In Arabic, sentences often follow a Verb-Subject-Object (VSO) order, unlike English’s Subject-Verb-Object (SVO). However, in spoken Arabic, SVO is commonly used, making it easier for learners.

• MSA Example (VSO):Yaktubu Ahmad risāla (Writes Ahmad a letter).

• Spoken Example (SVO):Ahmad yiktub risāla (Ahmad writes a letter).

Arabic has a definite article (al-) but no indefinite article (a/an in English).

• The book → al-kitāb

• A book → kteb (no article needed!)

In Arabic, adjectives come after the noun and must agree in gender, number, and definiteness.

• A big house → bayt kabīr

• The big house → al-bayt al-kabīr

Unlike English, Arabic has a special form for two things (dual) in addition to singular and plural.

• One book → kitāb

• Two books → kitābān / kitābayn

• Three or more books → kutub

Most Arabic verbs are based on a three-letter root. The verb form changes based on tense, person, and gender.

• He wrote → kataba

• She wrote → katabat

• They wrote → katabo

To say “not” in Arabic, you use:

• Mā in Lebanese Arabic (e.g., Mā ba3rif – I don’t know)

Knowing question words helps in conversations:

• Who? → Mīn?

• What? → Shu?

• Where? → Wēn?

• How? → Kīf?

Mastering these foundational Arabic grammar rules will help you build sentences confidently and improve your fluency. Remember, spoken Arabic is more flexible than MSA, so focus on communication over perfection.

Keep practicing, and soon you’ll be forming natural-sounding Arabic sentences with ease!

Want to learn more? Download our free Lebanese Arabic Phrasebook and start speaking today!