Photo by Ashkan Forouzani on Unsplash
🌟 Why Learn Basic Arabic Words?
Arabic is spoken by over 400 million people worldwide—and mastering even a few basic Arabic words opens doors to rich culture, conversation, and connection.
Whether you’re planning to travel, talk to Arabic-speaking friends, or explore Islam and Middle Eastern culture, vocabulary is the first step.
This guide gives you the top 100+ essential Arabic words and phrases every beginner should learn.
🗣️ 1. Greetings and Polite Phrases
Let’s start with the basics—greetings and expressions of politeness. These are the first words you’ll use in any interaction.
| English | Arabic | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | مرحباً | marḥaban |
| Peace be upon you | السلام عليكم | as-salāmu ʿalaykum |
| Response to peace | وعليكم السلام | wa ʿalaykumu as-salām |
| Good morning | صباح الخير | ṣabāḥ al-khayr |
| Good evening | مساء الخير | masāʾ al-khayr |
| Goodbye | مع السلامة | maʿa as-salāmah |
| Thank you | شكراً | shukran |
| You’re welcome | عفواً | ʿafwan |
| Please | من فضلك | min faḍlik |
| Yes | نعم | naʿam |
| No | لا | lā |
👨👩👧👦 2. Essential People Words
Names for family members and people in society.
| English | Arabic | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Father | أب | ab |
| Mother | أم | umm |
| Brother | أخ | akh |
| Sister | أخت | ukht |
| Friend | صديق | ṣadīq |
| Teacher | معلم | muʿallim |
| Student | طالب | ṭālib |
| Man | رجل | rajul |
| Woman | امرأة | imraʾah |
📍 3. Useful Everyday Nouns
Basic Arabic nouns for places, things, and everyday life.
| English | Arabic | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| House | بيت | bayt |
| School | مدرسة | madrasa |
| Market | سوق | sūq |
| Book | كتاب | kitāb |
| Pen | قلم | qalam |
| Car | سيارة | sayyārah |
| Door | باب | bāb |
| Window | نافذة | nāfidha |
| Phone | هاتف | hātif |
🔢 4. Arabic Numbers 1–10
Learning numbers helps you shop, count, and talk about time.
| Number | Arabic | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | واحد | wāḥid |
| 2 | اثنان | ithnān |
| 3 | ثلاثة | thalātha |
| 4 | أربعة | arbaʿa |
| 5 | خمسة | khamsa |
| 6 | ستة | sitta |
| 7 | سبعة | sabʿa |
| 8 | ثمانية | thamāniya |
| 9 | تسعة | tisʿa |
| 10 | عشرة | ʿashara |
🧠 5. Easy Arabic Verbs for Beginners
Here are some of the most useful beginner verbs in Arabic:
| English | Arabic | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| To go | ذهب | dhahaba |
| To eat | أكل | akala |
| To drink | شرب | shariba |
| To write | كتب | kataba |
| To read | قرأ | qaraʾa |
| To see | رأى | raʾā |
| To want | أراد | arāda |
| To speak | تكلم | takallama |
| To sleep | نام | nāma |
💬 6. Simple Questions and Responses
| English | Arabic | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| How are you? (m) | كيف حالك؟ | kayfa ḥāluka? |
| How are you? (f) | كيف حالكِ؟ | kayfa ḥāluki? |
| I’m fine, thanks | أنا بخير، شكراً | anā bikhayr, shukran |
| What’s your name? | ما اسمك؟ | mā ismuka? |
| My name is… | اسمي… | ismī… |
| Where are you from? | من أين أنت؟ | min ayna anta? |
| I’m from… | أنا من… | anā min… |
🧩 Practice Time: Match & Speak
Match the Arabic word with its English meaning:
Words:
- كتاب
- مدرسة
- باب
- صديق
- نعم
- لا
- شكراً
- أنا
- مع السلامة
- رجل
Meanings:
a. School
b. Friend
c. I
d. Goodbye
e. Yes
f. No
g. Book
h. Door
i. Thank you
j. Man
Answers:
1 → g, 2 → a, 3 → h, 4 → b, 5 → e, 6 → f, 7 → i, 8 → c, 9 → d, 10 → j
🎯 How to Remember Arabic Vocabulary Faster
Here are a few tricks that actually work:
- Use flashcards with Arabic script and pronunciation.
- Practice with an AI partner (like on Avatalks) for natural repetition.
- Label objects around your house with Arabic words.
- Speak aloud daily—even if you’re alone.
- Build words into mini conversations or short dialogues.
❓ FAQs About Basic Arabic Words
Q: How many Arabic words do I need to start speaking?
You can start speaking with just 100–200 key words and phrases. The more, the better—but even 50 words can go a long way in everyday use.
Q: Is Arabic grammar difficult?
It has unique features like root-based patterns, but you don’t need to learn all of it upfront. Start with basic vocabulary and short sentences.
Q: What’s the best way to learn pronunciation?
Use tools with audio, such as Avatalks or Forvo. Arabic has some unique sounds, so listening and mimicking helps a lot.
🌍 Dialect Tip: Which Arabic to Learn?
- Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) is used in news, books, and formal writing.
- Egyptian Arabic is widely understood thanks to TV and media.
- Levantine Arabic (spoken in Lebanon, Jordan, Syria) is popular in daily conversation.
- Pick one based on your goal—but MSA is a great foundation.
🌟 Final Thoughts: Start With These Basic Arabic Words
Mastering basic Arabic words is your first step toward fluency.
These 100+ words will help you:
- Start real conversations
- Travel with confidence
- Connect with Arabic-speaking communities
🗣️ Don’t wait. Start speaking today.
Train with Avatalks—your AI Arabic coach—and bring these words to life!