The first frustrating experience of many Arabic students is usually the moment when the teacher turns Al-Jazeera or Al-Arabiya on.

Most of the time, teachers have to pause after each sentence and ask which words were actually understood. But there is hope –  an audio option on al-Jazeera .

Some people told me that they find it difficult to write formal letters and emails in Arabic. So, let’s check the most important ingredients of a letter. This time we focus on the last parts of a letter. 

Some people told me that they find it difficult to write formal letters and emails in Arabic. So, let’s check the most important ingredients of a letter. We start with the salutation (المخاطبة) and some opening phrases. 

The word ما is one of the most difficult words in Egyptian Arabic (and by the way, in Standard Arabic as well). Oftentimes, it is misunderstood. Let’s check its function as an amplifier.

You include قَطُّ.

Wait – but what about the word أَبَدًا? Nope, that doesn’t work as we will see.