阿拉伯语

• Pinyin: ā lā bó yǔ
• Hanzi breakdown: 阿 (phonetic) + 拉 (phonetic) + 伯 (phonetic) + 语 (language)

Meaning

Arabic (language). The Semitic language spoken across the Middle East and North Africa.

Refers specifically to the Arabic language. In formal contexts, 阿拉伯文 may be used to refer to written Arabic, while 阿拉伯语 covers spoken and general language references. Arabic is one of the six official UN languages.

Examples

1. 她在大学主修阿拉伯语，毕业后想去中东工作。 She majored in Arabic at university and wants to work in the Middle East after graduation.
2. 阿拉伯语是联合国的官方语言之一，学会它能打开很多机会。 Arabic is one of the official UN languages — learning it opens many doors.
3. 这份合同需要翻译成阿拉伯语，你认识靠谱的翻译吗？ This contract needs to be translated into Arabic. Do you know a reliable translator?

Usage Guide

Context: academic, professional

Tone: informative

Do Say

• 他的阿拉伯语说得特别地道。(His Arabic is very authentic.)
• 学阿拉伯语最难的是那些喉音。(The hardest part of learning Arabic is the guttural sounds.)

Don't Say

• 说'他会说阿拉伯'而省略'语' (Don't drop 语 — say 阿拉伯语, not just 阿拉伯 when referring to the language)

Origin & History

阿拉伯 is a phonetic transliteration of 'Arab,' and 语 means 'language.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal