Lesson 1: Keep practicing!
Watch out
SAYING HELLO
In Levantine Arabic, there are several ways to greet people.
- Mar7aba (مَرْحَبا) – Hello.
- Mar7abteen (مَرْحبَتين) – While this used to be a common response to "Mar7aba," it’s not as widely used today. Instead, you can reply with:
- Ahlan (أهلاً) – Hi.
- Ahleen (أهْلين) – A friendly response to "Ahlan" or "Mar7aba."
For more formal or traditional greetings, you can use:
- Alsalaam 3leikon (السلام عليكم) – (May) peace be upon you.
- W3leikum alsalaam (وعليكم السلام) – And (may) peace be upon you (the reply).
ASKING "How Are You?"
How are you? in Arabic varies depending on who you're talking to:
- Keefak? (كيفَك) – How are you? (to a male)
- Keefek?(كيفِك) – How are you? (to a female)
- Shlonak? (شلونَك) – How are you? (to a male)
- Shlonek? (شلونِك) – How are you? (to a female)
*There's also a plural version used when speaking to a group.
RESPONDING TO "Keefak/ek?"
Now that you can ask someone how they are, here are a few ways to respond:
- Mnii7 (منيح) – Good (for a male)
- Mnii7a (منيحة) – Good (for a female)
- Bikheer al7amdellah (بخير الحمدلله) – I’m well, thank God
- Meshe al7aal (ماشي الحال) – Things are okay / going fine
Extra vocabulary
Here are some key words that will be useful as you continue learning:
- Ustaadh (أستاذ) – Teacher
- Taalib (طالب) – Student
- Madrase (مدرسة) – School
Here are also a few essential pronouns you’ll need when speaking in Arabic:
- Ana (أنا) – I / Me
- Enta (إنتَ) – You (male)
- Ente (إنتِ) – You (female)
We are learning Arabic shway shway (step by step, literally: little by little), so don’t worry if the first class felt overwhelming or if you don’t remember everything tomorrow! To make it easier for you every class will begin with a review. If you want to practice what you’ve just learned, here are a couple of questions to test your knowledge. Try answering them!