Font from right to left
Document structure, tables, stamps and handwritten additions must be completely recorded when transferred.
Semitic language
Have Arabic translated
العربية
For Arabic documents, the country of origin, typeface, dialect and the Latin spelling of names already used are crucial. ABBA-Sprachendienste therefore not only checks the language, but always the specific document.
Arabic is spoken as a first language by more than 300 million people; significantly more use it as an official, educational or religious language.
Geographical distribution of Arabic
- Main distribution
- Other regional use
- Selected Diaspora
Algeria
Egypt
Iraq
Jordan
Lebanon
Morocco
Saudi Arabia
Syria
Tunisia
United Arab Emirates
Palestinian Autonomous Territories
Sudan
Germany
France
Schematic selection of important distribution areas. Language usage does not always follow national borders; the map is not complete population statistics.
Language profile
Arabic at a glance
- Proper name
- العربية
- language family
- Semitic language
- font
- Arabic script, from right to left
- Language code
- ar
Documents and deployment
The language direction is often used
It's not just the language that matters. ABBA-Sprachendienste also classifies document type, recipient, subject area, certification requirement and desired language direction.
Have the document checked- Birth, marriage and divorce certificates
- Residence and civil status documents
- School and university certificates
- Court and family records
- Powers of attorney and contracts
Origin and development
How language developed
Arabic is a Semitic language. Classical Arabic is transmitted, among other things, through early poetry and the Koran; Today's standard Arabic follows on from this and is used in media, education and official contexts.
Numerous regional varieties are spoken in everyday life. A document from Morocco, Egypt or Iraq can therefore have its own terms, forms and naming conventions despite having a common written language.
Good to know
What makes this language special
No uniform name transliteration
Arabic names can appear different in Latin script. Existing official spellings are decisive.
Country context matters
Document types and official terms differ significantly within the Arabic-speaking region.
A little language insight
Three first expressions
The transcription only serves as an initial guide. Pronunciation and regional forms may vary.
| Original | Transcription | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| مرحبًا | marhaban | Hello |
| شكرًا | shukran | Thank you |
| من فضلك | min fadlik / min fadlak | Please |
Sources and classification
Further information
Speaker numbers are rounded guide values and may vary depending on the definition, year of survey and inclusion of second language speakers.
- Arabic language
Wikipedia · language-specific overview
- Codes for the Representation of Names of Languages
Library of Congress / ISO 639-2 Registration Authority · Language codes and standardized language names
- Language and Locale Names
Unicode Common Locale Data Repository · Language, script and area names and variants
- Glottolog 5.3
Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology · Language families, classification and linguistic literature
Editorial source status: July 14, 2026. Information will be cross-checked before production goes live.
Arabic FAQ
Frequently asked questions about Arabic
Can I have Arabic translated into German and German into Arabic?
Both directions can be requested. A binding commitment is made after checking the type of document, subject area, certification, date and intended use.
Which documents are often relevant in Arabic?
Birth, marriage and divorce certificates, residence and civil status documents, school and university certificates, court and family documents are among the typical occasions. Other types of documents can also be checked with an easy-to-read photo or PDF.
What does ABBA-Sprachendienste look for in Arabic?
The language direction, document type, Arabic script, from right to left, name, stamp, subject area, intended use and a possible need for authentication are checked.
Do I need a certified translation for my Arabic document?
This is decided by the receiving authority, the court, the notary or the other requesting body. Tell ABBA-Sprachendienste where the document will be presented; then the need can be classified appropriately.
Is a photo enough for the first check?
Yes. A complete, sharp and easy-to-read photo or PDF is usually sufficient to check the offer. Depending on the order, the original may also be required for later execution.
Have Arabic ↔ German checked specifically
Send an easy-to-read photo or PDF. ABBA-Sprachendienste personally checks the language direction, document, purpose and certification requirements.
