Arabic alphabet

alphabet specifically codified for writing the Arabic language

AI overview

The Arabic alphabet is a standardized set of letters created for writing the Arabic language. It matters because it enables clear and consistent written communication for Arabic speakers across different regions and time periods.

AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.

Wikidata facts

Instance of: unicase alphabet
Subclass of: Semitic alphabet
Has part: س
Based on: Nabataean script
Image: Arabic-script.png
Has parts of class: sun and moon letters

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Commons category: Arabic alphabet
topic's main category: Category:Arabic alphabet
Commons gallery: Arabic alphabet
script directionality: right-to-left
on focus list of Wikimedia project: Wikipedia:Vital articles/Level/4
history of topic: history of the Arabic alphabet
language of work or name: Kurdish
writing system: Arabic script

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Encyclopedic overview

Countries and regions that use the Arabic script: as the sole official script a co-official script

The Arabic alphabet, or the Arabic abjad, is the Arabic script as specifically codified for writing the Arabic language. It is a unicameral script written from right-to-left in a cursive style, and includes 28 letters, of which most have contextual forms. The Arabic alphabet is an abjad, with only consonants required to be written (though the long vowels – ā ī ū – are also written, with letters used for consonants); due to its optional use of diacritics to notate vowels, it is considered an impure abjad.

Excerpted from Wikipedia’s “Arabic alphabet” article, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.