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Guilherme Mazui

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What is the Difference Between Urdu and Arabic?

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Urdu and Arabic are two distinct languages that have some similarities due to their historical connection and influence on each other. Here are the main differences between the two languages:

  1. Language Families: Urdu belongs to the Indo-European language family, while Arabic belongs to the Afro-Asiatic language family.
  2. Scripts: Urdu is written in the Nastaliq style, which is a descendant of the Persian alphabet, while Arabic is written in the Nashk or Ruq'ah styles.
  3. Influence: Urdu has been heavily influenced by Arabic, Persian, and Sanskrit, while Arabic has been influenced by Aramaic, Ethiopic, and Hebrew.
  4. Pronunciation: Both languages have distinctive vowel and consonant sounds, which can vary the way a word is uttered and its meaning.
  5. Vocabulary: About 30% of Urdu words are derived from Arabic, but the two languages have different vocabularies overall.
  6. Number of Letters: Urdu has around 39 to 40 different letters, while Arabic has only 28 letters.
  7. Native Speakers: Urdu has around 65 million native speakers, while Arabic has about 300 million native speakers.
  8. Regions: Urdu is used primarily in India and Pakistan, while Arabic is used in North Africa, the Middle East, and the Horn of Africa.

Despite these differences, it is easier for Arabic speakers to learn Urdu and vice versa due to their historical connection and shared vocabulary.

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  • What is the Difference Between Urdu and Arabic?
  • Comparative Table: Urdu vs Arabic

    • Comparative Table: Urdu vs Arabic

    Urdu and Arabic are both languages with rich histories and origins, and while they have some similarities, they also have distinct differences. Here is a table comparing the two languages:

    Feature Urdu Arabic
    Origin Urdu is derived from a combination of Persian, Arabic, and Hindi, with its roots in the Delhi region of India. Arabic is a Semitic language, one of the most spoken languages in the world, and is the liturgical language of Islam.
    Script Urdu uses the Perso-Arabic script, which is an abjad (consonant-only alphabet). Arabic also uses the Perso-Arabic script, but it is written from right to left.
    Language Family Urdu is part of the Indo-Aryan language family, which is a subfamily of the Indo-European languages. Arabic is part of the Semitic language family, which is a subfamily of the Afro-Asiatic languages.
    Vocabulary Urdu has borrowed words from both Persian and Arabic, with approximately 70% of its vocabulary being of Persian origin. Arabic has influenced many other languages, including Urdu, and has a unique vocabulary.
    Grammar Urdu's grammar is more closely related to Hindi, while its vocabulary is influenced by both Persian and Arabic. Arabic has its own unique grammar, which is quite different from Urdu and other Indo-European languages.
    Numerals Urdu uses the Hindu-Arabic numeral system, which is widely used in the world today. Arabic also uses the Hindu-Arabic numeral system, but it is written from right to left.

    In summary, Urdu and Arabic share some similarities, such as the use of the Perso-Arabic script and the Hindu-Arabic numeral system. However, they differ in their origins, language families, vocabularies, and grammars.

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    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.