15 Jun
Urdu is an Asian language spoken by nearly 65 million native speakers. It is recognised as a mother tongue in some regions of India and is the national language of Pakistan. Because Arabic and Urdu have many similar letters and a similar appearance, one might initially assume that they are the same language. But is that really true?
Although these 2 languages may appear alike initially, the difference between Arabic and Urdu language is significant.
In this blog, we’ll explore what connects them, and what sets them apart while offering insight for Urdu speakers interested in learning Arabic more effectively.
The shared history between Urdu and Arabic
Urdu and Arabic share a deep historical connection, especially noticeable in their shared vocabulary and script. As Urdu developed in the Indian subcontinent, it was heavily shaped by Muslim rulers, scholars, and traders, all of whom played a role in its evolution. Because of this, Urdu absorbed many words from Arabic, Persian, and Turkish, especially in religious contexts, poetry, and formal speech. Arabic’s influence went beyond just words, even affecting how Urdu is written. Urdu uses a modified version of the Perso-Arabic script, tweaking it a bit to fit its own distinct sounds. Even though they come from different language families, the strong impact of Arabic on Urdu is clear in everyday conversations, religious books, and classical literature, showcasing a shared history that lives on.
Is Urdu similar to Arabic language?
No, Urdu and Arabic are not similar languages. While they share a similar script and some common vocabulary items, they come from totally different language families with different grammar rules, pronunciation, and sentences. Urdu is written in Arabic script but specifically in a version called Nastaʿlīq while Arabic is often written in Naskh. While Arabic and Urdu may look similar when written, the similarities exist visually but the languages themselves are fundamentally different in how they work and how they are spoken.
The difference between Arabic and Urdu language
The main difference lies in their linguistic roots. While Urdu is an Indo-Aryan language from the Indo-European family, Arabic is a Semitic language from the Afro-Asiatic family. This core distinction shapes their grammar, structure, and overall expression. Although both languages use forms of the Arabic script, Arabic is written in Naskh, a simpler, linear style, whereas Urdu uses Nastaʿlīq, a more decorative and flowing script. Unlike Arabic, which has 28 letters, Urdu uses around 39 to 40, allowing it to represent additional sounds found in South Asian languages.
Some other differences include:
- Syntax: Urdu typically arranges sentences in a Subject-Object-Verb order. On the other hand, Arabic tends to use either a Verb-Subject-Object or a Subject-Verb-Object word order.
- Cultural Usage: While Arabic is the official language in most of the Middle East and North Africa, Urdu is mainly spoken in Pakistan and some regions of India.
- Letter Forms: In Arabic, the majority of letters change between two or three different forms depending on where they appear in a word. However, in Urdu’s Nastaʿlīq script, certain letters can have even more than three variations, particularly when used in calligraphy.
Why Arabic is easy for Urdu speakers to learn
Arabic may seem like a new language to Urdu speakers, but in many ways, it already feels familiar. The two languages share several features that make Arabic more accessible to Urdu speakers. For example, both are written from right to left, so learners don’t need to adapt to a new writing direction. Urdu also uses the Nastaʿlīq script, a stylized version of the Perso-Arabic script, which means many Arabic letters are visually familiar. Additionally, Urdu contains a large number of Arabic-derived words, especially in religious, academic, and formal contexts. Many of these words also carry similar meanings in both languages. These shared elements provide a solid foundation and give Urdu speakers a meaningful head start when learning Arabic.
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Can Urdu speakers read Arabic easily?
Yes, Urdu speakers are usually capable of reading Arabic script. Still, this doesn’t mean they truly understand it. Since both languages use a version of the Arabic script, most Urdu speakers can recognize and read Arabic letters with ease. They might also know a lot of Arabic words found in Urdu, particularly in religious or formal settings. But this visual recognition doesn’t ensure understanding. Arabic and Urdu have substantial differences in grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. So even if an Urdu speaker can read Arabic, they might still find it hard to fully comprehend the text or say the words properly.
Learn Arabic for Urdu speakers
Even though Arabic and Urdu are quite different, their similarities give Urdu speakers a solid starting point for exploring the depth of the Arabic language. At Noor Institute, we encourage you to build on that foundation. Our learning experience is designed specifically for non-native speakers, emphasizing real-life conversation, practical language use, and cultural relevance. We offer some of the best Arabic classes online available to help you build fluency and confidence. With our expert instructors, who are native Arabic speakers and fluent in English, you’ll gain not only the skills to read and write but also the ability to speak and understand Arabic in everyday contexts.
