Have you ever stopped to think about how many everyday words in English come from other languages? Some of the most familiar terms actually have roots in Arabic, a language with a rich history of science, trade and culture that has influenced the world for centuries. From the classroom to your kitchen, Arabic-origin words have found their way seamlessly into daily English.
Words from the Marketplace
Trade and commerce have long been a bridge between languages. Many Arabic words entered European languages during the Middle Ages when goods and ideas travelled along the Silk Road and through Mediterranean ports. A classic example is coffee, which comes from the Arabic word ‘qahwa’. Coffeehouses became cultural hubs in Europe, yet the word itself is a direct borrowing from Arabic, reflecting the beverage’s origins.
Other familiar terms tied to trade include cotton (‘qutn’) and sugar (‘sukkar’), which remind us how language carries not just words but the history of commerce and cultural exchange. Every time you sip coffee or sprinkle sugar in your tea, you’re engaging, unknowingly, with centuries of Arabic linguistic influence.
Words from Science and Learning
Arabic also contributed to the fields of mathematics, astronomy and medicine. For instance, algebra comes from ‘al-jabr’, part of the title of a famous 9th-century mathematical text by the scholar Al-Khwarizmi. Similarly, terms like alchemy (‘al-kīmiyā’) and zenith (‘samt’) show how Arabic was once the language of scientific scholarship, especially during the European Renaissance when Arabic texts were translated into Latin and Arabic numerals spread into Europe.
Words from Daily Life and Culture
Arabic words aren’t limited to trade or science. They also reflect cultural practices. Words like cotton, safari (‘safar’, meaning journey) and calibre (‘qālib’, meaning mould or measure) have integrated smoothly into English. These terms show that language often travels along with the people, ideas and customs that carry it.
Interestingly, modern exposure to Arabic can also occur through cultural touchpoints such as Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting and reflection. During this period, terms like ‘iftar’ (the meal to break the fast) and greetings like ‘Ramadan Mubarak’ become familiar to non-Arabic speakers around the world. For many, this is their first encounter with Arabic vocabulary outside the classroom or a dictionary. Even casual mentions in news articles or social media posts help these words enter the broader English lexicon, reflecting the ongoing influence of Arabic in everyday life.
How Language Evolves
The story of Arabic-origin words in English highlights how languages are constantly evolving. Words migrate through trade, science, art, religion and even popular culture. They adapt to new contexts, sometimes changing meaning slightly or being used in ways that differ from the original. For instance, sugar has remained remarkably close to its Arabic root ‘sukkar’, while alchemy has transformed into a mystical or figurative concept in modern English.
This linguistic evolution reminds us that words carry histories far beyond their surface meaning. They are living artefacts of cultural exchange, reminding us that our everyday language is richer and more interconnected than we might realise.
The Takeaway
Next time you enjoy a cup of coffee, tackle an algebra problem, or even learn about Ramadan traditions, pause for a moment to think about the stories behind the words you use. Arabic has left an indelible mark on English, from the marketplace to the classroom, and even into our cultural celebrations. By recognising these connections, we can appreciate not just the words themselves, but the shared cultures and human ingenuity they represent.
Language can also serve as a living map of our interconnected world. And every time we use a word with Arabic roots, we are participating in a centuries-long dialogue that crosses continents, ideas and generations.
