French word

arabe

Pronunciation

IPA/aʁab/

Meaning

  • noun (m./f.)Arabic

Example

Il apprend l'arabe.

He is learning Arabic.

Illustration for arabe (Arabic)

More examples

Elle parle arabe avec sa mère.

She speaks in Arabic with her mother.

Core concept

A major regional language connecting speakers across many Arab countries, with different local varieties.

Common phrases

  • parler arabe

    speak in Arabic

  • apprendre l'arabe

    learn Arabic

Similar words

dialecte arabe: A regional colloquial variety of Arabic used in everyday speech.
darija: A group of North African colloquial Arabic varieties.
arabe standard moderne: Modern written Arabic used commonly in education and the media.

Definition in French

Langue sémitique parlée dans de nombreux pays du monde arabe.

Word origin

The French noun arabe ultimately reflects Latin Arabicus and Arabia, terms referring to Arabia and the people associated with it.

Usage tips

  • Arabe can also mean 'Arab' as a noun or adjective, so l'arabe refers to the language whereas un Arabe refers to a person.

Other meanings

  • Arabnoun

Related words

  • arabophoneArabic speakernoun
  • arabiserarabizeverb
  • arabisationarabizationnoun

Word lists with this word