Picking the dialect that fits

Which dialect should I learn?

You’ve decided you want to learn Arabic: yay! But then comes the slightly less simple question:

Which Arabic?
Modern Standard Arabic? Lebanese? Syrian? Palestinian? Egyptian? Jordanian? And why does everyone seem to have a different answer?

If your goal is to talk to people, understand everyday conversations, and use Arabic in real life, we believe Levantine Arabic is a great place to start. Here's why:

What is Levantine Arabic?

Levantine Arabic is the group of closely related Arabic dialects spoken in Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, and Jordan.

You might hear people call it Shami Arabic, Levantine Arabic, Lebanese Arabic, Syrian Arabic, Palestinian Arabic, or Jordanian Arabic. These varieties have differences in pronunciation, vocabulary, and expressions, but they share a lot.

A Lebanese speaker and a Syrian speaker, for example, can normally have a conversation without switching to another form of Arabic. At Simple & Easy Arabic, we teach Levantine Arabic because it is the language people actually use in everyday life: at home, with friends, in cafés, at the market, on the phone, and around the dinner table.

Levantine Arabic vs. Modern Standard Arabic

One of the first things Arabic learners discover is that written and spoken Arabic aren’t quite the same thing.

Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) is the standardized form of Arabic used across the Arab world. You’ll encounter it in books, news broadcasts, official communication, formal speeches, and education.

It is useful and important, but it is not usually the language two friends use when they’re deciding where to go for dinner. For that, people use their local spoken Arabic.

So the right choice depends on what you want to do:

If your main goal is to read newspapers, understand formal media, study Arabic literature, or work extensively with written Arabic, MSA may be a logical place to start.

If your main goal is to have conversations, connect with Arabic-speaking friends or family, travel, live or work in the Levant, or simply understand how people really speak, learning Levantine Arabic makes a lot of sense.

Can I learn Levantine Arabic without learning MSA?

Yes! 

This surprises a lot of beginners because Arabic is often taught as if there is one correct starting point: first learn Modern Standard Arabic, then eventually move on to a dialect. But in our work we see time and time again that that's not the only way, and probably not even the best way.

Think about your final goal:
If your dream is to sit down with your partner’s family in Lebanon and join the conversation, spending your first year learning the language of formal news broadcasts might not be the shortest route there.

In this case, you can start directly with spoken Levantine Arabic.
You’ll still learn how Arabic works, build vocabulary, understand sentence structures, recognize patterns, and gradually become comfortable with the Arabic alphabet.

And if you decide to learn MSA later, the Arabic you already know gives you a foundation to build on.

Do I need to choose between Syrian, Lebanese, Palestinian and Jordanian?

Not necessarily! Syrian, Lebanese, Palestinian, and Jordanian Arabic all belong to the same Levantine Arabic family.

While there are differences in pronunciation, vocabulary, and expressions, the varieties have a lot in common and are largely mutually understandable. Learning one gives you a strong foundation for understanding the others too. At Simple & Easy Arabic, our teachers are from Syria, but they are very familiar with the subtle differences across the Levant. People in the region are naturally exposed to each other’s dialects through everyday life, media, music, and culture, so switching between and understanding different varieties is very common.

If you have a specific reason for learning Arabic — perhaps you have Lebanese family, Palestinian friends, or you’re moving to Jordan — tell us. We can help you recognize and use the words and expressions that are most relevant to you. Otherwise, there’s no need to worry too much about choosing the “right” Levantine dialect. Start speaking, and the rest will follow.

Learn Levantine Arabic
with Simple & Easy Arabic

Simple & Easy Arabic was created around a simple idea: Learning Arabic should get you closer to people. We teach the spoken Levantine Arabic used across Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, and Jordan, with a practical, conversation-first approach. You can learn through live online classes, self-paced courses, listening practice, our Simple & Easy Arabic Podcast, videos, exercises, and free learning resources. Whether you’re starting completely from zero or already know some Arabic and want to finally feel comfortable speaking it, we’ll help you build your Arabic step by step.
  • Online 1-1 classes
  • Self-paced courses
  • Books
  • Simple & Easy Arabic Podcast
  • Videos
  • Exercises

FAQ

What is Levantine Arabic?

Levantine Arabic is the everyday spoken Arabic used in the Levant, which is the region that includes Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Palestine. It is a practical choice if you want to chat naturally with people from the region.

Is Levantine Arabic the same as Modern Standard Arabic

No. Modern Standard Arabic is the formal language used in news and writing, while Levantine is used in daily conversations. Our focus is on speaking and understanding real conversations.

Syrian, Lebanese, Palestinian or Jordanian Arabic: which should I learn?

We always recommend to pick the dialect that connects to your goal: if you want to work, travel or connect in a specific place we will focus on that dialect. However, good news: the four dialects all belong to the same Levantine Arabic family, meaning you actually don't have to choose!  Learning one gives you a strong foundation for the others. Our teachers can explain you the subtle differences between the dialects while providing you with a strong basis that is useful across countries.

Which Levantine dialect do you teach?

We teach a widely understood Levantine base that works across the region.  Our teachers are from Syria and the main dialect we focus on is the Damascus dialect. You also learn common variations, so you can recognize and respond to different accents and word choices. Because people across the Levant are constantly exposed to each other’s dialects through everyday life, media, music, and culture, these differences are naturally understood. 

Do I need any Arabic background to start?

No. We start from the basics and build step by step. If you already know some Arabic, you can jump ahead and focus on the topics that match your level.

Will I learn to read and write Arabic too?

You can begin learning spoken Levantine Arabic before you can read Arabic. However, learning the Arabic alphabet is worthwhile and will give you access to many more learning resources as you progress. We have a great step by step course for you to help you get started. 

Who is Levantine Arabic for?

Our learners come to Levantine Arabic for many different reasons.
Some have an Arabic-speaking partner and want to finally understand what everyone is laughing about at family dinner.
Some have Syrian, Lebanese, Palestinian, or Jordanian roots and want to reconnect with a language they grew up around but never learned to speak.
Others work with Arabic-speaking communities, live in the Middle East, travel frequently, or simply fell in love with the language. What is your reason?

Is Levantine Arabic difficult to learn?

We won't deny that some parts will certainly feel unfamiliar if your first language is English or another European language. There are new sounds, a different alphabet, unfamiliar sentence patterns, and words that may initially seem to have very little to hold onto.

But “Arabic is difficult” can also become an unnecessarily intimidating story. Language learning happens in layers. Our approach is to make those layers manageable: learn something, understand how it works, use it, repeat it, and slowly make it yours.

Why learn spoken Arabic first?

Because speaking gives the language a purpose. When you learn a phrase and immediately use it with another person, it becomes easier to remember why you learned it in the first place. 

How long does it take to learn Levantine Arabic?

There isn’t an honest answer that applies to everyone. It depends on your starting point, how often you study, how much Arabic you hear, whether you speak regularly, which other languages you know, and what you mean by “learn.” Fluent enough to discuss politics for two hours? That’s going to take a while. Able to introduce yourself, order food, ask questions, understand common phrases, and survive a simple conversation? Much sooner. Instead of asking, “When will I be fluent?”, we encourage learners to think in smaller milestones.
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