What Is Arabizi? The Complete Guide to the Arabic Chat Alphabet
Arabizi is the Latin-script way of writing Arabic using letters and numbers like 3, 7 and 9. Learn what it is, where it came from, and how to read and type it.
If you've ever seen a message like kaifa 7alak ya 3ali? and wondered why there are numbers mixed into the words, you've met Arabizi — one of the most widely used informal writing systems on the internet.
What does "Arabizi" mean?
Arabizi (عربيزي) is a blend of Arabi (Arabic) and Englizi (English). It's a way of writing the Arabic language using the Latin alphabet and numerals, instead of the traditional Arabic script. You'll also hear it called:
- Franco-Arabic (or just "Franco")
- Arabic Chat Alphabet
- Arabish
- Mu'arrab in some regions
The core idea is simple: write Arabic the way it sounds, using the keys you already have on a QWERTY keyboard.
Why do numbers appear in Arabizi?
Arabic has several sounds that don't exist in English and have no matching Latin letter. To solve this, Arabizi borrows numbers that visually resemble the Arabic letters:
| Number | Arabic letter | Sound |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | ء | hamza (glottal stop) |
| 3 | ع | deep "ayn" |
| 5 | خ | "kh" as in Bach |
| 6 | ط | emphatic "t" |
| 7 | ح | breathy "h" |
| 8 | غ | "gh" (French r) |
| 9 | ق | deep "q" |
So 7abibi = حبيبي ("my dear"), and 3arabi = عربي ("Arabic"). We break this down fully in our Arabizi numbers guide.
Where did Arabizi come from?
Arabizi emerged in the late 1990s and early 2000s, when early mobile phones and chat programs (SMS, MSN Messenger, ICQ) often didn't support Arabic script. Young people improvised by spelling Arabic words phonetically in Latin letters — and the system spread organically across the Arab world and diaspora. Read the full story in our history of Arabizi.
How to read Arabizi (quick examples)
| Arabizi | Arabic | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
salam | سلام | peace / hi |
shukran | شكراً | thank you |
kaif 7alak | كيف حالك | how are you |
inshallah | إن شاء الله | God willing |
ma3 salama | مع السلامة | goodbye |
Is Arabizi "real" Arabic?
Arabizi represents the spoken, colloquial Arabic (the dialects people actually chat in) more than formal Modern Standard Arabic. It isn't standardized — spellings vary by person and region — which is part of its charm and its limitation. For anything formal (school, work, publishing) you'll want proper Arabic script.
The easiest way to convert Arabizi to Arabic script
You don't have to memorize the mappings. A phonetic transliteration tool does it instantly: you type in Arabizi, and it outputs correct Arabic letters in real time. On Arabizi.io, typing salam ya 3ali becomes سلام يا علي as you type — digraphs like sh, kh, gh and number codes are all detected automatically.
Should you learn Arabizi?
Arabizi is fantastic for:
- Texting and social media with Arabic-speaking friends
- Beginners who can't yet read Arabic script
- Travelers who need quick communication
But to truly grow in the language, pair it with learning the Arabic alphabet. Many learners use Arabizi as a bridge, then transition to full script — and typing is one of the fastest ways to get there. See how typing helps you learn Arabic faster.
Want to try it? Open the Arabizi keyboard and type your name phonetically — watch it appear in Arabic instantly.