Quranic Arabic vs. Modern Standard Arabic: Which Path is Right for You?
Confused by the different types of Arabic? If your goal is to understand the Quran, learning “Modern” Arabic might be taking the long scenic route. Here is why you should choose wisely.
Arabic is Not Just One Language
Unlike English, which is generally the same everywhere, Arabic has three distinct forms:
- Quranic Arabic (Fusha): The timeless language of the Quran.
- Modern Standard Arabic (MSA): The language of news and politics.
- Dialects (Ammiya): Street slang (Egyptian, Levantine, etc.).
Many students start with apps like Duolingo (MSA), only to open the Quran and find they still don’t understand the vocabulary.
Which One Fits Your Goal?
Quranic Arabic (Fusha)
Best for: Understanding the Quran, Salah, and Islamic texts.
- Vocabulary focuses on faith, hereafter, nature, and prophets.
- Unchanged for 1400 years.
- Grammar is learned to understand meaning, not just to speak.
Modern Standard (MSA)
Best for: Reading newspapers, watching news, business.
- Vocabulary focuses on politics, technology, and economy.
- Words like “election,” “airplane,” and “democracy” are common.
- Rarely used in daily street conversation.
The 80% Shortcut
Quranic Arabic is actually easier to start with because the vocabulary is finite.
Did you know that 80% of the Quran is composed of approximately 300 words repeated over and over? By focusing on these high-frequency words, you can unlock the meaning of your prayers in weeks, not years.