Learn how to say "I don't understand"
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| INTRODUCTION |
| ArabicPod101.com presents Arabic Survival Phrases. This course is designed to equip you with the language skills and knowledge to enable you to get the most out of your visit to Arabic speaking countries, with particular focus on Morocco. So join us for Arabic Survival phrases. You will be surprised at how far a little Arabic will go. |
| Now before we jump in, remember to stop by ArabicPod101.com, there you’ll find an accompanying PDF, additional learning tools in the premium learning center, and other great Arabic language learning materials. In addition, you’ll find more information in the post. And if you stop by, be sure to leave us a comment. |
Lesson focus |
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| "I don't understand" is going to be a very useful phrase because most of the time-maybe even all of the time-it will be the truth! There is an adjustment period during which your ears will have to get used to Arabic. |
| In Arabic ,“I don’t understand” is ʾanā laā ʾafham (أنا لا أفهم) |
| Let’s break it down by syllable: ʾanā laā ʾafham |
| ʾanā laā ʾafham |
| The first word أنا - ʾanā means “I”. We use the same word to say “me” |
| Let's break down this word and hear it one more time: ʾanā |
| ʾanā |
| This is followed by لا laā which is “no”. |
| laā |
| laā |
| So to recap here, we have أنا لا - ʾanā laā, literally, this means "me no." |
| Let’s take a look at the next word أفهم - ʾafham, which is a conjugated form of “understand.” |
| ʾafham |
| ʾafham |
| So all together, we have ʾanā laā ʾafham (أنا لا أفهم), literally this means “me no understand”, in other words, “I don’t understand.” |
| As many Moroccans will tell you, Arabic is a rich language and when a native speaker is in action it is also accompanied by a rich variety of facial and hand gestures. These serve to emphasize that which is being said, or can be used on their own as a non-verbal response. |
| Moroccans almost always shake their head side to side to indicate negative response, no. So when you don’t understand something, make sure to shake your head from side to side while saying ʾanā laā ʾafham (أنا لا أفهم). You’ll come across as more expressive and people will understand what you’re trying to say even if you mispronounce it. |
Outro |
| Okay, to close out today's lesson, we'd like for you to practice what you've just learned. I'll provide you with the English equivalent of the phrase and you're responsible for saying it aloud. You'll have a few seconds before I give you the answer, so حظ سعيد, that means "good luck" in Arabic. |
| Ok, here we go! |
| “I don’t understand.” - ʾanā laā ʾafham (أنا لا أفهم) |
| ʾanā laā ʾafham (أنا لا أفهم) |
| ʾanā laā ʾafham (أنا لا أفهم) |
| All right. This is going to do it for this lesson of Arabic Survival Phrases. Remember to stop by ArabicPod101.com. There you’ll find an accompanying PDF, additional learning tools in the premium learning center, and other great Arabic language learning materials. See you soon, which in Arabic is - ilā al-liqāʾ. |
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