The Omlyar Blog
Guides, explainers, and resources on Arabic transliteration, Arabizi, and language learning
Everything you need to know about converting Latin-script Arabic to proper Arabic writing — from beginner explanations to practical guides and real-world use cases.
What Is Transliteration? A Beginner's Guide
Transliteration converts text from one writing system to another — preserving sounds while changing script. For Arabic speakers online, it's the foundation of Arabizi and the key to writing proper Arabic from a Latin keyboard.
How to Transliterate Latin Script to Arabic
A full character-by-character breakdown of Arabizi conventions — including the number substitutions every Arabic speaker uses — plus the context rules that make accurate transliteration possible.
Transliteration vs Translation: What's the Difference?
Two terms that are constantly confused, but they describe completely different operations. Translation converts meaning between languages. Transliteration converts writing systems within one. Here's exactly how they differ.
Learning Arabic Pronunciation Using Latin Script
For learners, the Arabic script is often the biggest barrier. Using Latin-based pronunciation guides to build vocabulary first — before tackling the alphabet — is a strategy that genuinely works.
5 Ways a Transliteration Tool Can Help You
Whether you're a diaspora member, a language learner, a journalist, or a content creator — there are specific situations where a transliteration tool saves real time and delivers better results than manual conversion.
Beginner's Guide to Arabizi: The Arabic Chat Alphabet
What is Arabizi? Learn how the Franco-Arabic chat alphabet works — the number system (3=ع, 7=ح, 9=ق), regional differences, and how to convert Arabizi to proper Arabic script instantly.
Typing Arabic Without an Arabic Keyboard
No Arabic keyboard? No problem. Compare 5 ways to produce Arabic text from any device — virtual keyboards, system settings, voice input, and AI transliteration — and find the fastest option for you.
How to Write Arabic in Google Docs, Word, and PowerPoint
RTL direction, font settings, bidirectional text — Arabic in word processors trips everyone up the first time. Step-by-step instructions for all three apps, plus a troubleshooting table for the most common display problems.
Why Arabic Writing Doesn't Show Short Vowels
Arabic script omits short vowels in almost all everyday text — newspapers, messages, signs. Learn what the harakat system is, why it's left out, where you do find it, and how native readers cope without it.
Egyptian vs. Levantine vs. Gulf Arabic: How Dialects Affect Transliteration
The same Arabic word can look completely different in Arabizi depending on which dialect you're reading. A deep dive into how ج and ق diverge across regions — and what that means for reading and writing Arabizi.
50 Essential Arabic Words Every Beginner Should Know
Greetings, family, numbers, food, emotions — the 50 words that come up in every Arabic conversation, shown in Arabizi, proper Arabic script, and pronunciation. A reference you'll keep coming back to.
How to Write Your Name in Arabic
Arabic writes sounds, not spellings — so converting your name isn't a letter swap. Learn which sounds Arabic doesn't have, what to use instead, and see 30 common names already converted.
Ready to put it into practice?
The Omlyar transliterator converts your Arabizi to proper Arabic script instantly — free, no sign-up required.
Try the Transliterator →