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A whimsical globe with the word 'Tariff' prominently displayed in bold, orange letters, while a cartoon character with red hair sits on top, set against a backdrop of wooden shelves and barrels in a cozy, inviting environment.

Does Donald Trump know ‘Tariff’ has Arabic roots?

A military jet parked on a barren landscape at sunset, with a large, glowing sun in the background casting orange and teal hues across the scene. Another aircraft is faintly visible in the distance.

Media Arabic Booster 03/25

A silhouette of military jets on a barren landscape against a vibrant orange sunset, with a large sun in the background. A graphic overlay features the word 'QUIZ' in bold, colorful letters.

Quiz: Media Arabic Booster 03/25

From Intermediate to Advanced Arabic Using NotebookLM

Browse Tag

camel

10 posts

Camel (جمل) is a large, desert-dwelling mammal known for its distinctive humps, which store fat.

A military jet parked on a barren landscape at sunset, with a large, glowing sun in the background casting orange and teal hues across the scene. Another aircraft is faintly visible in the distance.

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25 minute read

Media Arabic Booster 03/25

This month (03/25) in the Media Arabic Booster: Egypt's inflation and General Haftar's role in creating a Russian military base deep in the Libyan desert

March 31, 2025

A whimsical depiction of Santa Claus in a desert setting, wearing traditional red attire with white fur trim, sunglasses, and surrounded by various vintage-looking containers while smoke billows around him.

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5 minute read

Grammar

What are the best Christmas gifts for Arabic nerds in 2023?

Christmas isn't far away. So what should you get someone who is learning Arabic and loves Arabic culture? Here are some gift ideas for Arabic nerds.

November 22, 2023

A group of camels facing away in a sandy desert, with a dramatic dark stormy sky filled with clouds in the background.

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10 minute read

Islam

Camels or rain clouds? The intriguing word إبل in the Qur’an

The word Ibil – إِبِل – appears twice in the Qur'an. But what does it mean? Camels or rain clouds? An investigation.

October 27, 2023

A stylized illustration of a camel with prominent facial features, set against a simple background of sand and distant hills. The image has a sepia tone, emphasizing a minimalist and artistic style.

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7 minute read

Grammar

Collective nouns in Arabic: Do you use the same word for camels and a camel?

Collective nouns, plurals and singular units are tricky in Arabic. What are the correct patterns, are they masculine or feminine and should we treat them as singular or plural? An overview

September 24, 2023

A caravan of camels crossing a sandy desert at sunset, with long shadows cast on the dunes and light illuminating the scene.

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15 minute read

The 70 most important Arabic words related to camels

Arabic learners know the word جمل for camel. But Arabic has hundreds of terms and descriptions for the camel/dromedary. I've collected 70 fascinating Arabic words related to camels - a list

August 23, 2023

A cute cartoon-style kitten with large, expressive eyes and fluffy fur, resting on its front paws against a soft, blurred background.

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1 minute read

Quiz & Trivia

Quiz: How well do you know the Arabic terms for animals?

There are plenty of names for lion or camel in Arabic. How well do you know Arabic terms for animals? A quiz.

September 22, 2020

A woman wearing a patterned shirt and a plaid hat poses in front of the Pyramids of Giza, humorously pretending to hold a piece of the stone from the pyramid with her hand outstretched.

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5 minute read

9273 roots

20 questions for: Zora O’Neill (#18)

Episode #18 of my series "9273 roots": 20 questions for the woman who wrote a book about her journey to the Arabic language: Zora O'Neill

November 23, 2019

A pencil sketch of a solemn man with a thick beard and a turban, depicting a thoughtful expression, with detailed shading emphasizing the contours of his face and headwear.

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2 minute read

History

Al-Khalil ibn Ahmad: The father of Arabic lexicography

Al-Khalil ibn Ahmad al-Farahidi (الخليل بن أحمد الفراهيدي), a grammarian born in 718 (100 AH) in what is now Oman, wrote the first Arabic dictionary.

May 4, 2019

A smiling woman with long, wavy hair wearing a blue blouse and a pearl necklace. She stands in front of a colorful background featuring children's book covers and the words "Books for" and "Storybooks."

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3 minute read

9273 roots

20 questions: Dina Elabed (#6)

Episode #6 of my series "9273 roots": 20 questions for the woman who makes children (0-12) read and love Arabic books: Dina Elabed.

February 10, 2019

A large tree with intricate roots dominates the foreground, surrounded by a misty forest illuminated by soft, diffused sunlight filtering through the leaves. The ground is blanketed with orange and brown fallen leaves and moss, creating a serene and magical atmosphere.

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2 minute read

Grammar

What is the total number of Arabic roots?

In fact, I don't think anyone has ever counted the number of Arabic roots. Mathematically: 21,952 roots. Practically, you get 6,332 roots.

June 11, 2016