Cover Page: i
Introduction Page: 1
About This Book Page: 1
Foolish Assumptions Page: 3
Icons Used in This Book Page: 3
Beyond the Book Page: 4
Where to Go from Here Page: 4
Part 1: Getting Started with Arabic Page: 5
Chapter 1: The Arabic You Already Know Page: 7
Taking Stock of What’s Familiar Page: 7
Discovering the Arabic Alphabet Page: 9
Speaking Arabic like a Native Page: 14
Chapter 2: Taking a Closer Look at the Arabic Alphabet Page: 15
Getting a Grasp on أبجد Page: 16
Figuring Out the Transcription Page: 16
Getting Better Acquainted with the Script Page: 17
Chapter 3: Tackling Basic Arabic Grammar Page: 27
Introducing Nouns, Adjectives, and Articles Page: 28
Creating Simple, Verb-Free Sentences Page: 37
Working with Verbs Page: 47
Chapter 4: Getting Started with Basic Expressions Page: 59
Greeting People Appropriately Page: 59
Making Introductions Page: 64
Talking about Countries and Nationalities Page: 65
Shooting the Breeze: Talking about the Weather Page: 68
Chapter 5: Getting Your Numbers, Dates, and Measurements Straight Page: 73
Talking Numbers Page: 74
Referring to Days and Months Page: 76
Size Matters: Measuring in Arabic Page: 80
Chapter 6: At the Office and Around the House Page: 81
Managing the Office Environment Page: 81
Life at Home Page: 91
Part 2: Arabic in Action Page: 97
Chapter 7: Getting to Know You: Making Small Talk Page: 99
Asking Key Questions Page: 100
Talking about Yourself and Your Family Page: 102
Making Small Talk on the Job Page: 106
Staying in Touch by Phone and Email Page: 108
Chapter 8: Asking Directions and Finding Your Way Page: 111
Focusing on the “Where” Page: 111
Getting Direction about Directions Page: 114
Discovering Ordinal Numbers Page: 120
Chapter 9: Taking Care of Business and Telecommunicating Page: 123
Making a Call: Phone Basics Page: 124
Planning while on the Phone Page: 127
Leaving a Message Page: 131
Sending and Getting Emails Page: 133
Chapter 10: This Is Delicious! Eating In and Dining Out Page: 137
Consuming Food: All about Mealtime Page: 137
Enjoying a Meal at Home Page: 149
Dining Out Page: 149
Chapter 11: Going Shopping Page: 157
Going to the Store Page: 157
Asking for a Particular Item Page: 163
Comparing Merchandise Page: 166
More than a Few Words about Buying and Selling Page: 171
Shopping for Clothes Page: 174
Chapter 12: Hitting the Town Page: 179
Telling Time in Arabic Page: 179
Visiting Museums Page: 187
Going to the Movies Page: 193
Touring Religious Sites Page: 197
Chapter 13: Enjoying Yourself: Recreation, Music, and the Outdoors Page: 201
Starting Out with the Doing Verb Page: 201
Sporting an Athletic Side Page: 204
Going to the Beach Page: 208
Playing Musical Instruments Page: 210
Talking about Hobbies Page: 211
Part 3: Arabic on the Go Page: 215
Chapter 14: Planning a Trip Page: 217
Choosing Your Destination Page: 217
Picking the Right Time for Your Trip Page: 224
Tackling Packing Page: 227
Preparing Your Travel Documents Page: 228
Using a Travel Agency Page: 232
Chapter 15: Dealing with Money in a Foreign Land Page: 235
Going to the Bank Page: 235
Using the ATM Page: 244
Exchanging Currency Page: 245
Chapter 16: Getting Around: Planes, Trains, and Automobiles Page: 251
Traveling by Plane Page: 251
Getting Around on Land Page: 266
Chapter 17: Finding a Place to Stay Page: 273
Choosing the Right Accommodations Page: 274
Making a Reservation Page: 281
Checking In to the Hotel Page: 289
Checking Out of the Hotel Page: 291
Chapter 18: Handling Emergencies Page: 295
Shouting Out for Help Page: 295
Getting Medical Help Page: 300
Acquiring Legal Help Page: 304
Part 4: The Part of Tens Page: 307
Chapter 19: Ten Ways to Pick Up Arabic Quickly Page: 309
Watch Arabic Television Page: 309
Use the Dictionary Page: 310
Read Arabic Newspapers Page: 310
Surf the Internet Page: 311
Streaming Services Page: 311
Listen to Arabic Music Page: 311
Sing Arabic Songs Page: 312
Make Arabic-Speaking Friends Page: 312
Watch Arabic Movies Page: 312
Eat at a Middle Eastern Restaurant Page: 313
Chapter 20: Ten Favorite Arabic Expressions Page: 315
مرحباً بكم Page: 316
!ممتاز Page: 316
الحمد لله Page: 317
إن شاء الله Page: 317
!مبروك Page: 318
بإذن الله Page: 318
بالصحة Page: 318
تحيات Page: 319
مبلغ Page: 319
تبارك الله Page: 319
Chapter 21: Ten Great Arabic Proverbs Page: 321
الأمثال نور الكلام Page: 321
اعمل خيراً وألقه في البحر Page: 322
اطلبوا العلم من المهد إلى اللحد Page: 322
يد واحدة لا تصفّق Page: 322
الحرباء لا يغادر شجرته حتى يكون مؤكداً على شجرة أخرى Page: 322
خطأ معروف أحسن من حقيقة غير معروفة Page: 323
السرّ مثل الحمامة: عندما يغادر يدي يطير Page: 323
العقل للنظر والقلب للسمع Page: 323
كل يوم من حياتك صفحة من تاريخك Page: 323
اللي فاتك بليلة فاتك بحيلة Page: 324
Part 5: Appendixes Page: 325
Appendix A: Mini-Dictionaries Page: 327
English-to-Arabic Mini-Dictionary Page: 334
Appendix B: Verb Tables Page: 341
Regular Arabic Verbs in the Past Tense Page: 341
Regular Arabic Verbs in the Present Tense Page: 343
Regular Arabic Verbs in the Future Tense Page: 345
Irregular Arabic Verbs in the Past Tense Page: 347
Irregular Arabic Verbs in the Present Tense Page: 349
Irregular Arabic Verbs in the Future Tense Page: 351
Appendix C: Answer Key Page: 355
Index Page: 361
About the Author Page: 373
Connect with Dummies Page: 374
End User License Agreement Page: 374
Start reading and speaking Arabic
Arabic For Dummies helps readers start speaking Modern Standard Arabic in no time. Whether you’re a student, traveler, or work in business or government, you’ll find this title to be packed with practical lessons, cultural facts, and handy references.
Inside, you’ll find guidance on basic grammar, as well as the necessary vocabulary to make introductions and greetings, use proper etiquette, make small talk, make transportation arrangements, order food and beverages, ask directions, deal with money, shop, access recreation, and handle an emergency.
- Features new and revised content
- Offers a revamped, user-friendly design to both pedagogy and organization
- Includes expanded coverage of grammar, verb conjugations, and pronunciations
- Get free access to conversational audio tracks online
If you want to start speaking Arabic, this go-to book is packed with practical instruction, cultural facts, and handy references you won’t want to be without!
