Free Arabic Lesson 3 - 10 Essential Levantine Phrases for Beginners
Are you starting your journey with Levantine Arabic and want to speak confidently right away? Whether you're planning a trip to Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, or Palestine, or just connecting with Arabic-speaking friends, learning practical everyday phrases is the fastest way to sound natural.
In this beginner-friendly guide, we'll cover 10 must-know Levantine Arabic phrases focused on expressing wants, needs, hunger, thirst, and possession. These come straight from native speaker repetition in a popular YouTube video by Levantine Arabic expert Omar Nassra — perfect for A1-A2 learners who want real conversational skills without heavy grammar.
By the end of this post, you'll confidently say "I want water," "I'm hungry," or "I have a big family" in authentic spoken Levantine Arabic (also called Shami Arabic).
Why Learn Levantine Arabic First?
Levantine Arabic is the most widely understood spoken dialect in the Middle East. It's used in daily life across Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Palestine — and it's much easier for beginners than Modern Standard Arabic (MSA). Focus on phrases like بدي (biddi/badde = I want) and عندي (ʿindi = I have), and you'll start real conversations immediately.
These structures are simple, versatile, and used constantly in restaurants, markets, and casual chats.
Key Grammar Made Simple: "I Want" and "I Have" in Levantine Arabic
1. How to Say "I Want" in Levantine Arabic
Use بدي (pronounced biddi in Palestinian/Jordanian or badde in Lebanese/Syrian) + noun.
- Example: بدي مي → Biddi mayy = I want water.
Add لو سمحت (law samaḥt) for polite "please."
2. How to Say "I Have" in Levantine Arabic
Use عندي (ʿindi) + noun.
- Example: عندي بيت → ʿIndi bayt = I have a house.
3. Saying "I Don't Want"
Just add ما (ma) → ما بدي = I don't want.
Useful Beginner Adjectives
- كبير (kbīr) – big
- صغير (ṣghīr) – small
- كتير (ktīr) – a lot / many
- واحد (wāḥad) – one
- جوعان (jūʿān) – hungry (masc.) / جوعانة (jūʿāne) – hungry (fem.)
- عطشان (ʿaṭshān) – thirsty (masc.) / عطشانة (ʿaṭshāne) – thirsty (fem.)
- شبعان (shbʿān) – full
10 Must-Know Levantine Arabic Phrases (With Pronunciation)
Practice these out loud — repeat after the video for the best results!
| # | Arabic Script | Romanization | English Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | بدي أكل، أنا جوعان. | Biddi akel, ana jūʿān. | I want food, I'm hungry. |
| 2 | بدي مي، لو سمحت. أنا عطشان. | Biddi mayy, law samaḥt. Ana ʿaṭshān. | I want water, please. I'm thirsty. |
| 3 | ما بدي آكل، أنا شبعان. | Ma biddi ākul, ana shbʿān. | I don't want to eat, I'm full. |
| 4 | بدي عصير فواكه. | Biddi ʿaṣīr fawāke. | I want fruit juice. |
| 5 | ما بدي عصير فواكه، بدي شاي. | Ma biddi ʿaṣīr fawāke, biddi shāy. | I don't want fruit juice, I want tea. |
| 6 | ما بدي شي، شكرا. | Ma biddi shi, shukran. | I don't want anything, thank you. |
| 7 | عندي بيت و سيارة. | ʿIndi bayt w sayyāra. | I have a house and a car. |
| 8 | عندي أكل كتير بالبيت. | ʿIndi akel ktīr b-l-bayt. | I have lots of food at home. |
| 9 | عندي أخ واحد و أخت واحدة. | ʿIndi akh wāḥad w ukht wāḥda. | I have one brother and one sister. |
| 10 | عندي عائلة كبيرة. | ʿIndi ʿāyle kbīre. | I have a big family. |
Bonus phrases for size & quantity:
- عندي بيت كبير → I have a big house.
- عندي سيارة صغيرة → I have a small car.
- عندي أصدقاء كتير → I have many friends.
Practice Exercises: Start Speaking Today
- Fill in the blanks
- _____ قهوة. (I want coffee) → بدي قهوة
- _____ أكل، أنا شبعان. (I don't want food, I'm full) → ما بدي أكل
- Translate these sentences
- I want tea.
- I have a small house.
- I'm thirsty, I want water.
- I have many friends.
- Make it personal Write 3 sentences about yourself: What do you want right now? What do you have (family, car, etc.)?
- Speaking drill Play the video, pause after each phrase, and repeat 5 times. Record yourself and compare!
Final Tips for Learning Levantine Arabic Quickly
- Prioritize speaking over perfection — locals love when learners try!
- Use these phrases in real situations: ordering food, shopping, or chatting.
- Watch more native content and repeat daily for fast progress.
Ready for more? Check out Omar Nassra's full beginner Levantine Arabic course for structured lessons and immersion.
Start practicing these essential Levantine Arabic phrases today, and you'll be surprised how quickly you sound natural. Drop a comment below with your favorite phrase or share your progress!
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