Learn Arabic

Arabic is the official language of over 20 countries across the Middle East and North Africa, and it is one of the six official languages of the United Nations. It belongs to the Semitic branch of the Afro-Asiatic language family and is spoken by more than 300 million people as a first language, with many more using it as a second or liturgical language.

Arabic exists in multiple forms: Modern Standard Arabic is used in formal settings, media, and education, while numerous regional dialects are spoken in everyday life and can differ significantly from one another. The language is written in the Arabic script, which is cursive and read from right to left. Arabic has a long and influential literary history, with classical works dating back to the 6th century CE. It plays a central role in Islamic culture, as it is the language of the Quran, and continues to be a unifying element among diverse Arab communities worldwide.