اللغة العربية
al-lughah al-‘arabiyyah
The English phrase "arabic language" is translated into Arabic as اللغة العربية (al-lughah al-‘arabiyyah).
اللغة العربية refers to the Semitic language spoken primarily in the Arab world.
Which one should you use?
While اللغة العربية is the full formal name, in most contexts, people simply use the adjective العربية to refer to the language itself.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Levantine Arabic, the term شامي is used to denote the Levantine dialect. In Gulf Arabic, the term خليجي is used to refer to the Gulf dialect.
How does it change in a sentence?
To mean "the Arabic language", both the noun and the adjective must take the definite article 'al-'.
How do you pronounce it?
al-lughah al-‘arabiyyah
Did you know?
- While اللغة العربية is the standard term, the language is often referred to as لغة الضاد or 'the language of the Dhad' because the letter ض is uniquely difficult and rare in other languages.
- The word اللغة for 'language' is derived from a root meaning 'to play' or 'to chatter', reflecting a historical view of speech as a form of social play.
- The word عربية (Arabic) shares its root with the word for 'desert' or 'wilderness', reflecting the nomadic heritage of the people who first spoke the language.
Examples in context
- أنا مهتم بدراسة اللغة العربية.I am interested in studying the Arabic language.
- شو رأيك نتعلم العربية باللهجة الخليجية؟What do you think about learning Arabic in the Gulf dialect?
- أنا أتعلم اللغة العربية.ana ata'allamu al-lugha al-'arabiyya.I am learning the Arabic language.
- اللغة العربية لغة جميلة.al-lugha al-'arabiyya lugha jamilah.The Arabic language is a beautiful language.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing language studies at a cafe.
- مريم Maryamهل تدرس اللغة العربية؟hal tadrusu al-lugha al-'arabiyya?Are you studying the Arabic language?
- يوسف Youssefنعم، أنا أدرسها في الجامعة.na'am, ana adrusuha fi al-jami'a.Yes, I study it at the university.
- مريم Maryamهذا رائع يا يوسف.hadha ra'i' ya Yusuf.That is wonderful, Yusuf.
- يوسف Youssefشكراً لكِ يا مريم.shukran laki ya Maryam.Thank you, Maryam.
