What are the best apps to learn Gulf Arabic (Khaleeji)?
Gulf Arabic has fewer courses than Egyptian or Levantine, so expect to combine an app with a tutor. Lucid Lingos has a dedicated Khaleeji course, Arabius focuses on Saudi, and Lahja has separate short-lesson Saudi and Emirati courses.
The options compared
Lahja publishes this guide, so we have an obvious interest in it. We tried to describe every option fairly, including where others are stronger. Details were checked in November 2026 from each product's own listing and published reviews, and they change, so confirm before you pay.
| App | Teaches | Format | Good for | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lahja | Saudi (54 words) and Emirati (54 words) as separate courses | Short lessons on iPhone and web | Residents of the Gulf and people with Gulf family | These courses are shorter than our largest ones, so you will outgrow them sooner. Sections 1 to 3 are free. Lahja Pro is $4.99 a month or $29.99 a year. |
| Lucid Lingos | Khaleeji (Gulf) Arabic | Phone app | Conversation for casual and formal settings with people from the Gulf | A small app, so check the course depth first. |
| Arabius | Saudi Arabic | Phone app | A free way into Saudi Arabic | Focused on Saudi only. |
| Aralects | Several dialects, including Gulf | Phone app | Learners who want more than one dialect in one app | Newer, so check how much Gulf content there is. |
| Talk In Arabic | Saudi and seven other dialects, no Standard Arabic | Web courses and a video library by dialect | Serious learners who want depth in one dialect | Web first rather than a phone app, and priced for committed learners. |
| italki | Any dialect a tutor offers | Paid one-to-one lessons with online tutors | Real conversation and correction, which no app fully replaces | Tutor quality varies, so try a few. You pay per lesson. |
Why Gulf is harder to find
Many residents of Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Riyadh live mostly in English, and there has been less demand from learners. Tutors fill much of the gap.
Gulf is not one thing
Saudi Arabia alone has Najdi, Hejazi and Gulf coast speech. Emirati has its own words too:
| Dialect | Say it | Arabic |
|---|---|---|
| ๐ช๐ฌ Egyptian Arabic | flus | ูููุณ |
| ๐ธ๐ฆ Saudi Arabic | maal | ู ุงู |
| ๐ฆ๐ช Emirati Arabic | bezaat | ุจุฒุงุช |
| ๐ฎ๐ถ Iraqi Arabic | flus | ูููุณ |
Common questions
- Is Saudi Arabic the same as Emirati Arabic?
- They are related Gulf varieties and speakers understand each other, but everyday words differ. Choose the country you actually need.