chapter 8
This excerpt provides essential Arabic vocabulary and phrases for navigating the professional world. It covers topics from finding employment, including identifying suitable professions and searching for jobs, to interacting with colleagues and supervisors within a typical workplace (maktab) environment. The text also offers guidance on conducting telephone conversations, including making appointments and leaving voicemail messages, and introduces imperative verb forms for giving commands, as well as listing common office supplies. Overall, it serves as a guide to communication and etiquette in an Arabic-speaking professional setting.
Landing a Job
The process of "Landing a Job" (amal [عمل]) begins with finding work (amal [عمل]) or deciding on a profession (mihna [مهنة]). As we discussed previously, one of the first considerations is to find an amal [عمل] that suits your particular maSlaHaat [مصالح] (interests) and mahaaraat [مهارات] (skills). Once you have these in mind, the source suggests starting your job search by:
Talking to aSdiqaa’ [أصدقاء] (friends).
Asking around at your local jam’iyya [جامعة] (university).
Job listings are also likely to be found in:
jariidaat [جريدات] (newspapers).
ma’luumaat [معلومات] (classified ads).
While searching, it is important to gather information about a potential mustakh-dim [مستخدم] (employer). When you secure an interview with a sharika [شركة] (company), the sources list several things you may want to find out about the potential employer:
‘adad al-‘ummaal [عدد العمال] (number of employees).
Damaan aS-SaHHa [ضمان الصحة] (health insurance).
raatib [راتب] (salary).
waqt al-‘uTla [وقت العطلة] (vacation time).
ta’aaqud [تأقعد] (pension).
An example interview dialogue is provided to illustrate how such questions might be asked and answered:
Mary: marHaban bika. tafaDDal min faDlik [مرحباً بك. تفضل من فضلك]. (Welcome. Please come in.)
Mark: shukran li ‘istiqbaalii [شكراً لاستقبالي]. (Thank you for having me.)
Mary: khuz maq’ad min faDlik [خذ مقعد من فضلك]. (Please have a seat.)
Mark: shukran [شكراً]. (Thank you.)
Mary: hal turiidu ‘an tashraba shay’an? [هل تريد أن تشرب شيئاً؟] (Would you like anything to drink?)
Mark: maa’ min faDlik [ماء من فضلك]. (Water please.)
Mary: hal ‘indaka ‘as’ila ‘an haadhihi al-waDHiifa? [هل عندك أسئلة عن هذه الوظيفة؟] (Do you have any questions about this position?)
Mark: na’am. kam min ‘ummaal fii ash-sharika? [نعم. كم من عمال في الشركة؟] (Yes. How many employees are in the company?)
Mary: ‘indanaa ‘ishriin ‘ummaal wa mudiir waaHid [عندنا عشرين عامل ومدير واحد]. (We have 20 employees and one director.)
Mark: hal ash-sharika tuqaddim Damaan aS-SaHHa? [هل الشركة تقدم ضمان الصحة؟] (Does the company provide health insurance?)
Mary: na’am. nuqaddim Damaan aS-SaHha li kul muwaDHaf ba’da muddat thalaath ‘ashhur fii al-’amal [نعم. نقدم ضمان الصحة لكل موظف بعد مدة ثلاث أشهر في العمل]. (Yes. We provide health insurance to every employee after a period of three months on the job.)
Mark: raai’! wa hal hunaaka waqt li al-‘uTla? [رائع! وهل هناك وقت للعطلة؟] (Great! And is there any vacation time?)
Mary: Taba’an. hunaaka ‘ishriin yawm li al-‘uTla fii as-sana al-’uulaa. wa fii as-sana ath-thaaniya hunaaka thalaathiin yawm li al-‘uTla [طبعاً. هناك عشرين يوم للعطلة في السنة الأولى. وفي السنة الثانية هناك ثلاثين يوم للعطلة]. (Of course. There are 20 days for vacation during the first year. And then during the second year there are 30 vacation days.)
Mark: shukran jaziilan li haadhihi al-ma’luumaat [شكراً جزيلاً لهذه المعلومات]. (Thank you very much for this information.)
Some Words to Know introduced in this section include:
‘istiqbaal [استقبال] (host)
maq’ad [مقعد] (seat)
‘as’ila [أسئلة] (questions)
waDHiifa [وظيفة] (position)
taqdiim [تقديم] (offering)
tuqaddim [تقدم] (to offer)
‘ashhur [أشهر] (months)
ma’luuma [معلومة] (information - S)
ma’luumaat [معلومات] (information - P)
Managing the Office Environment
The maktab [مكتب] (office) is described as an essential part of modern life. In most Arabic-speaking and Muslim countries, ‘ummaal [عمال] (workers) typically work from al-‘ithnayn [الإثنين] (Monday) until al-jumu’a [الجمعة] (Friday). The standard workday schedule followed by most ‘ummaal [عمال] is as-saa’a at-taasi’a ‘ilaa al-khaamisa [الساعة التاسعة إلى الخامسة] (9:00 to 5:00).
The sources also discuss lunch breaks (ghadaa’ [غداء]). While most offices (makaatib [مكاتب]) worldwide provide time for ghadaa’ [غداء], the duration varies by employer and country. For instance, in the United States, a worker (‘aamil [عامل]) might eat ghadaa’ [غداء] at their maktab [مكتب] (desk), but in most Middle Eastern countries, an ‘aamil [عامل] is typically given two hours for ghadaa’ [غداء] and is encouraged to eat it at their manzil [منزل] (house) with their ‘usra [أسرة] (family).
Key workplace words are listed:
‘amal [عمل] (work/job)
mihna [مهنة] (profession)
sharika [شركة] (company)
sharika kabiira [شركة كبيرة] (large company)
sharika Saghiira [شركة صغيرة] (small company)
ma’mal [معمل] (factory)
zubuun [زبون] (client - S)
zabaa’in [زبائن] (clients - P)
You can choose from many types of companies (shari-kaat [شركات]), such as a maSraf [مصرف] (bank), a sharikat al-Hisaab [شركة الحساب] (accounting firm), and a sharikat al-qaanuun [شركة القانون] (law firm). Many choices also exist for professions (mihan [مهن]), including:
maSrafii [مصرفي] (banker - M)
maSrafiiya [مصرفية] (banker - F)
rajul al-‘a’maal [رجل الأعمال] (businessman)
‘imra’at al-‘a’maal [امرأة الأعمال] (businesswoman)
muHaamiiy [محامي] (lawyer)
shurTa [شرطة] (police officer)
rajul al-‘iTfaa’ [رجل الإطفاء] (firefighter)
Most companies (sharikaat [شركات]) have many workers (‘ummaal [عمال]) with different responsibilities, often organized into daa’iraat [دوائر] (divisions/groups/departments) within the company. Common departments (daa’iraat [دوائر]) include:
daa’irat al-Hisaab [دائرة الحساب] (accounting department)
daa’irat al-‘aswaaq [دائرة الأسواق] (marketing department)
daa’irat al-qaanuun [دائرة القانون] (legal department)
daa’irat al-‘ummaal [دائرة العمال] (human resources department)
daa’irat az-zabaa’in [دائرة الزبائن] (customer service department)
Interacting with Your Colleagues
Unless your profession (mihna [مهنة]) does not require face-to-face interaction, you need to get along with your zumalaa’ [زملاء] (colleagues) at the maktab [مكتب]. Terms for colleagues and managers are provided:
zamiil [زميل] (colleague - MS)
zamiila [زميلة] (colleague - FS)
zumalaat [زميلات] (colleagues - FP)
mudiir [مدير] (director - MS)
mudiira [مديرة] (director - FS)
mudiiruun [مدراء] (directors - MP)
mudiiraat [مديرات] (directors - FP)
ra’iis [رئيس] (president - MS)
ra’iisa [رئيسة] (president - FS)
ru’asaa’ [رؤساء] (presidents - MP)
ru’asaat [رئيسات] (presidents - FP)
Different ways to address colleagues are mentioned, sometimes based on rank, age, or gender, which the source notes "carry the utmost respect" in Arabic culture. These include:
Using sayyidii [سيدي] (sir) to address a mudiir [مدير] or someone of higher rank.
Using sayiidatii [سيدتي] (madam) to address a mudiira [مديرة] or ra’iisa [رئيسة].
Using Sadiiqii [صديقي] (friend) to address a male colleague.
Using Sadiiqatii [صديقتي] (friend) to address a zamiila [زميلة].
Using al-‘akh [الأخ] (brother) to address a male coworker or colleague.
Using al-‘ukht [الأخت] (sister) to address a zamiila [زميلة]. The source explicitly states that in Arabic culture, it is acceptable to address coworkers or close contacts as ‘akh [أخ] (brother) or ‘ukht [أخت] (sister) even if they are not related.
Phrases for interacting cordially and politely with your zumalaa’ are given:
hal turiid musaa’ada? [هل تريد مساعدة؟] (Do you need help? - M)
hal turiidiina musaa’ada? [هل تريدين مساعدة؟] (Do you need help? - F)
hal yumkin ‘an ‘usaa’iduka bii dhaalika? [هل يمكن أن أساعدك بهذا؟] (May I help you with that? - M)
hal yumkin ‘an ‘usaa’idukii bii dhaalika? [هل يمكن أن أساعدكِ بهذا؟] (May I help you with that? - F)
sa ‘adhhab ‘ilaa al-maT’am. hal turiid shay’an? [سأذهب إلى المطعم. هل تريد شيئاً؟] (I’m going to the cafeteria. Do you want anything? - M)
sa ‘adhhab ‘ilaa al-maT’am. hal turiidiina shay’an? [سأذهب إلى المطعم. هل تريدين شيئاً؟] (I’m going to the cafeteria. Do you want anything? - F)
‘indanaa ‘ijtimaa’ fii khams daqaa’iq [عندنا اجتماع في خمس دقائق]. (We have a meeting in five minutes.)
az-zabuun saya’tii fii saa’a [الزبون سيأتي في ساعة]. (The client will arrive in one hour.)
hal waSaluka bariidii al-‘iliktroonii? [هل وصلك بريدي الإلكتروني؟] (Did you get my e-mail?)
hal waSaluka khabaarii al-haatifiiy? [هل وصلك خبري الهاتفي؟] (Did you get my phone message?)
hal ‘indaka qalam? [هل عندك قلم؟] (Do you have a pen? - M)
hal ‘indukii qalam? [هل عندكِ قلم؟] (Do you have a pen? - F)
A conversation demonstrating interaction while writing reports is also included:
Omar: hal katabta at-taqriir? [هل كتبت التقرير؟] (Did you write the report?)
Samir: ‘anaa katabtu niSf at-taqriir, wa laakin ‘uriidu musaa’adatuka li kitaabatuh [أنا كتبت نصف التقرير، ولكن أريد مساعدتك لكتابته]. (I wrote half of the report, but I need your help to finish writing it.)
Omar: Tayyib, hayyaa binaa li al-’amaal. ‘ayna turiidu ‘an na’mal? [طيب، هيا بنا للأعمال. أين تريد أن نعمل؟] (Okay, let’s get to work. Where would you like us to work?)
Samir: hayya binaa ‘ilaa qaa’at al-’ijtimaa’ [هيا بنا إلى قاعة الاجتماع]. (Let’s go to the conference room.)
Omar: hal turiidu haadhihi aS-Suura fii bidaayat ‘aw nihaayat at-taqriir? [هل تريد هذه الصورة في بداية أو نهاية التقرير؟] (Do you want this illustration in the beginning or end of the report?)
Samir: ‘aDHunnu fii bidaayat at-taqriir ‘aHsan [أظن في بداية التقرير أحسن]. (I believe in the beginning of the report is better.)
Omar: hal naziid SafHa ‘ukhraa ‘aw haadhaa kaafiiyan? [هل نزيد صفحة أخرى أو هذا كافياً؟] (Should we add another page or is this enough?)
Samir: haadhaa kaafiyan li al-’aan [هذا كافياً للآن]. (This is enough for now.)
Omar: mataa turiidu ‘an nufarriqa haadhaa at-taqriir? [متى تريد أن نفرق هذا التقرير؟] (When would you like to distribute this report?)
Samir: ‘indanaa ‘ijtimaa’ fii saa’a. yajib ‘an yakuun at-taqriir jaahiz li al-’ijtimaa’ [عندنا اجتماع في ساعة. يجب أن يكون التقرير جاهز للاجتماع]. (We have a meeting in one hour. The report must be ready in time for the meeting.)
Omar: sa yakuun jaahiz fii niSf saa’a. kam min nuskha yajib ‘an naTba’? [سيكون جاهز في نصف ساعة. كم من نسخة يجب أن نطبع؟] (It’ll be ready in half an hour. How many copies do we need to print?)
Samir: sa yakuun ‘ashra mumathiliin fii al-’ijtimaa’, wa laakin ‘iTba’ khamsat nuskhaat ‘iDHaafiyya [سيكون عشرة ممثلين في الاجتماع، ولكن اطبع خمس نسخ إضافية]. (There will be ten representatives at the meeting, but print five additional copies just in case.)
Omar: fawran. hal hunaaka shay’un ‘aakhar? [فوراً. هل هناك شيء آخر؟] (Right away. Is there anything else?)
Samir: na’am. ‘i’lam kaatibatii min faDlik ‘an ta’khudh mukaalamat al-haatifiyya li ‘annanii sa ‘akuun fii al-’ijtimaa’ [نعم. أعلم كاتبتي من فضلك أن تأخذ مكالمات الهاتفية لأنني سأكون في الاجتماع]. (Yes. Please inform my assistant to hold all my calls because I’ll be at the meeting.)
Omar: sa ‘aquulu lihaa dhallika al-’aan [سأقول لها ذلك الآن]. (I will tell her that right now.)
Some Words to Know from this section include:
taqriir [تقرير] (report)
taqriiraat [تقريرات] (reports)
niSf [نصف] (half)
musaa’ada [مساعدة] (help)
ghurfa [غرفة] (room)
‘ijtimaa’ [اجتماع] (meeting/conference)
Suwar [صور] (pictures)
bidaaya [بداية] (beginning)
nihaaya [نهاية] (ending)
yaziid [يزيد] (to add)
farraqa [فرق] (distribute)
jaahiz [جاهز] (ready - M)
jaahiza [جاهزة] (ready - F)
Taba’a [طبع] (to print)
nuskhaat [نسخ] (copies)
mumathil [ممثل] (representative - M)
mumathila [ممثلة] (representative - F)
mumathiliin [ممثلين] (representatives - MP)
mumathilaat [ممثلات] (representatives - FP)
‘iDHaafiy [إضافي] (additional - M)
‘iDHaafiyya [إضافية] (additional - F)
Giving Orders
The source explains the imperative verb form, used to give orders or directions, as important in the workplace. The imperative is used only with present personal pronouns like ‘anta [أنتَ] (you - M) and ‘anti [أنتِ] (you - F). You cannot use it with absent pronouns like huwa [هو] (him). The pronouns to use are:
‘anta [أنتَ] (you - MS)
‘anti [أنتِ] (you - FS)
‘antum [أنتم] (you - MP)
‘antunna [أنتنَّ] (you - FP)
‘antumaa [أنتما] (you - dual)
The imperative form is derived from regular verbs in the maaDii [ماضي] (past) and MuDaari’ [مضارع] (present) tenses. A list of common imperative verbs is provided:
‘uktub [اكتب] (write)
‘iqra [اقرأ] (read)
‘unDHur [انظر] (look)
‘a’id [أعد] (repeat)
qull [قل] (say)
‘u’kul [أكل] (eat)
takallam [تكلم] (speak)
qif [قف] (stop)
taHarrak [تحرك] (move)
The source provides a table showing the imperative form of the verb kataba [كتب] (to write):
‘anta [أنتَ] (you/MS): ‘uktub [اكتب] (write - MS)
‘anti [أنتِ] (you/FS): ‘uktubii [اكتبي] (write - FS)
‘antum [أنتم] (you/MP): ‘uktubuu [اكتبوا] (write - MP)
‘antunna [أنتنَّ] (you/FP): ‘uktubna [اكتبن] (write - FP)
‘antumaa [أنتما] (dual): uktubaani [اكتباني] (write - dual)
Supplying Your Office
To function efficiently at the maktab [مكتب], various work-related items are needed. Examples of supplies found at the maktab [مكتب] include:
kursiiy [كرسي] (chair)
maktab [مكتب] (desk)
‘aalat al-Hisaab [آلة الحساب] (computer)
haatif [هاتف] (telephone)
‘aalat al-faks [آلة الفكس] (fax machine)
maTba’a [مطبعة] (printer)
‘aalat al-Tibaa’ [آلة الطباعة] (photocopier)
Smaller tools are also listed:
qalam jaaf [قلم جاف] (pen)
qalam ar-rasaas [قلم الرصاص] (pencil)
mimHaat [ممحاة] (eraser)
kitaab [كتاب] (book)
daftar [دفتر] (notebook)
‘awraaq [أوراق] (papers)
mishbak ‘awraaq [مشبك أوراق] (paper clip)
Dammat ‘awraaq [دامة أوراق] (stapler)
lisqah [لصقة] (glue)
skooch [سكوتش] (tape)
Phrases for asking a colleague (zumalaa’ [زملاء]) if they have an item are provided:
hal ‘indakii daftar? [هل عندكِ دفتر؟] (Do you have a notebook? - F)
hal ‘indaka lisqah? [هل عندك لصقة؟] (Do you have glue? - M)
hal ‘indakum skooch? [هل عندكم سكوتش؟] (Do you have tape? - MP)
hal ‘indahu qalam? [هل عنده قلم؟] (Does he have a pen?)
Picking Up the Phone
The haatif [هاتف] (phone) is an important tool for the office. This section explains how to start and end a mukaalama haatifiyya [مكالمة هاتفية] (phone conversation), make plans, and leave a phone message.
Basic terminology for the phone is provided:
haatif ‘aam [هاتف عام] (public phone)
haatif selulayr [هاتف سيلوالير] (cellphone)
raqm al-haatif [رقم الهاتف] (phone number)
biTaaqat al-haatif [بطاقة الهاتف] (phone card)
mukaalama haatifiyya [مكالمة هاتفية] (phone conversation)
Beginning a phone conversation most commonly starts with saying allo [ألو] (hello), whether you are the caller or answerer. It is proper etiquette to state your name after someone picks up, especially if they don't know you. You can say ‘anaa [أنا] (I am) followed by your name, or haadhaa [هذا] (M) / haadhihi [هذه] (F) (this is) followed by your name. Other familiar greetings include ‘as-salaamu ‘alaykum [السلام عليكم] (hello) or ‘ahlan wa sahlan [أهلاً وسهلاً] (hi).
Asking to speak to someone can be done with the phrase hal (insert name here) hunaa? [هل (الاسم) هنا؟] (Is (name) here?). Alternatively, you can use the personal pronouns huwa [هو] (he) or hiya [هي] (she) instead of the name.
Making business appointments (maou’id [مواعيد]) over the phone is illustrated with a conversation:
Susan: allo [ألو]. (Hello.)
Katiba: allo. sharikat rialto. daqiiqa min faDlik? [ألو. شركة ريالتو. دقيقة من فضلك؟] (Hello. Rialto Inc. Can you wait one minute please?)
Susan: Tab’an [طبعاً]. (Of course.)
Katiba: ‘afwan li-ta’akhur. kayfa ‘usaa’iduk? [أفوان لتأخر. كيف أساعدك؟] (Sorry to keep you waiting. How may I help you?)
Susan: ‘uriidu ‘an ‘atakallam ma’a sayyid ‘aHmad [أريد أن أتكلم مع سيد أحمد]. (I would like to speak with Mr. Ahmed.)
Katiba: sayyid ‘aHmad mashghul. huwa fii ‘ijtimaa’ [سيد أحمد مشغول. هو في اجتماع]. (Mr. Ahmed is busy. He is in a meeting.)
Susan: mataa sa-yakun mawjood? [متى سيكون موجود؟] (When will he be available?)
Katiba: ayy daqiiqa [أي دقيقة]. (Any minute now.)
Susan: shukran jaziilan. sa-’ab-qaa fii al-khat [شكراً جزيلاً. سأبقى في الخط]. (Thank you very much. I’ll stay on the line.)
Some Words to Know related to appointments and calls include:
maou’id [موعد] (appointment)
‘ijtimaa’ [اجتماع] (meeting)
sayyid [سيد] (Mr./Sir)
sayyida [سيدة] (Mrs./Ms.)
ra’iis [رئيس] (president)
katiba [كاتبة] (secretary/assistant)
sharika [شركة] (company)
‘usaa’iduk [أساعدك] (help you)
‘uriidu [أريد] (would like)
mashghul [مشغول] (busy)
Dealing with voice mail (khabaran [خبراً]) requires including specific information:
Your ‘ism [اسم] (name).
The waqt al-mukaalama [وقت المكالمة] (time of the call).
Your raqm al-haatif [رقم الهاتف] (phone number or callback number).
The ahsan waqt li al-mukaalama [أحسن وقت للمكالمة] (best times you’re available to talk).
An example voice mail greeting provided is:
‘ahlan, haadhaa kareem. ‘anaa lastu hunaa wa lakin ‘idhaa takallamta ‘ismuka wa raqamuka sa-’ukallimuk fii ‘asra’ waqt [أهلاً، هذا كريم. أنا لست هنا ولكن إذا تكلمت اسمك ورقمك سأكلمك في أسرع وقت] (Hi, this is Karim. I’m not in right now, but if you leave your name and number, I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.)
An example message you might leave is:
‘ahlan wa sahlan karim. haadhihi selma. as-saa’a al-waaHida wa an-niSf yawm al-khamiis. khaabirnii min faDlik ‘inda wuSuulika bi haadha al-khabar ba’ada as-saa’a al-khaamisa. raqmii Sifr waaHid ithnayn thalaatha. shukran! [أهلاً وسهلاً كريم. هذه سلمى. الساعة الواحدة والنصف يوم الخميس. خابرني من فضلك عند وصولك بهذا الخبر بعد الساعة الخامسة. رقمي صفر واحد اثنان ثلاثة. شكراً!] (Hi Karim. This is Selma. It’s 1:30 in the afternoon on Thursday. Please give me a call back when you get this message anytime after 5:00. My number is 0123. Thanks!)
| **English** | **Standard Arabic** | **Transliteration** |
|-----------------------|----------------------|------------------------------|
| 1. **Turtle** | سلحفاة | *Sulḥafāh* |
| 2. **Penguin** | بطريق | *Baṭrīq* |
| 3. **Camel** | جمل | *Jamal* |
| 4. **Whale** | حوت | *Hūt* |
| 5. **Forest** | غابة | *Ghāba* |
| 6. **Cave** | كهف | *Kahf* |
| 7. **Moonlight** | ضوء القمر | *Ḍawʾ al-qamar* |
| 8. **Sunrise** | شروق الشمس | *Shurūq al-shams* |
| 9. **Earthquake** | زلزال | *Zalzāl* |
| 10. **Tornado** | إعصار | *Iʿṣār* |
| 11. **Gloves** | قفازات | *Qafāzāt* |
| 12. **Scarf** | وشاح | *Wishāḥ* |
| 13. **Belt** | حزام | *Ḥizām* |
| 14. **Necklace** | قلادة | *Qilāda* |
| 15. **Bracelet** | سوار | *Suwār* |
| 16. **Patient** | صبور | *Ṣabūr* |
| 17. **Brave** | شجاع | *Shujāʿ* |
| 18. **Kind** | لطيف | *Laṭīf* |
| 19. **Honest** | صادق | *Ṣādiq* |
| 20. **Software** | برمجيات | *Barmajiyyāt* |
| 21. **Email** | بريد إلكتروني | *Barīd iliktrūnī* |
| 22. **Password** | كلمة المرور | *Kalimat al-murūr* |
| 23. **Architect** | مهندس معماري | *Muhandis maʿmārī* |
| 24. **Journalist** | صحفي | *Ṣaḥafī* |
| 25. **Manager** | مدير | *Mudīr* |
| 26. **Employee** | موظف | *Muwazzaf* |
| 27. **Key** | مفتاح | *Miftāḥ* |
| 28. **Lamp** | مصباح | *Miṣbāḥ* |
| 29. **Female student**| طالبة | *Ṭāliba* |
| 30. **Male teacher** | معلم | *Muʿallim* |
* English: I enjoy listening to classical music.
Arabic: أستمتع بالاستماع إلى الموسيقى الكلاسيكية.
Transliteration: Astamti'u bil-istima'i ila al-musiqa al-klasikiyya.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Astamti'u [I enjoy] bil-istima'i [with the listening] ila [to] al-musiqa [the music] al-klasikiyya [the classical (feminine)].
* English: She is interested in learning how to paint.
Arabic: هي مهتمة بتعلم كيفية الرسم.
Transliteration: Hiya muhtamma bi-ta'allumi kayfiyyati ar-rasm.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Hiya [she] muhtamma [interested (feminine)] bi-ta'allumi [with the learning] kayfiyyati [the how/manner of] ar-rasm [the drawing/painting].
* English: He is very good at playing chess.
Arabic: هو جيد جداً في لعب الشطرنج.
Transliteration: Huwa jayyidun jiddan fi la'bi ash-shatranj.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Huwa [he] jayyidun [good (masculine nominative)] jiddan [very] fi [in] la'bi [playing] ash-shatranj [the chess].
* English: We are planning to visit the museum next week.
Arabic: نحن نخطط لزيارة المتحف الأسبوع القادم.
Transliteration: Nahnu nukhattitu li-ziyarati al-mathafi al-usbu'a al-qadim.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Nahnu [we] nukhattitu [we plan] li-ziyarati [for visiting] al-mathafi [the museum (genitive)] al-usbu'a [the week (accusative)] al-qadim [the next (masculine)].
* English: They are excited about their upcoming vacation.
Arabic: هم متحمسون بشأن إجازتهم القادمة.
Transliteration: Hum mutahammasuna bi-sha'ni ijazatihim al-qadima.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Hum [they (masculine plural)] mutahammasuna [excited (plural)] bi-sha'ni [regarding/about] ijazatihim [their vacation] al-qadima [the upcoming (feminine)].
* English: The book I am reading is very informative.
Arabic: الكتاب الذي أقرأه مفيد جداً.
Transliteration: Al-kitabu alladhi aqra'uhu mufeedun jiddan.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Al-kitabu [the book (masculine nominative)] alladhi [which] aqra'uhu [I read it] mufeedun [useful/informative (masculine nominative)] jiddan [very].
* English: The movie she watched was very inspiring.
Arabic: الفيلم الذي شاهدته كان ملهماً جداً.
Transliteration: Al-filmu alladhi shahadathu kana mulhiman jiddan.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Al-filmu [the movie (masculine nominative)] alladhi [which] shahadathu [she watched it] kana [was] mulhiman [inspiring (masculine accusative)] jiddan [very].
* English: The music he is listening to is very relaxing.
Arabic: الموسيقى التي يستمع إليها مريحة جداً.
Transliteration: Al-musiqa allati yastami'u ilayha mureeha jiddan.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Al-musiqa [the music (feminine nominative)] allati [which] yastami'u [he listens] ilayha [to it (feminine)] mureeha [relaxing (feminine)] jiddan [very].
* English: The food we ate at the restaurant was delicious.
Arabic: الطعام الذي أكلناه في المطعم كان لذيذاً.
Transliteration: At-ta'amu alladhi akalnahu fi al-mat'ami kana lathidhan.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): At-ta'amu [the food (nominative)] alladhi [which] akalnahu [we ate it] fi [in] al-mat'ami [the restaurant (genitive)] kana [was] lathidhan [delicious (masculine accusative)].
* English: The people they met were very welcoming.
Arabic: الأشخاص الذين قابلوهم كانوا مرحبين جداً.
Transliteration: Al-ashkhasu alladhina qabaluuhum kanu murahhibeen jiddan.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Al-ashkhasu [the people (plural nominative)] alladhina [who (masculine plural)] qabaluuhum [they (masculine plural) met them] kanu [were] murahhibeen [welcoming (masculine plural)] jiddan [very].
* English: I am trying to learn a new language in my free time.
Arabic: أحاول أن أتعلم لغة جديدة في وقت فراغي.
Transliteration: Uhawilu an ata'allama lughatan jadidatan fi waqti faraghi.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Uhawilu [I try] an [that/to] ata'allama [I learn] lughatan [a language (feminine accusative)] jadidatan [new (feminine accusative)] fi [in] waqti [time of] faraghi [my free (time)].
* English: She is planning to start her own business.
Arabic: هي تخطط لبدء مشروعها الخاص.
Transliteration: Hiya tukhattitu li-bad'i mashroo'iha al-khass.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Hiya [she] tukhattitu [she plans] li-bad'i [for starting] mashroo'iha [her project/business] al-khass [the private/own (masculine)].
* English: He is saving money to travel around the world.
Arabic: هو يوفر المال ليسافر حول العالم.
Transliteration: Huwa yuwaffiru al-mala li-yusafira hawla al-'alam.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Huwa [he] yuwaffiru [he saves] al-mala [the money (accusative)] li-yusafira [in order to travel] hawla [around] al-'alam [the world].
* English: We are thinking about buying a new house.
Arabic: نحن نفكر في شراء منزل جديد.
Transliteration: Nahnu nufakkiru fi shira'i manzilin jadeed.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Nahnu [we] nufakkiru [we think] fi [in/about] shira'i [buying] manzilin [a house (masculine genitive)] jadeed [new (masculine)].
* English: They are considering adopting a pet.
Arabic: هم يفكرون في تبني حيوان أليف.
Transliteration: Hum yufakkaruna fi tabanni hayawanin aleef.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Hum [they (masculine plural)] yufakkaruna [they (masculine plural) think] fi [in/about] tabanni [adopting] hayawanin [an animal (masculine genitive)] aleef [tame/pet (masculine)].
16. English: The weather has been very hot lately.
Arabic: كان الطقس حاراً جداً في الآونة الأخيرة.
Transliteration: Kana at-taqsu harran jiddan fi al-aawnati al-akheera.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Kana [was] at-taqsu [the weather (nominative)] harran [hot (masculine accusative)] jiddan [very] fi [in] al-aawnati [the times/period (feminine plural genitive)] al-akheera [the recent/last (feminine plural)].
17. English: She has been studying very hard for her exams.
Arabic: كانت تدرس بجد جداً لامتحاناتها.
Transliteration: Kanat tadrusu bi-jiddin jiddan li-imtihanatiha.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Kanat [was] tadrusu [she studies] bi-jiddin [with effort/hard (genitive)] jiddan [very] li-imtihanatiha [for her exams].
18. English: He has been working on a new project at work.
Arabic: كان يعمل على مشروع جديد في العمل.
Transliteration: Kana ya'malu 'ala mashroo'in jadeedin fi al-'amal.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Kana [was] ya'malu [he works] 'ala [on] mashroo'in [a project (masculine genitive)] jadeedin [new (masculine genitive)] fi [in] al-'amal [the work].
19. English: We have been living in this city for many years.
Arabic: كنا نعيش في هذه المدينة لسنوات عديدة.
Transliteration: Kunna na'eeshu fi hathihi al-madinati li-sanawatin 'adeeda.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Kunna [we were] na'eeshu [we live] fi [in] hathihi [this (feminine)] al-madinati [the city (genitive)] li-sanawatin [for years (feminine plural genitive)] 'adeeda [many (feminine plural)].
20. English: They have been traveling around Europe this summer.
Arabic: كانوا يسافرون حول أوروبا هذا الصيف.
Transliteration: Kanu yusafiruna hawla urubba hatha as-sayf.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Kanu [they were] yusafiruna [they (masculine plural) travel] hawla [around] urubba [Europe] hatha [this (masculine)] as-sayf [the summer].
21. English: I am really enjoying learning Arabic.
Arabic: أنا أستمتع حقاً بتعلم اللغة العربية.
Transliteration: Ana astamti'u haqqan bi-ta'allumi al-lughati al-'arabiyya.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Ana [I] astamti'u [I enjoy] haqqan [truly/really] bi-ta'allumi [with the learning of] al-lughati [the language (feminine genitive)] al-'arabiyya [the Arabic (feminine)].
22. English: She is very talented in playing musical instruments.
Arabic: هي موهوبة جداً في العزف على الآلات الموسيقية.
Transliteration: Hiya mawhubatun jiddan fi al-'azfi 'ala al-alati al-musiqiyya.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Hiya [she] mawhubatun [talented (feminine nominative)] jiddan [very] fi [in] al-'azfi [the playing (instrument)] 'ala [on] al-alati [the instruments (plural genitive)] al-musiqiyya [the musical (feminine plural)].
23. English: He is very dedicated to his studies and his future career.
Arabic: هو ملتزم جداً بدراسته ومستقبله المهني.
Transliteration: Huwa multazimun jiddan bi-dirasatihi wa mustaqbalihi al-mihanni.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Huwa [he] multazimun [committed/dedicated (masculine nominative)] jiddan [very] bi-dirasatihi [with his study] wa [and] mustaqbalihi [his future] al-mihanni [the professional (masculine)].
24. English: We are very grateful for your help and support.
Arabic: نحن ممتنون جداً لمساعدتكم ودعمكم.
Transliteration: Nahnu mumtannuna jiddan li-musa'adatikum wa da'mikum.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Nahnu [we] mumtannuna [grateful (plural)] jiddan [very] li-musa'adatikum [for your (plural) help] wa [and] da'mikum [your (plural) support].
25. English: They are very proud of their achievements and their hard work.
Arabic: هم فخورون جداً بإنجازاتهم وعملهم الشاق.
Transliteration: Hum fakhoruna jiddan bi-injazatihim wa 'amalihim ash-shaqq.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Hum [they (masculine plural)] fakhoruna [proud (plural)] jiddan [very] bi-injazatihim [with their achievements] wa [and] 'amalihim [their work] ash-shaqq [the hard (masculine)].
26. English: Excuse me, where is the nearest pharmacy?
Arabic: عفواً، أين أقرب صيدلية؟
Transliteration: 'Afwan, ayna aqrabu saydaliyya?
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): 'Afwan [excuse me], ayna [where] aqrabu [nearest (feminine)] saydaliyya [pharmacy]?
27. English: Could you please tell me the time?
Arabic: هل يمكنك من فضلك أن تخبرني بالوقت؟
Transliteration: Hal yumkinuka min fadlik an tukhbirani bil-waqt?
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Hal [can/question particle] yumkinuka [it is possible for you (masculine)] min [from] fadlik [your favor/please] an [that/to] tukhbirani [you (masculine) inform me] bil-waqt [with the time].
28. English: How do you say this word in Arabic?
Arabic: كيف تقول هذه الكلمة باللغة العربية؟
Transliteration: Kayfa taqulu hathihi al-kalimata bil-lughati al-'arabiyya?
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Kayfa [how] taqulu [you (masculine) say] hathihi [this (feminine)] al-kalimata [the word (accusative)] bil-lughati [in the language] al-'arabiyya [the Arabic (feminine)].
29. English: I am trying to improve my pronunciation of Arabic words.
Arabic: أحاول أن أحسن نطق الكلمات العربية.
Transliteration: Uhawilu an uhassina nutqa al-kalimati al-'arabiyya.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Uhawilu [I try] an [that/to] uhassina [I improve] nutqa [pronunciation of] al-kalimati [the words (plural genitive)] al-'arabiyya [the Arabic (feminine)].
30. English: Thank you for your help, I really appreciate it.
Arabic: شكراً لمساعدتك، أنا أقدر ذلك حقاً.
Transliteration: Shukran li-musa'adatik, ana uqaddiru dhalika haqqan.
Arabic Transliteration (with English word meaning): Shukran [thank you] li-musa'adatik [for your (masculine) help], ana [I] uqaddiru [I appreciate] dhalika [that (masculine)] haqqan [truly/really].
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