Question 1

Are Lebanese people Arabs?

Accepted Answer

Politically, yes: Lebanon is a member of the Arab League, and Arabic is the official language. By origin, the Lebanese are an Arabised nation descending primarily from the native people of the Levant — the Canaanites, a family of related peoples. Those on the land of today's Lebanon, above all on the coast (Byblos, Beirut, Sidon, Tyre, Tripoli), are the Phoenicians: the Greeks named them so, most probably from phoinos (dark red, purple), the colour of the Tyrian purple dye they were famous for. A 2017 study in The American Journal of Human Genetics, on 3,700-year-old DNA from Sidon, found that about 93% of present-day Lebanese ancestry comes from the Bronze Age Canaanites. In Greek and Roman times they became Christian and spoke Aramaic, then Syriac, as a liturgical and everyday language — the Maronite Church still uses it in its liturgy, and Lebanese Arabic keeps traces of it (ēmta, "when"; jawwa / barra, "inside / outside"). After the 7th century they were Arabised and some Islamised — but they are the same people as their ancestors.

Question 2

What's the difference between Lebanese Arabic and Modern Standard Arabic?

Accepted Answer

MSA (Fusha) is the formal Arabic used in news, books, and official settings — nobody actually speaks it at home. Lebanese is the living street language: shorter sentences, relaxed vowels, ق often becoming a glottal stop, and French loanwords. If you want to talk to people, learn Lebanese; if you want to read newspapers, learn Fusha.

Question 3

Should I learn Egyptian or Levantine Arabic?

Accepted Answer

It depends on where your people are. Egyptian Arabic has the biggest media footprint (films, music) and is widely understood. Levantine — especially Lebanese — dominates modern pop music, satellite TV, and business across Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Palestine, and is also very widely understood. If your ties are to the Levant, learn Lebanese.

Question 4

How much teaching experience does the tutor have, and are they a native speaker?

Accepted Answer

Ibra is a native Lebanese Arabic speaker with years of teaching experience — both in groups and 1:1, for students at all levels. He teaches the Lebanese (Levantine) dialect, the living everyday language, not just textbook Classical Arabic.

Question 5

What teaching method do you use, and how do you adapt lessons to my level?

Accepted Answer

We use the Oral First method: you speak from the very first lessons, using Arabizi; A1 and A2 are spoken only, and from B1 or B2 a group can add writing in Arabic script only if all its students want it. Groups are small with constant feedback; for specific goals there are private 1:1 lessons tailored to your pace.

Question 6

How long and how often are lessons, and in what format (online or in person)?

Accepted Answer

Group courses are two 90-minute lessons per week, in the evening. You can choose in person (Raduga Creative Center, Bucharest) or online via Zoom. Private lessons are scheduled flexibly, including weekends.

Question 7

How much does it cost, what's the cancellation policy, and is there a trial lesson?

Accepted Answer

Prices are transparent with no hidden fees — monthly or pay-in-full (with a 15% discount). Cancel at least 7 days before the start for a full refund; after the start, the refund is proportional to the remaining lessons, minus a 10% administrative fee. The first lesson is a free 30-minute trial.

Question 8

Do you have student reviews, and how quickly will I see results?

Accepted Answer

Yes — real verified reviews (5.0★ on Preply). You speak from the first lesson, and by the end of A1 (~4 months, 32 lessons) you already hold simple everyday conversations.

Question 9

What red flags should I watch for when choosing an Arabic tutor?

Accepted Answer

Avoid: a native speaker with no teaching experience (knowing a language isn't the same as teaching it), generic one-size-fits-all lessons, and hidden fees or rigid scheduling with no trial. The safest test is always a free trial lesson.

Question 10

Should I learn Modern Standard Arabic (Fusha) first, or go straight to Lebanese Arabic?

Accepted Answer

If your goal is to talk to family, travel in Lebanon, or understand movies and music, start directly with Lebanese Arabic — it's the everyday spoken dialect. Fusha is mainly useful for reading news, religious texts, or formal contexts. Our courses lead with Lebanese; we usually add Fusha later, and only if the whole group wants it — or the student, in private lessons.

Question 11

What's the difference between Lebanese and Levantine / Egyptian / Gulf Arabic?

Accepted Answer

Lebanese belongs to the Levantine family (with Syrian, Palestinian and Jordanian) — they're very close. Egyptian and Gulf dialects have different vocabulary and pronunciation. Lebanese gives you easy access to the whole Levant, and with a bit of exposure you also follow other dialects.

Question 12

Is Lebanese Arabic understood in other Arab countries?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Thanks to Lebanese music, films and TV series being popular across the Arab world, Lebanese is one of the most widely understood dialects — from Morocco to the Gulf.

Question 13

If I only want to speak with family, travel, or work, do I still need MSA?

Accepted Answer

Not really. For daily spoken communication, Lebanese is enough. MSA only becomes useful if you also want to read news, books, official documents, or work in formal environments.

Question 14

Is Lebanese Arabic hard to learn?

Accepted Answer

It has a few sounds new to English speakers (like ع, ح, ق), but dialect grammar is simpler than Fusha — no complex case system. With 2–3 hours a week and consistent practice, you'll see clear progress within a few months.

Question 15

How long does it take to become conversational?

Accepted Answer

Level A1 is enough for simple conversations: introductions, shopping, family chats. Our A1 course runs ~4 months: 32 lessons, two 90-minute lessons per week.

Question 16

How long until I'm fluent?

Accepted Answer

Real fluency (B2–C1) usually takes 1.5–3 years of sustained practice, depending on how much you speak outside class. A realistic pace: A1 in ~4 months, A2 in another ~7, B1–B2 within 1–2 years.

Question 17

Is Lebanese easier than Fusha?

Accepted Answer

Yes, for most learners. Dialect grammar is simplified (no case endings, more regular verb usage in speech) and pronunciation is closer to how people actually talk.

Question 18

What's the best way to learn Lebanese Arabic?

Accepted Answer

The combination that works best: a structured course with a native teacher + short daily practice (10–20 min) + exposure to real content (music, series, conversations). Apps alone aren't enough for a dialect.

Question 19

Are there good books, apps, or websites for Lebanese?

Accepted Answer

Dedicated Lebanese resources are limited compared to Fusha. We recommend the materials we've built in-house for the course, plus consuming native content (Fairuz, MTV Lebanon series, Lebanese podcasts) to train your ear.

Question 20

Can I learn online effectively, or do I need in-person classes?

Accepted Answer

Yes, online learning with a native teacher over Zoom works very well — many of our students learn that way. In-person classes at Raduga Creative Center in Bucharest are an option if you prefer face-to-face interaction.

Question 21

Can I learn Arabic on my own, without a teacher?

Accepted Answer

You can pick up vocabulary and grammar from apps (Duolingo, Memrise), but without feedback on pronunciation the mistakes set in — and Arabic has sounds like ع, ح and ق that most European languages don't. We recommend at least one lesson a week with a native teacher for correction, plus daily practice with free resources in between.

Question 22

Can I get by in Lebanon with English or French, or do I need Arabic?

Accepted Answer

In Beirut and touristy areas you'll manage with English and French. But any Lebanese phrase changes the reception completely — it's deeply appreciated and opens doors that foreign languages don't.

Question 23

Is Lebanese useful for business, travel, or heritage/family reasons?

Accepted Answer

Yes, for all three. Business: direct communication with partners in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan. Travel: authentic cultural access. Family: reconnecting with relatives and heritage — the most common reason our students enrol.

Question 24

Will it help me understand songs, movies, and social media?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Lebanese music (Fairuz, Wael Kfoury), TV series and Lebanese influencers all use the dialect. From A2 you start catching full phrases; by B1 you understand most everyday content.

Question 25

How do I practise speaking if I don't live in Lebanon?

Accepted Answer

In class you practise with the native teacher and other students. On top of that: language partners (tandem), daily Lebanese content, shadowing (repeating after native audio), and a 5-minute spoken diary each day.

Question 26

How does an online Arabic lesson actually work?

Accepted Answer

Live on Zoom with the native teacher — not recordings. You see and hear the teacher, speak from the first minutes, get corrected on the spot, and materials are shared on screen. All you need is a laptop or phone with a camera and a stable connection.

Question 27

Can I take online lessons from outside Romania?

Accepted Answer

Yes — online lessons work from anywhere, as long as the schedule fits Bucharest time (EET). We teach students across the diaspora and beyond, and lessons can be held in English, French, Arabic or Romanian.

Question 28

How do I find out my level if I don't know where to start?

Accepted Answer

There are three free options: the 30-second quiz recommends a course format, the online level test (24 questions, about 15 minutes) suggests your level, and the level check with Ibra pins it down — up to 30 minutes, on Zoom or at the center, with a conversation and a few written questions in Arabizi. Book it from the Level check page: message Ibra on WhatsApp, ask for a call to agree the time, or pick a free slot (weekdays, between 12:00 and 13:00). It is not the trial lesson — it only checks your level.

Question 29

Do you teach adults, teens and kids?

Accepted Answer

All three. We offer group and private courses for adults and teens (12–17), all CEFR levels, plus a program for children aged 6–11 with age-appropriate activities (we don't have kids' courses at the moment — leave your details and we'll let you know).

Question 30

Are classes online or in-person in Bucharest?

Accepted Answer

Both. Adult group classes run in person at Raduga Creative Center and online via Zoom. Kids' classes will start in person, at the centre; an online option will be added later (we don't have kids' courses at the moment). Private lessons are fully flexible — in person or online.

Question 31

What schedule options exist for working people?

Accepted Answer

Group classes are two 90-minute lessons per week, in the evening. Private lessons are scheduled flexibly, including weekends, based on your availability.

Question 32

How much does it cost, and are there payment plans?

Accepted Answer

You can pay in full (with a 15% discount) or monthly. We accept card, bank transfer, cash, and PayPal, in LEI, EUR, or USD. Exact prices are on the Pricing section.

Question 33

Is there a trial lesson?

Accepted Answer

Yes — a free 30-minute trial lesson so you can meet the instructor, test the method, and see whether the format suits you before enrolling. The trial costs 0 lei, but the spot is confirmed with your card through Stripe (nothing is charged then). You can cancel or reschedule free of charge at least 24 hours ahead; a no-show or a later cancellation is charged 150 lei, the price of a private lesson.

Question 34

What CEFR level will I reach after the course?

Accepted Answer

It depends on your starting point. The A1 course takes you to full A1 (~4 months, 32 lessons), A2 to A2 (~7 months, 56 lessons), B1, B2, C1 and C2 ~9 months each (72 lessons). At the end you get an assessment of the level you've reached.

Question 35

What are common mistakes beginners make?

Accepted Answer

The most common: pronouncing guttural sounds (ع, ح) as regular vowels, importing Fusha grammar into conversation (it sounds stiff), and translating word-for-word from English. We correct these from the very first lessons.

Question 36

How is Lebanese pronunciation different from Fusha?

Accepted Answer

Lebanese shortens long vowels, turns ق into a glottal stop (hamza) in most words, and softens some consonants. The result: faster and more musical speech than Fusha.

Question 37

What are the most useful question words and everyday phrases to start with?

Accepted Answer

Ones you'll need from day one: shu? (what?), wein? (where?), meen? (who?), kif? (how?), addesh? (how much?), aymta? (when?), plus mar7aba (hi), kifak/kifik (how are you — m/f), shukran (thanks), yalla (let's go).

Question 38

What does the بـ (b-) prefix do on Lebanese Arabic verbs?

Accepted Answer

The بـ (b-) prefix marks the habitual or ongoing present tense — the equivalent of English "I do / I eat / I go." Example: bektob = I write (in general), bshoof = I see. Without بـ, the verb becomes subjunctive or dependent on another verb: baddi ektob = I want to write (no b-). Quick rule: real, habitual, or ongoing action → use بـ; after modal verbs (want, can, must) → drop the بـ.

Question 39

How are past-tense verbs conjugated with attached pronouns (katabt-ha, katab-lak)?

Accepted Answer

In Lebanese you conjugate the verb in the past, then stick object pronouns onto the end. Example from katab (he wrote): katabt = I wrote, katabt-a = I wrote it (fem.), katabt-o = I wrote it / him (masc.), katab-lak = he wrote to you (m.), katab-lek = he wrote to you (f.), katabne-hon = we wrote them. The suffixes -lak, -lek, -lo, -la, -lna, -lkon, -lhon mark the beneficiary ("for/to someone"), while -a, -o, -hon mark the direct object.

Question 40

What are the personal and possessive pronouns in Lebanese Arabic?

Accepted Answer

Personal: ana (I), inta / inti (you m/f), huwwe / hiyye (he/she), nihna (we), intu (you pl.), hinne (they). Possessive (attached to the noun): -i (my), -ak / -ek (your m/f), -o (his), -(h)a (her), -na (our), -kon (your pl.), -hon (their). Example: bayt = house → bayti (my house), baytak (your house), bayto (his house), bayta (her house).

Question 41

Is Lebanese Arabic word order VSO or SVO?

Accepted Answer

In speech, Lebanese Arabic normally uses SVO (subject-verb-object) — just like English: "Ahmad byekol tuffaha" (Ahmad eats an apple). MSA / Classical Arabic prefers VSO ("Eats Ahmad an apple"), but in everyday conversation Lebanese speakers almost always pick SVO. That makes Lebanese feel much more natural to English speakers.

Question 42

How is Lebanese Arabic grammar different from Modern Standard Arabic (MSA)?

Accepted Answer

Lebanese drops most of MSA's complexity: no case endings (dammah, kasrah, fathah), no full dual (we use the plural), no separate feminine plural in verbs (hinne covers everyone), future tense with رح / ح- (rah rooh = I will go) instead of سـ, negation with a simple ما (ma) instead of لا/لم/لن, and SVO word order instead of VSO. The result: same roots, far fewer rules — which is why Lebanese is faster to speak than MSA.

Lebanese Arabic — frequently asked questions

1Lebanese people & the Arabic language — quick answers

2Choosing an Arabic tutor

3Choosing the dialect

4Difficulty & time

5Learning path & resources

6Practical concerns

7About our courses

8Language specifics

9Lebanese Arabic grammar

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