Everyday conversation
La Atakallam al-Arabiyyah Jayyidan: Meaning, Pronunciation, and When to Use It
لَا أَتَكَلَّمُ الْعَرَبِيَّةَ جَيِّدًا
la atakallamu al-arabiyyata jayyidan
I do not speak Arabic well.
When to say it
Use this when a conversation becomes too fast or difficult. It is honest without closing the conversation. Follow it with please speak slowly if you want to keep practising.
This is practical Modern Standard Arabic. Local speech changes from place to place, but this wording is respectful and widely understood.
A natural reply
لَا بَأْسَ
la ba's
No problem.
Hear it in a real exchange
One short dialogue. Read it aloud, both parts.
A real beginner exchange
Someone begins speaking quickly.
هَلْ فَهِمْتَ؟
hal fahimta?
Did you understand?
قَلِيلًا، لَا أَتَكَلَّمُ الْعَرَبِيَّةَ جَيِّدًا
qalilan, la atakallamu al-arabiyyata jayyidan
A little. I do not speak Arabic well.
Related phrases
أَنَا أَتَعَلَّمُ الْعَرَبِيَّةَ
Ana Ata'allam al-Arabiyyah
Let someone know that you are still learning.
تَكَلَّمْ بِبُطْءٍ مِنْ فَضْلِكَ
Takallam bi-But'
Ask one man to slow down so you can follow.
لَا أَفْهَمُ
La Afham
Say clearly that you need another explanation.
هَلْ يُمْكِنُكَ أَنْ تُعِيدَ؟
Hal Yumkinuka an Tu'id?
Politely ask one man to say something again.
Keep going
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