The Hans Wehr Dictionary of Modern Written Arabic is the one book that no Arabic student should be without. It is a dictionary which translates Arabic to English, and is indexed by Arabic root (like Arabic to Arabic dictionaries). If you study Arabic, you must have this book. Note that some knowledge of the Arabic root system (and the most common 10 forms of verbs derived from one root) is required.

Try to obtain the 4th edition or later in hardback if possible. The 3rd edition may still be available in a pocket-sized edition. Be careful not to buy the first or second editions, which are what is commonly available in the Arab world.

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