide to Comparatives and Superlatives in Egyptian Arabic
Forming comparative and superlative adjectives in Egyptian Arabic involves specific rules. This article examines essential patterns like the أَكْتَر construction and various methods for expressing superlatives in everyday conversation.
Why Do Arabs Use Numbers When Texting? The Arabic Chat Alphabet (Arabizi) Explained
Arabizi (عربيزي), the Arabic chat alphabet, uses numbers to stand in for Arabic letters lacking English equivalents. This guide explains which numbers correspond to specific Arabic characters, such as 3 for ع or 7 for ح, aiding digital communication.
How to Learn Iraqi Arabic: A Diplomat’s Tips on Grammar & Resources
Canadian Ambassador Ulric Shannon, a fluent Arabic speaker, offers insights into Iraqi Arabic in this interview. He discusses its distinct features, compares it to Egyptian and Levantine dialects, and shares resources for learning its grammar and vocabulary.
“If you’ve been burned by soup you blow on yogurt” | Nesrin Amin | 9273 Roots #22
She's the creator of Bilmasri, a free blog and podcast that helps learners master the Egyptian dialect through movie clips, proverbs, and slow readings. Nesrin Amin discusses her passion for the colloquial poetry of Bayram al-Tunsi and how to "buy your head" in Egyptian Arabic.
Vegetarian in Egypt? An Author on the Challenges & Her Cookbook of Egyptian Recipes
Mai Ahmed, a data analyst and baker in Cairo, created "20 Shades of Salad," a cookbook featuring 20 vegetarian recipes based on Egyptian cuisine. This interview explores the challenges of being vegetarian in Egypt and key Arabic cooking verbs.
10 Famous Arabic Proverbs and Their Meanings (With English Translation)
Arabic is rich in proverbs and sayings that encapsulate wisdom and cultural insights. This article explains common Arabic proverbs, their literal translations, and deeper meanings for language learners.
Beyond Duolingo: 2 Free Sites for Intermediate & Advanced Arabic Lessons
Discover two excellent resources for free Arabic lessons: Playaling, offering interactive dialect videos, and DLI GLOSS, with hundreds of MSA and dialect audio/video lessons.
6 Key Patterns for Forming Adjectives in Egyptian Arabic
This article explains the basics of forming adjectives in Egyptian Arabic. It covers special cases like diminutive forms, adjectives derived from prepositions and places, and the common -aan pattern.
The Best YouTube Channel for Learning Arabic with Translated Songs: MohCoolMan
MohCoolMan, a YouTube channel by two Lebanese creators, is a valuable tool for Arabic learners. It provides hundreds of popular Arabic songs with accurate English translations and transliterations, ideal for dialect practice.
A Guide to Compound Tenses in Egyptian Arabic: “Should Have” and “Will Have”
Arabic verbs have only two morphological forms, making compound tenses tricky. This article details "should have" and "will have done" constructions in Egyptian Arabic, with clear examples for learners.
