To speak about habits in Levantine Arabic, you need to know how to use the present tense, as habits are typically expressed using present tense verbs. In Levantine Book 3, “Nawartuna” we talk a lot about habits! Here are some key points, phrases, and examples to help you talk about habits in Levantine Arabic:
If you are looking for the script I used in the video. Keep scrolling to the end of the page.
Key Phrases
I usually… – عادةً (ʿādatan)
I always… – دائماً (dāʾiman)
I often… – غالباً (ghāliban)
I sometimes… – أحياناً (aḥyānan)
I never… – أبداً (ʾabadan)
Common Verbs
To wake up – فيق (fīʾ) / صحى (ṣḥā)
To go – راح (rāḥ)
To eat – أكل (akal)
To drink – شرب (shirib)
To work – اشتغل (ishtighal)
To study – درس (daras)
To sleep – نام (nām)
To exercise – تمرّن (tamarran)
Examples of Sentences Describing Habits
Using the Present Tense
I usually wake up early.
عادةً بفِيق بكّير.
ʿādatan bifīʾ bakkīr.
I always drink coffee in the morning.
دائماً بشرب قهوة الصبح.
dāʾiman bishrab ʾahwe ṣṣubḥ.
I often go to the gym.
غالباً بروح عالجيم.
ghāliban brūḥ ʿal-gym.
I sometimes read before sleeping.
أحياناً بقرأ قبل ما نام.
aḥyānan bʾra ʾabl ma nām.
I never eat late at night.
أبداً ما بأكل متأخّر.
ʾabadan mā bʾkol mitaʾkher.
More Complex Sentences
Every day, I go to work at 8 in the morning.
كل يوم، بروح عالشغل الساعة ٨ الصبح.
kil yōm, brūḥ ʿa-sh-shughl is-sāʿa tmēne ṣ-ṣubḥ.
On weekends, I usually visit my family.
بعطلة الأسبوع، عادةً بزور عيلتي.
bi-ʿuṭlit il-usbūʿ, ʿādatan bzūr ʿēlti.
In the evening, I like to watch TV.
بالمساء، بحب اتفرج عالتلفزيون.
bil-masāʾ, bḥibb itfarraj ʿa-t-telefizyōn.
Structuring Sentences About Habits
When talking about habits, you can structure your sentences using time expressions (usually, always, often, sometimes, never) along with the present tense of the verb.
By combining these elements, you can effectively talk about your habits in Levantine Arabic. Practice with different verbs and time expressions to become more comfortable expressing your daily routines and habits.
Now let’s take a look at the exact script I used in the video:
Arabic Script:
تعوا نحكي عن العادات. كلنا عنّا عادات مثلا في ناس بتحب تلعب بشعرها. تاكل ضفيرها او تسرسر. مثلا انا عندي كذا عادة سيئة بلقمش كثير لما بكون عم بشتغل من البيت. واذا كان عندي اجتماع كثير مهم بتوتّر. ولما اتوتر بهز كثير بإجري. ومن قبل كنت انفعل واتسرّع بس هلأ شو ما بيصير قدامي بطنش لانه بالعربي بنقول “طنّش تنتعش”. واذا عبالكم تتعلموا كيف تحكوا عن العادات فلازم تتسجلوا ب our Conversation Classes.
Phonetic Script:
Ta3o ne7ke 3an el-3adet. Kilna 3ina 3adet masalan fi nes bit7eb til3ab b sha3rah. Tekul dafearah aw tsarser. Masalan ana 3inde 3adeh say2ah, bla2mesh ktir lama kun 3am bshteghel min el-bet. W iza ken 3inde ejtime3 ktir mohem bitwatar. W lama etwatar bhez ktir b ejre’. W min abel kent enfe3el w etsara3 bus hal2 shu ma biser edeme btanesh la2eno bil 3arabe min ol, ‘tanesh tanta3esh’. W iza 3abelkon kif te7ku 3an el-3adet fa tezim tsajlu b our Conversation Classes.
English Translation:
Come let’s talk about habits. We all have habits. For example. some people love to play with their hair, to bite their nails or to gossip. For example I have a lot of bad habits. I eat a lot of snacks when I work from home. And if I have a very important meeting, I get nervous, and when I get nervous, I shake my leg a lot. Before, I used to overreact quickly. But now, whatever happens in front of me I ignore. Because in Arabic we say, “tannish tanta3esh”. If you want to learn how to talk about habits, you need to register in our Conversation Classes.
Notes for video “Picnic”- Make sure to watch the video first at the bottom of the page, and then follow along with the script- Enjoy!
Ah, summer! The season of sunshine, blue skies, and the irresistible allure of the great outdoors. There’s no better way to soak up the warmth and revel in nature’s beauty than by organizing a delightful summer picnic. Whether you’re planning a cozy gathering with family, a fun day out with friends, or a romantic escape with a loved one, picnics offer the perfect blend of relaxation, good food, and wonderful memories.
I’m grateful to be able to spend my summers in Turkey and enjoy their delicious fruits. My favorites include figs (Teen / تين), pomegranates (Remen, رمان), peaches (Khokh, خوخ), and apricots (Mishmush, مشمش), among many others. You can find a list of fruits & vegetables words in Levantine Arabic in my third book, *Nawartona*. Many of these are also mentioned in my Instagram video, which you can watch at the bottom of the page.
Kif el ta2es bara? Ktir 7ilo w mshemseh. Yala re7na? Yala! Laike shu l2eat, l2eat el-ka3ek el-lebneneh yale 3le simsom. Kamen ra7 ekhud ma3e 3asir, w may, dere2, w tefe7, w moz. Bit7ebe el-afande’? Ktir! 3azim hayda alande’. Kamen ra7 ekhud karaz, 3inab a7mar, w 3inab Akhdar. W lake’ hal-tout bishahu! Le 7ase nesyeh shi? Ah! El-makhlotah! Yala la dobon, hayda sharshaf.
English Translation:
How’s the weather outside? It’s very nice and sunny. Shall we go? Come on, look what I found! I found the Lebanese ka’ak with sesame seeds. I’ll also take juice and water, peaches, apples, and bananas. Do you like tangerines? Great, this tangerine is very good. I’ll also take cherries, red grapes, and green grapes. And look at these delicious-looking berries. Why do I feel like I’m forgetting something? Ah, the mixed nuts! Let’s pack them up. Here’s the tablecloth.
As we wrap up this exploration of Levantine Arabic fruits and vegetables from *Nawartona*, I hope you’ve enjoyed learning about these vibrant and flavorful treasures as much as I do savoring them each summer in Turkey. These fruits and vegetables not only bring a burst of taste and color to our plates but also carry rich cultural significance. Don’t forget to check out the Instagram video at the bottom of the page for more insights and a visual treat of these delicious wonders. Thank you for joining me on this journey, and I look forward to sharing more culinary and cultural delights with you soon!
The belief in the evil eye, or “ayn al-hasud,” is deeply rooted in Middle Eastern culture, spanning across various countries and communities. This ancient superstition holds that a malevolent glare, often fueled by envy or ill-will, can bring misfortune, illness, or even death to the unsuspecting recipient. From everyday mishaps to major life events, many in the Middle East attribute unexplained difficulties to the sinister influence of the evil eye. Protective charms, such as the blue eye amulet or “hamsa” hand, are commonly used to ward off this negative energy. The pervasive belief in the evil eye shapes social interactions and cultural practices, demonstrating the enduring power of superstition in the modern world.
In today’s video, that is available at the bottom of the page. I share a story about how my day went wrong using three useful “injuring verbs” and blaming it all on the “3ein”.
Thank you for being here 🤍
Notes of Video “Verbs”
Phonetic Script:
7aseh 3laye 3ein el-yom! Ta3o khaberkon shu sar ma3e el-yom: w 3eit el-sobo7 w elet bade eshrab finjen ahweh 3ala rawa2 w makhmekh abel ma yfe2o wlede. B2om bokhbut ku3e bil daraj! Elna meshe! W ana w feyteh 3al matbakh bitfarkash bil sejedeh! Elit la 7ale ya benit rakze shu beke el-yom! Jet e23od w eshrab hal fenjen el-ahweh 3ala rawa2 w shayek el-instagram abel ma yfe2o wlede, b2om bid3as 3ala el-Lego. Serit ayletlon alef marah, “dobo el-al3ab ya wled!”
Arabic script:
حاسة عليه عين اليوم، تعو خبركم شو صار معي اليوم: وعيت الصبح وقلت بدي انزل اعمل فنجان قهوة على رواق ومخمخ فيه قبل ما يفيقوا ولادي. بقوم بخبط كوعي بالدرج قلنا ماشي! وانا وفايته عالمطبخ بتفركش بالسجادة! قلت لحالي يا بنت ركزي شو بكي اليوم. جيت القعد واشرب هالفنجان القهوة على رواق وشيك الانستغرام قبل ما يفيقوا ولادي, بقوم بدعس على الليغوا. صرت قالتهم الف مرة ,”ضبوا الالعاب يا ولاد”.
English Translation:
I feel I have an eye on me today! Let me tell you what happened to me today. I work up early in the morning and I said I want to go down and make a cup of coffee and enjoy it mindfully before my kids wake up. I hit my elbow with the stairs. We said it’s okay! While I’m entering the kitchen, I trip on the carpet. I told myself ‘Girl, focus what is up with you today?”. I came to sit drinking my coffee, checking my instagram before my kids woke up. I step on a Lego! I’ve told them 1 thousand times to pack the toys, kids!”
Root
Imperfect
Khabat / خبط
Ykh-bot / يخبط
Tfakrash / تفركش
Yt-far-kash / يتفركش
Da3as / دعس
Yd3as / يدعس
In conclusion, the belief in the evil eye remains a significant aspect of Middle Eastern culture, influencing daily life and social interactions. Despite the advances in science and technology, this ancient superstition continues to hold sway, with many attributing their misfortunes and challenges to its malevolent power. Protective rituals and amulets are still widely used, reflecting a deep-seated cultural heritage that blends the mystical with the everyday. The enduring presence of the evil eye in the Middle East highlights the powerful role of tradition and belief in shaping human experiences and perceptions.
Notes of Video “J” Make sure to watch the video at the bottom of the page! Enjoy!
In Levantine Arabic, a rich and vibrant dialect spoken across Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Palestine, language learners and native speakers alike encounter an intriguing phenomenon: homophones. These are words that sound identical but carry entirely different meanings. This linguistic characteristic adds a unique layer of complexity and charm to the dialect. For instance, the word “samak” can mean “fish,” while “samakh” means “to forgive.” Similarly, “shajara” refers to a “tree,” but “shajara” with a different context can mean “a problem.” Understanding these nuances is essential for effective communication and offers a fascinating glimpse into the depth and diversity of Levantine Arabic.
The Sentence in Arabic
The Sentence in Phonetics
The meaning!
الجمعة بعد الجامع عندي جَمعة بالجامعة
El-jum3ah ba3ed el-jem3 3inde jam3ah b jem3ah
Friday after the mosque I have a gathering at the university.
Now let’s check the meanings of these 4 different words in Levantine Arabic:
Words in Arabic
Words in Phonetics
Meaning
Notes (if any)
الجمعة
Jum3ah
Friday
It’s a feminine noun
الجامع
Jeme3
Mosque
Also ‘masjed’ is interchangeably used.
جَمعة
Jam3ah
Gathering
It’s a feminine noun
الجامعة
Jem3ah
University
It’s a feminine noun
The presence of homophones in Levantine Arabic showcases the dialect’s rich complexity and cultural depth. These words, which sound the same but have different meanings, add a layer of intrigue and challenge to both learning and mastering the language. They reflect the dynamic nature of Levantine Arabic and its capacity for nuance and subtlety. Embracing these linguistic quirks not only enhances communication skills but also deepens one’s appreciation for the region’s linguistic heritage. As language learners navigate these homophones, they unlock a deeper understanding of the Levantine Arabic-speaking world and its vibrant cultural tapestry.
Carol Haidar, a seasoned educator with years of experience teaching the Levantine dialect to foreigners, recognized a significant gap in traditional language textbooks. Most resources focus solely on the mechanics of the language, often neglecting the cultural context that is so vital to truly understanding and communicating effectively. Carol’s innovative approach in this book ensures that you won’t just learn to speak Arabic—you will learn to speak it as natives do, with all the cultural subtleties and everyday phrases that make the language come alive.
Click here to take a look at the table of content and view some sample pages from the textbook.
What Makes This Book Stand Out?
1. Authentic Phrases Used by Natives:
One of the standout features of “Levantine Arabic Book 1 for Beginners” is its focus on practical, everyday phrases. Carol has meticulously compiled phrases that natives use in daily conversations, giving you a head start in speaking the language naturally and fluently.
2. Comprehensive Language Skills:
By the end of this book, you’ll be well-versed in essential greetings and goodbyes, and you’ll have a solid understanding of key grammar rules. The structured lessons are designed to build your confidence step-by-step, ensuring a smooth learning curve.
3. Real-Life Scenarios:
Practical application is at the heart of this textbook. You’ll learn how to order at a restaurant, ask for directions, and navigate various social situations with ease. These real-life scenarios are crucial for anyone looking to use Levantine Arabic in a practical context.
Why Choose Levantine Arabic?
Levantine Arabic, spoken in countries like Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Palestine, is a vibrant and widely understood dialect. Its melodic tones and rich cultural heritage make it an appealing choice for language learners. By mastering this dialect, you open doors to deeper connections and more meaningful interactions in the Levant region.
Start Your Learning Journey Today
“Levantine Arabic Book 1 for Beginners” is more than just a textbook; it’s a gateway to a new world. Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to refine your existing skills, this book provides the tools and insights you need to succeed. Dive into the rich tapestry of Levantine Arabic and discover a language filled with warmth, history, and charm.
Join the growing community of learners who have discovered the joy of speaking Levantine Arabic with Carol Haidar’s expert guidance. Order your copy today and start speaking a culture, not just a language.
