Arabic dialects / Lebanese Arabic
🇱🇧 Learn Lebanese Arabic
Lebanese Arabic is one of the best known Levantine dialects, heard in Beirut, across the Lebanese diaspora, and in a great deal of Arabic pop music.
What makes Lebanese Arabic distinct
- Aramaic, once the common language of the region, still shapes its grammar and words.
- French is woven into everyday speech, and a greeting can mix several languages in one breath.
- It is broadly understood across the Levant, so it travels well.
Essential Lebanese Arabic phrases
These come straight from the first sections of Lahja’s Lebanese Arabic course.
| English | Say it | Arabic |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | marhaba | مرحبا |
| How are you | kifak | كيفك؟ |
| What's your name | shu ismak | شو اسمك؟ |
| Thank you | shukran | شكراً |
| Please | law samaht | لو سمحت |
| I love you | bahebak | بحبك |
| Let's go | yalla khalleena nrouh | يلا خلينا نروح |
| How much? | addeesh | قديش؟ |
| Delicious | tayyeb | طيب |
| No problem | mish mushkila | مش مشكلة |
In the spelling, 3 is the letter ayn, 7 is a breathy h, 2 is a glottal stop, 5 is kh and 9 is qaf.
Lahja’s Lebanese Arabic course
- 54 words and phrases across 7 sections
- 30 of those have recordings by native speakers so far, with more being added
- Short lessons, practice rounds and a test for each section
- Sections 1 to 3 are free. Pro is $4.99 a month or $29.99 a year, with a 7-day free trial
Best for: Lebanese heritage speakers, music fans, and anyone with ties to Lebanon or the Levant.
Questions about learning Lebanese Arabic
- Is Lebanese Arabic different from Modern Standard Arabic?
- Yes. Lebanese Arabic is the spoken language of Lebanon, with its own pronunciation, grammar and everyday words. Modern Standard Arabic is the formal written language, so learning it alone will not prepare you for ordinary conversation in Lebanon.
- How do I start learning Lebanese Arabic?
- Start with greetings and everyday phrases you can use straight away, and listen to native speakers as often as you can. Lahja’s Lebanese Arabic course has 54 words and phrases across 7 sections, in five minute lessons.
- Is the Lebanese Arabic course free?
- Sections 1 to 3 are free and stay free. Lahja Pro unlocks the rest for $4.99 a month or $29.99 a year, with a 7-day free trial.
- Does the course use native Lebanese Arabic speakers?
- Yes. 30 of the 54 words in this course have recordings by native speakers so far, and more are being added.
Other dialects
Lahja teaches 11 dialects in all, including: