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Translation
68 posts
Bridging the gap. Learn how to handle idioms, avoid common blunders, and solve the specific problems of translating between English and Arabic.
How to Say ‘Next’ and ‘Last’ in Egyptian Arabic
This guide simplifies expressing "next" and "last" in Egyptian Arabic. It covers common methods, including using ordinal numbers like تانِي (second), active participles like الْجايّ (coming), and إِضافة constructions like آخِر (last).
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.
4 Ways to Say ‘To Have’ in Arabic (And When to Use Each One)
This article explains the four main ways to express "to have" in Modern Standard Arabic. Explore the subtle differences between لِ, مَعَ, عِنْدَ, and لَدَى for possession and presence.
Why the Quran Can Be Hard to Read: 6 Keys to Its Unique Stylistic Beauty
This article explores the Quran's stylistic forms (balagha), covering key techniques like oaths, intensive adjectives, emphasis, affective sentences, and iltifaat to deepen your understanding.
“I’ve been driven half-crazy by the sheer number of untranslatable expressions” | Brian Powell | 9273 Roots #18
As the translation manager for Industry Arabic, Brian Powell has been "driven half-crazy by untranslatable expressions." He discusses the beautiful complexity of his job, why he loves the word برزخ (barzakh) for its Sufi meaning, and the "Elizabethan exuberance" of Egyptian Arabic.
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.
Deconstructing لَبَّيْكَ (labbaika): The Surprising Grammar Behind “Here I Am” in Arabic
لَبَّيْكَ (Labbaika), recited during Hajj before Mecca, means "Here I am! At your service!" What form is this key Arabic phrase? A linguistic breakdown explains its root, masdar, dual, and case.
How One Vowel in the Quran Changes Everything: An Analysis of Sura 9:3
Small Arabic grammar differences, like a single case ending in Sura 9:3, can drastically alter Quranic meaning. A precise analysis details correct pronunciation and grammar to prevent misunderstandings.
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.
The Ironic Meaning of the German Weight-Loss Product “Almased” in Arabic
A popular German diet product is named Almased. But many Germans pronounce it like "al-Mazeed"—an Arabic word that ironically means "the increase." A funny look at an unfortunate linguistic coincidence.
