Dialect comparison

Gulf Arabic vs Iraqi Arabic

Compare two dialects of Arabic side by side — where they're spoken, what they're called, and how they relate.

Khaliji

Spoken across the Arabian Peninsula. Retains classical features alongside modern urban slang.

Spoken in: Saudi Arabia
United Arab Emirates
Qatar
Kuwait
Bahrain
Oman
Approximate centre: 24.45°, 54.38°

Mesopotamian Arabic

Spoken across Iraq and parts of eastern Syria and southwestern Iran. Carries strong Aramaic and Turkic influence and splits internally between gilit (southern) and qeltu (northern) varieties.

Spoken in: Iraq
Approximate centre: 33.31°, 44.36°

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Read the full picture of Arabic and the dialects within it.

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