Choosing the right Arabic dictionary can make learning the language faster and easier. Even learners with years of study and practice need a great dictionary for learning new words, remembering “old” words they’ve used before, and learning to converse on unfamiliar topics or familiar topics in greater depth.
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If you are new to Arabic language, consider getting a learner’s dictionary that is bilingual with sections listing words by your native language and Arabic. So, if your native language is English, get a dictionary that is both English-Arabic and Arabic English. If you begin with only English to Arabic, you will need to eventually purchase another dictionary to look up the Arabic words you learn to translate them into English. Besides standard bilingual dictionaries, some learners enjoy visual books like picture dictionaries, or specific terminology in business dictionaries, medical dictionaries, or reference materials for academic reading and texts.
If you are studying Arabic for a specific purpose, you might need a standard dictionary, plus a dictionary with specialized vocabulary. For example:
- Beginning Arabic learners should get a dictionary for beginners. These dictionaries are easier to use and tend to contain information most useful for beginners while leaving out information that’s more pertinent for advanced language learners.
- If you are studying religious texts, you will need a dictionary specifically for that purpose, as it will explain terms and nuances that a standard dictionary won’t.
- Specific location is important! If you are visiting Egypt, you will want an Egyptian Arabic dictionary. If you are moving to Morocco, you should get a Moroccan Arabic dictionary, perhaps in addition to Egyptian Arabic! In each place, you’ll hear the local dialect in the community, but you’ll hear others in movies, music, and other media.
In shopping for your dictionary and other study materials, be sure to check reviews by others who have purchased them. Dictionaries and other study materials for languages like Arabic, which is spoken over such a wide number of countries and regions, vary widely in content, length, level of detail, and quality!