Mar7aba! I'm really enjoying this intro to Arabic & the Hob Learning Platform. Shukran! Regarding greetings and the feminine & masculine verb forms, how might someone address a person who identifies as non-binary or gender expansive, or in a way that doesn't assume gender? Are there gender neutral expressions for greetings and phrases like 'How are you', 'Please', 'On your heart', etc.?
Hi @Ashley! I am so glad you are enjoying it!! Great question - to my knowledge, there unfortunately aren't any alternatives in Arabic yet. I think if you were to encounter someone who is nonbinary, they might be able to help you address them correctly. I'd love to hear!
Would all of these greetings be seen as “respectful” as in talking to an elder? Thinking about in French when we use tu/vous. Is there any equivalent in Arabic? Or am I fine to use these with someone’s elderly parent etc?
Hob Learning • 05/04/2025Hob team
Hi Jordan! Great question - yes, all of these can be used with people of all ages :) There is no separate "you" form / "vous" equivalent!
In Kuwait they use shlonek. For how are you, but I understand thats a word proper to the area or a dialect of Arabic. Thanks I love your lessons. Very helpfull I'm practicing my reading here inshallah🤲 I'll get better at Arabic! 😅
Ammar from Hob Learning • 3 months agoHob team
Hi Costenita, yep they use shlonek in Kuwait and some of the gulf region, but don't be surprised if you hear it sometime said in a levantine country as some people might sometimes use it so it is nice to have that info! Not only that, but Shlonak/shlonek is also commonly used in some areas of Syria as well!
Hi inayah, yes the t is pronounced... you might feel its a bit heavy to have two consonants next to each other, but if you say it a few more times it starts working out <3
Is it pronounced "Al-ham-dullah" or Al-ham-du-lilah"?
Hey Samantha! Please check out the most common pronunciation in the Vocabulary tab! You will hear both said by native speakers.
Is the "t" in tsharrafna silent?
@Jessica - Good question - it's not! When you see "tsh" in Arabic, a lot of times it comes out sounds like a "ch" sound!
What does the W mean when doing the exercises?
Hi @Bryan - "w" means "and"! <3
Thank you! Was wodneifnt he same thing
Wondering the same*
Mar7aba! I'm really enjoying this intro to Arabic & the Hob Learning Platform. Shukran! Regarding greetings and the feminine & masculine verb forms, how might someone address a person who identifies as non-binary or gender expansive, or in a way that doesn't assume gender? Are there gender neutral expressions for greetings and phrases like 'How are you', 'Please', 'On your heart', etc.?
Hi @Ashley! I am so glad you are enjoying it!! Great question - to my knowledge, there unfortunately aren't any alternatives in Arabic yet. I think if you were to encounter someone who is nonbinary, they might be able to help you address them correctly. I'd love to hear!
@Ashley - potentially could also use the "they" pronoun - هم! "Humme".
Would all of these greetings be seen as “respectful” as in talking to an elder? Thinking about in French when we use tu/vous. Is there any equivalent in Arabic? Or am I fine to use these with someone’s elderly parent etc?
Hi Jordan! Great question - yes, all of these can be used with people of all ages :) There is no separate "you" form / "vous" equivalent!
Mar7aba ou tsharrafna! Ana ismi Kaeden, ana min Amreeka ou ana sakneh fi Indiana. Kefak? Tamam, al7amdulilah. Ou inta? Shu ismak ou min wain inta?
How about Kefhalik or kefhalak?
That also works!!!!
Marhaba! What's the song played at the end of the lesson?
at the end of the next lesson i mean :)
In Kuwait they use shlonek. For how are you, but I understand thats a word proper to the area or a dialect of Arabic. Thanks I love your lessons. Very helpfull I'm practicing my reading here inshallah🤲 I'll get better at Arabic! 😅
Hi Costenita, yep they use shlonek in Kuwait and some of the gulf region, but don't be surprised if you hear it sometime said in a levantine country as some people might sometimes use it so it is nice to have that info! Not only that, but Shlonak/shlonek is also commonly used in some areas of Syria as well!
do you say the t fi tsharafna?
Hi inayah, yes the t is pronounced... you might feel its a bit heavy to have two consonants next to each other, but if you say it a few more times it starts working out <3