by Amine Bouchentouf
The Fun And Easy Way to Start Speaking Arabic
Part I: Getting Started, Part II: Arabic in Action, Part III: Arabic on the Go, Part IV: The Part of Tens, Part V: Appendixes
Appendix A: Verb TablesAppendix B: Arabic-English Mini-Dictionary
Appendix C: Answer Key
Appendix D: About the CD
Amine Bouchentouf is a native English, Arabic, and French speaker born and
raised in Casablanca, Morocco. Amine has been teaching Arabic and lecturing
about relations between America and the Arab world in his spare time for
over 4 years and has offered classes and seminars for students at Middlebury
College, the Council on Foreign Relations, and various schools across the
United States. He runs and maintains the Web site www.al-baab.com
(which means “gateway” in Arabic).
Amine graduated from Middlebury College and has always been interested
in promoting better relations between the West and the Middle East through
dialogue and mutual understanding. Amine published his first book, Arabic:
A Complete Course (Random House), soon after graduating college in order
to help Americans understand Arabic language and culture. He has written
Arabic For Dummies in an attempt to reach an even wider audience with the
aim of fostering better relations through education.
He holds a degree in Economics from Middlebury and has extensive experience
in the arena of international investing. He is a registered investment
advisor and is a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers.
Amine is currently working on his third book, Investing in Commodities For
Dummies (Wiley Publishing).
Amine is an avid traveler and has visited over 15 countries across the Middle
East, Europe, and North and South America. Aside from his interest in languages,
business, and travel, Amine enjoys biking, rollerblading, playing
guitar, chess, and golf. He lives in New York City.
Author’s Acknowledgments
This book would not have been possible without the guidance and input from
the wonderful folks at Wiley Publishing. It has been an honor to work with a
team that adheres to the highest standards of professionalism.
First, I would like to thank Kathy Cox, my acquisitions editor, whose insight
into the Dummies methodology has been invaluable to me, and for her tireless
dedication to this book. To Tim Gallan, my project editor, for his patient,
thorough and insightful guidance. And to my copy editor, Elizabeth Rea, for
her detailed and meticulous review of the manuscript. Also, thanks to
Courtney Allen who helped us get the ball rolling in the early stages of the
project. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with such a wonderful team.
Special thanks to Ben Smith from Harvard University’s Center for Middle
Eastern Studies for agreeing to serve as technical reviewer of the text. His
comments have ensured that the translation of the text adhered to the highest
degree of linguistic accuracy.
I would also like to extend a special thanks to my agent, Mark Sullivan, whose
dedication and hard work is exemplary. I’m proud to have someone so diligent
and persistent representing me. Merci.
Also, thanks to my wonderful Arabic students at the Council on Foreign
Relations: Mehlaqa, Danna, Mary, Mark, and Evan who helped me challenge
myself and become a better communicator. And a special thanks to the hardworking
folks at the ABC Language Exchange and to everyone at my alma
mater, Middlebury College, for their enthusiasm and support of this project.
Finally, thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout this writing
period. I would not have been able to do this without your precious support.
Introduction
Arabic, the official language of over 20 countries, is the mother tongue of
over 300 million people. It’s spoken throughout the Middle East, from
Morocco to Iraq. Additionally, because Arabic is the language of the Koran
and Islam, it’s understood by more than 1.2 billion people across the world.
Due to recent geopolitical events, Arabic has catapulted to the top of the list
of important world languages. Even in countries where Arabic isn’t the official
language, people are scrambling to master this important and vital global language.
For people in North America and Europe, at first glance Arabic seems like a
difficult language to master; after all, it isn’t a Romance language and doesn’t
use the Latin alphabet. However, like any other language, Arabic is governed
by a set of rules, and when you master these rules, you’re able to speak
Arabic like a native speaker!
Arabic For Dummies is designed to identify and explain the rules that govern
the Arabic language in the easiest and most interactive way possible. I organize
each chapter in a straightforward and coherent manner and present the
material in an interactive and engaging way.
About This Book
Unlike most books on the Arabic language, Arabic For Dummies is designed in a
way that gives you the most accurate and in-depth information available on the
composition of the language. The book is modular in nature; every chapter is
organized in such a way that you don’t have to read the whole book in order to
understand the topic that’s discussed. Feel free to jump through chapters and
sections to suit your specific needs. Also, every grammatical and linguistic
point is explained in plain English so that you can incorporate the concept
immediately. I took great care to explain every concept clearly and succinctly.
To provide the best foundation and the widest usage for students of Arabic,
Arabic For Dummies focuses on Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), which is the
most widely used form of Arabic in the world. There are basically three different
types of Arabic: Koranic Arabic, local dialects, and MSA.
Koranic Arabic is the Arabic used to write the Koran, the holy book for
Muslims. This form of Arabic is very rigid and hasn’t changed much since
the Koran was written approximately 1,500 years ago. Koranic Arabic is
widely used in religious circles for prayer, discussions of Islamic issues,
and serious deliberations. Its usage is limited primarily within a strict
religious context. It’s the equivalent of Biblical English.
The regional dialects are the most informal type of Arabic. They tend
to fall into three geographical categories: the North African dialect
(Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya); the Egyptian dialect (Egypt, parts
of Syria, Palestine, and Jordan); and Gulf Arabic (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait,
Iraq, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates). Even though the words are
pronounced differently and some of the everyday expressions differ
dramatically from region to region, speakers from different regions can
understand each other. The common denominator for the regional
dialects is that they’re all based on MSA.
Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) is the most widely used and understood
form of Arabic in the world. It’s less rigid than Koranic Arabic
but a bit more formal than the local dialects. MSA is the language that
Arabic anchors use to present the news, professionals use to discuss
business and technical issues, and friends and families use to socialize
with one another.
Conventions Used in This Book
Throughout the book, each new Arabic word appears in boldface, followed
by its proper pronunciation and its English equivalent in parentheses.
Because this is a language book, I include some sections to help you master
the linguistic concepts with greater ease. Here’s a description of the specialty
sections you find in each chapter:
Talkin’ the Talk dialogues: Here’s where you get to see Arabic in action.
These common Arabic dialogues show you how to use important vocabulary
words and terms you should be aware of. Select Talkin’ the Talk
dialogues have accompanying audio versions on the book’s CD.
Words to Know blackboards: An important part of mastering a new
language is becoming familiar with important words and phrases. Key
terms that I recommend you memorize are included in these sections,
which present the transcription of the Arabic word, the pronunciation,
and the translation.
Fun & Games activities: The aim of Arabic For Dummies is to help you
master the Arabic language in an interactive and engaging way. With that
in mind, each chapter ends with a Fun & Games that lets you review the
key concept covered in the chapter in a fun but effective way.
What I Assume About You
In writing Arabic For Dummies, I made the following assumptions about my
likely readers:
You’ve had very little exposure (or none at all) to the Arabic language.
You’re interested in mastering Arabic for either personal or professional reasons.
You want to be able to speak a few words and phrases so that you can
communicate basic information in Arabic.
You’ve been exposed to Arabic but are interested in brushing up on your
language skills.
You’re not looking for a dry book on Arabic grammar; you want to discover
Arabic in a fun and engaging manner.
You’re looking for a practical course that will have you speaking basic
Arabic in no time!
How This Book Is Organized
Arabic For Dummies is organized into five different parts, with each part
divided into chapters. The following part descriptions give you a heads-up on
what to expect in each part.
Part I: Getting Started
The first part of Arabic For Dummies is a must-read if you’ve never been
exposed to Arabic. I introduce the Arabic script and present the 28 letters of
the Arabic alphabet before explaining the difference between consonants and
vowels, which have a very peculiar relationship in Arabic. In addition, in this
part you get a detailed and thorough overview of Arabic grammatical and linguistic
constructs; for instance, you find out how nouns, verbs, and adjectives
interact with each other to create phrases and sentences. Finally, you
discover some of the most basic forms of greetings and are introduced to
basic words and phrases.
Part II: Arabic in Action
This part exposes you to key words and phrases that allow you to interact
with Arabic-speaking folks in a variety of different settings (such as in a
restaurant, around town, at the office, or even at the mall). You discover how
to make small talk and how to ask for basic information about people you
speak to, such as their names, where they’re from, and their occupations.
Part III: Arabic on the Go
This part gives you the tools you need to take Arabic on the road with you.
Find out how to open a bank account, how to plan a trip, how to make a
reservation at a hotel, and how to ask for directions.
Part IV: The Part of Tens
The chapters in this part share some of the nonverbal methods of communication
that help you to better interact with Arabic-speaking people. For example,
you discover ten of the greatest Arabic proverbs, and you find out proper ways
to interact with people if you’re in an Arabic-speaking country. I also share my
recommendations on the best ways to acquire Arabic as quickly as possible.
Part V: Appendixes
This part is a useful reference if you need information quickly. One of the
appendixes in this part is a detailed list of regular and irregular verbs to help
you conjugate verbs in the past, present, and future tenses. I also include a
mini-dictionary in both Arabic–English and English–Arabic formats for quick
reference. Finally, you find an appendix that guides you through the audio
tracks on the CD.
over 300 million people. It’s spoken throughout the Middle East, from
Morocco to Iraq. Additionally, because Arabic is the language of the Koran
and Islam, it’s understood by more than 1.2 billion people across the world.
Due to recent geopolitical events, Arabic has catapulted to the top of the list
of important world languages. Even in countries where Arabic isn’t the official
language, people are scrambling to master this important and vital global language.
For people in North America and Europe, at first glance Arabic seems like a
difficult language to master; after all, it isn’t a Romance language and doesn’t
use the Latin alphabet. However, like any other language, Arabic is governed
by a set of rules, and when you master these rules, you’re able to speak
Arabic like a native speaker!
Arabic For Dummies is designed to identify and explain the rules that govern
the Arabic language in the easiest and most interactive way possible. I organize
each chapter in a straightforward and coherent manner and present the
material in an interactive and engaging way.
About This Book
Unlike most books on the Arabic language, Arabic For Dummies is designed in a
way that gives you the most accurate and in-depth information available on the
composition of the language. The book is modular in nature; every chapter is
organized in such a way that you don’t have to read the whole book in order to
understand the topic that’s discussed. Feel free to jump through chapters and
sections to suit your specific needs. Also, every grammatical and linguistic
point is explained in plain English so that you can incorporate the concept
immediately. I took great care to explain every concept clearly and succinctly.
To provide the best foundation and the widest usage for students of Arabic,
Arabic For Dummies focuses on Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), which is the
most widely used form of Arabic in the world. There are basically three different
types of Arabic: Koranic Arabic, local dialects, and MSA.
Koranic Arabic is the Arabic used to write the Koran, the holy book for
Muslims. This form of Arabic is very rigid and hasn’t changed much since
the Koran was written approximately 1,500 years ago. Koranic Arabic is
widely used in religious circles for prayer, discussions of Islamic issues,
and serious deliberations. Its usage is limited primarily within a strict
religious context. It’s the equivalent of Biblical English.
The regional dialects are the most informal type of Arabic. They tend
to fall into three geographical categories: the North African dialect
(Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya); the Egyptian dialect (Egypt, parts
of Syria, Palestine, and Jordan); and Gulf Arabic (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait,
Iraq, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates). Even though the words are
pronounced differently and some of the everyday expressions differ
dramatically from region to region, speakers from different regions can
understand each other. The common denominator for the regional
dialects is that they’re all based on MSA.
Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) is the most widely used and understood
form of Arabic in the world. It’s less rigid than Koranic Arabic
but a bit more formal than the local dialects. MSA is the language that
Arabic anchors use to present the news, professionals use to discuss
business and technical issues, and friends and families use to socialize
with one another.
Conventions Used in This Book
Throughout the book, each new Arabic word appears in boldface, followed
by its proper pronunciation and its English equivalent in parentheses.
Because this is a language book, I include some sections to help you master
the linguistic concepts with greater ease. Here’s a description of the specialty
sections you find in each chapter:
Talkin’ the Talk dialogues: Here’s where you get to see Arabic in action.
These common Arabic dialogues show you how to use important vocabulary
words and terms you should be aware of. Select Talkin’ the Talk
dialogues have accompanying audio versions on the book’s CD.
Words to Know blackboards: An important part of mastering a new
language is becoming familiar with important words and phrases. Key
terms that I recommend you memorize are included in these sections,
which present the transcription of the Arabic word, the pronunciation,
and the translation.
Fun & Games activities: The aim of Arabic For Dummies is to help you
master the Arabic language in an interactive and engaging way. With that
in mind, each chapter ends with a Fun & Games that lets you review the
key concept covered in the chapter in a fun but effective way.
What I Assume About You
In writing Arabic For Dummies, I made the following assumptions about my
likely readers:
You’ve had very little exposure (or none at all) to the Arabic language.
You’re interested in mastering Arabic for either personal or professional reasons.
You want to be able to speak a few words and phrases so that you can
communicate basic information in Arabic.
You’ve been exposed to Arabic but are interested in brushing up on your
language skills.
You’re not looking for a dry book on Arabic grammar; you want to discover
Arabic in a fun and engaging manner.
You’re looking for a practical course that will have you speaking basic
Arabic in no time!
How This Book Is Organized
Arabic For Dummies is organized into five different parts, with each part
divided into chapters. The following part descriptions give you a heads-up on
what to expect in each part.
Part I: Getting Started
The first part of Arabic For Dummies is a must-read if you’ve never been
exposed to Arabic. I introduce the Arabic script and present the 28 letters of
the Arabic alphabet before explaining the difference between consonants and
vowels, which have a very peculiar relationship in Arabic. In addition, in this
part you get a detailed and thorough overview of Arabic grammatical and linguistic
constructs; for instance, you find out how nouns, verbs, and adjectives
interact with each other to create phrases and sentences. Finally, you
discover some of the most basic forms of greetings and are introduced to
basic words and phrases.
Part II: Arabic in Action
This part exposes you to key words and phrases that allow you to interact
with Arabic-speaking folks in a variety of different settings (such as in a
restaurant, around town, at the office, or even at the mall). You discover how
to make small talk and how to ask for basic information about people you
speak to, such as their names, where they’re from, and their occupations.
Part III: Arabic on the Go
This part gives you the tools you need to take Arabic on the road with you.
Find out how to open a bank account, how to plan a trip, how to make a
reservation at a hotel, and how to ask for directions.
Part IV: The Part of Tens
The chapters in this part share some of the nonverbal methods of communication
that help you to better interact with Arabic-speaking people. For example,
you discover ten of the greatest Arabic proverbs, and you find out proper ways
to interact with people if you’re in an Arabic-speaking country. I also share my
recommendations on the best ways to acquire Arabic as quickly as possible.
Part V: Appendixes
This part is a useful reference if you need information quickly. One of the
appendixes in this part is a detailed list of regular and irregular verbs to help
you conjugate verbs in the past, present, and future tenses. I also include a
mini-dictionary in both Arabic–English and English–Arabic formats for quick
reference. Finally, you find an appendix that guides you through the audio
tracks on the CD.
Table of Contents
Introduction...........
About This Book............
Conventions Used in This Book ....
What I Assume About You.......
How This Book Is Organized....
Part I: Getting Started .................
Part II: Arabic in Action ...........
Part III: Arabic on the Go ....
Part IV: The Part of Tens...
Part V: Appendixes....
Icons Used in This Book....
Where to Go from Here.........
Part I: Getting Started ...................................................7
Chapter 1: You Already Know a Little Arabic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Taking Stock of What’s Familiar .....................................................................9
Discovering the Arabic Alphabet .................................................................11
All about vowels ...................................................................................11
All about consonants ...........................................................................14
Speaking Arabic Like a Native ......................................................................18
Addressing Arabic Transcription.................................................................18
Chapter 2: The Nitty-Gritty: Basic Arabic Grammar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Introducing Nouns, Adjectives, and Articles ..............................................19
Getting a grip on nouns .......................................................................20
Identifying adjectives...........................................................................21
Discovering definite and indefinite articles
(and the sun and moon) ..................................................................24
Understanding the interaction between nouns and adjectives .....26
Creating Simple, Verb-Free Sentences .........................................................28
To be or not to be: Sentences without verbs....................................28
Building sentences with common prepositions ...............................30
Using demonstratives and forming sentences .................................32
Forming “to be” sentences using personal pronouns .....................34
Creating negative “to be” sentences ..................................................36
“To be” in the past tense .....................................................................37
Working with Verbs........................................................................................38
Digging up the past tense ....................................................................38
Examining the present tense...............................................................41
Peeking into the future tense ..............................................................44
Examining irregular verb forms..........................................................45
Chapter 3: ‘as-salaamu ‘alaykum!: Greetings and Introductions . . . .49
Greetings! ........................................................................................................49
You say hello . . . ...................................................................................50
. . . I say goodbye ..................................................................................51
How are you doing?..............................................................................51
I’m doing well! .......................................................................................52
Making Introductions.....................................................................................53
Asking “What’s your name?”...............................................................54
Responding with the possessive “My name is . . .”..........................54
Saying “It’s a pleasure to meet you!”..................................................54
Talking About Countries and Nationalities .................................................55
Asking “Where are you from?”............................................................55
Telling where “I am from . . .” ..............................................................55
Part II: Arabic in Action ..............................................59
Chapter 4: Getting to Know You: Making Small Talk . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61
Asking Key Questions....................................................................................62
Talking About Yourself and Your Family .....................................................64
Making Small Talk on the Job .......................................................................68
Talking About Hobbies ..................................................................................70
Shooting the Breeze: Talking About the Weather ......................................71
Talking Numbers ............................................................................................74
Referring to Days and Months......................................................................76
Chapter 5: This Is Delicious! Eating In and Dining Out . . . . . . . . . . . .81
All About Meals ..............................................................................................81
Breakfast................................................................................................82
Lunch .....................................................................................................87
Dinner ....................................................................................................92
Enjoying a Meal at Home...............................................................................92
Dining Out .......................................................................................................93
Perusing the menu ...............................................................................93
Placing your order................................................................................95
Finishing your meal and paying the bill ............................................97
Chapter 6: Going Shopping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99
Going to the Store ..........................................................................................99
Browsing the merchandise................................................................100
Getting around the store ...................................................................101
Getting to know the verb “to search” ..............................................104
Asking for a Particular Item ........................................................................105
Comparing Merchandise .............................................................................109
Comparing two or more items..........................................................109
Picking out the best item...................................................................111
More Than a Few Words About Buying and Selling .................................114
Shopping for Clothes ...................................................................................116
Chapter 7: Around Town . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .121
Telling Time in Arabic..................................................................................121
Specifying the time of day .................................................................123
Specifying minutes .............................................................................124
Visiting Museums .........................................................................................128
Going to the Movies.....................................................................................135
Touring Religious Sites ................................................................................138
A few rules to keep in mind...............................................................138
The Hajj................................................................................................139
Chapter 8: Enjoying Yourself: Recreation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .143
Starting Out with the Verbs fa’ala (Did) and yaf’alu (To Do)..................143
Sporting an Athletic Side.............................................................................145
Going to the Beach.......................................................................................149
Playing Musical Instruments ......................................................................151
Popular Hobbies...........................................................................................152
Chapter 9: Talking on the Phone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .155
Dialing Up the Basics ...................................................................................155
Beginning a phone conversation......................................................156
Asking to speak to someone .............................................................157
Making Plans Over the Phone.....................................................................158
Making social plans............................................................................158
Making business appointments........................................................160
Leaving a Message .......................................................................................162
Dealing with voice mail......................................................................162
Leaving a message with a person.....................................................163
Chapter 10: At the Office and Around the House . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .167
Landing the Perfect Job...............................................................................167
Managing the Office Environment..............................................................170
Interacting with your colleagues......................................................172
Giving orders.......................................................................................177
Supplying your office .........................................................................178
Life at Home..................................................................................................181
Part III: Arabic on the Go ..........................................187
Chapter 11: Money, Money, Money . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .189
At the Bank....................................................................................................189
Opening a bank account....................................................................190
Making deposits and withdrawals....................................................198
Using the ATM...............................................................................................198
Exchanging Currency...................................................................................199
Getting to know the currencies around the world.........................199
Making exchanges ..............................................................................200
Chapter 12: Asking for Directions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .205
Focusing on the “Where”.............................................................................205
Asking “where” questions .................................................................205
Answering “where” questions...........................................................206
Getting Direction About Directions ...........................................................207
Asking for directions..........................................................................207
Could you repeat that? ......................................................................209
Using command forms.......................................................................212
Discovering Ordinal Numbers ....................................................................214
Chapter 13: Staying at a Hotel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .217
Choosing the Right Accommodation.........................................................217
Discussing minor room details.........................................................220
Getting to know direct object pronouns .........................................223
Making a Reservation ..................................................................................224
Figuring out the price ........................................................................224
Indicating the length of your stay ....................................................228
Subjecting you to subjunctive verbs ...............................................230
Checking in to the Hotel..............................................................................232
Checking Out of the Hotel...........................................................................235
Chapter 14: Getting from Here to There: Transportation . . . . . . . . . . .239
Traveling by Plane .......................................................................................239
Making reservations...........................................................................240
Getting some legwork out of the verb “to travel” ..........................243
Registering at the airport ..................................................................244
Boarding the plane .............................................................................246
A brief departure on the verb “to arrive”........................................248
Going through immigration and customs .......................................249
Getting Around on Land..............................................................................253
Hailing a taxi........................................................................................254
Taking a bus ........................................................................................255
Boarding a train ..................................................................................257
Chapter 15: Planning a Trip . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .261
Choosing Your Destination .........................................................................261
Picking the Right Time for Your Trip .........................................................269
The months of the year .....................................................................269
Dates and ordinal numbers...............................................................270
Tackling Packing...........................................................................................273
Preparing Your Travel Documents.............................................................274
Using a Travel Agency .................................................................................278
Chapter 16: Handling an Emergency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .281
Shouting Out for Help..................................................................................281
A little help with the verb “to help” .................................................283
Lending a hand ...................................................................................284
Getting Medical Help ...................................................................................286
Locating the appropriate doctor......................................................286
Talking about your body ...................................................................286
Explaining your symptoms ...............................................................287
Getting treatment ...............................................................................288
Acquiring Legal Help....................................................................................290
Part IV: The Part of Tens ............................................293
Chapter 17: Ten Ways to Pick Up Arabic Quickly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .295
Watch Arabic Television..............................................................................295
Use the Dictionary .......................................................................................296
Read Arabic Newspapers ............................................................................296
Surf the Internet ...........................................................................................297
Use a Language Tape or CD ........................................................................297
Listen to Arabic Music.................................................................................297
Make Arabic-Speaking Friends ...................................................................298
Watch Arabic Movies...................................................................................298
Eat at a Middle Eastern Restaurant ...........................................................298
Sing Arabic Songs.........................................................................................298
Chapter 18: Ten Things You Should Never Do
in an Arab Country . . . . . . . . . .299
Don’t Shake Hands with a Firm Grip..........................................................299
Don’t Enter a Room Full of People Without Saying
“‘as-salaamu ‘alaykum” ............................................................................300
Don’t Start Eating Before Saying “bismi allah” .........................................300
If You’re Not Muslim, Don’t Enter a Mosque Without Explicit
Authorization ............................................................................................300
Don’t Enter a Mosque with Your Shoes On...............................................301
Don’t Eat or Drink During Ramadan ..........................................................301
Don’t Drink Alcohol During Ramadan .......................................................302
Don’t Drink Alcohol in Public .....................................................................302
Don’t Engage in Public Displays of Affection............................................302
Don’t Refuse a Gift If One Is Offered to You ..............................................303
Chapter 19: Ten Favorite Arabic Expressions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .305
marHaba bikum! ...........................................................................................305
mumtaaz!.......................................................................................................306
al-Hamdu li-llah.............................................................................................306
inshaa’ allah ..................................................................................................307
mabruk!..........................................................................................................308
bi ‘idni allah ..................................................................................................308
bi SaHHa ........................................................................................................308
taHiyyaat .......................................................................................................309
muballagh......................................................................................................309
tabaaraka allah .............................................................................................309
Chapter 20: Ten Great Arabic Proverbs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .311
al-’amthaal noor al-kalaam. .........................................................................311
‘a’mal khayr wa ‘ilqahu fii al-baHr. .............................................................311
‘uTlubuu al-’ilm min al-mahd ‘ilaa al-laHd.................................................312
yad waaHida maa tusaffiq. ..........................................................................312
al-Harbaa’ laa Yughaadir shajaratuh hattaa yakun mu’akkid
‘an shajara ‘ukhraa. ..................................................................................312
khaTa’ ma’roof ‘aHsan min Haqiiqa ghayr ma’roofa................................312
as-sirr mithel al-Hamaama: ‘indamaa yughaadir yadii yaTiir. ................313
al-’aql li an-niDHaar wa al-kalb li as-simaa’. ..............................................313
kul yawm min Hayaatuk SafHa min taariikhuk. ........................................313
li faatik bi liila faatik bi Hiila........................................................................314
Part V: Appendixes ....................................................315
Appendix A: Verb Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .317
Appendix B: Mini-Dictionary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .331
Appendix C: Answer Key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .345
Appendix D: About the CD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .351
Index........................................................................353