Whether you’ve enrolled in a formal Arabic class or are picking up the language out of personal interest, you should probably start getting familiar with the culture as well.

Becoming familiar with Arab culture and traditions means understanding a lifestyle and point of view far removed from what you’re used to.

Of course, Arabic is spoken in many countries and each of them has its own cultural norms. However, on this page, you’ll get a brief glance at the way culture and language intersect in Arab society.

1. Values and Beliefs
2. Philosophies and Religions
3. Family
4. Art
5. Food
6. Traditional Holidays
7. Conclusion

1. Values and Beliefs

Generally speaking, Arab culture values tradition and strength. 

You can see that in the language to some extent, where the Classical Arabic language has diverged significantly into the modern dialects spoken by millions of people in different countries today. Even though this change has taken place naturally, the standards and styles of the classical language, or fus’ha, have been artificially preserved as the only correct way to write in Arabic.

Arabs look to their leaders, both religious and political, for guidance. For example, many Arabs living abroad are happy to follow the teachings of religious scholars in their home countries instead of local ones.

Individual strength and power are also considered very desirable qualities in Arab culture. People strongly dislike being embarrassed in public, and so it’s practically unheard of for an employee to directly contradict their superiors in business meetings, for example. Societies, schools, and businesses are organized into rigid hierarchies, and it’s considered quite rude for an outsider to “shake things up” by subverting that hierarchy.

This sense of hierarchy extends into the household, as parents are seen to have absolute authority over their children. Even in households that aren’t particularly conservative, young adults routinely ask for their parents’ advice on life choices in a way that seems unusual to people living in more independent societies. From a Western point of view, this seems overly restrictive, but from an Arab point of view, it provides much-needed structure and allows young people to learn from the mistakes their elders made.

The other side of this, of course, is the famous culture of welcoming and hospitality. No one can say that Arabs are unwilling to receive guests or share what they have with others.

Anyone who’s traveled to an Arab country knows this from experience. People are extremely welcoming to foreigners and strangers in general, showing them great respect and going the extra mile to make sure they’re comfortable. You can see this even in big-name brands like Emirates Airlines, where customer service is a main selling point.

2. Philosophies and Religions

In Arab culture, religion is a cornerstone of society.

The stereotypical person living in the Middle East follows Islam, and indeed an overwhelming majority of Arabs are Muslims. This is hardly surprising, given that the Middle East is the birthplace of Mohammed and the site of the Kaaba in Mecca, the destination for millions of Muslims around the world every year during their Hajj.

Different countries in the Middle East (and different regions in those countries) follow different schools of Islam such as Shia, Sunni, and Khariji.

The Middle East also conceived the other Abrahamic religions, Judaism and Christianity. Virtually none of the Jews in the Middle East identify as Arabs, though they may speak Arabic fluently and live among Arabs.

Arab Christians, on the other hand, number in the millions in Egypt, the Levant, and abroad. Arab Christians, despite their religious minority status, tend to be well-educated and relatively wealthy. Many have also played major roles in the culture and politics in their own countries.

Islam is the official religion in: 

• Algeria
• Egypt
• Iraq
• Jordan
• Kuwait
• Libya
• Morocco
• Qatar
• Palestine
• Oman
• Saudi Arabia
• Somalia
• Tunisia
• United Arab Emirates
• Yemen

Of the Arabic-speaking countries, only Lebanon and Syria have no state-mandated religion.

Turning our attention away from religion briefly, philosophers from the Islamic Golden Age (a period from about 700 CE to 1200 CE) have been sorely overlooked in most Western educational curricula. Many, like Abu Bakr Muhammad ibn Zakariyya al-Razi, were extremely well-educated polymaths who wrote on medicine, law, chemistry, and ethics. Although one imagines them as religious scholars, some (like Al-Ma’arri) were agnostic or irreligious.

Today, since most Arabic speakers can read Classical Arabic, their texts are available and read in their original form much more widely than those of European philosophers of comparable times!

→ To learn the names of different religions in Arabic, check out our Religion vocabulary list!

3. Family

In keeping with the more traditional attitudes that have been the norm in many Arab societies, the family, or أسرة (‘usra), is extremely important.

Most families are nuclear, with a husband, a wife, and two kids. Same-sex relationships are strongly looked down upon by society in virtually all of the Arabic-speaking countries in North Africa and the Middle East, and same-sex marriages are illegal in all of them as of 2020.

The father figure is the center of the Arabic family, and he is expected to protect and take care of his wife and children financially. A woman is traditionally expected to focus on her children first, though in modern metropolises it’s becoming more common for the wife to work as well.

Although men hold power over women in theory, they also seek their partners’ opinions on business and financial matters. Spouses generally make decisions as a couple.

Children are taught to respect their elders and assume their gender roles early. In Arab culture, elders (such as a grandparent or elderly aunt or uncle) will live in the same house as the nuclear family to be taken care of in old age.

4. Art

If you’re keen on understanding Arab culture, becoming familiar with its artwork is a must. 

Just as the Classical Arabic language has been preserved in Modern Standard Arabic, the art of writing the language has been finely developed over the centuries. Arabic calligraphy is a highly respected art form, tightly associated with Islam.

Just look at the flag of Saudi Arabia, for instance, featuring a sword under the shahada, or Islamic creed: “There is no god but Allah and Mohammed is his prophet.” That’s perhaps one of the most recognizable phrases in Arabic calligraphy. By the way, since these are holy words, the Saudi flag is never printed on merchandise or lowered to half-mast in order to avoid disrespecting the creed.

The Arab world has an extremely rich architectural heritage. It’s known for richly dyed stone, soaring arches, intricate tilework, and iconic pillars. This design language has spread around the world, so that whether you go to a mosque in New York, Baghdad, or Kuala Lumpur, you’ll see the same types of designs.

5. Food

We’ve actually come out with a separate article on food recently, so we won’t go into too much detail at this point.

However, suffice it to say that Arab food is based on a lot of grains, meats, herbs, and light sauces without being either spicy or bland.

Chickpeas and beans are staples in the Arab diet, as are rice, pocketbreads, and flatbreads.

Some cuisines require the whole family to share! Food is a social activity in Arab culture, way more so than in Western countries. It’s not unusual, for example, for wedding feasts or even birthday celebrations to involve massive consumption of food and drink—on the level of an entire roasted goat or cow!

Out at restaurants, Arabs tend to fight over who gets to pay the bill, not who has to pay the bill. This can cause feelings of discomfort for people who aren’t able to reciprocate, but the message is one of warmth and kindness. If you feel like you need to pay your friends back for a meal, then you’ll be more likely to hang out with them and enjoy their company in the future.

The Arab palate is no stranger to foreign food, such as Italian pasta, American steak, Chinese noodles, and Japanese sushi. Unfortunately, delicious Arab food from either the Middle East or North Africa has yet to make its way to mainstream culture in the rest of the world.

One thing to note is that pork and alcohol are almost never served in restaurants because they’re considered haram (“forbidden”) in Islam. Pigs are considered unclean animals, and devout Muslims are forbidden from touching or eating them. Consumption of alcohol and drunkenness are considered sins in Islam.

Despite that strict proclamation against both, spirits are brewed and pigs are raised in smaller numbers in many Arab countries such as Egypt and Lebanon. In international areas of major cities, it’s also easy to find hotels catering to foreign guests and serving alcohol or the occasional bacon sandwich. Not in Saudi Arabia, though—it’s actually illegal to bring any pork or alcohol into the country.

→ To learn more on this topic, check out our Culture Class lesson on Arab Foods!

6. Traditional Holidays

In Arab culture, holidays are often a time to get together with loved ones and enjoy each other’s presence. 

The most famous holiday in the Middle East is the same for Muslims everywhere: Ramadan, the holy month of the Islamic calendar. From sunup to sunset each day of this month, Muslims are not allowed to eat or drink (though of course, concessions are made in case of illness or emergency). This is a time for joyous celebration and visiting friends and family. These days, it’s also a huge shopping holiday, with brands offering Ramadan specials left and right.

Different Arab countries naturally have their own holidays as well. New Year’s Day is a big one, and since all Arab countries were colonized by European powers at some point, their relative independence days are great cause for celebration!

7. Conclusion

Culture and language are always deeply intertwined.

In order to really get to know Arab customs and culture, you’ve got to learn Arabic. These are things you can’t see through the lens of translation.

Fortunately, you’re already in the best place to do that: ArabicPod101.com. We offer podcasts, videos, vocabulary lists, and flashcards to help you start from zero and get all the way up to an advanced level. 

Each of our podcast episodes and most of our blog articles have a heavy focus on cultural notes, too. By the end of your Arabic education, you’ll feel like you’ve developed a deep and comfortable understanding of Arab culture. Create your free lifetime account today and start uncovering Arabic with ArabicPod101!

After reading this page, what are your thoughts on Arab culture? Is there any aspect we didn’t include that you want to learn about? Let us know in the comments!

Considering the fact that Mother’s Day likely arose from deity worship in Ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, it should come as no surprise that we have one day a year where we pamper our mothers. 

In this article, you’ll learn about Mother’s Day in Egypt and how this tradition got its start in modern-day Arab countries. Let’s get started.

1. What is Mother’s Day?

Odds are, you’re already familiar with the concept of عيد الأم (ʿiyd al-ʾum), or Mother’s Day—this holiday is widespread, celebrated in numerous countries around the world. While exact traditions and connotations may vary from one culture to another, one thing remains constant: Mother’s Day is a time to honor and show appreciation for one’s mother. But do you know the origins of this holiday?

Mother’s Day in Ancient Egypt

Deity worship played a major role in Ancient Egypt, with royalty and common folk alike worshipping a plethora of gods and goddesses. Many of the goddesses were viewed as Egyptian symbols for motherhood, femininity, sexuality, life, and even death—for this reason, women who wanted children would often pray to their goddess (or goddesses) of choice for their blessing and the general population would present offerings at their temples on a regular basis. Two of the most popular goddesses throughout Ancient Egypt were Isis and Hathor, both of whom had festivals held in their honor. Many believe these festivals to have been the precursor of Mother’s Day celebrations.

The worship of these goddesses died down over time, and people began to transfer their adoration and respect toward their own mothers. However, the idea of an official Mother’s Day in Egypt did not grow popular until 1943, when an Egyptian journalist named Mustafa Amin brought it up in his book Smiling America. The idea was largely rejected until 1956, when Mother’s Day was officially made a holiday. Keep reading to learn what prompted this change!

Today, Mother’s Day in the Arab world takes place on March 21 to correspond with the first day of spring. 

→ See our vocabulary list of the Must-Know Terms for Family Members to become better acquainted with key terms you’ll hear all the time while learning the language.

→ And here are the Top 15 Things To Do Over Spring Break, for those of you who just can’t wait!

2. Mother’s Day Celebrations in Egypt

In Egypt, Mother’s Day is celebrated much like it is in the rest of the world. Younger children often present their mothers with a gift of some sort, either handmade or bought from a store. Common Mother’s Day gifts in Egypt include flowers, cards, and شوكولاتة (šūkūlātah), or “chocolate.” Grown children are encouraged to go and visit their mother on this day, sometimes with gifts and other times just to catch up. 

It’s not uncommon for schools to hold a special إحتفال (ʾiḥtifal), or “celebration,” to honor mothers. During these events, the children perform songs dedicated to the topic of mothers.

But the celebration doesn’t end with one’s own أم (ʾum), or “mother”! It’s common for children to give cards or other gifts to their female teachers or other prominent female figures in their lives. In addition, some people choose to brighten the day for those women who either don’t have children or whose children have neglected them. They do this by visiting their homes and giving gifts, just like they would for their own mother. 

Because of the focus on gift-giving, the streets of Egypt—and, in fact, those of most Middle Eastern countries—are filled with flower boutiques, confectionery shops, and other places where you can go to purchase nice gifts for your mother. 

3. From Idea to Implementation: The Backstory

As mentioned, Egyptian Mother’s Day was first introduced by the journalist Mustafa Amin but was largely rejected for over a decade. Do you know what prompted people to begin taking it seriously? 

Not too long after the publishing of his book Smiling America, Mustafa Amin heard a real-life story of a إبن (ʾibn), or “son,” who left his devoted mother all alone and rarely visited after getting married. The mother’s heart was completely broken because she had given everything for him. Saddened by the story, Amin worked even harder to popularize his idea of Mother’s Day. Because he was so driven, he was able to change people’s minds and the holiday was implemented in 1956.

→ Interested in diving deeper into Egyptian history and culture? Then check out our lesson on the Top 5 Pop Culture Things/Icons You Need to Know About Egypt.

4. Essential Mother’s Day Vocabulary

Whether you’re trying to impress an Arabic-speaking mother-in-law or just want to add some new words to your arsonal, here’s some Arabic Mother’s Day vocabulary you should memorize!

• عشاء (ʿašāʾ) – “dinner” [noun, masculine]
• الأحد (al-ʾaḥad) – “Sunday” [noun, masculine]
• ابنه (ibnah) – “daughter” [noun, feminine]
• إبن (ʾibn) – “son” [noun, masculine]
• وردة (warda) – “rose” [noun, feminine]
• شوكولاتة (šūkūlātah) – “chocolate” [noun, feminine]
• يحب (yuḥib) – “love” [verb, masculine]
• أم (ʾum) – “mother” [noun, feminine]
• هدية (hedeyyah) – “present” [noun, feminine]
• عيد الأم (ʿiyd al-ʾum) – “Mother’s Day” [noun, masculine]
• يحتفل (yaḥtafil) – “celebrate” [verb]
• حب (ḥub) – “love” [noun, masculine]
• فطور في السرير (fuṭūr fī al-sarīr) – “breakfast in bed” [phrase, masculine]
• كارت عيد الأم (kārt ʿīd al-ʾum) – “Mother’s Day greeting card” [noun, masculine]
• إحتفال (ʾiḥtifal) – “celebration” [noun, masculine]

To hear and practice the pronunciation of each word, please visit our Mother’s Day vocabulary list! 

Final Thoughts

We hope you enjoyed learning about Arab Mother’s Day traditions and the history behind this worldwide-famous holiday. How do you celebrate Mother’s Day? 

If you would like to continue delving into Arab culture and holidays, we recommend the following pages on ArabicPod101.com:

• Islamic Holidays: Observing the Day of Arafah
• Remembering the June 30 Uprising in Egypt
• 14 Unique and Untranslatable Arabic Words and Expressions
• Life Event Messages: Happy Birthday in Arabic & Beyond
• UAE Etiquette: Body Language in Arab Culture

Whether you have an Arabic-speaking mother-in-law you need to impress or you just enjoy learning about languages and cultures, know that ArabicPod101.com can help you reach your goals. On our website, you’ll find tons of fun and useful lessons, vocabulary lists, and blog posts just like this one. Create your free lifetime account today and start learning Arabic like never before!

Egypt takes pride for its military seriously, and rightly so. On Armed Forces Day, Egypt commemorates one of its most successful and ambitious feats: regaining occupation of Sinai from the Israeli army. Naturally, this celebration extends to a holiday of recognition and appreciation for the country’s military as a whole.

In learning about Armed Forces Day, or any other major holidays in Egypt, you’re gaining practical knowledge about Egypt’s history and, by extension, its modern culture. As any successful language-learner can tell you, this is a vital step in mastering any language.

At ArabicPod101.com, we hope to make every aspect of your language-learning journey both fun and informative!

1. What is Armed Forces Day?

Armed Forces Day commemorates the date in 1973 when the Egyptian army succeeded in restoring the dignity of all Egyptians and defeated the Israeli army which occupied Sinai.

This event is often referred to as the October War, though some call it the Yom Kippur War or the Crossing War. It got its latter name because the Egyptians managed to cross the Suez Canal and destroy the Israeli Bar Lev Line, which was a very high earthen berm. The Israeli army described it as the strongest defensive line in history.

Do you know how Egyptians destroyed it? Just by using high pressure water hoses!

This October War took place during the month of Ramadan, meaning that the Muslim soldiers of the Israeli army were fasting. The Egyptians used this to their advantage, and began an attack that the other side wasn’t expecting.

2. When is Armed Forces Day in Egypt?

Each year, Egyptians commemorate Armed Forces Day and the October War on October 6.

3. Celebrations & Traditions for Armed Forces Day

For Armed Forces Day in Egypt, celebrations vary but are largely patriotic and joyful.

To celebrate Armed Forces Day, Egyptians gather together in public squares to sing patriotic songs, such as O Egypt, My Beloved and Here are the Egyptians. Oftentimes, this takes place in the form of a musical concert, complete with famous bands.

If you happen to be in Egypt on Armed Forces Day, you’ll also see magnificent air shows performed by the Egypitan Air Force. Their planes create symbolic shapes in the sky, including the Egyptian flag and the victory sign. There may also be an Armed Forces Day parade in some regions.

2014 was a particularly exciting year for Armed Forces Day. Participants were surprised as Egyptican Army helicopters showered them with gifts from the sky. Because the people were so pleased with their gifts, the army decided to do this every year!

4. The Oil War

Why do you think the 1973 October War is called “the oil war” in some countries?

This is because oil-exporting Arab countries decided to stop its oil exports to the world during the war, to support the Egyptian army.

5. Essential Vocabulary for Armed Forces Day in Egypt

Here’s the essential vocabulary you should know for the Armed Forces Day Egyptian celebrations!

• إسرائيل (ʾisrāʾīl) — Israel
• أكتوبر (ʾuktūbar) — October
• السوْيس (al-swīs) — Suez
• عيد القوات المسلحة (ʿīdu al-quwwāt al-musallaḥah) — Armed Forces Day
• السادس (al-sādis) — sixth
• قناة (qanāh) — canal
• حرب (ḥarb) — war
• انتصار (intiṣaār) — victory
• جيش (ǧayš) — army
• الف و تسعمئة و ثلاثة و سبعون (ʾalf wa tisʿumiʾah wa ṯalāṯah wa sabʿūn) — 1973
• أمر (ʾamr) — order

To hear each of these vocabulary words pronounced, alongside relevant images, check out our Armed Forces Day vocabulary list!

How ArabicPod101 Can Help You Master Arabic

We hope you enjoyed learning about Armed Forces Day in Egypt with us! What are your thoughts on this holiday? What kinds of celebrations does your country have for its army or military? Let us know in the comments; we always love hearing from you!

To continue learning about Egyptian culture and the Arabic language, explore ArabicPod101.com. We provide an array of fun and effective learning tools for every learner, at every level:

• Insightful blog posts on an array of cultural and language-related topics
• Free vocabulary lists covering a range of topics and themes
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• Mobile apps to learn Arabic anywhere, on your own time
• Much, much more!

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We know that learning Arabic can be an overwhelming experience at times, so it’s our goal to make the process as fun and painless as possible. Know that your hard work will pay off, and you’ll be speaking, writing, and reading Arabic like a native before you know it. And ArabicPod101 will be here every step of the way with constant support!

What holiday is Eid Al-Adha?

Each year in Egypt, Muslims celebrate Eid Al-Adha in remembrance of Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son at Allah’s request, and Allah’s provision of a ram to sacrifice instead. This is one of the most significant Islamic holidays.

In this article, we’ll be going over the Eid Al-Adha meaning as well as Eid Al-Adha observances and traditions. At ArabicPod101.com, we hope to make this learning journey both fun and informative!

1. What is Eid Al-Adha in Egypt?

Eid Al-Adha (sometimes called Eid Ul-Adha or the Feast of the Sacrifice) is the second-most-important holiday in the Islamic nation, and here we’ll give you some Eid Al-Adha background so you can better appreciate this holiday.

The day of Eid and the three days after are called the days of sacrifice or slaughtering. The Eid begins with the Eid prayer in the early morning, followed by sacrifice of animals. The reason is that Muslims believe this is the day when Allah commanded, as a test, that the prophet Ibrahim should sacrifice his son Ismail. But, Allah sent him a ram as a ransom.

For this reason, on the anniversary of that day, Muslims slaughter rams and other cattle and distribute parts of the meat amongst the poor.

2. When is Eid Al-Adha?

The tenth day of the Dhu al-Hijjah marks Eid Al-Adha. For your convenience, we’ve provided a list of this holiday’s date (beginning on the eve before) on the Gregorian calendar for the next ten years.

• 2019: August 11
• 2020: July 30
• 2021: July 19
• 2022: July 9
• 2023: June 29
• 2024: June 17
• 2025: June 6
• 2026: May 26
• 2027: May 16
• 2028: May 4

3. Eid Al-Adha Observances & Traditions

The Eid begins with the Eid prayer, which is performed in the open air in large yards or parks attached to mosques. Afterwards, immolation of animals begins in a method in accordance with Islamic law, which guarantees that the ram will not suffer and that all the blood will be drained out of the body in order to enjoy the healthy and delicious meat. Typically, people hire butchers to carry out the sacrifice as the slaughtering process is difficult and requires experience.

After the butchers finish slaughtering, the ram meat is cut and divided into three equal parts: One-third for the owner of the sacrificed animal, another for relatives, and the last third for the poor and needy. The poor and needy wait for this day to have the chance to eat meat that is too expensive for them to buy during most of the year.

Did you know? People always seize this opportunity of a long holiday, which sometimes lasts five days, to travel to some nice places, such as the North Coast or Ain Sokhna, to spend the days of Eid there. Because the owners of the resorts know about this, they always arrange concerts at that time.

You may also hear Eid Al-Adha greetings exchanged in Egypt on this day.

4. Names for Eid al-Adha

Do you know how many names Eid al-Adha has in Egypt?

There are three names for Eid al-Adha. In addition to the name “Festival of the Sacrifice” (Eid el-Adha), there are two others; “The Greater Eid” (Eid al-Kebiir) and “The Festival of Meat” (Eid el-Lahma). The reason for the name “The Festival of Meat,” is that the majority of people eat meat on this day.

5. Useful Vocabulary for Eid Al-Adha

Here’s some vocabulary you should know for Eid Al-Adha!

• بقرة (baqarah) — cow
• خروف (ḫarūf) — sheep
• عيد الأضحى (ʿīd al-ʾaḍḥā) — Eid ul-Adha
• العاشر (al-ʿāšir) — tenth
• فتة (fattah) — Fatteh
• أضحية (ʾuḍḥiyah) — sacrifice
• اجتماع عائلي (iǧtimāʿ ʿāʾilī) — family gathering
• صلاة العيد (ṣalāẗu al-ʿiīd) — Eid prayer
• ذو الحجة (ḏūl-ḥiǧǧah) — Dhu al-Hijjah
• صدقة (ṣadaqah) — charity
• كبد (kibdah) — liver

To hear each of these Eid al-Adha vocabulary words pronounced, check out our relevant vocabulary list.

Conclusion: How ArabicPod101 Can Help You Master Arabic

We hope you enjoyed learning about Eid Al-Adha with us! What are your thoughts on this Islamic holiday? Let us know in the comments! We look forward to hearing from you.

To continue learning about Arabic culture and the language, visit us at ArabicPod101.com and explore our variety of practical learning tools. Read more insightful blog posts like this one, study our free Arabic vocabulary lists, and download our mobile apps designed to help you learn Arabic anywhere and on your own time! By upgrading to Premium Plus, you can also take advantage of our MyTeacher program and begin learning with your own teacher and a personalized plan.

Arabic is one of the most difficult languages to learn, let alone master, but with enough hard work and perseverance, you can do it! And ArabicPod101.com will be here to help every step of the way.

Egypt’s national day, Egyptian Revolution Day, is considered one of the most important holidays in the country and for good reason. It marks the end of monarchy in Egypt as the result of a coup against then-King Farouk, who lost the throne as a result.

Learn more about the Egyptian Revolution and Egypt’s Revolution Day with ArabicPod101.com!

1. Why Should You Know About Egyptian Revolution Day?

Egyptian Revolution Day is the single most important holiday in Egypt, commemorating the end of Egypt’s monarchy in 1952 and the events leading up to it. To fully grasp Egypt’s culture—and therefore its language—one must first understand the country’s origins and history, for these things also reveal the heart of Egypt and its people.

In this article, we’ll cover information about the Egyptian Revolution of 1952 as well as the holiday that centers on it. Learn about the coup of this 1952 Revolution, and the celebrations that take place on Egypt Revolution Day, July 23—and learn some valuable Arabic vocabulary while you’re at it to help you celebrate the Egypt Revolution Day holiday!

2. What is the Egyptian Revolution?

The Egyptian Revolution of 1952 marks a time in Egypt’s history that will forever hold great significance to its people. This Revolution ultimately ended Egypt’s monarchy, removing its then-King Farouk from power. This allowed the country to become an independent country, setting it on the path to becoming what it is today.

The 1952 Revolution was largely the result of the combined effort of Muhammad Naguib, Gamal Abdel Nasser, and the Free Officers Movement they took charge of. This powerful and effective coup caused King Farouk to lose power, giving Egypt the freedom to become independent.

This success had quite a domino effect in the political atmosphere of Egypt. On top of ending the country’s monarchy, it eventually managed to rid it of British occupation and began the Nasser Era.

The Egyptian Revolution of 1952, therefore, deserves its title as national day of Egypt and its widespread celebration. Read on for more information on the Revolution Day Egypt holds so dear.

3. When is Arabic Revolution Day?

The Egyptian Revolution is celebrated each year on July 23, and is considered the national day of Egypt.

4. How is the Egyptian Revolution Celebrated?

Egyptian Revolution Day is, of course, a public holiday in Egypt; this means that most schools close and the majority of people don’t have to work.

In Egypt, the 1952 Revolution is widely celebrated. Even before the holiday officially begins, those of high status prepare and give speeches commemorating and honoring this great day in Egypt’s history. Further, there are often street celebrations taking place well before the actual holiday begins.

5. Three Attempts at New Government

Did you know that from January 27, 1952 to July 20, 1952, King Farouk attempted to revive governmental systems through three different politicians? These politicians were Ali Maher, Ahmed Naguib El-Hilali, and Hussein Sirri.

Each of their governments ultimately failed within a very short amount of time.

6. Must-know Vocab for Egyptian Revolution Day

There’s some vocabulary you should know to celebrate Egyptian Revolution Day:

• يوليو (yūlyū) — July
• عيد ثورة 23 من يوليو (ʿīd ṯawrat al-ṯaliṯ wal ʿišrīn min yūlyū) — Revolution Day
• الثالث و العشرين (al-ṯāliṯ wa al-ʿišrīn) — Twenty-third
• ثورة (ṯawrah) — Revolution
• جمهورية (ǧumhūriyyah) — Republic
• محمد نجيب (muḥammad naǧīb) — Mohamed Naguib
• مملكة (mamlakah) — Kingdom
• الملك فاروق (al-malik fārūq) — King Farouk
• جمال عبد الناصر (ǧamal- ʿabd al-nāṣir) — Gamal Abdel Naser
• حركة الضباط الأحرار (ḥarakah al-ḍubbāṭ al-ʾḥrār) — Free Officers Movement
• إنقلاب (ʾinqilāb) — Coup d’état

If you want to practice your pronunciation, be sure to visit our Revolution Day vocabulary list, where you can listen to audio files alongside each word.

Conclusion

Now you know a little more about the Egyptian Revolution Day; what do you think about this holiday? We hope you found this article helpful and relevant, and learned some new vocabulary words along the way.

If you want to learn even more Arabic, be sure to visit us at ArabicPod101.com. We have insightful and fun blog posts and vocabulary lists on just about any topic! You can also download our MyTeacher app for a one-on-one learning experience, and chat with other Arabic language-learners in our online community!

We’re here to make your Arabic-learning journey an exciting one, filled with support. We wish you well as you continue deciphering Arabic and learning about its culture!

We’re going to talk now about an important day in Egyptian history: Sinai Liberation Day (or just Sinai Day). On this day, Egypt regained the land of Sinai and the last Israeli soldier left it after Camp David agreement. The liberation of Egypt’s Sinai put a large mark of victory on Egypt’s history.

In learning about this holiday, you’re delving into some of Egypt’s most significant history, particularly involving the Sinai Peninsula. This will give you a deeper knowledge of the country’s culture and its people. At ArabicPod101.com, we hope to make this learning adventure both fun and informative. So let’s get started!

1. What is the Arabic Day of Liberation?

Sinai Liberation Day is the day when all the land of Sinai, except Taba, was liberated from Israeli occupation. This was in 1982 and we regained Taba later in 1988 during the reign of the former president Hosni Mubarak. Sinai was occupied since 1967, but the Egyptian army kept struggling by all means in order to regain it.

The land of Sinai became the symbol of peace because it was regained after a peace treaty. The land of Sinai is distinguished by its beauty, charm, and scenic nature. Sinai is also characterized by its golden sands, great sea, and high mountains. Sinai and Taba are among the most beautiful places frequented by tourists from all over the world where they enjoy many water sports.

2. When is Sinai Liberation Day?

On 25th April, the Day of Liberation in Egypt is observed. For Egypt, Sinai Liberation Day takes place on the day it gained back the land of Sinai after the Camp David agreement.

3. How Does Egypt Celebrate Liberation Day?

This day is a public holiday in Egypt; in other words, all government departments are closed. On Sinai Liberation Day, Egypt doesn’t usually hold elaborate festivities, but it’s still a day of immense significance for its observers.

Egypt uses this day to remember and honor those who sacrificed themselves for Sinai’s liberation. Further, they pause for a while on this holiday to think about Sinai’s lovely nature and its place in the world today. We’ll go more into this below.

4. Additional Information: About the Sinai Peninsula

Want to learn more about the land of Sinai for Egyptian Sinai Liberation Day? Read the Arabic text below for more information (and find the English translation directly below it).

—

تتميز منطقة سينا بالسياحه العلاجيه ,فهنلاقي كتير من السياح بييجوا من انحاء العالم بغرض الاستشفاء من امراض زي الصدفيه و ده لأنهم اكتشفوا ان مية البحر الاحمر و الشعب المرجانيه اللي فيه بتساعد على الاستشفاء من بعض الامراض الجلديه

سينا ليها اسماء كتيرة زي مثلا أرض الفيروز ودا لأن بحرها بيتمتع بلون فيروزي رائع , سينا برده بيطلق عليها ارض
الزيتون و دا لأن فيها أجود أنواع شجر الزيتون اللي بينتج ألذ انواع الزيتون و زيت الزيتون.

ارض سينا تمتلك موقع استراتيجي ودا لأنها حلقة الوصل بين قارة اسيا وقارة افريقيا ….بين مصر و الشام .. بين المشرق العربي و المغرب العربي

—

Sinai region is famous for medical tourism. Tourists the world over come to visit it seeking treatment from diseases such as psoriasis because it was discovered that the water and coral reefs of the Red Sea help in treating some skin diseases.

Sinai has many names. It is called the land of turquoise because of the magnificent turquoise color of its sea. Sinai is also called the land of olives because it contains the best quality of olive trees which produce the most delicious olives and olive oil.

The land of Sinai has a strategic location because it is a liaison between the continents of Asia and Africa…between Egypt and the Levant…between the Arab Mashreq and the Arab Maghreb.

5. Must-know Vocab

Here’s some vocabulary you should know for the Day of Liberation in Israel!

• أبريل (ʾibrīl) — April
• أرض (ʾarḍ) — land
• إسرائيل (ʾisrāʾīl) — Israel
• البحر الأَحمر (al-baḥr al-ʾaḥmar) — Red Sea
• عيد تحرير سيناء (ʿīd taḥrīr sīnāʾ) — Day of Liberation
• الخامس و العشرين (al-ḫāmis wa al-ʿišrīn) — twenty-fifth
• شبه جزيرة سيناء (šebh ǧazīrat sīnāʾ) — Sinai Peninsula
• قوات (quwwāt) — troop
• معاهدة (muʿāhadah) — treaty
• إنسحاب (ʾinsiḥāb) — withdrawal
• تحرير (taḥrīr) — liberation

To hear each word pronounced, check out our Day of Liberation vocabulary list. Here, you’ll find each word accompanied by an audio of its pronunciation.

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed learning about Sinai’s Day of Liberation with us! Is there a similar holiday in your own country? How do you celebrate it? Let us know in the comments!

For more information on Egyptian culture and the Arabic language, visit us at ArabicPod101.com. We offer an array of insightful blog posts, free vocabulary lists, and an online community where you can discuss lessons with fellow students. By creating a Premium Plus account, you can also take advantage of our MyTeacher program and learn Arabic with your own personal teacher!

Learning a language can be a difficult journey, but know that all of your hard work and determination will pay off! Soon you’ll be speaking Arabic like a native, and ArabicPod101.com will be here every step of your journey there with effective lesson materials and tons of support!

Imagine yourself spending your holidays in Lebanon. You haven’t gotten the hang of speaking Arabic yet. You’re enjoying your time there, but you still feel strongly disconnected from where you are. Many Lebanese don’t speak English, and you don’t even know how to let people know that you do not speak Arabic.

This is where the importance of learning basic Arabic phrases comes in.

Not only will it help you communicate with the local community; it will also help you gain that connection you would otherwise be yearning for.

I would highly recommend that you start by learning (at least some of) the Arabic alphabet.

While using transcriptions might seem like a really nice way to get a head start, I promise you’re doing yourself more harm than good; you’re just prolonging your time without the alphabet.

Why? Basically, your pronunciation will suffer, which will, in turn, harm your memorization and retention abilities.

Before we move on to the top 100+ basic Arabic phrases list below, here are some tips to help you memorize foreign language expressions easily.

Table of Contents

1. How to Easily Memorize Basic Arabic Phrases
2. Basic Arabic Phrases and Expressions for Friendly Conversations
3. Basic Arabic Phrases and Expressions for Traveling and Shopping
4. Basic Arabic Phrases and Expressions for Emergency
5. Basic Arabic Phrases and Expressions for Holidays

1. How to Easily Memorize Basic Arabic Phrases

All of us run into that dreaded point in our language learning journeys where either the phrases we learned start to get all jumbled up in our brains, or we just can’t seem to stuff those bizarre sounding words into our brains.

Are you stuck in this stagnation rut?

Don’t worry. You’re in good company.

Here is a list of the most useful tips for learning those difficult Arabic words and phrases that have evaded your memory… at least until now.

a. Flashcards

Now, before you get all in a fuss because you’ve “tried flashcards before” and they didn’t work, just stick with me for a minute. All of us have tried normal flashcards, and most of us have come to the inevitable conclusion that they’re simply not that helpful.

Enter the SRS–spaced repetition system.

What’s spaced repetition exactly? It’s a powerful learning method that will automatically quiz you on those bothersome words you always seem to forget, which is proven to help push those pesky vocab words deeper into your long-term memory.

Sound like magic? It pretty much is.

With ArabicPod101, you get our spaced repetition flashcards. You don’t have to make cards or do work. You have ready-made decks waiting for you such as the top 100 words, and you can easily send words from Vocab Lists and lessons to your flashcards.

How does it work? Just start reviewing the flashcards and mark words as correct or incorrect. This is where the magic happens. If you mark a word as incorrect, you’ll see it again and again until you can properly recall it. Then, you’ll see it in your next study sessions just to make sure you remember. Mark a word correct and you’ll see it sporadically; just enough to keep your memory sharp.

When, you’re done, feel free to stop and relax. Our flashcards will remind you when to study again.

Anki is another popular spaced repetition system. Basically, all you have to do is create your flashcards after downloading the app on your computer or phone and start studying!

For instructions on how to use the application as efficiently as possible, I would head on over to Fluent Forever and read up on how to create some of the most powerful flashcards on the planet.

With Anki, you can make your flashcards as boring or as exciting as you want. (I would personally go for the more exciting ones–they’re way easier to remember!)
You can also either give yourself some hints (for those phrases you have a really hard time remembering), or you can add sound files of native speakers pronouncing those words or phrases!

With Forvo and RhinoSpike, you can add pictures straight from Arabic Google.

Whatever problem you’re running into, the chances are high that it can be solved with Anki and some good flashcards.

Maybe Anki isn’t your style. No problem. I’ve got more tricks up my sleeve.

Memrise is one of those weird mixes of two study methods that just works. It’s not a full-blown SRS like Anki, but it does incorporate similar technology to help you push those words and phrases deeper into your memory, just like Anki does.

So what’s the difference?

Basically, Memrise relies heavily on user-added mnemonics (I’ll talk more about mnemonics shortly). This way, each user can add their own mnemonic to each of the words and phrases they learn, or they can simply choose one of the mnemonics added by a previous user that they feel helps them remember that word.

That’s all well and good, but if you don’t know how to use it, you’re back to square one.

Well, I’m here to save the day once again! (Cue the dramatic hero music playing in the background…)

Just head on over to Memrise, create yourself an account, find some Arabic courses, and start learning those words!

Memrise utilizes mnemonics to help push the problem words deep into your memory by attaching them to something that you have no trouble at all remembering.

For some people, this is the difference between reaching fluency and mumbling like a language amateur.

That’s a nice segue into my second category of memorization tips.

b. Mnemonics

Mnemonics are something that most people have at least heard of, but don’t really know what it means—much less how to use it.

A mnemonic is a device that you use to attach to a concept that makes it easier to remember.

For instance, the French word for eggs is oeufs, which sounds kind of like the sound I make when something disgusts me. So my mnemonic is thinking about a nasty egg and saying “Ughh!!”

Simple enough?

There are tons of mnemonics out there. For a complete list, you can google “mnemonics for language learning.” People have come up with all sorts of crazy ways to memorize vocabulary and most of them are at least somewhat useful!

c. Clozemaster

Clozemaster is a newer website and I think it brings a very valuable learning experience to the table.

It presents a massive number of sentences in different formats to help expose you to large quantities of the language.

Basically, it allows you to start thinking critically about what you’re learning, which will allow you to memorize those phrases faster.

You can choose Arabic on the site and go to the most frequent words category to start learning the most important Arabic words first. This is a website that I recommend to all my students.

If you use these resources, your problems with Arabic are going to either become smaller, completely go away, or at least become a lot more fun!

In all seriousness though, these resources will help you learn basic Arabic phrases easier; just make sure you learn the alphabet and pronunciation before you get started with these.

After that, just chug right along until those words start to stick in your head.

2. Basic Arabic Phrases and Expressions for Friendly Conversations

Below are a few basic phrases and expressions you could find very useful in most conversations:

Good evening
مساء الخير
Masa’o lkhayr

Good morning
صباح الخير
Sabaho lkhayr

Hello
أهلا
Ahlan

How are you?
كيف حالك؟
Kayfa haluk?

Where are you?
أين أنت؟
Ayna ant?

Thanks
شكرا
Shukran

No problem
لا مشكلة
La mushkila

Oh my God!
يا إلهي
Ya ilahi

Wow
يا سلام
Ya salam

No
لا
La

Yes
نعم / أجل
Na’am / Ajal

Excuse me
معذرة
Ma’azira

I’m sorry
أنا آسف
Ana asif

Goodbye
مع السلامة
Ma’a Salama

See you soon
أراك لاحقا
Araka lahikan

Please
من فضلك
Min fazlik

Come
تعال
Ta’al

I’m not interested
أنا لست مهتما
Ana lastu muhtaman

Stop
توقف
Tawaqaf

I can’t
لا أستطيع
La astati’e

How can I …?
كيف يمكنني أن…؟
Kayfa yumkinony ann…?

My name is…
إسمي هو…
Ismi hwa…

What’s your name?
ما إسمك؟
Ma usmuk?

Nice to meet you
سررت بلقائك
Surertu biliqa’ik

I’m fine
أنا بخير
Ana bikhayr

What’s you like to do in your free time?
ماذا تفعله في أوقات فراغك؟
Maza taf’aluhu fi awqati faraghik?

What do you do?
ما هي مهنتك؟
Ma hya mihnatuk?

What’s your dream job?
ما هي الوظيفة التي تحلم بها؟
Ma hya lwadifato lati tahlomo biha?

What time is it?
كم الساعة؟
Kam i ssa’a?

I appreciate this
أقدر هذا
Oqadiro haza

Enjoy the rest of your day
طاب يومك
Taba yawmuk

What do you think?
ما رأيك؟
Ma ra’eyok?

Sounds good
يبدو جيدا
Yabdo jayidan

Never mind
لا يهم
La yohim

I don’t understand
لا أفهم
La afham

Could you repeat that, please?
هل يمكنك إعادة هذا من فضلك؟
Hal yomkinoka i’adato haza min fazlik?

Could you please talk slower?
هل يمكنك التحدث ببطئ؟
Hal yomkinoka tahadusu bobota’e?

What’s your phone number?
ما هو رقم هاتفك؟
Ma hwa raqmu hatifika?

What does that mean?
ماذا يعني هذا؟
Maza ya’ani haza?

Give me one minute
دقيقة من فضلك
Daqiqa min fazlik

Sorry for the delay
عذرا على التأخير
Ozran a’ala ata’ekhir

3. Basic Arabic Phrases and Expressions for Traveling and Shopping

Below are some phrases that could be useful if you’re not native or extremely familiar with the country you’re visiting:

Where are you from?
من أين أنت؟
Min ayna ant?

I’m American
أنا أمريكي
Ana amrikea

I’m Canadian
أنا كندي
Ana canadea

I’m English
أنا إنجليزي
Ana injleezea

I’m Australian
أنا أسترالي
Ana australea

I’m from …
أنا من…
Ana min…

How much is this?
بكم هذا؟
Bikam haza?

I don’t speak Arabic fluently
لا أتحدث العربية بطلاقة
La atahadathu alarabya bitalaqa

Do you speak English?
هل تجيد الإنجليزية؟
Hal tojido alinjlizya?

How do you spell this?
كيف تتهجأ هذا؟
Kayfa tatahaja’o haza?

How long have you been here?
منذ متى وأنت هنا؟
Munzu mata wa anta huna?

Where are you heading?
إلى أين أنت ذاهب؟
Ila ayna anta zahib?

Where can we go hitchhiking?
أين يمكننا توقيف السيارات؟
Ayna yomkinona tawqifo sayarat?

Where is the nearest main road?
أين هي أقرب طريق رئيسية؟
Ayna hya aqrabo tariqin ra’isya?

How much is the ticket?
بكم التذكرة؟
Bikam i tazkira?

Can you present me to your family members?
هل يمكنك أن تقدمني إلى أفراد عائلتك؟
Hal yumkinoka an to’aifany ila afradi a’aliatik?

How far is …?
بكم يبعد…؟
Bikam yaba’odo …?

Can you teach me some Arabic?
هل يمكنك تعليمي بعض العربية؟
Hal yomkinoka ta’alimi ba’ada alarabya?

Can you translate this for me?
هل يمكنك ترجمة هذا لي؟
Hal yumkinoka tarjamato haza li?

What are the best places to visit in …?
ما هي أحسن الأماكن للزيارة في …؟
Ma hya ahsanu alamakini lizyarati fi …?

What time should we check out?
متى يجب أن نغادر الفندق؟
Mata yajibo an noghadira alfondoq?

Let’s have some food. I’m hungry.
فلنأكل بعض الطعام. أنا جائع.
Falnakul ba’ada ta’am. Ana ja’ea

Where is the airport?
أين هو المطار؟
Ayna hwa almatar?

4. Basic Arabic Phrases and Expressions for Emergency

Below are some phrases to use if you are not native and find yourself in an emergency situation:

Help!
!النجدة
Annajda!

I need help
أحتاج إلى المساعدة
Ahtaju ila almusa’ada

Where is the hospital?
أين هو المستشفى؟
Ayna hwa almustashfa?

Do you have a phone?
هل لديك هاتف؟
Hal ladayka hatif?

I have a fever
أعاني من الحمى
O’ani min alhumaa

I’m scared
أنا خائف
Ana kha’if

Can you call the police?
هل يمكنك الإتصال بالشرطة؟
Hal yumkinoka alitissal bishorta?

ِCan you call the fire department?
هل يمكنك الإتصال بمركز الإطفاء؟
Hal yumkinoka alitisalo bimarkazi litfa’e?

Can you help me?
هل يمكنك مساعدتي؟
Hal yumkinoka musa’adati?

How can I help?
كيف يمكنني المساعدة؟
Kayfa yomkinoni almosa’ada?

I’m in danger
أنا في خطر
Ana fi khatar

Let’s get out of here
فلنخرج من هنا
Falnakhruj min huna

5. Basic Arabic Phrases and Expressions for Holidays

Below are some phrases if you want to wish someone a happy holiday or celebration:

Happy Birthday
عيد ميلاد سعيد
Ida mealadin sa’id

Happy Eid
عيد سعيد
Eid Sa’id

Happy New Year
كل عام وأنتم بخير
Kula a’am wa antum bikhayr

Congratulations
هنيئا / مبروك
Hani’an / Mabruk

Happy wedding
حفل زفاف سعيد
Hafla zifafin sa’id

Birthday cake
كعكة عيد ميلاد
Ka’akato idi milad

Fireworks
الألعاب النارية
Alal’ab anarya

Where are you spending the holidays?
أين ستقضي عطلتك؟
Ayna sataqdy otlatak?

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Learn all the Arabic New Year wishes online, in your own time, on any device! Join ArabicPod101 for a special Arabic New Year celebration!

Can you relate to the year passing something like this: “January, February, March – December!”? Many people do! Quantum physics teaches us that time is relative, and few experiences illustrate this principle as perfectly as when we reach the end of a year. To most of us, it feels like the old one has passed in the blink of an eye, while the new year lies ahead like a very long journey! However, New Year is also a time to celebrate beginnings, and to say goodbye to what has passed. This is true in every culture, no matter when New Year is celebrated.

So, how do you say Happy New Year in Arabic? Let a native teach you! At ArabicPod101, you will learn how to correctly greet your friends over New Year, and wish them well with these Arabic New Year wishes!

Table of Contents

1. How to Celebrate New Year in Arabic speaking country
2. Must-Know Arabic Words & Phrases for the New Year!
3. Top 10 New Year’s Resolutions in Arabic
4. Inspirational New Year Quotes
5. Inspirational Language Learning Quotes
6. How To Say Happy New Year in 31 Languages
7. How ArabicPod101 Can Help You Learn Arabic

But let’s start with some vocabulary for Arabic New Year celebrations, very handy for conversations.

1. How to Celebrate New Year in Arabic speaking country

This is the first day of the New Year in all countries utilizing the Gregorian Calendar and is an official public holiday that is frequently celebrated by midnight fireworks, marking the beginning of the New Year. It is one of the world’s Christian festivities, however, in a country like Egypt where both Christians and Muslims reside, New Year celebrations are not exclusively confined to Christians. We also find many Muslims celebrating this occasion as well.

Some people maintain that New Year’s Day does not represent the birth of Christ but that it marks the new year of the solar calendar, which preceded that. Others confirm that the New Year is indeed associated with the birth of Jesus Christ.

Here we find Christians disagreeing amongst themselves as to the date of the birth of Jesus Christ, which calls for both wonder and concern.

Among the most important manifestations of the New Year celebrations is the character of a person credited with bringing joy and happiness to children, namely Father Christmas or Santa Claus.

Happy New Year!

أتمنى لك سنة جديدة سعيدة!
ʾatamannā laka sanah ǧadīdah saʿīdah!

2. Must-Know Arabic Words & Phrases for the New Year!

1- Year

سنة
sana:

This is pretty self-explanatory. Most countries follow a Gregorian calendar, which has approximately 365 days in a year, while in some cultures, other year designations are also honored. Therefore, New Year’s day in Arabic speaking country could fall on a different day than in your country. When do you celebrate New Year?

2- Midnight

منتصف الليل منتصف الليل
muntaṣaf ull-ayl

The point in time when a day ends and a new one starts. Many New Year celebrants prefer to stay awake till midnight, and greet the new annum as it breaks with fanfare and fireworks!

3- New Year’s Day

عيد راس السنة
ʿīd raās al-sanah

In most countries, the new year is celebrated for one whole day. On the Gregorian calendar, this falls on January 1st. On this day, different cultures engage in festive activities, like parties, parades, big meals with families and many more.

4- Party

حفلة
ḥaflah

A party is most people’s favorite way to end the old year, and charge festively into the new one! We celebrate all we accomplished in the old year, and joyfully anticipate what lies ahead.

5- Dancing

رقص
raqṣ

Usually, when the clock strikes midnight and the New Year officially begins, people break out in dance! It is a jolly way to express a celebratory mood with good expectations for the year ahead. Also, perhaps, that the old year with its problems has finally passed! Dance parties are also a popular way to spend New Year’s Eve in many places.

6- Champagne

شامبانيا
šāmbānyā

Originating in France, champagne is a bubbly, alcoholic drink that is often used to toast something or someone during celebrations.

7- Fireworks

ألعاب نارية
ʾlʿāb nāriyyah

These are explosives that cause spectacular effects when ignited. They are popular for announcing the start of the new year with loud noises and colorful displays! In some countries, fireworks are set off to scare away evil spirits. In others, the use of fireworks is forbidden in urban areas due to their harmful effect on pets. Most animals’ hearing is much more sensitive than humans’, so this noisy display can be very frightful and traumatising to them.

8- Countdown

عد تنازلي
ʿad tanāzulī

This countdown refers to New Year celebrants counting the seconds, usually backward, till midnight, when New Year starts – a great group activity that doesn’t scare animals, and involves a lot of joyful shouting when the clock strikes midnight!

9- New Year’s Holiday

عطلة رأس السنة
ʿiṭlaẗu raʾsi al-ssanah

In many countries, New Year’s Day is a public holiday – to recuperate from the party the previous night, perhaps! Families also like to meet on this day to enjoy a meal and spend time together.

10- Confetti

نثار
niṯaār

In most Western countries, confetti is traditionally associated with weddings, but often it is used as a party decoration. Some prefer to throw it in the air at the strike of midnight on New Year’s Eve.

11- New Year’s Eve

ليلة رأس السنة
laīlaẗu raʾsi al-ssanah

This is the evening before New Year breaks at midnight! Often, friends and family meet for a party or meal the evening before, sometimes engaging in year-end rituals. How are you planning to give your New Year greetings in 2018?

12- Toast

شرب النخب
šurbu al-nnaḫb

A toast is a type of group-salutation that involves raising your glass to drink with others in honor of something or someone. A toast to the new year is definitely in order!

13- Resolution

قرار
qarār

Those goals or intentions you hope to, but seldom keep in the new year! Many people consider the start of a new year to be the opportune time for making changes or plans. Resolutions are those intentions to change, or the plans. It’s best to keep your resolutions realistic so as not to disappoint yourself!

14- Parade

موكب
maūkib

New Year celebrations are a huge deal in some countries! Parades are held in the streets, often to celebratory music, with colorful costumes and lots of dancing. Parades are like marches, only less formal and way more fun. At ArabicPod101, you can engage in forums with natives who can tell you what Arabic New Year celebrations are like!

3. Top 10 New Year’s Resolutions

So, you learned the Arabic word for ‘resolution’. Fabulous! Resolutions are those goals and intentions that we hope to manifest in the year that lies ahead. The beginning of a new year serves as a good marker in time to formalise these. Some like to do it in writing, others only hold these resolutions in their hearts. Here are our Top 10 New Year’s resolutions at ArabicPod101 – what are yours?

Learn these phrases and impress your Arabic friends with your vocabulary.

1- Read more

إقرء أكثر
ʾiqraʾ ʾakṯar

Reading is a fantastic skill that everyone can benefit from. You’re a business person? Apparently, successful business men and women read up to 60 books a year. This probably excludes fiction, so better scan your library or Amazon for the top business reads if you plan to follow in the footsteps of the successful! Otherwise, why not make it your resolution to read more Arabic in the new year? You will be surprised by how much this will improve your Arabic language skills!

2- Spend more time with family

قضاء وقت أكثر مع العائلة.
qaḍaāʾ waqt ʾakṯar maʿ al-ʿaāʾilah.

Former US President George Bush’s wife, Barbara Bush, was quoted as having said this: “At the end of your life, you will never regret not having passed one more test, not winning one more verdict, or not closing one more deal. You will regret time not spent with a husband, a friend, a child, a parent.” This is very true! Relationships are often what gives life meaning, so this is a worthy resolution for any year.

3- Lose weight

خسارة وزن
ḫasaāraẗu wazn

Hands up, how many of you made this new year’s resolution last year too…?! This is a notoriously difficult goal to keep, as it takes a lot of self discipline not to eat unhealthily. Good luck with this one, and avoid unhealthy fad diets!

4- Save money

توفير نقود
taūfiīr nuqūd

Another common and difficult resolution! However, no one has ever been sorry when they saved towards reaching a goal. Make it your resolution to save money to upgrade your subscription to ArabicPod101’s Premium PLUS option in the new year – it will be money well spent!

5- Quit smoking

الإقلاع عن التدخين
al-ʾiqlaāʿi ʿani al-tadḫiīn

This is a resolution that you should definitely keep, or your body could punish you severely later! Smoking is a harmful habit with many hazardous effects on your health. Do everything in your power to make this resolution come true in the new year, as your health is your most precious asset.

6- Learn something new

تعلم شيئ جديد
taʿllum šayiʾ ǧadiīd

Science has proven that learning new skills can help keep brain diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s at bay! It can even slow down the progression of the disease. So, keep your brain healthy by learning to speak a new language, studying towards a qualification, learning how to sew, or how to play chess – no matter how old you are, the possibilities are infinite!

7- Drink less

الإقلال من الشرب
al-ʾiqlaal-i mina al-širb

This is another health resolution that is good to heed any time of the year. Excessive drinking is associated with many diseases, and its effect can be very detrimental to good relationships too. Alcohol is a poison and harmful for the body in large quantities!

8- Exercise regularly

ممارسة الرياضة بانتظام
mumārasẗu al-rriīāḍah binitẓaām

This resolution goes hand-in-hand with ‘Lose weight’! An inactive body is an unhealthy and often overweight one, so give this resolution priority in the new year.

9- Eat healthy

تناول طعام صحي
tanāūl ṭaʿām ṣiḥḥī

If you stick with this resolution, you will lose weight and feel better in general. It is a very worthy goal to have!

10- Study Arabic with ArabicPod101

أدرس العربية مع ArabicPod101.com
ʾudrus al-ʿarabiyyah maʿ ArabicPod101.com

Of course! You can only benefit from learning Arabic, especially with us! Learning how to speak Arabic can keep your brain healthy, it can widen your circle of friends, and improve your chances to land a dream job anywhere in the world. ArabicPod101 makes it easy and enjoyable for you to stick to this resolution.

4. Inspirational New Year Quotes

Everyone knows that it is sometimes very hard to stick to resolutions, and not only over New Year. The reasons for this vary from person to person, but all of us need inspiration every now and then! A good way to remain motivated is to keep inspirational quotes near as reminders that it’s up to us to reach our goals.

Click here for quotes that will also work well in a card for a special Arabic new year greeting!

Make decorative notes of these in Arabic, and keep them close! Perhaps you could stick them above your bathroom mirror, or on your study’s wall. This way you not only get to read Arabic incidentally, but also remain inspired to reach your goals! Imagine feeling like giving up on a goal, but reading this quote when you go to the bathroom: “It does not matter how slowly you go, as long as you do not stop.” What a positive affirmation!

5. Inspirational Language Learning Quotes

Still undecided whether you should enroll with ArabicPod101 to learn a new language? There’s no time like the present to decide! Let the following Language Learning Quotes inspire you with their wisdom.

Click here to read the most inspirational Language Learning Quotes!

As legendary President Nelson Mandela once said: “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.” So, learning how to say Happy New Year in Arabic could well be a way into someone special’s heart for you! Let this year be the one where you to learn how to say Happy New Year, and much more, in Arabic – it could open many and unexpected doors for you.

6. How To Say Happy New Year in 31 Languages

Here’s a lovely bonus for you! Why stop with Arabic – learn how to say Happy New Year in 31 other languages too! Watch this video and learn how to pronounce these New Year’s wishes like a native in under two minutes.

7. Why Enrolling with ArabicPod101 Would Be the Perfect New Year’s Gift to Yourself!

If you are unsure how to celebrate the New Year, why not give yourself a huge gift, and enroll to learn Arabic! With more than 12 years of experience behind us, we know that ArabicPod101 would be the perfect fit for you. There are so many reasons for this!

• Custom-tailored Learning Paths: Start learning Arabic at the level that you are. We have numerous Learning Pathways, and we tailor them just for you based on your goals and interests! What a boon!
• Marked Progress and Fresh Learning Material Every Week: We make new lessons available every week, with an option to track your progress. Topics are culturally appropriate and useful, such as “Learning how to deliver negative answers politely to a business partner.” Our aim is to equip you with Arabic that makes sense!
• Multiple Learning Tools: Learn in fun, easy ways with resources such 1,000+ video and audio lessons, flashcards, detailed PDF downloads, and mobile apps suitable for multiple devices!
• Fast Track Learning Option: If you’re serious about fast-tracking your learning, Premium Plus would be the perfect way to go! Enjoy perks such as personalised lessons with ongoing guidance from your own, native-speaking teacher, and one-on-one learning on your mobile app! You will not be alone in your learning. Weekly assignments with non-stop feedback, answers and corrections will ensure speedy progress.
• Fun and Easy: Keeping the lessons fun and easy-to-learn is our aim, so you will stay motivated by your progress!

There’s no reason not to go big in 2018 by learning Arabic with ArabicPod101. Just imagine how the world can open up for you!

Do you know any ways to wish someone a ‘Merry Christmas’ in Arabic? ArabicPod101 brings you easy-to-learn translations and the correct pronunciation of Arabic Christmas phrases!

Christmas is the annual commemorative festival of Christ’s birth in the Western Christian Church. It takes place on December 25th and is usually celebrated with much food and fanfare! However, not all cultures celebrate Christmas. In some countries, Christmas is not even a public holiday! However, many countries have adapted Christmas and its religious meaning to tally with their own beliefs, or simply in acknowledgment of the festival’s importance to other cultures. If you want to impress native Arabic speakers with culturally-appropriate Christmas phrases and vocabulary, ArabicPod101 will teach you the most important ways to wish someone a ‘Merry Christmas’ in Arabic!

Table of Contents

1. How to Celebrate Christmas in Egypt
2. Holiday Greetings and Wishes
3. Must-Know Christmas Day Vocabulary
4. Twelve Days of Christmas
5. Top 10 Christmas Characters
6. How ArabicPod101 Can Help You

1. How to Celebrate Christmas in Egypt

Christmas is the birthday of Jesus Christ. It is on December 25 in the western countries, while Coptic Orthodox in Egypt celebrate it on January 7 and it is a public holiday. Let us learn together more information about this day and how the Copts in Egypt celebrate it…

Why do you think the colors red and green predominate on Christmas?
We’ll show you the answer at the end.

Christmas is the second most important Christian holiday after the Easter that we are going to talk about in another episode. During the era of the Mamluks, Christmas was one of the biggest festivals. Churches used to be decorated and sultans used to give out candy, dumplings, mullet, and gifts to princes. There also used to be celebrations and fireworks. People in Egypt, regardless of their religion, used to buy colored candles and beautiful lanterns to hang them in shops and markets.

On Christmas, there are always religious celebrations and prayers especially for this occasion. Moreover, there are family gatherings and social celebrations, the most important of which are decorating the Christmas tree, exchanging gifts, receiving Santa Claus, and having the Christmas dinner.

Do you know? There are many non-Christians who celebrate this occasion in churches with Christians. Christmas is one of the festivals in which people spend lots of money. There are many songs, melodies, movies and plays for this occasion as well.

Which do you think is the sector of society that waits for Christmas most impatiently?
Merchants are the group who wait the most eagerly for Christmas, as it is a wonderful period for religious and social celebrations for many Egyptian families. It is an occasion that reunites families and friends and so gift exchanging increases. The most exchanged gifts during this period are gold gifts, watches, women’s accessories, leather bags, and perfumes.

One of the most famous areas in Egypt where Christians buy their supplies for the holiday is Darb El-Barabra. Since Christmas comes after forty days of fasting, at 12 at night in Egypt, which is the time for Christmas dinner, banquets are held that are full of the most delicious rich traditional cuisine that has been passed down from generation to generation. These foods include turkey, duck, geese, meat pie, and fatteh that consists of bread, rice, garlic, meat, and sauce. Moreover, because of this, the smell of delicious food spreads around the majority of neighborhoods in Egypt at 12 at night.

And now I’ll give you the answer to the earlier quiz.

Why do you think the colors red and green predominate on Christmas?
Typically, the colours green and red are the traditional colours that relate to and symbolize Christmas. The reason is that the colour green symbolize the “eternal life”, especially for evergreen trees that do not lose their leaves, while the colour red symbolizes Christ himself.

2. Holiday Greetings and Wishes for the Holiday Season

1- Merry Christmas!

عيد ميلاد مجيد مبارك!
ʿiīd miyilād maǧīd mubaārak!

Do you know how to say ‘Merry Christmas’ in Arabic? Learn here how to pronounce it perfectly! ‘Merry’ means to be joyful, to celebrate and generally be in good spirits. So, with this phrase you are wishing someone a joyful, celebratory remembrance of Christ’s birth!

2- Happy Kwanzaa!

عيد كوانزا سعيد!
ʿiīdu kwaānzā saʿīd!

Surprise your African-American, or West African native friends with this phrase over the Christmas holidays! Kwanzaa is a seven-day, non-religious celebration, starting on Dec 26th each year. It has its roots in African American modern history, and many people celebrate both Kwanzaa and Christmas!

3- Have a happy New Year!

أتمنى لك سنة جديدة سعيدة!
ʾatamannā laka sanah ǧadīdah saʿīdah!

In countries where Christmas is not officially celebrated, but a Gregorian calendar is observed, this would be a friendly festive-season wish over New Year.

4- Happy Hanukkah!

عيد هانوكة سعيد
ʿiīdu hānūkkah saʿīd

Hanukkah is the beautiful Hebrew festival over November or December each year. It is also called the ‘Festival of Lights’ and is celebrated to commemorate the Jewish freedom of religion.

5- Have a great winter vacation!

أتمنى لك عطلة شتاء رائعة!
ʾatamannā laka ʿiṭlaẗa šitāʾin rāʾiʿah!

This is a good phrase to keep handy if someone doesn’t observe any religious festival over the Christmas holidays! However, this will only be applicable in the Northern hemisphere, where it is winter over Christmas.

6- See you next year!

أراك السنة القادمة!
ʾarāka al-ssanah al-qādimah!

Going away on holiday over Christmas season, or saying goodbye to someone about to leave on vacation? This would be a good way to say goodbye to your friends and family.

7- Warm wishes!

أحر التماني!
ʾaḥarru al-tamānī!

An informal, friendly phrase to write in Arabic Christmas cards, especially for secular friends who prefer to observe Christmas celebrations without the religious symbolism. It conveys the warmth of friendship and friendly wishes associated with this time of year.

8- Happy holidays!

عطل سعيدة!
ʿuṭalun saʿīdah!

If you forget how to say ‘Merry Christmas!’ in Arabic, this is a safe, generic phrase to use instead.

9- Enjoy the holidays!

تمتع بالعطلة!
tamattaʿ bilʿuṭlah!

After saying ‘Merry Christmas’ in Arabic, this would be a good phrase with which to wish Christmas holiday-goers well! It is also good to use for secular friends who don’t celebrate Christmas but take a holiday at this time of the year.

10- Best wishes for the New Year!

أطيب التمنيات للعام الجديد!
ʾaṭyabu al-tamanniīāt lilʿām al-ǧadiīd!

This is another way of wishing someone well in the New Year if they observe a Gregorian calendar. New Year’s day would then fall on January 1st.

3. Must-Know Christmas Day Vocabulary

Christmas is associated with many traditions and religious symbols in multiple countries across the world. It originated centuries ago in the West with the birth of Christianity, and the celebrations are often embedded with rich cultural significance. So, by now you know how to say Merry Christmas in Arabic! Next, learn pertinent vocabulary and phrases pertaining to Christmas, as well as how to pronounce them correctly. At ArabicPod101, we make sure you sound like a native speaker!

1- Christmas

عيد الميلاد
ʿiīdu al-miīlād

This is the Arabic word for ‘Christmas’. Most happy Christmas wishes in Arabic will include this word!

2- Snow

ثلج
ṯalǧ

In most Northern-hemisphere countries, Christmas is synonymous with snow, and for Christmas, the snowman is often dressed as Santa Claus.

3- Snowflake

ندف الثلج
nadafu al-ṯṯalǧ

Snowflakes collectively make up snow. A single snowflake is small, white, light like a feather and icy cold! When put under a microscope, the snowflake reveals itself to have the most beautiful, symmetrical patterns. These patterns have become popular Christmas decorations, especially in Western countries.

4- Snowman

رجل ثلج
raǧul ṯalǧ

As you guessed – a snowman is only possible to build if it is snowing! What a fun way to spend Christmas day outside.

5- Turkey

الديك الرومي
al-dīk al-rūmī

Roast turkey is the traditional main dish on thousands of lunch tables on Christmas day, mainly in Western countries. What is your favorite Christmas dish?

6- Wreath

إكليل
ʾikliīl

Another traditional Western decoration for Christmas, the wreath is an arrangement of flowers, leaves, or stems fastened in a ring. Many families like to hang a Christmas wreath outside on their houses’ front doors.

7- Reindeer

الرنة
al-rranah

Reindeer are the animals commonly fabled to pull Santa Claus’ sled across the sky! Western Christmas folklore tells of Father Christmas or Santa Claus doing the rounds with his sled, carrying Christmas presents for children, and dropping them into houses through the chimney. But who is Santa Claus?

8- Santa Claus

بابا نويل
bābā nuūīl

Santa Claus is a legendary and jolly figure originating in the Western Christian culture. He is known by many names, but is traditionally depicted as a rotund man wearing a red costume with a pointy hat, and sporting a long, snow-white beard!

10- Elf

قزم
qazam

An elf is a supernatural creature of folklore with pointy ears, a dainty, humanoid body and a capricious nature. Elves are said to help Santa Claus distribute presents to children over Christmas!

11- Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

رولف الرنة ذو الأنف الأحمر
ruūlf al-rranah ḏuū al-ʾanfi al-ʾaḥmar

‘Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer’ is a Christmas song based on an American children’s story book with the same name. Rudolph is one of Santa’s reindeer. The song became more famous than the book, and can still be heard playing in many shopping malls over Christmas time across the globe!

12- North Pole

القطب الشمالي
al-qiṭbu al-ššamalī

The cold North Pole is where Santa Claus is reputed to live with his reindeer!

13- Sled

مزلجة
mizlaǧah

A sled is a non-motorised land vehicle used to travel over snow in countries where it snows a lot, and is usually pulled by animals such as horses, dogs or reindeer. This one obviously refers to Santa’s sled! Another word for sled is sleigh or sledge.

14- Present

هدية
hadiyyah

Gift or present giving is synonymous with Christmas Eve and the greatest source of joy for children over this festive time! This tradition signifies that Christ’s birth was a gift to mankind, but not all people who hand out presents over Christmas observe the religious meaning.

15- Bell

جرس
ǧaras

On Christmas Day, or Christmas Eve, many religious celebrants enjoy going to church for a special sermon and Christmas rituals. The start of the sermon is often announced with bells or a bell, if the church has one. For this reason, the sound of ringing bells is often associated with Christmas Day.

16- Chimney

مدخنة
midḫanah

The chimney is the entrance Santa Claus uses to deliver children’s presents on Christmas Day, according to folklore! Wonder how the chubby man and his elves stay clean…?!

17- Fireplace

مدفأة
midfaʾah

In most countries where it snows, Christmas is synonymous with a fire or burning embers in houses’ fireplaces. Families huddle around its warmth while opening Christmas presents. Also, this is where Santa Claus is reputed to pop out after his journey down the chimney!

18- Christmas Day

عيد الميلاد
ʿiīdu al-miīlād

This is the official day of commemorative celebration of Christ’s birth, and falls each year on December 25.

19- Decoration

تزيين
taazīīn

Decorations are the colourful trinkets and posters that make their appearance in shops and homes during the Christmas holiday season in many countries! They give the places a celebratory atmosphere in anticipation of the big Christmas celebration. Typical Christmas decorations include colorful photographs and posters, strings of lights, figurines of Santa Claus and the nativity scene, poinsettia flowers, snowflakes and many more.

20- Stocking

جورب
ǧaūrab

According to legend, Santa Claus places children’s presents in a red stocking hanging over the fireplace. This has also become a popular decoration, signifying Christmas.

21- Holly

شجرة الإيلكس
šaǧaraẗu al-ʾiīliks

Holly is a shrub native to the UK, and parts of Europe, Africa and Asia. It is characterised by glossy, spiny-toothed leaves, small, whitish flowers, and red berries. Ironically, its significance for Christmas relates to Christ’s crucifixion and suffering rather than his birth. However, the leaves’ distinctive shape and image have become popular Christmas decorations.

22- Gingerbread house

بيت كعك الزنجبيل
baītu kaʿki al-zzanǧabīl

According to legend, the gingerbread house synonymous with Christmas is related to Christ’s birth place, Bethlehem. Bethlehem literally means ‘House of Bread’. Over centuries, it has become a popular treat over Christmas time in many non-religious households as well.

23- Candy cane

عكاز الحلوى
ʿukkaāz al-ḥalwaā

According to folklore, Christmas candy canes made their appearance first in Germany in the 16th century. A choir master gave children the candy canes to suck on in church in order to keep them quiet during the Christmas sermon! Apparently, the candy is shaped like a cane in remembrance of the shepherds who were the first to visit the baby Jesus. Today, like gingerbread houses, they are still a popular sweet over the festive season!

24- Mistletoe

الدبق
al-ddabaq

Mistletoe is a parasitic plant that grows on certain trees. In the Middle Ages, it was believed that the mistletoe has magical powers, and could protect a household from evil if hung above a door during December. The belief didn’t last but the habit did, and the mistletoe is another popular Christmas decoration!

4. Twelve Days of Christmas

Wow, you’re doing extremely well! You know how to wish someone a Merry Christmas in Arabic, and you learned pertinent vocabulary too! The Twelve Days of Christmas is not very well known in modern times, so, you’re on your way to becoming an expert in Christmas traditions and rituals. Well done!

The Twelve Days of Christmas, also known as Twelvetide, is a traditional festive period of 12 days dedicated to celebrate the nativity of Christ. Christmas Day is, for many who observe Twelvetide, the first day of this period.

‘The Twelve Days of Christmas’ is also a popular Christmas song about a series of gifts given on each day of Twelvetide. According to experts, these gifts were created as a coded reference to important symbols in the Christian church. Here is a list of those gifts mentioned in the song! Do you recognise them?

5. Top 10 Christmas Characters in American Culture

This is fantastic, you know how to explain almost everything about Christmas in Arabic! However, do you know the most popular Christmas characters in American culture? Your knowledge will not be complete without this list.

6. ArabicPod101 Is One Of The Best Online Language Schools Available!

We don’t just say this – we can prove it! Geared to your personal needs and goals, we have several learning paths from which to choose. From Arabic for Absolute Beginners to Advanced Arabic, lessons are designed to meet you where you are, and increase your language abilities in fun, easy and interactive lessons! Mastering a new language has never been this easy or enjoyable.

We have over a decade of experience and research behind us, and it shows! With thousands of audio and video lessons, detailed PDF lessons and notes, as well as friendly, knowledgeable hosts, ArabicPod101 is simply unbeatable when it comes to learning correct Arabic. Plenty of tools and resources are available when you study with us. New lessons are added every week so material remains fresh and relevant. You also have the option to upgrade and enjoy even more personalised guidance and services. This is a sure way to fast-track your learning!

So, this Christmas, why don’t you give yourself a present and enroll in ArabicPod101? Or give an enrollment as a present to a loved one. It will be a gift with benefits for a whole lifetime, not just over Christmas!

The Festival of Imilchil has become recognized around the world. The more common name of this festival is the Festival of Brides, it has been to attract huge numbers of tourist from around the world to attend days on tribal wedding ceremonies At the end of each summer. On this day the tribal women of that area will pick their husbands for the rest of their lives. The festival is a huge celebration in both Morocco and Imilchil. The legend behind the festival is that there were two tribes called Ait Yaaza and Ait Ibahim that were always in a constant war. Then a woman from one clan fell in love with a man from the other, but their parents wouldn’t let them get married.  Because they were not allowed to marry they shed many tears, and it is legend that they created the two lakes, Tislit and Islit, in reference to the two people that were in love. Because of this parents gave their children the right to choose who to marry.  This is not the only attraction of the Festival of Brides, however, there are also other ritual events, such as lamb offerings and henna tattooing.