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In-Flight

ARABIC
L E A R N B E F O R E YO U L A N D

B OA R D I N G PA S S
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Pronunciation Guide
The Roman (English) alphabet is used to represent Arabic sounds
in this insert. The guide below will give you a general idea of
Arabic pronunciation. But keep in mind that the best way to learn
correct Arabic pronunciation is to listen to the native speakers on
the accompanying recording.
Vowels
a a as in absent min fadlak

e e as in bet esmi

ee ee as in weed saaeed

i i as in bit bint

u oo as in roof zur

ay i as in site laylan

aa, ii, oo A vowel a, i, or o preceded aafwan


by an r-type sound pronounced
deep in the throat.
Consonants
Many Arabic consonants have sounds equivalent to English conso-
nants. Those Arabic sounds that are unique are written in this pro-
gram as follows:

' A glottal stop; basically occurs in the masa'an


middle or at the end of a word. ' is
equivalent to the sound produced at
the beginning of English uh-oh

th Unvoiced th as in three thalatha

j s as in pleasure in most Arab jameel


countries; or, soft g as in gender in
Jordan and the Gulf states; or,
hard g as in good in Egyptian Arabic

kh ch as in Bach khamseen
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q Pronounced by producing the sooq


k sound as far down in the
throat as possible

z th as in other azeem

gh Similar to French r; r ghadan


pronounced far down in
the throat

A note on male/female endings

In Arabic, some word endings change depending on whether a


male or female is speaking. Some endings will change depend-
ing on whether a male or female is being spoken to. In this
insert, these variations will be noted by an (m) or an (f) behind
either phrase.
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Ahlan! Welcome to Living Language In-Flight Arabic. This


short and simple program is designed to give you just enough of
the basics that you’ll need to get by in Arabic. Just listen to the
native speakers of Arabic and repeat in the pauses. Once you’ve
completed the program, you’ll be able to speak and understand
basic Arabic. Let’s get started.

Lesson 1: Saying Hello


Marhaba! Ma esmok?
Hello! What’s your name?

Sabahel kheir! Esmi Ahmad.


Good morning! My name is Mr. Ahmad.

Youm saaeed! Esmi Amina.


Good day! My name is Mrs. Amina.

Masa'el kheir! Saaeedon bi liqa'oka.


Good evening! It’s nice to meet you.

Keif halaka? (m) / Kaifa Maa al salama.


haloukee? (f) Good-bye.
How are you?
Araka lahiqan.
Bikheir. See you later.
Fine.
Araka qariban.
Jayyed jeddan. See you soon.
Very well.
Tisbah aala kheir.
La ba's. Good night.
So so.

Lesson 2: Basic Expressions


Shokran. Ahlan wa sahlan.
Thank you. You’re welcome.

Shokran jazilan. Raja'an. Please.


Thank you very much.
Ajal. / Naam. Yes.
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Kalla. / La'a. No. Hal tatakallam ingilizi?


Do you speak English?
Aafwan.
Excuse me. Ana la atakallam al aara-
biyya jayyidan.
Aafwan. / Oozran. I don’t speak Arabic very well.
Pardon me.
Raja'an takallam bi bot'e.
Ana asef. Speak slowly, please.
I’m sorry.
Aaed, men fadlek.
La afham.
Repeat, please.
I don’t understand.

Ana la atakallam al aarabiyya.


I don’t speak Arabic.

Lesson 3: Numbers
sifr 0 arbaa wa iishreen 24
wahed 1 khamsa wa iishreen 25
ethnan 2 sitta wa iishreen 26
thalatha 3 sabaa wa iishreen 27
arbaa 4 thamaneya wa iishreen 28
khamseh 5 tessaa wa iishreen 29
sitta 6 thalatheen 30
sabaa 7 arbaaeen 40
thamaneya 8 khamseen 50
tesaa 9 sitteen 60
aashara 10 sabaaeen 70
ahada aashar 11 thamaneen 80
ithna aashar 12 tiseen 90
thalathata aashar 13 mi'a 100
arbaata aashar 14 mi'a wa wahid 101
khamsata aashar 15 mi'a wa ethnan 102
sittata aashar 16 mi'a wa thalatha 103
sabaata aashar 17 mi'atain 200
thamaniata aashar 18 thalath mi'a 300
tisaata aashar 19 arbaa mi'a 400
iishreen 20 khomso ma'a 500
wahed wa iishreen 21 alf 1,000
ethnan wa iishreen 22 millyon 1,000,000
thalatha wa iishreen 23
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Lesson 4: At the Airport


Ayna? Aynal wousool?
Where? Where are the arrivals?

Aynal jamarek? Aynal bawwaba raqam mi'a


Where is customs? ethnan wa thalathoon?
Where is gate 132?
Ayna maktab el jawazat?
Where is passport control? Ayna maktabil esteaalamat?
Where is information?
Hal maaka ayya shay'en tosar-
reh aanhou? Ana ourid...
Do you have anything to declare? I would like...

Laysa maaee ayyou shay' Ana ourid meqaad nafitha.


ousarriho aanhou. I would like a window seat.
I have nothing to declare.
Ana ourid meqaad mamarr.
Maaee shay'on ousarriho aanhou. I would like an aisle seat.
I have something to declare.
Hazihi hiya tazkarat al
Ayna maktab tahseel al rokoob.
haqa'eb? Here is your boarding pass.
Where is the baggage claim area?
Rihlaton saaeeda!
Ayna makan al rahalat al Have a good trip!
kharijeyya (or aalalameyya)
al moughadira?
Where are the international
departures?

Lesson 5: Getting Around


Ayna sayyaratel ojra? Aynal makhraj?
Where are the taxis? Where is the exit?

Aynal bas? Raja'an ila hatha al oonwan.


Where is the bus? Take me to this address, please.

Ayna metro al anfaq? Ma heyal ojra?


Where is the subway? What is the fare?
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Qif houna raja'an. Kharita lil madina, raja'an.


Stop here, please. A map of the city, please.

Hal yazhab hazal bas ila Kharitat el metro, raja'an.


shareaa al Hamra'? A subway map, please.
Does this bus go to Hamra Street?

Lesson 6: Asking Directions


Aafwan, ayna…? Thanee yameen.
Excuse me, where is...? The second right.

Izhab… Go... Hal hoowa qareeb?


Is it near?
Izhab ilal amam.
Go straight ahead. Hal hoowa baaeed?
Is it far?
Izhab min hazihil jiha.
Go that way. Ila janeb…
Next to...
Irjaa.
Go back. daw'el ishara
the traffic light
Inaatef... Turn...
al shareaa
Inaatef yaminan. the street
Turn right.
al taqatoaa
Inaatef yasaran. the intersection
Turn left.
al hadeeqa
Dawar. the park
Turn around.
mawqef el bas
Fi akheril shareaa. the bus stop
At the end of the street.
mahattit el metro
Aalal zaweya. the subway station
On the corner.
al fondoq
Awwal shimal. the hotel
The first left.
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Lesson 7: At the Hotel


Ouridou an ahjez. Hal iindak ghorfa okhra?
I’d like to check in. Do you have another room?

Ouridou ghorfa. Maa hammam khas?


I’d like a room. With a private bathroom?

Li shakhsen wahid. Hal hounaka ghorfa ahda'?


For one person. Is there a quieter room?

Li shakhsein. Hal hounaka ghorfa akbar?


For two people. Is there a larger room?

Iindi hajz. Hal hounaka ghorfa lil


I have a reservation. riyada?
Is there an exercise room?
Kam leila?
For how many nights? Hal hounaka masbah?
Is there a pool?
Li leila wahda.
For one night. Ayna ghorfatil ejtimaat?
Where is the conference room?
Li leiltein.
For two nights. Hal hounaka makinat fax?
Where is the fax machine?
Li osbooaa.
For one week. Aynal bawwab?
Where is the concierge?
Haza moftahouka.
Here is your key. Awaddou an oughader.
I’d like to check out.
Haza kart el moftah el
elektronee.
Here is your keycard.
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Lesson 8: Making Friends


Marhaban, ma esmok? Ana mousaferon maa aa'ilati.
Hello, what’s your name? I’m traveling with my family.

Hal tasmah an ajles houna? Nahnou soowah.


May I sit here? We are tourists.

Ayna taqton? / Ayna taaeesh? Hal touridou an tazhab ilal


Where do you live? cinama? (m) / Hal touridina
an tazhabi ilal cinama? (f)
Aaeeshu fi Beirut. Do you like to go to the movies?
I live in Beirut.
Hal tourida an tarqos? (m) /
Haza sadiqi. Hal touridina an tarqosi? (f)
This is my friend. Do you like to dance?

Haza sahibi. Hayya nazhab!


This is my boyfriend. Let’s go!

Hazihi sahibati. Hal astateeaa an ouqabil


This is my girlfriend. sadeeqok?
Can I meet your (male) friend?
Hazihi zawjati.
This is my wife. Hal astateeaa an ouqabil
sadeeqatouk?
Haza zawji. Can I meet your (female) friend?
This is my husband.
Ma hoowa raqam hatufuk? (m) /
Biladoukom jameelaton jiddan. Ma hoowa raqam hatufuki? (f)
Your country is very beautiful. What is your telephone
number?
Hal zortal wilayatel mottaheda?
Have you been to the U.S.? Arjoo an tazooranee! (m) /
Arjoo an tazooreenee! (f)
Laqad aajabani al taamou Please visit me!
houna katheeran.
I like the food here very much. Laqad amdaytoo waqtan
jamilan.
Ana fee rehlatou aamal. I had a wonderful time.
I’m on a business trip.
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Lesson 9: At the Restaurant


Hal hounaka mataamon
jayyedan? beera
Where is a good restaurant? beer

Tawila li ethnain, raja'an. Hal iindakum tabaqon


A table for two, please. nabateyyan?
Do you have a vegetarian dish?
Tadkheen aw aadam el tad-
kheen? Haza koll shay'.
Smoking or non-smoking? That’s all.

Qa'imat taam, raja'an. Al fatoora, raja'an.


The menu, please. The check, please.

Qa'imatil nabeeth, raja'an. Hal el baqsheesh mahsoob?


The wine list, please. Is the tip included?

mooshahiyat el fitar
appetizers breakfast

al tabaq al asasi ghada'


main course lunch

al helou aasha'
dessert dinner

Ooridou mashrooban. Estamtiaa bi taamak! (m) /


I would like something to Estamtiiee bi taamik! (f)
drink. Enjoy the meal!

Kubayet ma', raja'an. Fi sahetak! (m) /


A glass of water, please. Fi sahetik! (f)
To your health!
Koob shay, raja'an.
A cup of tea, please. Innahou lazeez! (m) /
Innaha laziza! (f)
Qahwaton maa el haleeb. It’s delicious!
Coffee with milk.
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sahn salata
plate salad

shooka khobz
fork bread

sikkeen zobda
knife butter

milaaqa makarona
spoon noodles

iidan arz
chopsticks rice

mihrama jobna
napkin cheese

koob khoudar
cup vegetables

ka's dajaj
glass chicken

zoujajat nabeeth khanzeer


bottle of wine pork

moukaabat thalj baqar


ice cubes beef

malh Ouridou sharihatal lahm


salt ghair nadija.
I like my steak rare.
filfil
pepper Ourido sharihatal lahm
nadijatun qalilan.
sokkar I like my steak medium.
sugar
Ourido sharihatal lahm
hesa' nadija jayyidan.
soup I like my steak well done.
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aaseer Al mazeed, raja'an.


juice More please.

fateera Raja'an marrer lee al…


pie Please pass the...

booza or “ice cream” al har


ice cream spicy

Wahidon akhar, raja'an (m). / al helou


Wahidaton okhra, raja'an (f). sweet
Another please.
al hamed
sour

Lesson 10: Telling Time


Kam al waqt? Innahas sabiaa wa thalathat
What time is it? daqa'eq.
It’s 7:03.
al zohr
noon Al film yabda' al saa al
tesaata wannesf.
montasafil leil The movie starts at 9:30.
midnight
Al qitar youghader al saal
Ennahal wahida. hadiata aashar wa sabaata
It’s 1:00. aashar daqa'eq.
The train leaves at 11:17.
Ennahath thania.
It’s 2:00. al sabah
morning
Ennahath thalithat awannesf.
It’s 3:30. baadal zohr
afternoon
Ennahar rabiaa.
It’s 4:00. al masa'
evening
Ennahal khamisa wal kham-
sataon wal arbaaoon. leilan
It’s 5:45. night
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al youm al'an
today now

ghadan lahiqan
tomorrow later

al bariha halan
yesterday right away

Lesson 11: Money


al mal Ma houwa mouaadal al tab-
money deel?
What is the exchange rate?
al masraf
the bank Ouridou awraq oomla saghira.
I would like that in small bills.
Aynal masraf?
Where is the bank? Kam hiya al oomoola?
What is the commission?
Ouridou an oubadila baadal
mal.
I’d like to change some money.

Lesson 12: Shopping


Kam houwal thaman? Maza tourid?
How much does that cost? What would you like?

Oktobhou, raja'an. Hal lee an ousaedak?


Please write that. Can I help you?

Fee ayy waqt yaftahoul Ouridou haza.


mahall? I would like this.
At what time does the store open?
Ouridou battareyyat.
Fee ayy waqten yaghleq I would like batteries.
al mahall?
At what time does the store Ouridou filman lil camera.
close? I would like a roll of film.
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Ouridou kharitatan lil madina. malabes rijaleyyah


I would like a map of the city. men’s clothes

Ha houwa. (m) / bantalon, qamees, ribat


Ha hiya. (f) al onok
Here it is. pants, shirts, tie

Hal haza kollo shay'en? ahzia wa jawareb


Is that all? shoes and socks

Ouridou an adfaa naqdan. jeans


I’d like to pay with cash. jeans

Ouridou an adfaa bi bitaqat mahall el kotob


el i'timan. bookstore
I’d like to pay by credit card.
makhbaz
Hal astateeaa an atlob haza bakery
aalal internet?
Can I order this on-line? supermarket
supermarket
mahall tijaree
department store al jazar
butcher shop
malabes nisa'eyyah
women’s clothes sooq
market
blooza, tannoura, fostan
blouse, skirt, dress

Lesson 13: Staying in Touch


hatif Hal hounaka hatifun
telephone omoumiyun houna?
Is there a public phone here?
Ouridou an attasil hat-
ifeyyan. Hal astateeaa an astaamil
I have to make a phone call. hatifakal mahmool?
May I use your cell phone?
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Ma houwal raqam, law Hal iindouka mawqiaa


samaht? shabakee aalal internet?
What number please? Do you have a Web site?

Al khatt mashghool. Ayna maktabul bareed?


The line is busy. Where is the post office?

fax Ouridou baadal tawabeaa,


fax raja'an.
I’d like some stamps, please.
Ouridou an orsila faksan.
I need to send a fax. Li risalaton.
For a letter.
Hal hounaka faxon lee?
Is the there a fax for me? Li bitaqa baridiyya.
For a postcard.
bareed electronee
e-mail Kam el taarifa al bareedeyya?
How much is the postage?
Ayna al hasoob?
Where is the computer? Ilal wilayat al mottaheda.
To the United States.
Ouridou an arsil risala bil
bareed al electronee. al bareed al jawwee
I need to send an e-mail. airmail

Hal astateeaa an astaamil al tawseel fil youm al tali


internet? overnight mail
Can I get on the Internet?

Lesson 14: At the Train Station


Ouridou bitaqatan, raja'an. Zihab wa aaouda.
I would like a ticket please. Round-trip.

Ila Beirut. Daraja oula aw thania?


To Beirut. First class or second class?

Zihaban faqat. Hal astateeaa al housoul aala


One way. jadwal al rahalat?
May I have a schedule?
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Ayy minassa? Hal al qitarou aalal waqt?


Which platform? Is the train on time?

Fi ayy waqt youghader al Hal hounaka maqtoura lil


qitar? taam?
When does the train leave? Is there a dining car?

Amta yasil al qitar? Hal hounaka maqtoura lil


When does the train arrive? naoum?
Is there a sleeping car?

Lesson 15: Getting Help


Hal tastateeaa an tou- La aarifou ayna zawjati.
saaidani? I don’t know where my wife is.
Can you help me?
La aarifou ayna zawji.
Laqad faqadtou haqa'ebi. I don’t know where my hus-
I’ve lost my baggage. band is.

Laqad faqadtou mihfazatee. La aarifou ayna ibni. (m)


I’ve lost my wallet. I don’t know where my son is.

Laqad faqadtou jawaza safari. La aarifou ayna ibnati. (f)


I’ve lost my passport. I don’t know where my daughter is.

Laqad fatani al qitar. Ana jareehon.


I’ve missed my train. I’m hurt.

Ana da'eaa. Ahtajou ila tabeeb.


I’m lost. I need a doctor.

Annajda! Otlob sayyarat esaaf.


Help! Call an ambulance.

Ashorta! Iindi hasaseyya didd al


Police! peniceleen.
I’m allergic to penicillin.
Laqad soureqt.
I’ve been robbed. Ana da'ekh.
I’m dizzy.
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Ouhissou bil ghathayan. Rejli to'limni.


I feel nauseous. My leg hurts.

Yadi to'limni. Ra'si to'limni.


My arm hurts. My head hurts.

Lesson 16: Days and Months


al ethnain
Monday ayar
May
al thulatha'
Tuesday hazeyran
June
al arbiaa'
Wednesday tammooz
July
al khamees
Thursday aab
August
al jomaa
Friday aylool
September
al sabt
Saturday tashreen al awwal
October
al ahad
Sunday tashreen al thanee
November
kanoon al thanee
January kanoon al awwal
December
shabbat
February haza al ethnain
this Monday
azar
March al osbooaa al madee
last week
nisan
April al shahr al qadem
next month
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Fil iishreen min azar. Ennahoul khames wal


On March 20th. iishreen min nisan.
It’s April 25th.
Ma houwa tareekh al youm?
What is the date today?

Lesson 17: Going Out


Hal laka an taqtarih mataa- Ma heya al amaken al seya-
man? heyya?
Can you recommend a restau- What are the tourist attractions?
rant?
Ayna astateeaa an azhab li
Hal laka an taqtarih qah- kay ma asbah?
watan? Where can I go to swim?
Can you recommend a café?
Ayna astateeaa an azhab li
Hal hounaka daru cinama bel kay arkab al darraja?
qorb min houna? Where can I go to bike?
Is there a movie theatre nearby?
Ayna astateeaa an azhab li
Hal hounaka mat-haf bel kay ma arqod?
qorb min houna? Where can I go to jog?
Is there a museum nearby?
Ayna astateeaa an azhab li
Hal hounaka bar bel qorb min kay arqos?
houna? Where can I go to dance?
Is there a good bar nearby?

Lesson 18: Asking Questions


and Describing Things
Ayna? Ma houwa oonwan baree-
Where? doukal electronee?
What is your e-mail address?
Aynal makhraj?
Where is the exit? Man?
Who?
Maza? Ma?
What?
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Man haza? qadeem / jadeed


Who is that? old / new

Mata? mousenn / fateyy


When? old / young

Mata tasil hazihil rehla? saaeed / hazeen


When does the flight arrive? happy / sad

Kaifa? sareeaa / batee'


How? fast / slow

Kaifa attasil bil welayat al qareeb / baaeed


mottaheda? near / far
How do I dial the U.S.?
ahmar
Kam? red
How much?
azraq
Kam seaar haza? blue
How much does this cost?
asfar
kabeer / sagheer yellow
big / small
akhdar
jayyed / sayye' green
good / bad
bortouqali
jameel / qabeeh orange
beautiful / ugly
banafsejee
sakhen / bared purple
hot / cold
aswad
taweel / qaseer black
tall / short
abyad
sameen / daaeef white
fat / thin
bonnee
brown
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Haza azeem! Ennahou mohemm.


That’s great! It’s important.

Haza fazeeaa! Entabeh!


That’s terrible! Be careful!

Hasanan. Estamteaa!
Okay. Have fun!

La aaref. Hazzan saaeedan!


I don’t know. Good luck!

That brings us to the end of Living Language In-Flight Arabic. If you


master just the words and expressions you’ve heard in this short sur-
vival course, you’ll be able to get by in Arabic. Of course, you may
decide that you had a great time learning just a little bit, and now
you’d like to learn more. If that’s the case, Living Language offers
great complete courses in a variety of languages, too. For now,
though, we wish you the best of luck using all the Arabic that you’ve
learned with us so far. Maa al salama!

© Copyright 2001 Living Language, a Random House Company

ISBN-10: 0-609-81064-2
ISBN-13: 978-0-609-81064-4

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