العربية · conversations from Dubai
Learn spoken Arabic by listening in.
Shinar teaches spoken Arabic through 62 short, real conversations set in Dubai: at the market, in a taxi, at work, at a family function. You hear each scene in English first, then in Arabic, then tap any word to hear it and see its meaning, in Arabic script and in English letters. This course is in beta while native speakers review it.
- 62
- scenes
- 31
- free
- 3
- levels with tests
Updated
How do you learn Arabic with Shinar?
- 1. Hear it in English. Two people talk in Dubai. You follow every word, so you know exactly what is going on.
- 2. Hear the same scene in Arabic. You already know the story, so the Arabic clicks instead of washing over you.
- 3. Learn every word. Tap any word to hear it again and see its meaning, in Arabic script and English letters.
A real scene: At the vegetable market
The opening lines of a free scene from the app, exactly as you would learn them.
| English | Arabic |
|---|---|
| How much is a kilo of these tomatoes? | Bikam kiilu haadhihi at-tamaatim?بكم كيلو هذه الطماطم؟ |
| Eight dirhams a kilo. | Thamaaniyat daraahim lil-kiilu.ثمانية دراهم للكيلو. |
| That’s too much. Give it for six. | Haadha ghaalin jiddan. A’tinii iyyaahu bi-sitta.هذا غالٍ جدًّا. أعطني إياه بستة. |
| Not possible, sir. Seven, final price. | Laa yumkin yaa ustaadh. Sab’a, aakhir si’r.لا يمكن يا أستاذ. سبعة، آخر سعر. |
Common Arabic words for everyday conversation
Some of the first words you will hear in Shinar's free scenes.
| Arabic | Arabic script | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| bikam | بكم | how much |
| kiilu | كيلو | kilo |
| haadhihi | هذه | these |
| at-tamaatim | الطماطم | tomatoes |
| thamaaniya | ثمانية | eight |
| daraahim | دراهم | dirhams |
| lil-kiilu | للكيلو | per kilo |
| haadha | هذا | this |
| ghaalin | غالٍ | expensive |
| jiddan | جدًّا | very |
| a’tinii | أعطني | give me |
| iyyaahu | إياه | it |
| bi-sitta | بستة | for six |
| laa yumkin | لا يمكن | not possible |
| yaa ustaadh | يا أستاذ | sir |
| sab’a | سبعة | seven |
| aakhir | آخر | last |
| si’r | سعر | price |
| hasanan | حسنًا | okay |
| kiiluwayn | كيلوين | two kilos |
| tafaddal | تفضل | here you go |
| arba’at ’ashar | أربعة عشر | fourteen |
| dirhaman | درهمًا | dirhams |
| maadha | ماذا | what |
All 62 scenes in the Arabic course
Beginner 21 scenes
- At the vegetable market · في سوق الخضارFree
- Making weekend plans · خطة نهاية الأسبوعFree
- Oops, sorry! · آسفة!Free
- Ordering machboos · طلب المجبوسFree
- Buying dates · شراء التمرFree
- Trying on a shirt · تجربة قميصFree
- At the baqala · في البقالةFree
- Your ride is here · وصلت سيارتكFree
- Buying a bus ticket · تذكرة الحافلةFree
- Visiting Grandma · زيارة الجدةFree
- Paying by phone · الدفع بالهاتفFree
- Calling a friend · الاتصال بصديقةFree
- What do you do? · ماذا تعملين؟Free
- Karak at the cafeteria · كرك في الكافتيريا
- Homework time · وقت الواجب
- Lunch with colleagues · الغداء مع الزملاء
- Calling the plumber · الاتصال بالسباك
- I lost my phone! · ضاع هاتفي!
- Shawarma stand · عند محل الشاورما
- Football in the neighbourhood · كرة القدم في الحي
- At the movie theatre · في السينما
Intermediate 21 scenes
- Catching a taxi · ركوب سيارة أجرةFree
- Good morning · صباح الخيرFree
- It's raining! · إنها تمطر!Free
- Is lunch ready? · هل الغداء جاهز؟Free
- Catching the bus · ركوب الحافلةFree
- Renting a flat · استئجار شقةFree
- A parcel for you · وصل طردكFree
- At the pharmacy · في الصيدليةFree
- Dinner at a friend's home · عشاء عند صديقFree
- Lunch break · استراحة الغداءFree
- Asking for directions · السؤال عن الطريق
- Calling Mum · الاتصال بأمي
- At an Emirati wedding · في العرس
- At the doctor's · عند الطبيب
- Booking an appointment · حجز موعد
- Hotel check-in · تسجيل الدخول في الفندق
- Buying an abaya · شراء عباءة
- Fixing a cracked screen · إصلاح شاشة مكسورة
- Cooking with your mother-in-law · الطبخ مع الحماة
- Iftar with Grandma · الإفطار مع الجدة
- Daily stand-up · الاجتماع اليومي
Advanced 20 scenes
- Meeting someone new · التعرف على شخص جديدFree
- First day at work · أول يوم في العملFree
- Eid Mubarak! · عيد مبارك!Free
- Low marks · درجات منخفضةFree
- Project timeline · الجدول الزمني للمشروعFree
- Best friends · أعز الأصدقاءFree
- Did you hear? · هل سمعت؟Free
- How was your day? · كيف كان يومك؟Free
- Meeting the in-laws · لقاء أهل الزوج
- Asking for leave · طلب إجازة
- Deadline day · يوم التسليم
- House help timings · مواعيد العاملة
- New neighbours · جيران جدد
- Happy National Day · اليوم الوطني
- Henna night · ليلة الحناء
- Exam tomorrow · الامتحان غدًا
- Office gossip · نميمة في المكتب
- Surprise party · حفلة مفاجئة
- Moving away · الانتقال بعيدًا
- Cousins catch up · لقاء أبناء العم
Questions about learning Arabic
How can I learn spoken Arabic fast?
Listen to real, everyday Arabic in situations you already understand. In Shinar you hear each conversation in English first, so the Arabic that follows makes sense straight away, then you learn every word in it. A few minutes a day with short scenes works better than long grammar sessions.
Can I learn Arabic without learning the script?
Yes. Every Arabic line in Shinar is written in English letters, with the Arabic script (read right to left) shown alongside for when you want it. You learn by ear first.
Is Shinar good for beginners in Arabic?
Yes. Scenes start at Beginner (greetings, shopping, ordering food) and move through Intermediate to Advanced, with a listening test at the end of each level.
Which Arabic does Shinar teach?
Modern Standard Arabic (fusha): the Arabic of news, signs and schooling, understood across the Arab world. Shinar keeps it simple and conversational, with scenes set in Dubai. Everyday local dialects, such as Emirati or Egyptian Arabic, differ from it in places.
Is it free?
31 scenes are free, with no ads. Shinar Pro unlocks all 62 and every new scene pack.
Where can I download Shinar?
Shinar is coming soon to Google Play for Android phones. An iPhone version will follow.