Ever seen someone text “7abibi” or “3asal” and wondered what’s going on?
If you’re scratching your head — you’re not alone. This is Arabizi (or Franco-Arabic) — the creative way Arabic speakers have adapted their language for the digital world. Without access to Arabic keyboards, many began using numbers to represent Arabic sounds that don’t exist in English.
So…What Does It Mean?
Let’s decode it together:
- 2 = ء (hamza)
- 3 = ع (‘ain)
- 5 = خ (khā’)
- 6 = ط (ṭā’)
- 7 = ح (ḥā’)
- 8 = غ (ghayn)
- 9 = ص (ṣād)
Examples:
7abibi = حبيبي = my dear/love
3asal = عسل = honey (sweetie)
Pretty cool, right?
Now that you know the code, you’re one step closer to texting like a native.
From Workaround to Digital Dialect
What started as a clever workaround is now a digital dialect in its own right — one that even artificial intelligence is still learning to understand.
Arabizi isn’t standardized, and it changes by country, dialect, and even personal style. That’s where things get tricky — and where human translators (like ours at NaTakallam!) still shine.
At NaTakallam, we’re fascinated by this blend of language, culture, and tech. AI translation tools are getting better at recognizing Arabizi, but they still stumble without cultural context. That’s where real humans — and real language learning — come in. Our translators and tutors bring the heart behind the words, whether they’re written in Arabic script, Latin letters, or a mix of both.
So whether you’re saying 3ala rasi ya 7abibi (Arabic for “My pleasure, darling”) or typing out full Arabic sentences, remember: language is always evolving — and so is the way we share it with one another.
Try it out!
Write your name or a sentence in Arabizi! Need help? Our language partners at NaTakallam can translate it — or better yet, teach you how to say it properly in Arabic.
Become a Natakallam Member and benefit from our 2-month free trial.
Bonus: Type in Arabic – Instantly!
Don’t have an Arabic keyboard? No problem. Use our free Arabic online keyboard to write in Arabic easily – perfect for learners, native speakers, and anyone who wants to communicate confidently in Arabic.
✅ No installation needed
✅ Works on all devices
✅ Copy and paste your text anywhere
Try it here and start expressing yourself in Arabic today! Because language is more than words. It’s identity, culture, and creativity — with or without the numbers.
