In our latest podcast episode, we dive into a fun and thought-provoking topic: What would I study if I weren’t a teacher?
I share my thoughts on the paths I might have taken if my career had gone in a different direction. Would I have become a therapist? An engineer? Or perhaps studied something entirely unrelated to teaching? The discussion is casual and encourages listeners to reflect on their own choices and dreams.
This episode is great for all levels of Levantine Arabic learners! Beginners will pick up new vocabulary and simple phrases, while advanced learners will enjoy analyzing the ideas and engaging with the topic in-depth. The best part? The script is available, so you can follow along while listening to improve your comprehension and pronunciation.
Don’t miss this engaging and inspiring episode. We’d love to hear your thoughts! If you weren’t in your current career path, what would you study?
Most bilateral roots can have their second letter doubled, similar to what was demonstrated in the video you just watched.
Additionally, a root in its most basic form, فَعَلَ, cannot have two consecutive identical letters. The only way this occurs is through the pattern فَعَّلَ, where the second letter is both emphasized with a شدة (ّ) and repeated.
Interestingly, many bilateral roots can also be doubled to emphasize their meaning. This process differs from simply doubling the last letter. Understanding Arabic morphology and the roots of words is crucial for comprehending their foundational meanings and how they manifest in various linguistic forms.
This discussion specifically focuses on verbs, excluding considerations of conjugation.
Meaning
Phonetic
Arabic
Root (in MSA)
Examples
To pat
TabTab
طبطب
طب (ṭab), which means medicine or medical science.
This trilateral root “سب””is used in various forms to convey meanings related to cursing, insulting, or reviling.
مين البلى إغلاق يلي سبسب بالصف؟
Mean elbala akhla2 yale sabsab bil saf?
Who is the rude that cursed in class?
To Spoil
TashTash
تشتش
The root word تش actually means to get drenched. The relationship to the meaning could be to spoil someone to an extent that you drench them with gifts or love.
جوزي كتير بتشتش بنتي بالهداية.
Jawze ktir bitashtesh bente bil haydeyah.
My husband spoils my daughter with gifts.
To go crazy
Khash-Khash
خشخش
The root (kha-sha) word means fear or being afraid.
في شي براسو؟ شكلو خشخش.
Fi shi b raso? Shaklo khash-khash.
To gossip
Ja’Ja’
جقجق
The root meaning of the word is associated with the sound or action of “chirping” or “twittering,” typically referring to the sound made by birds.
يا ويلي شو جقجق سامي عليكي!
Ya wayle shu ja2ja2 Sami 3laike!
OMG how much Sami gossiped about you!
To wake up (feeling refreshed)
Sa7Sa7
صحصح
The root generally carries the meaning related to “being correct,” “being sound,” or “being accurate.”
يلا نام لا تصحصح وتركز بالشغل بكرا.
Yala nem la tsa7se7 bilshughul bukra.
Come up sleep so you can focus “be accurate” at work tomorrow
To complain
AfAf
أفاف
The word comes from “to sigh”.
ليش عام تقفقف؟ في شي؟
Lesh 3am t2af2ef? Fi shi?
Why are you sighing? Is everything okay?
To pick up
LamLam
لملم
This root is derived from the trilateral root “لمم” which conveys the core idea of bringing together or assembling things.
لملم الموضوع وبلا جرصة!
Lamlem el-mawdo3 w bala jursah!
Gather the topic and stop the problem from everyone knowing.
To spill
SharShar
شرشر
This root generally conveys the idea of “crumbling” or “disintegrating into small pieces.”
كول على طاولة ما تشرشر.
Kul 3ala el-tawleh ma tshar-sher.
Eat on the table and don’t spill.
To jump up & down (from fear or excitement)
FarFar
فرفر
The root meaning of the Arabic word is associated with the concept of scattering or dispersing.
Notes of Video “Words that you can use in English or French”.
In daily conversations, many Arabic speakers often use English or French words to sound more fluent and modern. This blending of languages, called code-switching, is especially common among the younger generation and in urban areas. Here are ten examples of such words frequently used instead of their Arabic counterparts. Understanding these can help you sound more like a native speaker. Let’s explore these words and their context in everyday Arabic. Incorporating these foreign terms into your speech can enhance communication and make interactions smoother.
Phonetic Script:
3inde telmiz na7feh w moser yo7faz kil kelmeh bil 3arabe. W seret ayletlo alef marah mish kil kilmeh bil 3arabeh lezim titarjam. Khastan iza badak te7ke mitel el-natives.
Masalan:
Asenseur mish mis3ad
Escalator mish daraj kahroba2e
Computer mish 7asoub
Credit card mish bita2et e2timen
Cellulaire mish jawal
Package mish tared
Autostrade mish tare2 el-sari3
Rond point mish douwwar
Bus mish hafilah
Gateaux mish kaleb el-halwah
Arabic script:
عندي تلميذ نهفة ومصر يحفظ كل كلمة بالعربي. و صرت أيلتلو ألف مرة مش كل كلمة بالعربي لازم تترجم. خاصةً إذا بدك تحكي متل natives.
مثلاً
أسونسير مش مصعد
أسكيلتر مش درج الكهربائي.
الكمبيوتر مش الحاسوب.
الكريدت كارد مش بطاقة إئتمان.
السلولار مش جوال.
الباكيج مش الطرد.
اوتستراد مش طريق السريع.
الرنبوان مش الدوار.
الباص مش الحافلة.
و الغاتو مش قالب الحلوة.
English Translation:
I have a very funny student who tends to memorize every word in Arabic and I have told him a million times that not every word in Arabic needs to be translated, especially if you want to sound like the natives.
Certified face yoga instructor, Chloe Hourani known on Instagram as @faceyogawithchloe discusses in this episode everything you need to know about face yoga.
Friends I’ve tried it myself and face yoga does miracles! The best thing about it is that, all you need is your clean hands to practice anywhere you are.
Make sure to check out our Top 20 Vocabulary picks from this episode below.
10 years ago, the American University of Beirut launched a very unique program that remains unique in the Middle East- University for Seniors. Today’s seniorswant to remain intellectually challenged and socially engaged, actively contributing to their community. Our seniors are accomplished, energetic, sociable, and generous. They have valuable life and professional experiences to share.
Amani Zaidan who is the program coordinator at UFS chats about UFS and its benefits.
Make sure to check below our top 20 picks vocabulary from this episode.
I’ve been following Sara for few years now & she is an inspiration to me and to many women. She is one strong willed woman who has exemplified overcoming her disability through success. Sara Minkara became legally blind when she was 7 years old and there is a lot to learn from her.
In this episode we discussed the right terms to use for people with disability in Arabic, a run down of her day, her struggles, and her dreams.
