Understanding a language goes far beyond just words and grammar; it is deeply rooted in culture, customs, and traditions. Therefore, learning Arabic should inevitably include learning the habits and traditions of Arab people, not just the linguistic rules. One of the most effective tools to achieve this is watching Arabic movies and series. These shows provide realistic images of Arab society across its various segments.
Watching these shows facilitates the integration process for anyone learning Arabic and planning to travel to the Arab world. It is an enjoyable way to observe how the language is used in daily life. Paying attention to these details will save you a lot of time and effort when you travel; you will feel as though you already know the society and won’t feel like a complete stranger.
Of course, everyone has their own personal preference for movies and series—some prefer comedy, others like drama, or thrillers and suspense. All these genres are widely available in Arabic drama. In this article, we will mention three examples covering the Egyptian, Levantine, and Gulf dialects. We recommend that Arabic learners watch recent productions to understand the nature of real life as it is today.
1. The Egyptian Dialect: “Sabi’ Gar” (The Seventh Neighbor)
The events take place among neighbors living in a residential building, most of whom belong to the middle class. The series explores how these residents live inside and outside their apartments, facing life and social problems that their neighbors might not even know about, despite their complexity.
Available for free on YouTube and Shahid: Watch Sabe’ Gar on Shahid
2. The Levantine Dialect: “Al-Ameel” (The Insider)
The story revolves around two brothers, Amir and Wissam, who were separated by fate. Amir becomes a police officer who infiltrates a gang on a secret mission, while Wissam is raised within the same gang that kidnapped him as a child. They work together as bitter rivals without realizing they are brothers, in a conflict full of suspense and action regarding power and loyalty. This show is adapted from the famous Turkish series “Içerde.”
Available for free on Shahid: Watch Al-Ameel on Shahid
3. The Gulf Dialect: “Yawmiyat Rajul ‘Anis” (Diaries of a Bachelor)
A Saudi man passes the typical age for marriage, finding himself under immense family and social pressure to tie the knot. While his mother and close friends constantly try to help him find a suitable wife, he creatively attempts to evade these setups in various hilarious ways.
Available for free on Shahid: Watch Yawmiyat Rajul ‘Anis on Shahid
Modern Standard Arabic (MSA)
For those focusing on Modern Standard Arabic, you can enjoy watching documentaries in any field you prefer, or historical series.
As mentioned earlier, these are just samples of series that you can enjoy with subtitles. The experience will be even more enjoyable after reading our latest book, “Cracking the Code of Colloquial Arabic.” Through this book, you will be able to distinguish between different Arabic dialects and see how similar they are to Fusha (Standard Arabic).
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We are here to help you master the Arabic language!