Arabic Language Blog
Menu
Search

Basic Technology Terms in Arabic and How to Write in Arabizi Posted by on Aug 7, 2019 in Arabic Language, Vocabulary

Have you ever thought of switching your phone or computer to Arabic? Try it for a day and see what terms you understand such as “username”, “save”, “delete”, etc. In this post, we’ll be looking at technology vocab in Arabic. Keep in mind, some terms are the same used in English. You’ll also find that in colloquial Arabic, you’ll hear a lot more of the English terms being used rather than the formal standard Arabic terms. We’ll also talk about Arabizi, what that is, and how it is used in modern day chatting on social media.

Technology Terms in Arabic

Let’s begin with computer related terms: Computer in Modern Standard Arabic is حاسوب. Which you will find being used in textbooks, but in everyday Arabic, we say كومبيوتر.

Same thing with laptop, keyboard, and mouse.

The official meanings are حاسوب محمول, لوحة المفاتيح, فأرة yet we say لاب توب, كي بورد, ماوس.

Image via Pixabay

 

monitor/screen            شاشة
printer طابِعة
speakers سماعات
microphone لاقِط الصَّوت
hardware العتاد الصَّلب
software بَرمَجيات
program بَرنامج
the internet الإنترنت
website مَوقع
link رابِط
email بَريد الكتروني
password كَلمة السرّ | المَرور
account حِساب
profile مَلفّ شَخصي
username اسم المُستَعمَل
comment تَعليق
home page الصَّفحة الرَّئيسية
browser مُتَصفِح
folder مُجَلّد
to download حَمّلَ
to upload رَفَعَ
to search بَحَثَ
to save خَزَنَ/حَفظ
to delete حَذف
to print طَبع
click here اضغط هُنا
cell phone هاتِف مَحمول | خلوي | موبايل
SMS/text message رِسالة
to copy نَسَخَ

Arabizi

If you happen to have Arabic speaking friends on social media, you may have noticed them using letters as well as numbers to make words. For example, “mar7aba” instead of “مرحبا” or kul 3am wa inta bi5air” instead of “كل عام وأنت بخير”. Notice the numbers 7,3, and 5. These numbers are used for Arabic sounds that do not exist in English. (See below). This new system of writing is called “Arabizi” hence, Arabic language using English (إنجليزي) letters. It began with text messages when more people started having cell phones. The younger generation did not like switching to the Arabic keyboard. It was easier to type using the English keyboard, yet it was easier to use numbers for the Arabic specific sounds. Why use “kh” for خ when you could just use 5. Or capitalize an “h” for ح or capitalize a “t” for ط when you could use the number 6. Note that you’ll find most Arabizi in Arabic dialects since the language of chatting is in dialect.

Here are all the Arabic letters represented with numbers:

 9’:ء : 2        ع: 3       غ: 3’      خ: 5     ح: 7       ط: 6       ق: 8      ص: 9      ض

Image provided by Yasmine K.

Can you make out these Arabizi sentences in (Levantine dialect)?

Mar7aba, sho a5barak? 2y sa3a 3andak mu7a9’ara?

tis3a wanu9.

Hi, how are you? When do you have a lecture?

Nine thirty.

مَرحبا، شو أخبارَك؟ أي ساعة عندك مُحاضرة؟

.تِسعة ونُص

 

2na lazim 2roo7 3lbait.

I have to go home.

.لازِم أروح علبَيت

 

2nta 9alait 2lma3’rib?

Did you pray the sunset prayer ?

إنتَ صلَيت المَغرِب؟

I hope you found this interesting, ma3 salama! 😊

Tags: , , , ,
Keep learning Arabic with us!

Build vocabulary, practice pronunciation, and more with Transparent Language Online. Available anytime, anywhere, on any device.

Try it Free Find it at your Library
Share this:
Pin it

About the Author: yasmine

MarHaba! I am half Jordanian of Circassian descent and half American. I have a Master's in Second Language Teaching and I teach Arabic as a foreign language here in the US, both MSA and Levantine Arabic. I hope to help you become more familiar and interested in the Arabic language and culture.


Comments:

  1. Mitch:

    Brilliant.
    The last couple of these Arabic posts have been really good. A league above.

    • yasmine:

      @Mitch So glad!
      Shukran Mitch!

  2. Nurrul:

    Masyaallah this is really intersting i love it i learn a lot thankkk you

  3. Shahrukh Shaikh:

    Really it’s hopeful to learn Arabic
    Thank you
    God bless you😍