Comparative Analysis of Arabic Digital Dictionaries: a Study on Al-Ma’any and the Arabic-Indonesian Dictionary

Abstract

The rapid development of digital technology has transformed Arabic dictionaries from printed formats into interactive digital platforms. This study aims to compare two widely used digital Arabic dictionaries, Al-Ma’any (Arabic–Indonesian) and the Arabic–Indonesian Dictionary developed by Ristek Muslim, in order to identify their strengths and weaknesses in supporting Arabic learning. Using a qualitative descriptive-comparative method, data were collected through document analysis and interviews with university students who regularly use both dictionaries. The findings show that Al-Ma’any excels in accessibility, the availability of multiple lexical equivalents, and voice pronunciation features, making it more practical for daily needs and contextual translation. In contrast, the Arabic–Indonesian Dictionary is more effective for grammar studies due to its root-word search and morphological analysis, although its interface is less interactive and it lacks many modern vocabularies such as “globalization” or “technology.” Al-Ma’any is more suitable for beginners and practical daily translation, while the Arabic–Indonesian Dictionary supports advanced learners focusing on nahwu and sharaf. This study highlights the need for the development of an integrated digital dictionary that combines the lexical breadth of Al-Ma’any with the grammatical depth of the Arabic–Indonesian Dictionary, in order to better meet the needs of contemporary Arabic language learning.