When it comes to learning Arabic, many new learners get a bit confused—and that’s totally normal! Unlike many other languages, the Arabic “tree” branches out into many different dialects, each representing a distinct regional form, but all stemming from the same root.
In the past, Arabic was spoken much like it is written. Of course, there were minor pronunciation differences across regions, but Arabic speakers could generally understand one another without much difficulty. Over time, however, each region developed its own unique dialect, influenced by various historical, cultural, and social factors. Today, these differences can sometimes make mutual understanding a challenge.
That said, there is one form of Arabic that is widely understood, even if they don’t use it daily: Modern Standard Arabic (MSA). This is the formal version of the language, used in writing, official communication, media, and formal speeches.
Because of this, many new learners—especially those who want to communicate in everyday situations—choose to learn a dialect (Most commonly Levantine or Egyptian) instead of MSA. This is where the beauty of the Levantine accent comes in, also known as the “common tongue,” which is widely spoken in the Levant: Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Palestine.
In this article, we’ll explore the key differences between MSA and Levantine Arabic to give beginners an idea of what they will encounter on their adventure in learning Arabic!
What is Modern Standard Arabic?
MSA is the standardized and formal version of Arabic used across the Arab world. It’s the form taught in schools and used in writing, official documents, and formal communication.
It is based on Classical Arabic but modernized for contemporary use, and it is understood by Arabic speakers everywhere—simply put, it is the universal Arabic language.
This is probably the main reason most learners start with MSA: it teaches you how to read, write, and pronounce the Arabic alphabet correctly.
Learning MSA is straightforward because you follow structured lessons. It’s similar to learning any other language: you start with the alphabet, practice pronouncing and writing the letters, learn how to form sentences with proper grammar, and gradually expand your vocabulary through practice. There are many courses, apps, and BLOGS available to guide you along the way.
What is Levantine Arabic?
As we mentioned earlier, Levantine Arabic is a dialect spoken in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Palestine. It is also known as the “common tongue” or the “white dialect,” because it is considered the easiest Arabic dialect to understand for most, if not all, Arabic speakers.
Unlike some other dialects, such as Maghrebi Arabic, Levantine was not heavily influenced by other languages, which makes it closer to Classical Arabic. Often described as calm, smooth, and melodic, it is more relaxed and easier to pronounce, making it the top choice for new learners interested in conversational Arabic.
Learning Levantine is arguably the best way to start learning Arabic. It is simpler than MSA, doesn’t strictly follow formal rules or grammar, and is easier to pick up when interacting with native speakers. You can also learn it through TV shows, movies, and conversation. Over time, mastering Levantine can be a strong stepping stone toward learning MSA.
MSA vs. Levantine: key differences every Arabic learner should know.
When it comes to grammar, MSA has simple rules you can follow to switch from one tense to another. Levantine, on the other hand, doesn’t really follow strict rules—you just get used to it with practice.
Notice how Levantine is smoother and easier to pronounce.
The real challenge comes with continuous and future tenses, which can be a bit more complicated. But fear nothing! I’m going to introduce you to two key words—consider them your new best friends when learning Levantine:
Meet رح (raḥ) and عم (ʿam):
رح (raḥ): used before the verb to indicate it will happen in the future.
عم (ʿam): used before the verb to indicate it is happening right now
Example with MSA:
Tense
English
MSA
Pronunciation
Continuous
I’m writing
Ana aktubu
أنا أكتُبُ
Future
I will write
Ana sa-aktubu
أنا سأكتُبُ
With Levantine Dialect:
Tense
English
Levantine dialect
Pronunciation
Continuous
I’m writing
ʿam bektob
عم بكتب
Future
I will write
raḥ ektob
رح إكتب
Pronunciation: How the Levantine Dialect Softens MSA Pronunciation
When it comes to pronunciation, the Levantine dialect is smoother and much easier for foreign learners, since it replaces some of the harder letters to pronounce with softer and easier alternatives, making it overall more flowy.
- Stress and rhythm: MSA is more formal and less melodic, while Levantine is more melodic and stress tends to fall naturally on certain syllables.
- Vowel sounds: In MSA, both long and short vowels are clearly pronounced, while in Levantine the vowels are often shortened and sometimes altered.
Example: MSA: كَتَبَ (kataba) → LD: كتب (ktab).
- The letter ق (qaf): In MSA, the letter (qaf) is a hard sound from the back of the throat. It is transformed into a simple أ (a) in Levantine dialect.
Example: The word “heart,” MSA: قلب (qalb) → LD: ألب (ʾalb).
- The letter ذ (th as in “this”): Which is replaced in Levantine with د (d).
Example: The word “gold,” MSA: ذهب (thahab) → LD: دَهَب (dahab).
- The letter ث (th as in “theater”): Which is replaced in Levantine with ت (t).
Example: The word “fox,” MSA: ثعلب (tha’alab) → LD: تَعْلَب (ta’alab).
Vocabulary: Main Distinctions Between MSA and Levantine Words
Here’s a list of common everyday words and expressions in the Levantine Dialect and MSA:
English
MSA
Pronunciation
Levantine Dialect
Pronunciation
how are you? M
Kayfa ḥāluka
كيفَ حالكَ
Keefak
كيفَك
how are you? F
Kayfa ḥāluki
كيفَ حالكِ
Keefik
كيفِك
Please
Min faḍlik
من فضلك
Law samaḥt
لو سمحت
yes
Naʿam
نعم
Eh
إي
What?
Mādhā?
ماذا؟
Shu?
شو
Who?
Man?
من؟
Meen?
مين؟
Where?
Ayna?
أين؟
Wain?
وين؟
Why?
Limādhā?
لماذا؟
Lesh?
ليش؟
When?
Matā?
متى
Emta?
إمتى؟
How?
Kayfa?
كيف؟
Keef?
كيف؟
I want
Urīd
أريد
Biddi
بدّي
I can
Astaṭīʿ
أستطيع
Fīni
فيني
I can
Astaṭīʿ
أستطيع
B’adar
بقدر
I don’t know
Lā aʿrif
لا أعرف
Ma baʿrif
ما بعرف
How much?
Bikam?
بكم؟
Addēsh?
قدّيش؟
Let’s go!
Hayyā binā!
هيا بنا!
Yalla!
يلّا
Sit down
Ijlis
اجلس
U’ʾd
اقعد
Watch out!
Iḥtaris!
احترس!
Deer balak!
دير بالك!
Be quiet
Ismut
اصمت
skot
اسكت
Be quiet
Ismut
اصمت
watte sowtak
وطّي صوتك
Which Arabic dialect should you learn first?
Learn MSA if you want a strong language foundation:
If your goal is writing and reading in Arabic, or even studying it academically, then MSA is the way to go. Since it starts with the Arabic alphabet, it gives you a strong and steady foundation to begin building your Arabic language knowledge.
It’s also very helpful if you want to learn spoken dialects later on, as it gives you a solid command of letter sounds. After all, it is the original form of Arabic from which all other dialects developed.
Learn Levantine dialect if you want to speak Arabic quickly:
If your goal is to learn quickly and connect with other speakers—maybe for tourism, traveling, or just to chat with an Arab friend—Levantine is the way to go, as you’ll definitely pick it up much faster than MSA.
Choosing the right path:
Choosing the right path can be confusing for beginners, and that’s totally okay—especially since some of them don’t want to pick one over the other. The truth is, you don’t have to; you can get the best of both worlds.
Many learners, in fact, use methods that combine both. The easiest way to do this is to learn the Arabic alphabet while learning Levantine dialect by watching subtitled Arabic shows. With each new word you learn, you can check how it’s pronounced in both MSA and Levantine dialect. With practice, you’ll start getting the hang of it bit by bit.
Common expressions in Levantine Arabic
English
Pronunciation
Arabic Phrase
Hello / Hi
Marhaba
مرحبا
How are you? (M)
Keefak?
كيفك؟
How are you? (F)
Keefik
كيفِك؟
What’s your name? (M)
Sho ismak?
شو اسمَك؟
What’s your name? (F)
Sho ismik?
شو اسمِك؟
Please (M)
Law samaht
لو سمحتَ
Please (F)
Law samahti
لو سمحتِ
My name is…
Ismi…
اسمي
Goodbye
Ma‘a as-salama
مع السّلامة
I want…
Baddi…
بدّي…
Let’s go
Yalla
يلّا
What’s up? / How’s it going?
Sho el-akhbar?
شو الأخبار؟
Let me see
Khallini shouf
خلّيني شوف
Is Levantine Arabic the easiest Arabic Dialect?
Levantine is arguably the easiest Arabic dialect, and that shows in how quickly new learners pick it up. But the real question is: what makes it easier?
- Softer pronunciation
- Simple verb conjugation
- Melodic and flowy
- Every day usefulness
- Shorter words
- Beginner-friendly rhythm
- Strong media exposure
And if you’re still confused on which one you should learn first, you can ask yourself one simple question, and you’ll find the right path in your own answer:
Why are you learning Arabic?
If your answer was to be able to read and write it, then you should probably prioritize learning MSA.
However, if your answer was ‘I want to be able to communicate with other speakers,’ then you should start your learning journey with a spoken Arabic dialect.
Either way, whatever path you choose will lead you to the other soon enough.
Review Levantine Arabic or MSA?
Final Word
The Arabic language is rich and beautiful, no matter which variety you choose to learn. You’ll find yourself carried away by the melodic flow of its words, and being able to communicate in Arabic will make you feel part of something magnificent—something far beyond letters and words.
Now that you have everything you need to know, you can begin your new journey. We’re here to support you every step of the way—explore more blogs on AlifBee and get started today.
