10 Fascinating Facts About the Arabic Language You Should Know
The Arabic language is one of the most beautiful, complex, and influential languages in the world. Spoken across more than 25 countries, it holds deep cultural, historical, and religious significance.
Whether you’re a language enthusiast, a curious traveler, or someone looking to learn Arabic, these fun and informative facts will give you a deeper appreciation of the language.
🌍 1. Arabic Is One of the Most Spoken Languages Worldwide
With over 400 million native speakers, Arabic is the 5th most spoken language in the world. It is the official language in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, including countries like the UAE, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Morocco.
🕌 2. It’s the Liturgical Language of Islam
Arabic is the language of the Quran, the holy book of Islam, making it sacred to over 1.9 billion Muslims worldwide. Even non-Arabic speaking Muslims often learn to read Arabic for religious purposes.
📜 3. Arabic Has Deep Historical Roots
Arabic dates back to at least the 6th century CE, but its oral tradition and poetry existed long before that. Classical Arabic—used in early literature and scripture—is still studied today.
🔠 4. The Arabic Alphabet Has 28 Letters
The Arabic script is written from right to left and includes 28 letters. What makes it unique is that each letter has up to four different forms depending on its position in a word—initial, medial, final, or isolated.
🗺️ 5. There Are Dozens of Arabic Dialects
While Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) is used in media, education, and formal settings, everyday conversations vary widely between countries and even cities. Popular dialects include:
Egyptian Arabic
Gulf Arabic
Levantine Arabic
Maghrebi Arabic
💡 Want to know which to start with? 👉 Check out our guide to Arabic dialects
✍️ 6. Arabic Is Written Right to Left
Unlike English and many other languages, Arabic is written from right to left. Numbers, however, are written from left to right, making Arabic writing a uniquely bi-directional experience.
🧠 7. Arabic Is Root-Based
Most Arabic words are derived from three-letter roots that convey a core meaning. For example:
ك-ت-ب (k-t-b) relates to writing:
كِتَاب (kitāb) = book
كَاتِب (kātib) = writer
مَكْتَب (maktab) = office
This system allows for deep understanding and vocabulary building through patterns.
🌐 8. Arabic Is an Official UN Language
Arabic is one of the six official languages of the United Nations, emphasizing its global relevance and importance in diplomacy, politics, and international relations.
🔤 9. English Has Borrowed Words from Arabic
Words like algebra, sugar, coffee, cotton, and zero have Arabic origins. The prefix “al-” (meaning “the”) appears in many borrowed terms.
🏛️ 10. Arabic Is a Gateway to Culture and Identity
Arabic connects you to a rich legacy of poetry, philosophy, art, music, and religion. Learning the language allows deeper engagement with Arab culture and a more authentic travel, work, or living experience in the region.
Inspired to Learn Arabic?
Now that you know more about the Arabic language, why not start your own language journey?📍 Available in Dubai, Abu Dhabi & LiveOnline
