Meet the Arabic Alphabet and Sounds
Arabic uses a beautiful cursive script written from right to left. There are 28 letters, and most connect to the next. Letters change shape depending on their position in a word (initial, medial, final, or isolated). Don’t worry—this becomes familiar fast with a little daily practice.
Three letters you’ll meet immediately are Alif (ا), Bāʼ (ب), and Tāʼ (ت)—often taught as alif, baa, taa. Short vowels are usually not written in everyday text, which is why beginner learners sometimes use transliteration at first (e.g., marḥaban for مرحبًا). As you learn, you’ll rely less on Latin letters and more on the Arabic script.
Tip for a beginner: focus on sound first. Arabic has a few new sounds, like the deep ḥ (ح) and the ʻayn (ع). You don’t need perfection now—just approximate and refine as you go. Your goal in Lesson 1 is to recognize letter flow and pronounce a few core syllables with confidence.
- Say these out loud: alif (ا), baa (ب), taa (ت).
- Trace each letter in the air, right to left.
- Listen to a 2–3 minute clip and copy the rhythm.
- Write your name in Arabic letters (approximate is fine).
Essential Greetings and Introductions
Greetings open every conversation, so they’re perfect for Lesson 1. Start with marḥaban (مرحبا) or marḥabā (مرحبا) for a friendly “hello.” A classic greeting is as-salāmu ʿalaykum (السلام عليكم) meaning “peace be upon you,” with the reply wa ʿalaykumu s-salām (وعليكم السلام). Both are widely understood across the Arabic-speaking world.
Add quick introductions: “I am …” is anā … (أنا …). Ask “What is your name?” with mā ismuka? (ما اسمُكَ؟) to a man or mā ismuki? (ما اسمُكِ؟) to a woman. To answer, say ismī … (اسمي …) meaning “My name is …”. Keep it light and repeat each phrase several times to lock it in.
- Hello: marḥaban / marḥabā (مرحبا)
- Peace greeting: as-salāmu ʿalaykum (السلام عليكم)
- Reply: wa ʿalaykumu s-salām (وعليكم السلام)
- I am…: anā … (أنا …)
- What is your name? (m.): mā ismuka? (ما اسمُكَ؟)
- What is your name? (f.): mā ismuki? (ما اسمُكِ؟)
- My name is…: ismī … (اسمي …)
Numbers and Days of the Week
Counting helps you practice sounds and rhythm. Learn 0–10 now: ṣifr (0), wāḥid (1), ithnān (2), thalātha (3), arbaʿa (4), khamsa (5), sitta (6), sabʿa (7), thamāniya (8), tisʿa (9), ʿashra (10). Say them slowly, then faster, then out of order. It’s a quick win for your ear and tongue.
For daily life, the days are essential vocabulary. Many learners meet these early because class schedules, appointments, and travel all use them. Practice saying today, tomorrow, and the day names while looking at a calendar to cement meaning.
- Saturday: as-sabt (السبت)
- Sunday: al-aḥad (الأحد)
- Monday: al-ithnayn (الاثنين)
- Tuesday: ath-thulāthāʼ (الثلاثاء)
- Wednesday: al-arbiʿāʼ (الأربعاء)
- Thursday: al-khamīs (الخميس)
- Friday: al-jumʿa (الجمعة)
How Arabic Words Work: Gender, Plurals, and ‘al-’
A few tiny rules make a big difference from the start. Nouns have gender: masculine or feminine. Many feminine nouns end with the tāʼ marbūṭa (ة) sound, often heard as “-a/-ah.” For example, sayyāra (سيّارة) means “car” and is feminine. This affects adjectives and some question forms.
The definite article is al- (ال), meaning “the.” It sometimes blends with the next letter. You’ll hear assimilation with “sun letters,” like as-salām (not al-salām). Don’t stress—just copy what you hear. Without the article, you have an indefinite noun (a/an): bayt (house) vs. al-bayt (the house).
Word order is flexible, but for beginner sentences, Subject + Verb + Object is safe: anā adrusu al-ʿarabiyya (أنا أدرس العربية) = “I study Arabic.” Keep sentences short while you build comfort.
- Masculine vs. feminine: look for the -a/-ah ending (ة) clue.
- Use al- (ال) for “the”: al-bayt = the house.
- Expect sound changes with sun letters (e.g., as-, ar-, ash-).
- Start with short SVO sentences: anā uḥibbu … (I like …).
Practice Plan + Free Resources
Consistency beats intensity. Aim for a 15–20 minute daily routine: 5 minutes letters and sounds, 5 minutes greetings, 5 minutes numbers or days, and a quick review. Record yourself once a week to hear progress. If you like structured guidance, a beginner book such as “Alif Baa” pairs well with short audio practice.
Keep materials simple and within reach. Use spaced-repetition flashcards, do shadowing with short clips, and write a few lines in Arabic each day. To make review easier, create or download a free PDF “Lesson 1” cheat sheet with the alphabet row, key phrases, numbers 0–10, and the days list—you can print it or keep it on your phone.
- Set a daily 20-minute study block.
- Shadow: play a 30–60s clip and repeat line by line.
- Write 1–2 rows of letters (ا ب ت) every day.
- Drill greetings: say both the prompt and the reply.
- Download a free PDF cheat sheet for Lesson 1.
- Use a beginner book plus audio for steady progress.
FAQ
- What’s the best way to learn Arabic as a complete beginner?
- Keep it small and steady: learn letters and a few phrases, then build. Choose Modern Standard Arabic for reading/writing basics, add a dialect for conversation, and use a mix of a book, short audio, and a free PDF you can download for quick review.
- Should I start with Modern Standard Arabic or a dialect?
- If your goal is reading, media, or cross-regional understanding, start with Modern Standard Arabic. If your goal is chatting in a specific country, add a dialect early. Many beginners do MSA for core skills while learning key dialect phrases in parallel.
- Can I get a free PDF for this lesson?
- Yes. Many sites share beginner summaries, or you can make your own. Include the alphabet (ا ب ت), greetings, numbers 0–10, and the days list. Save it to your phone for offline access and quick download/print so Lesson 1 is always handy.
- How long does Lesson 1 take?
- Plan 45–90 minutes to cover letters, core greetings, numbers, and days, plus a few minutes of review. Spread it over two short sessions if you prefer. Revisit the same content for 3–5 days to make it stick before moving on.
- How do I pronounce sounds not found in English?
- Copy first, analyze later. Listen closely, relax your throat, and match rhythm. Record yourself and compare. Prioritize clarity over force—especially for ح (ḥ) and ع (ʿayn). With daily exposure, your mouth will learn the shapes naturally.