Frequently Asked Questions
What is bel3arabe.com?
bel3arabe.com (also called Kateb, meaning 'writer' in Arabic) is a free tool that converts Arabizi (Arabic typed phonetically using Latin letters and numbers) into proper Arabic script in real time. No account, no AI tokens, no cost.
What is Arabizi (Franco-Arabe)?
Arabizi (also called Franco-Arabe, 3arabi, or Arabish) is an informal way of writing Arabic using the Latin alphabet and digits. Numbers replace Arabic sounds that have no Latin equivalent: 3 = ع, 7 = ح, 5 = خ, 2 = ء, 9 = ق. For example: '7abibi' = حبيبي, 'kif 7alak' = كيف حالك.
Which Arabic dialects are supported?
The engine is built on a 295,000-word lexicon combining Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), Levantine Arabic, and Moroccan Darija. Common Levantine expressions (ahlan, kifak, habibi, inshallah, yalla...) are all supported. Colloquial words that appear less often in formal corpora are given a manual boost.
How do I type sounds that don't exist in English?
Use the number guide at the bottom of the main page: 2 = ء (hamza), 3 = ع (ain), 5 = خ (kha), 6 = ط (ta marbuta emphatic), 7 = ح (ha), 8 = غ (ghain), 9 = ق (qaf). You can also use letter digraphs: sh = ش, kh = خ, th = ث, dh = ذ, gh = غ.
The top result looks wrong. What can I do?
Click the word (in either the Arabic output or the Latin word row) to see up to 10 alternative spellings. Click the one you want: it swaps in immediately and the engine learns your preference so the right spelling comes first next time.
Does the engine use AI?
No. Zero AI tokens are used at runtime. The transliteration works entirely offline via a phonetic candidate generator and a word-frequency lexicon. It is fast (under 1 ms per word), free to run, and works without any internet-dependent AI service.
Is my text stored anywhere?
Your typed text and spelling choices are saved in your browser's localStorage to restore your session if you navigate away. If community learning is enabled, your word corrections (not your full text, only the pair of Latin word and chosen Arabic word) are stored in our database to improve results for everyone. No personal information is ever collected or required.
What is the 'Edit' button for?
The Edit button turns the Arabic output into a free-form text area so you can make manual corrections that go beyond what the suggestion chips offer, for example adding a word, fixing punctuation, or adjusting a phrase. Your edit is preserved if you navigate away.
Can I use this on mobile?
Yes. The site is fully responsive. On mobile you can also use the WhatsApp button to send the Arabic text directly, or the native Share button if your browser supports it.
Is it free? Are there limits?
Completely free, no sign-up, no usage limits. The engine runs offline on the server with no per-request AI costs, so there is nothing to meter.
Can I embed or use the API?
The site is for personal use. If you want to integrate the engine into your own project, check the GitHub repository (linked in the Terms page). The core transliterate.js is MIT-licensed.