Taking Arabic classes this summer wasn’t just a self-development exercise—I unearthed a deeper connection to my ancestral roots. My Venezuelan heritage carries Lebanese (and Persian) whispers, and hearing Arabic while knowing how deeply it shaped Spanish reminded me that our histories intertwine and live on in the words (and foods, that’s another blog!) we speak every day.
1) Spanish and Arabic Share Deep Linguistic Roots
Though Spanish is a Romance language and Arabic is Semitic, they are historically linked through centuries of cultural contact.
2) Arabic Shaped Everyday Spanish Vocabulary
Many common Spanish words come from Arabic.
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- Examples of Similar Words in Arabic and Spanish:
- English: sugar
- Arabic: sukkar
- Spanish: azúcar
- English: oil
- Arabic: zayt
- Spanish: aceite
- English: orange
- Arabic: nāranj
- Spanish: naranja
3) Spanish Sounds Reflect Arabic Influence
Certain Spanish phonetic traits—like the “j” sound in jardín—echo Arabic consonants and pronunciation patterns.
4) Cultural and Historical Exchange Enriched Both Languages
The Arab presence in Spain deeply influenced Spanish architecture, cuisine, music, and everyday culture, leaving lasting imprints on the language.
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- More Arabic Words in Modern Spanish
- English: guitar
- Arabic: qīthārah
- Spanish: guitarra
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- English: lemon
- Arabic: laymūn
- Spanish: limón (Fun Fact: depending on the Spanish speaker “limón” can mean lemon or lime)
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- English: hopefully / God willing
- Arabic: n shā’ allāh
- Spanish: ojalá
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- English: drum
- Arabic: tabl
- Spanish: tambor
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- English: cup
- Arabic: ṭās
- Spanish: taza
5) Learning Arabic Illuminated My Spanish Skills
By learning Arabic at ICLS helped me better understand how languages carry shared human history. I began noticing just how much of it had already been living inside the Spanish I grew up speaking. Every time I say ojalá, I’m speaking a little Arabic.
It’s a reminder that languages travel, evolve, and carry pieces of each other across continents and time. My decision to learn Arabic at ICLS brought me closer to my history. If you’d like to start your own journey, explore our online Arabic classes at ICLS or continue reading with our Best Arabic series to learn Arabic.
