Rosetta Stone logo
    • Rosetta Stone logo

    Learn Arabic with Rosetta Stone

    See current deals

    Have you ever thought about learning Arabic? Imagine unlocking a language spoken across more than 20 countries, from the bustling streets of Cairo to the markets of Marrakech and the skylines of Dubai. Arabic is not just a language — it’s a gateway to ancient history, vibrant modern culture, and one of the fastest-growing regions in the world.

    At first glance, Arabic may look challenging — a new alphabet, right-to-left script, and sounds you won’t find in English. But that’s exactly what makes learning it exciting. With Rosetta Stone, you’ll be speaking and understanding Arabic faster than you think.

    Why learn Arabic?

    Arabic is one of the most influential languages on Earth. Whether you’re drawn by culture, career, or curiosity, Arabic offers opportunities unlike any other.

    Top reasons to learn Arabic

    • Global importance: Over 310 million native speakers, plus millions more who use it in business, religion, and international affairs.
    • Career edge: Highly valued in diplomacy, international business, energy, and academia.
    • Mental workout: Training your brain to switch between scripts, sounds, and sentence structures strengthens memory and focus.
    • Cultural treasures: Read the Qur’an, classic poetry, and modern literature in the original.
    • Travel with ease: From Morocco to Oman, Arabic helps you connect authentically with locals.
    • Community & family: Join a global Arabic-speaking community that spans continents.

    Arabic language basics

    Where is Arabic spoken?

    Arabic is the official language in 20+ countries across the Middle East and North Africa, and it’s one of the six official languages of the United Nations. From Casablanca to Kuwait City, knowing Arabic gives you direct access to cultures both ancient and modern.

    How long does it take to learn Arabic?

    Arabic is often labeled “challenging”, but steady daily practice works wonders. Even 15 minutes a day can help you learn greetings, numbers, and useful expressions in weeks. Mastery takes time, but Rosetta Stone ensures you’re speaking from the start — not just memorizing.

    Locals conversing in Arabic and buying fruit at a local market.

    Arabic proficiency: from beginner to advanced

    Beginner

    • Learn the Arabic alphabet and pronunciation

    • Practice greetings and polite expressions

    • Understand basic sentence structure (verb–subject–object)

    • Numbers, days, and everyday vocabulary

    Intermediate

    • Build a larger vocabulary for daily life

    • Practice listening to both formal and spoken Arabic

    • Get comfortable with verb conjugations

    • Use prepositions and connect ideas

    Advanced

    • Explore idioms and proverbs common in Arabic culture

    • Read short stories, news articles, or religious texts

    • Understand regional variations (Egyptian, Levantine, Gulf)

    • Speak with confidence about professional or abstract topics

    Core Arabic skills

    Pronunciation tips

    Arabic pronunciation introduces sounds not found in English, but with practice, they become natural:

    • The letter “ع” (‘Ayn):

    A voiced sound made deep in the throat. For example: عرب (ʿarab – Arab).

    ʿarab
    • The letter “ق” (Qaf):

    A “k”-like sound, but pronounced further back in the throat. For example: قلب (qalb – heart).

    qalb
    • Emphatic consonants:

    Certain letters (like ص ,ض ,ط ,ظ) are pronounced with a heavier, more resonant quality. For example: صبر (ṣabr – patience).

    ṣabr
    • Long vs. short vowels:

    Arabic distinguishes between short vowels (a, i, u) and their longer forms (aa, ii, uu). For example: كتب (kataba – he wrote) vs. كتاب (kitāb – book).

    katabakitāb
    • The “h” sounds:

    Arabic has both a soft h (هـ) and a stronger, breathy ḥ (ح). For example: هنا (hunā – here) vs. حب (ḥubb – love).

    hunāḥubb
    Tourists asking for directions from a local in Arabic.

    Script and writing system

    Arabic uses a 28-letter alphabet written right to left. Letters change shape depending on where they appear in a word. While it looks new at first, patterns make it logical and fun to learn.

    Useful phrases

    • السلام عليكم (As-salāmu ʿalaykum) — Peace be upon you / HelloAs-salāmu ʿalaykum
    • شكراً (Shukran) — Thank youShukran
    • مع السلامة (Maʿa as-salāma) — GoodbyeMaʿa as-salāma

    Vocabulary and origins

    Arabic has deeply influenced other languages: words like coffee (qahwa), sugar (sukkar), and algebra (al-jabr) came from Arabic. It also borrows from Persian, Turkish, and modern English. Knowing Arabic gives you a key to understanding world history and science.

    Regional variations

    Arabic is a language of many voices. There’s Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), used in writing, media, and formal contexts, and dozens of spoken dialects (Egyptian, Levantine, Gulf, Maghrebi). Dialects vary, but MSA ties the entire Arabic-speaking world together.

    Best ways to learn Arabic

    • Online: Study anywhere with Rosetta Stone’s Arabic program – sign up now!
    • Classroom learning: Perfect for structured, group practice.
    • Private tutoring: Get feedback and fast-track your progress. The best source of Arabic tutors is Wyzant.
    • Tandem partners: Practice conversational Arabic with native speakers.
    • Immersion: Visiting Arabic-speaking countries helps you adapt quickly.

    Media and tools to support learning

    • Books: Start with graded readers for learners.
    • Music & podcasts: Arabic music and podcasts let you hear natural rhythm and emotion.
    • TV & movies: Watch Egyptian dramas, Levantine series, or Arabic news to experience dialects.

    Learn Arabic with Rosetta Stone

    Rosetta Stone makes Arabic approachable and rewarding:

    Speak from lesson one

    Voice recognition ensures your pronunciation sounds natural.

    Grammar made clear

    Verb roots and patterns explained step by step.

    Spaced repetition

    Reviews built in to help new vocabulary stick.

    Cultural immersion

    Learn about traditions, customs, and daily life alongside language.

    An Arabic speaking family share dinner together.

    Take the first step

    Arabic is a language of connection, culture, and opportunity. Rosetta Stone offers a free first lesson so you can start exploring right away. Whether your goal is travel, career, or personal growth, Arabic opens doors — and Rosetta Stone is here to guide you every step of the journey.

    Get started

    What’s included with your subscription

    Achieve fluency faster with Rosetta Stone’s expert-designed Dynamic Immersion courses.

    Perfect your accent with TruAccent speech recognition technology and sound like a native speaker.

    Access to Rosetta Stone on web or mobile—learn anytime, anywhere!

    What our customers are saying

    Customer photo for review of Rosetta Stone.

    I absolutely love the approach that Rosetta Stone utilizes. It feels like a natural and fun way to learn a new language. I also appreciate that I’m able to squeeze lessons in when I only have 10 minutes… and it’s a more productive and enjoyable activity than getting sucked into online scrolling just to distract myself. Why not learn a new language instead?

    - Turner
    Customer photo for review of Rosetta Stone.

    I have been using Rosetta Stone for over 30 years. By far, this is the best application for language learning. There are no language crutches, only immersion. You learn in a natural way and move forward quickly. Apps with games are fun, but you learn more slowly, and you are always “translating,” not immersing. Rosetta Stone makes language learning interesting and efficient.

    - Graham