# Chatting with your Arabic relatives

**Language:** Arabic  
**CEFR Level:** A2  

> Join ندى and زياد to master the art of catching up on daily life and family gossip, one short conversation at a time. Each lesson trains your ear until you can follow every word and answer back.

**Setting:** The setting is the breezy balcony of Ziad's apartment in Downtown Cairo, where the two sit with glasses of hot tea. Nada is visiting her uncle Ziad during a break from her guiding work in Luxor, providing a natural setting for them to catch up on family gossip, local news, and daily life in Egypt.

## Lessons

### 1. Complimenting food and drink

Nada compliments Ziad on his delicious mint tea and asks him to teach her his secret recipe.

### 2. Discussing work and local tourism

Nada and Ziad talk about her work in Luxor and the high number of tourists visiting the temple these days.

### 3. Expressing fatigue and asking about work

Nada shares that she is tired from walking so much at work, and Ziad talks about his busy schedule making an oud at his workshop.

### 4. Reminiscing about childhood memories

Ziad explains his passion for making ouds, prompting Nada to recall her childhood visits to his workshop.

### 5. Asking about past meetings

Nada and Ziad playfully banter about her childhood helpfulness before Nada asks Ziad when he last saw her mother.

### 6. Discussing family health and wellbeing

Nada asks Ziad about her mother's health, expresses concern over her knee pain, and promises to call her regularly when she returns to Luxor.

### 7. Planning activities for tomorrow

Nada and Ziad discuss their plans for the next day, with Ziad suggesting a visit to a famous musical instrument street.

### 8. Suggesting places to eat

Ziad assures Nada she will love the street, and they agree to grab some traditional Koshary at a nearby restaurant afterward.

### 9. Comparing food from different cities

Ziad and Nada compare the quality of Koshary in Luxor versus Cairo, with Ziad proudly defending Cairo's superior food scene.

### 10. Asking about duration and timing

Nada asks Ziad about their schedule for the next day, and they discuss why starting early in the morning is best.

### 11. Agreeing on a meeting point

Ziad expresses concern about Nada's fatigue, but she insists on going, leading them to agree on where to meet.

### 12. Asking about an object's age

Nada asks Ziad about his work making and repairing ouds, learning about a particularly old instrument he worked on today.

### 13. Offering someone another drink

Nada and Ziad talk about holding onto the past, and Nada offers to bring Ziad another cup of tea.

### 14. Specifying drink preferences

Ziad accepts Nada's offer for more tea and asks for extra sugar, which Nada agrees to bring right away.