Dina asks Layla about a local book club before her first visit. Practise asking about a regular meeting, choosing books, and joining a discussion.
01Read the Arabic conversation
الِانْضِمَامُ إِلَى نَادٍ مَحَلِّيٍّ لِلْقِرَاءَةِ
دِينَا: قَرَأْتُ إِعْلَانَ نَادِي الْقِرَاءَةِ. هَلْ يُمْكِنُنِي الِانْضِمَامُ إِلَيْكُمْ؟
لَيْلَى: بِالطَّبْعِ، نُرَحِّبُ بِأَعْضَاءٍ جُدُدٍ دَائِمًا. نَجْتَمِعُ فِي الْمَكْتَبَةِ الْعَامَّةِ.
دِينَا: مَتَى تَجْتَمِعُونَ، وَكَمْ يَسْتَمِرُّ اللِّقَاءُ؟
لَيْلَى: فِي ثَانِي سَبْتٍ مِنْ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ، فِي الْخَامِسَةِ مَسَاءً. يَسْتَمِرُّ اللِّقَاءُ سَاعَةً وَاحِدَةً.
دِينَا: وَكَيْفَ تَخْتَارُونَ الْكُتُبَ؟
لَيْلَى: نَقْتَرِحُ كِتَابَيْنِ قَصِيرَيْنِ، ثُمَّ نَخْتَارُ وَاحِدًا مَعًا.
دِينَا: مَاذَا تَقْرَؤُونَ هَذَا الشَّهْرَ؟
لَيْلَى: مَجْمُوعَةَ قِصَصٍ قَصِيرَةٍ عَنِ السَّفَرِ. سَأُرْسِلُ لَكِ عُنْوَانَهَا الْآنَ.
دِينَا: هَلْ يَجِبُ أَنْ أَقْرَأَ الْكِتَابَ كُلَّهُ قَبْلَ اللِّقَاءِ؟
لَيْلَى: هَذَا أَفْضَلُ، وَلَكِنْ يُمْكِنُكِ الْحُضُورُ إِنْ لَمْ تُكْمِلِيهِ.
دِينَا: أَخْشَى أَنْ لَا أَعْرِفَ كَيْفَ أَشْرَحُ رَأْيِي.
لَيْلَى: لَا دَاعِيَ لِحَدِيثٍ طَوِيلٍ. تَحَدَّثِي عَنْ جُزْءٍ أَعْجَبَكِ، أَوِ اطْرَحِي سُؤَالًا.
دِينَا: جَيِّدٌ. هَلْ يَجِبُ أَنْ أَشْتَرِيَ الْكِتَابَ؟
لَيْلَى: لَا، يُمْكِنُكِ اسْتِعَارَتُهُ مِنَ الْمَكْتَبَةِ. هُنَاكَ نُسَخٌ مُتَاحَةٌ.
دِينَا: سَأَسْتَعِيرُهُ الْيَوْمَ، وَسَأَقْرَأُ الْقِصَّةَ الْأُولَى هَذَا الْمَسَاءَ.
لَيْلَى: مَرْحَبًا بِكِ. أَرَاكِ فِي اللِّقَاءِ الْقَادِمِ.
Show English translationHide English translation
Dina: I read the book club advertisement. Can I join you?
Layla: Of course. We always welcome new members. We meet at the public library.
Dina: When do you meet, and how long does the meeting last?
Layla: On the second Saturday of every month, at five in the evening. The meeting lasts one hour.
Dina: And how do you choose the books?
Layla: We suggest two short books, then choose one together.
Dina: What are you reading this month?
Layla: A collection of short stories about travel. I will send you its title now.
Dina: Must I read the whole book before the meeting?
Layla: That is better, but you can attend if you have not finished it.
Dina: I am worried that I will not know how to explain my opinion.
Layla: There is no need for a long speech. Talk about a part you liked, or ask a question.
Dina: Good. Do I need to buy the book?
Layla: No, you can borrow it from the library. There are copies available.
Dina: I will borrow it today, and I will read the first story this evening.
Layla: Welcome. See you at the next meeting.
02Useful words and expressions
| Arabic in the conversation | Meaning here |
|---|---|
| نَادِي الْقِرَاءَةِ | the book club |
| أَعْضَاءٍ جُدُدٍ | new members |
| الْمَكْتَبَةِ الْعَامَّةِ | the public library |
| مِنْ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ | of every month |
| نَقْتَرِحُ | we suggest |
| نَخْتَارُ وَاحِدًا مَعًا | we choose one together |
| أَشْرَحُ رَأْيِي | I explain my opinion |
| نُسَخٌ مُتَاحَةٌ | available copies |
03Check your understanding
Choose one answer for each question. Look back at the Arabic conversation for evidence. Open the English question support or a hint when you need help.
What to remember
- Ask about the meeting place, schedule, and way the group chooses a book.
- Use a brief opinion or a question to take part, and confirm how to get a copy.
Explore the Arabic in this conversation
Related grammar and vocabularyOpen Araqick guides connected to this conversation.
Arabic Question Words: Who, What, Where, When, and Why
كَيْفَ تَخْتَارُونَ الْكُتُبَ؟
Ask where, when, and how a regular group meets and makes decisions.
Days of the Week in Arabic: Names and Everyday Examples
فِي ثَانِي سَبْتٍ مِنْ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ
Recognise the day name in a recurring meeting arrangement.
Arabic Future Tense for Beginners: Talk About Tomorrow
سَأَقْرَأُ الْقِصَّةَ الْأُولَى هَذَا الْمَسَاءَ
Plan a reading action with sa attached to the present-tense verb.
