In this article, we will learn how to increase your Arabic vocabulary. We know that learning a new language is difficult at the beginning but don’t worry we will help you. Let’s get started.
How to build Arabic vocabulary?
Here are some tips that will be of great help to you in your learning Arabic journey:
1- Use Flash Cards:
The most effective tool is flashcards. Write every new word you learn on a card and always keep it with you to test yourself. Why is it so effective? Well, when you keep the cards with you, you will keep seeing them in your free time and recalling them. So to make it more effective, look at the word, say it, and try to remember its meaning.
2- Relate the word to something you know:
When you relate the new word to something familiar to you it will become easier to memorize it. First, when you hear a word, be sure to listen carefully to how it is pronounced and repeat it afterward. Repeat it in your head a few times then repeat it out loud. Then read the word in its context to learn how to use it and its true meaning. Knowing the context will help you learn the words fast and in an effective way.
Arabic word learning:
3- Make Your Phrases and Sentences:
When you learn a new word try to put it in Sentences. When you start using the words in phrases will help you learn them faster. You will not only learn the new word you will also learn how to use it.
4- Read, don’t stop reading:
To find and learn new words the best method is to keep reading and make reading a daily habit. However don’t start reading complicated books, read something that you like and that is suitable for your level. For example, beginners should start reading kids’ stories, short posts, quotes, and social media posts. When you finish this step move to the next level and start reading magazine articles, newspapers, and books. This way you will expose yourself to new words and how to use them. When you find a word you don’t know, write it down and put it in a sentence.
5- Use Cognates:
Some words are the same in the English and Arabic languages, they share the same meaning and pronunciation. For example, the word Qutun which means cotton, also its pronunciation is nearly the same. Also, a word like mobile is the same in Arabic. And there are many words like those two words.
6- Repeat:
This is an effective method that will help you learn the correct pronunciation of the word, also when you keep repeating a word you won’t forget it. And your mind will become familiar with it.
7- Review what you have learned:
When you memorize new words you have to review them now and then or you will forget them. Keep reviewing the words until you become familiar with them and can use them in a sentence easily.
Daily Arabic vocabulary
To learn new words in the Arabic language you will need to use an Arabic dictionary. This method will help you learn the right pronunciation of the word and its meaning. However, the most effective way is to follow the above steps first to enhance your memorization process and learn easier. As some may find dictionaries complicated or hard to use.
Arabic vocabulary with English meaning
Dream |
حُلمٌ | Hulm |
Voice | صَوتٌ | Sawt |
Breath | نَفَسٌ | Nafas |
Sleep | نَومٌ | Nowm |
Color | لَونٌ | Lown |
Cry | صَرّاخٌ | Sarrakh |
Sneezing | عَطَسٌ | Atas |
Yawn | تَثَاوُبُ | Tasawub |
Thirst | العَطشُ | Atash |
Walk | المَشیٌ | Mashyu |
Stand | القِیَامٌ | Qiyaam |
Sit | جُلُوسٌ | Juloos |
Wakefulness | سَھَرٌ | Sahar |
Nausea | تَھَوُّع | Tahwwa’u. |
Yawning | تَمؐطِّیُّ | Tatmattiyyu |
Blister | نِفطَۃُ | Niftatu |
Hot Wind | خَدِر | Khadir |
Slits | غُصُونٌ | Ghusoon |
Man | رَجُلٌ | Rajul |
Woman | اِمرأۃٌ | Imra’tu |
Boy | وَلَدٌ | Walad |
Girl | بنت | Bint |
Bridegroom | عَرِیس | Arees |
Bride | عَرِیسَۃٌ | Areesah |
Unmarried | أعزب | A’azab |
Married | متزوّج | Mutzawwij |
Widower | ارمل | Armil |
Educated | عالم | Aalim |
Uneducated | جاھل | Jahil |
Pleased | مسرور | Masroor |
Sad | محزون | Mahzoon |
Powerful | قویٌّ | Qawiyyu |
Weak | ضعیفٌ | Zaeef |
Live | حیٌّ | Hayy |
Dead body | میّتٌ | Mayyit |
Beautiful | جمیلٌ | Jameel |
Ugly | یشیحٌ | Yashheh |
Healthy | صحیحٌ | Saheeh |
Sick | مریضٌ | Mareez |
Cheerful | ظریفٌ | Zareef |
Handsome | لطیفٌ | Lateef |
Tall | طویلٌ | Taweel |
Small | قصیرٌ | Qaseer |
Fat | سمینٌ | Sameen |
Abdominal | ثخینٌ | Sakheen |
Slim | نحیف | Naheef |
Soft | لیِّنٌ | Layyin |
Slim | رقیقٌ | Raqeeq |
Hard | صلبٌ | Salb |
Tender | ناعمٌ | Naaim |
Tender | أملسٌ | Amlas |
Rough | خشینٌ | Khasheen |
Large | کبیرٌ | Kabeer |
Middle | مُتوسِّطٌ | Mutwassit |
Small | صغِیرٌ | Sagheer |
Wide | واسِعٌ | Wasi’ |
Bent | معوَّجٌ | Muawwaj |
Seiner | بصیرٌ | Baseer |
Blind | اعمی | A’maa |
Straight | مستقیمٌ | Mustaqeem |
Heavy | ضخیمٌ | Zakheem |
Weight Lerr | خفیفٌ | Khafeef |
Clean | نظیفٌ | Nazeef |
Dirty | وسخٌ | Wasakh |
Large Eyed | أعینٌ | A’yun |
Black Eyed | أحورٌ | Ahwar |
Brave | شُجَاعٌ | Shujaa’u |
Bravery | الجَسَارَۃُ | Jasaarat |
Enduring | قَانِعٌ | Qaani’u |
Enduring | صَابِرٌ | Sabir |
TRUE | صَادِقٌ | Sadiq |
Honest | اَمِینٌ | Ameen |
Cheerful | مَبسُوطٌ | Mabsoot |
Splendid | مُستَنِیرٌ | Mustaneer |
Wise | عَاقِلٌ | Aaqil |
Faithful | مُخلِصٌ | Mukhlis |
Sensitive | حَسَّاسٌ | Hassas |
Hard Worker | مُجتَھِدٌ | Mujtahid |
Effective | فَعَّالٌ | Fa’aal |
Skillful | مَاھِرٌ | Maahir |
Leap | نَشِیطٌ | Nasheet |
Helper | مُسَاعِدٌ | Musaa’id |
Obedient | مُطِیعٌ | Mutee’u |
Moderate | مُعتَدِلٌ | Mu’tadil |
Kind | لؒطِیفٌ | Lateef |
Civil | مُھَذِّبٌ | Muhazzib |
Ready | مُستَعِدٌ | Musta’id |
Respectable | مُحتَرَمٌ | Muhtaram |
Brave | جَرِئٌ | Brave |
Humble | مُتَوَاضِعٌ | Mutawazi’u |
Simple | سَاذِجٌ | Saazij |
Kind | شَفِیقٌ | Shafeeq |
Fortunate | سَعِیدٌ | Saeed |
Cheerful | مُبتَھِجٌ | Mubtahij |
Broad Minded | کَرِیمٌ | Kareem |
Well-Meaning | مُتَفَائِلٌ | Mutafaail |
Serious | رَزِینٌ | Raeen |
Modest | ذُومُرَوَّۃٌ | Zoo Murawwatu |
Linguist | الأدِیبٌ | Adeeb |
Well-Habitual | ذُوعَادَۃٍ حَسَنَۃٍ | Zoo Aadat Hasanat |
Dignified | وَقُورٌ | Waqoor |
Smiler | مُبتَسِمٌ | Mubtasim |
Cleanness of Heart | طَھَارَۃُ القَلبِ | Taharat ul Qalb |
Friendship | وَدَّادٌ | Waddad |
Sure-Maker | مُصَدِّقٌ | Musaddiq |
Virtuous | عَفِیفٌ | Afeef |
Generous | جَوَّادٌ | Jawwad |
Wealthy | غَنِیٌّ | Ghaniyy |
Clever | شَاطِرٌ | Shatir |
Thankful | شَاکِرٌ | Shakir |
Worshiping | عَابِدٌ | Aabid |
Steadfast |
ثَابِتٌ | Saabit |
Just |
عَادِلٌ | Aadil |
Mentioning |
ذَاکِرٌ |
Zakir |
Care | الأعتِنَاءُ |
I’tinaau |
Careful | المُحطَاطٌ | Muhtaat |
Clever | ذَکِیٌّ | Zakiyyu |
Intelligent | فَطِینٌ |
Fateen |
Popular |
مَعرُوفٌ | Maroof |
Detention of Time |
مُحَافَظُ الوَقتُ |
Muhafiz ul Waqt |
Hospitality |
ضِیَافَۃٌ | Ziyafat |
Patriotism | مُحِبُّ الوَطَنِ |
Muhibb ul Watan |
Respectful |
مُؤَدِّبٌ |
Muaddib |
Moderation | اَقتِصَادٌ |
Iqtisaad |
Modest | ذُوحَیَاءٍ |
Zoo Hayain |
Arabic Phrases
- hal tataHaddath al’ingiliiziyya? Do you speak English?
- hal yuwjad aHad hunaa yataHaddath al’ingiliiziyya? Does anyone here speak English?
- anaa ataHaddath faqaT qaliil min aläarabiyya. I only speak a little Arabic.
- maa ismuk? What is your name?
- ismii Hasan. My name is Hasan.
- kayfa Haluk? How are you?
- anaa bikhayr shukran. I’m fine, thank you.
- anaa saäiid jiddan bimuqaabalatak. I am very glad to meet you.
- anaa laa afham. I don’t understand.
- madhaa taquul? What did you say?
- hal yumkinuk attaHadduth bibuT’. Can you speak more slowly?
- anaa afham tamaaman. I understand perfectly.
How to learn Arabic vocabulary?
Learn the Root of the word:
This is an easy way to learn new words fast, as Arabic is a root-based language. For example,
words like the male teacher ( مُدَرِّس ),female teacher ( مُدَرِّسَة ),and school ( مَدْرَسَة ) all come from the same root study ( دَرَسَ ).
You can follow this in almost all the Arabic words, and here’s another example, lesson ( دَرْس ), studies ( دِرَاسَة ), learner( دَارِس ), keep doing so with every new word you learn.
Knowing the root of the word will make it much easier to memorize a group of new words.
Arabic language exercises:
Another effective way is to Learn Arabic Online through exercises, there are plenty of them on the internet.
Spoken Arabic vocabulary
Naäam. Yes.
Laa. No.
Min faDlik. Please.
Shukran. Thank you.
äafwan. You’re welcome.
Arjuu almaädhira. I am sorry.
SabaaH alkhayr. Good morning.
Masaa’ alkhayr. Good evening.
TuSbiH äalaa khayr. Good night.
How to learn Arabic?
Here we will learn the easiest way to learn Arabic and new vocabulary, and how to learn Arabic fast.
If you are still a beginner you must be distracted and searching for the best ways to learn how to read and speak Arabic for beginners. In the beginning, it might be hard for you to decide which website or course is right for you, or you don’t even know where to start. Believe me, I’ve been there and I know how it feels to be lost and doesn’t know what to do. That’s why we will guide you through every step, so have no worries.
There are many courses out there that will be of great use to you and they are all free. So, let’s get started.
Best way to learn Arabic online and best learning methods:
- Online Audio & Podcasts for learning Arabic.
- YouTube learning Arabic channels.
- Online Arabic courses.
- Application for learning the Arabic language.
- Courses websites.
- Arabic news.
- YouTube Arabic bloggers.
- Arabic articles.
learn Arabic words with Audio & Podcast
One of the best ways and most Practical methods to learn Arabic vocabulary and the right pronunciation is through audio, you could take it with you and listen to it anywhere and anytime.
For example, you could listen to it on your way home using your mp3, or even if you are on your way to getting a cup of coffee or while you’re doing your morning workout. You get the point, right? It’s an easy and fast way to learn.
So here is a list of the best Audio & Podcasts to help you learn to read and speak Arabic step by step:
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ArabicPod101:
You can sign up for free and you will get a full week’s trial to try their lessons. They offer a lot of Arabic content for every level. Whether you are a beginner or advanced you will find what you are looking for. Unfortunately, when the week is over you will have to pay to get access to their lessons. So, try it out, and if you like it goes ahead and gets premium.
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Learn Arabic by using Language Transfer:
Another great podcast to help you learn Arabic online is language transfer, it offers you a series of audio that you can download easily. In addition to their fun Arabic Vocabulary cards that you could download as Pdf or view on Facebook. The cards are great to learn read and speak Arabic for beginners.
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TuneIn:
TuneIn offers you the opportunity to learn Arabic online by listening to the radio where you will find many countries speaking Arabic. Try some of the stations before you make up your mind.
- Forvo:
Another great place to learn to speak Arabic is through listening to native-speaking Arabic words, which is great to enhance your pronunciation and learn new words.
- LanguageGuide.org:
It offers an audio collection of Arabic vocabulary.
learn the Arabic language and words using YouTube channels
One of the best and most free ways to learn Arabic is through YouTube channels. Many channels offer great Arabic courses. Plus, learning via videos allows you to see how the person is moving his tongue to pronounce the word correctly. This gives you the advantage of enhancing your pronunciation.
Here is a list of the best YouTube channels for learning Arabic:
- ArabicPod101:
Yes, ArabicPod101 again, besides their podcast they have a YouTube channel that offers free lessons. It offers the best online Arabic course that will benefit you in your vocabulary-learning journey.
- Easy Arabic:
This channel teaches you not only the Arabic language but also the knowledge of the culture. The videos are all about a host interviewing people on the streets of Cairo. Which Is an advantage for you because this way you will listen to natives speaking Arabic and it will also help you improve your listening skills.
- Learn Arabic with Maha:
A popular Arabic language teacher who teaches you Arabic vocabulary through her fun, short videos.
- Learn Arabic with Zakaria:
A vintage way of teaching as this channel teaches you Arabic through cartoons. It’s mainly for kids but is a great way to start with to learn reading and speaking Arabic for beginners.
learn Arabic and Arabic vocabulary online
In this section, we will talk about the best online Arabic courses. Because when you are at the beginning of your learning journey you want organized steps to follow, and the only thing that will offer you that is courses. Because each course has its structure and steps of teaching. So here is a list of the best online Arabic courses:
- Live Lingua:
Live Lingue offers various dialects to choose the one you want to learn. It offers more than 54 free courses; each course has its textbooks and audio materials.
- Madinah Arabic:
This one offers two free courses one for the complete Arabic learner beginner and the second for the ones who can read Arabic.
- BBC Languages:
It gives an amazing introduction course to the Arabic language and its vocabulary.
learn the Arabic language using apps
One of the easiest ways to learn Arabic vocabulary is through mobile applications, there are tons of apps that you can download easily and for free. And you could use It to study Wherever you are. So, let’s see the best apps for learning Arabic online for free:
- Memrise:
It’s an app that enables you from creating your own Arabic vocabulary learning cards, and you could also download cards that are made by other users.
- Duolingo:
The most popular application for learning any language is Duolingo, you must have heard of it before. It teaches you both Arabic vocabulary and grammar. It’s really fun to use.
- Drops:
This app has a limit on its free version, it only allows you 5 minutes a day of learning Arabic each day. It helps you learn more words.
- Clozemaster:
It helps you learn new words by filling in the blank game. Which is a fun way to learn Arabic.
learn Arabic online using course websites
Those websites offer many courses in Arabic besides learning Arabic language courses.
Famous examples of these websites include.
- EDX.
- Coursera.
Now you know the best methods to follow to learn Arabic but there is still one last thing you should do, which is to use the Arabic keyboard. Download the Arabic keyboard and start typing in Arabic, practice the new words you have learned, and talk with native Arabic speakers.
learn Arabic words through books
There are many books that you could read to enhance your Arabic language or to help your kids learn Arabic, here they are:
- Arabic Language Book Level 1 -كتاب اللغة العربية الجزء الأول and Arabic Language Book Level 2 -كتاب اللغة العربية الجزء الثانى: This book is great for kids.
- Arabic For Every Day – Spoken Arabic For All:
This Arabic is great for everyone, it is a guide that will help you learn how to speak Arabic. The book is of great use if especially if you are traveling to an Arab country and you want to learn some words so that you can communicate with people easily and ask for help.
Also, this book will be your easy ticket to learning to speak Arabic fast and fluently in a short time. This book will not only teach you the language it will also teach about the culture, religion, social activities, and economy. After you finish the book you will be able to communicate and understand Arabs easily.
The book will help you gain the required communication skills and the proficiency you need to speak like a native.
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Arabic Reading Lessons:
Another great book is Arabic reading lessons, it consists of 6 sections and parts of the popular Arabic literature Alf Laila wa Lailah (A Thousand and One Nights), in addition to many other stories chosen from classical sources.
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Arabic Conversation Book:
The book is a guide to modern spoken Arabic, it was designed to help tourists and travelers to learn how to speak Arabic in a short time. It covers a wide variety of daily life topics like eating clothing, restaurants, shopping, and much more.
With the help of this book, you will be able to communicate with Arabs easily and with confidence in a short time.
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Arabic At A Glance:
This book is for travelers that don’t have time to learn Arabic and who want to be able to communicate with others on the travel to an Arab country.
The book contains more than 1500 expressions that travelers need to use when they go to hotels, airports, restaurants, train stations, or any other places that they are going to visit.
- Spoken Arabic Made Easy: it is a book made for beginners to help them learn to read, write and speak Arabic in one month.
- Arabic Between Your Hands – Full Set: it is the best to learn Arabic textbooks. It consists of Book 1, parts 1 & 2; Book 2, parts 1 & 2; Book 3, parts 1 & 2; Book 4, parts 1 & 2.