a collection of notes on areas of personal interest
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The Arabian oryx has nothing to do with the glossary or this addendum to it, but I felt it would be a nice idea to include a photo of it on this site as it is such a beautiful animal. Its proper name is al maha or, less commonly, al wadhihi and it once roamed the Arabian peninsula. Hunting and urbanisation killed it off in the region but now most of the states have zoos which include specimens. Incidentally, the name al wadhihi relates to the animal’s beautiful eyes.
The glossary set out below was intended to be a vocabulary related mainly to building development in the Gulf. There are, however, a number of words which come into general discussions when dealing with the planning, design and building process, and which are added for interest, if not clarity. Please be aware that there may well be errors and omissions.
You should also be aware that the glossary is set out in Roman alphabetic order. This is different from the way in which an Arabic dictionary or glossary is set out: they are organised with respect to the root word, usually the third person singular of the past tense. Hence kataba is the root verb meaning ‘he wrote’ (something), under which maktab, meaning ‘office’ or ‘desk’, kaatib, meaning clerk or scribe, and maktoub, meaning ‘letter’, would be found.
There are few resources on the Internet but I have found a site that deals with a modern environmental vocabulary which some might find useful. It is off-line at the moment but I hope it will reappear, when I will correct the link. I also recommend the glossary found at the back of An Outline of Islamic Architecture for its vocabulary of classic Islamic architectural elements. Usefully, it also has a list of the sources used in compiling it. However, bear in mind that the vocabulary is not really related to Gulf Arabic.
The reader should also understand that there is constant dissent about the meanings of translations in general and, here, there is likely to be more as I am using both Gulf terms as well as Arabic words from elsewhere in the Arab world.
I should repeat here that the glossary below is set out differently from that of an Arabic dictionary. Not only is the order based on the Roman alphabet, but the initial letters relate to the way in which the Arabic word is heard, this often being different from the actual Arabic letter. For instance the letters ‘c’, ‘e’ and ‘o’ do not exist in Arabic, yet I have shown words beginning with them, as that is how they sound to me.
In addition I am aware that there are other inconsistencies. The main one is in my using ‘ee’ and ‘i’ interchangeably depending, in the main, on how I have heard them spoken.
The main purpose of the glossary is to enable you to learn the meaning of a word spoken in Arabic, but bear in mind that this is mixture of different kinds of Arabic, ranging from the vernacular to forms brought in by Arabs from other countries.
Arabic |
English |
| A | |
| ’abbaasid | relating to ’Abbaas ibn ’Abd al-Muttalib, a paternal uncle of Muhammad, and representing a political dynasty, founded in 750, based in Baghdad and lasting around two hundred years. It was the third of four Islamic caliphates, supplanting the Umayyad caliphate – see fatimid and umayyad |
| ’abd | slave |
| abreeq | jug |
| ’alam | flag |
| a’ailah | a children’s game played with stones and a double row of holes, usually scratched in the ground |
| a’amoud | column |
| a’oud | incense used to perfume, particularly, in the majlis |
| abaya – pl. abayaat | black cloak worn by women |
| abyadh | white |
| ’ada – pl. ’adat | a habit, or something carried out habitually |
| adab | good manners, courtesy, politeness or the proper approach to carrying out a task |
| adhaan | the call to prayers, usually made through a loud speaker attached to the minaret of a mosque |
| ’adl | justice |
| ahmar | red |
| ’ain | the twelfth letter of the Arabic alphabet, containing a glottal stop |
| akhbar | news |
| akhdar | green |
| alair | on |
| alatool | straight ahead – coll. |
| alif | the first letter of the Arabic alphabet |
| al ikhwan as-safa’ | the Brotherhood of Purity |
| al khatt al mansub | a classic calligraphic style designed by the calligrapher Abu Ali ibn Muqlah |
| al haadhr | the present |
| al madhi | the past |
| al mustaqbil | the future |
| Alhambra | an Islamic development in Andalucian Spain that came to an end with the Christian reconquista in 1492, and is a very commonly perceived Western model of Islamic design |
| amaan | safety |
| amir | prince |
| amira | princess, or a woman’s head scarf, similar to a hijab, but used with an underscarf |
| ’amm | public |
| ’amuwd | the poles used to hold up a black tent |
| ’aqd – pl. ’uquwd | contract |
| ardha | a traditional dance for two groups of men characterised by their chanting to each other while moving slowly with guns and swords to the accompaniment of drummers – see razeef to which it is similar |
| ardth | earth or land |
| arnab | desert hare |
| ’areedth | wide |
| arrish | buildings constructed with pitched roofs of palm fronds |
| as’aaf | ambulance |
| a’sal | honey |
| asfar | yellow |
| ashiddah | camel tack, the general word for the equipment and harnesses of a camel |
| askar | military |
| askari | soldier – see also jundi |
| asr | prayer in the mid-afternoon |
| assass | foundations or footings, also has the meaning of the basis |
| alustrlaab | astrolabe, a scientific instrument used in astronomy, surveying, way-finding, prayer timing and astrology |
| aswad | black |
| ataba | the threshold of a door |
| ’atar | perfume |
| atiq | old |
| atnab | the guy ropes on traditional tents, usually made of hemp |
| awamid | columns |
| awasij | the plant, Lycium shawii |
| ayah – pl. ayaat | the verses that make up a sura of the Quran |
| ’ayn – pl. ’ayyuwn | eye |
| ’ayyin | small defensive holes in the wall of buildings through which rifles could be sighted |
| B | |
| ba’ath | meaning, literally, re-birth, and the name of a political nationalistic, secular party established in Syria |
| baarid | cold |
| baazur | wrought iron, dome-headed nails used in the construction of heavy doors, face-fixed from the outside of the door through horizontal ledges and turned over to fix them |
| bab – pl. abwaab | door |
| badawi – pl. badu | commonly, bedouin, meaning people who live in the desert |
| badgheer | natural ventilation system |
| ba’eed | far or far away |
| bahr | sea – note that the name, Bahrein, means ‘two seas’ and comes from the belief that the island and the surrounding salt water floated on a bed of sweet water – the Persian/Arabian Gulf – it being possible to find sweet water both under the land and the sea |
| bakra | hoist used over a well |
| balaat | tiles or paving |
| balad – pl. bilaad | town or country |
| baladiya | municipality, also the common term for the municipality building |
| bannaa – pl. bayaan | land or country |
| baraha | a majlis, or sitting area, outside the house and its compound |
| barasti | construction of palm fronds but, more commonly nowadays, temporary housing constructed of flattened out oil drums |
| bareed | post office |
| barnaamaj – pl. baraamij | programme or schedule |
| barq | lightning |
| barr | desert, land or country |
| barra | outside |
| barzan | a free-standing watchtower |
| bas | enough! |
| basjeel | a woven cane mat usually employed in the construction of suspended floors or roofs |
| bateel | a type of local sailing craft, traditionally used for both fishing and fighting |
| batin | the inner aspect of self or a thing |
| batula – pl. bataateel | the mask worn by Gulf Arab women to preserve their privacy |
| bawabat al hawwa | wooden shutters used to close off the circulation of wind towers |
| bay’ah | an obligation upon, as well as a right for, every Muslim, man or woman; an oath of allegiance under Islam |
| bayt – pl. byoot | house |
| bayt khiaas | canvas tent, literally, a house of canvas |
| bayt sha’bi | a Public house, given by right to any Qatari that needs housing |
| bayt sha’r | traditional Bedu tent, literally, a house of hair |
| beeb – pl. beebaat | pipe |
| bijanb | beside or next to |
| bilaad | country |
| bid’a | not having roots in traditional understanding or sunnah |
| bidoon | without |
| bin | son (of) |
| bint | daughter (of) |
| il bint il wald amha | the girl is to go to her first cousin in marriage |
| bina’a – pl. binaaya or mabaani | building |
| bi’r | well |
| bisht | loose robe worn by men, usually black or brown with embroidered gold trimming, heavier in winter. Sometimes known as a mishlah |
| bitaath | hinge |
| biyaa’ | itinerant salesman |
| boom – pl. abwam | large wooden, traditional boat with raking stem and stern, usually with a single, forward-raked mast |
| booma | owl – a symbol of bad luck |
| bukhur | generic word for incense |
| bukra | tomorrow – bad bukra – the day after tomrrow |
| bunkah | fan, usually centrally located in the ceiling |
| burj – pl. abraaj | tower |
| burj al hawwa | wind tower |
| burj al muraaqiba | watch tower |
| burj as-sa’a | clock tower |
| burka – pl. barak | water tank |
| burq’a | the hood used to calm a hawk, an enveloping dress commonly worn by women in Afghanistan, and an alternative name for a batula |
| burtuqal | orange – fruit and colour |
| busa – pl. busat | inch – measurement |
| bustaan – pl. basaatin | garden |
| buwny | brown |
| buwradaai – baraadi | curtain |
| buwraah | irregular, strong wind, common in May |
| C | |
| caravanserai | a combined lodging for travelling merchants and their pack animals as well as a temporary place for their business |
| chadur | a woman’s outer dress common to Iran, covering the body from head to foot |
| cubit | a measure of approximately half a metre – see the note at the foot of References. |
| D | |
| daa’ira | ring, as in ring road |
| dafnah | an alternative name of the New District of Doha, deriving from the colloquial name for dug or made ground, more classically relating to graves |
| dahl – pl. duhul | geological feature – a hole in the ground where underground water has eroded the limestone causing the surface to fall in |
| dahleez | corridor |
| dahroi | a traditional game for boys |
| dakhil | inside |
| dalalah – dalalaat | women who sold clothes and the like from door to door to the women of the household |
| dalu | bucket |
| danjal | timber beams |
| daqiqa – pl. daqa’q | minute (of time) |
| dar | house or home |
| darb – pl. daruwb | alleyway or street |
| daraj | staircase |
| daraj al haraara | degrees – literally, degrees of heat |
| darisha – daraaish | window openings |
| darwaazah | a pair of main doors |
| dawla | state, as in Dawlat Qatar – State of Qatar |
| dawwah | a brass tray, raised from the ground, used with charcoal to prepare coffee both in the desert as well as the preparation area adjacent to or inside majaalis |
| debesh | animals |
| deek | cock |
| della | coffee pot – usually the traditional pot |
| dhafaqat | internal wooden window shutters |
| dhaif | guest |
| dhanoun | Cistanche phelypaea – a parasitic desert plant |
| dhow | general name for traditional, timber Arab boats, see also khashab |
| dhubab | fog |
| dhuhr | afternoon |
| dhul | shade |
| dibis | date syrup, a staple culinary ingredient used as a drink and as a sweetner, produced by pressing dates |
| dihliz | narrow passage or entrance hallway to a house |
| dikka | a raised bench or seat, usually built along an external wall and forming a side or sides of a baraha – pr. ‘ditcher’ |
| dirah | an area of land over which groups of people had grazing rights |
| diwan | entrance space to a large house or the office of a government institution or head of state |
| djin | devils or evil spirits |
| doha | marine bay |
| dowshek – pl. dowaashek | low mattress with relatively hard stuffing on which people site or recline |
| dthabit | officer |
| dtha’eef | weak |
| dtha’eeq | narrow |
| dthahab | gold |
| dthabab | mist or fog |
| dthayf | guest |
| dthuhr | prayer at noon |
| dujarj | chicken |
| dukaan – pl. dukaakeen | shop |
| dukhan | smoke |
| du’un | timber window shutters |
| duwah | a low brazier on which charcoal is burned and kettles heated |
| duwnya | world |
| duwlaab | cupboard |
| duwwar | defensive wall |
| dwar | roundabout |
| E | |
| ems | yesterday |
| ’enf | nose, or the vertical post on a double door |
| ’eid | holiday, the most important being Eid Al Adtha |
| ’eid mubarak | the exhortation congratulating a Muslim on the ’eid holiday |
| ezrak | blue |
| F | |
| faas | axe |
| fajr | prayer at sunrise |
| fakh – pl. afkhakh | a bird trap made from goat or sheep horns |
| falaa – pl. falawaat | wilderness |
| fan – pl. funuwn | art or science |
| fanous – pl. fuwaanis | lamp or lantern |
| fara | carpenter’s plane |
| farash | servant |
| fard salat | compulsory prayers, avoidance of which places the individual concerned outside Islam |
| farkhat al bab | the small door that is set into a larger door – usually a pair of doors – known as darwaazah |
| faroush | dead coral which comes in striated slabs |
| fasht | marine reef |
| fasl – pl. fusuwl | season – of the year |
| fasl al rabi’a | spring |
| fasl al saif | summer |
| fasl al kharif | autumn |
| fasl al shitaa’ | winter |
| fat’ha – fathaat | opening |
| fatimid | relating to a Shi’a dynasty founded in 909 by ’Abdullah al-Mahdi Billah who claimed legitimacy tracing his relationship with Muhammad through his daughter, Fatima al-Zahra and her husband, ’Ali ibn Abi-Taalib, the first Shi’a Imaam. The dynasty lasted until 1171 and was based in Cairo, Egypt. It was the fourth and last Islamic caliphate – see abbaasid and umayyad |
| fatwa – pl. fataawaa | edict or decision in Islamic law |
| feriq – pl. furuwq | district of a town or city, usually associated with a particular family |
| fhamah ” faham | charcoal |
| fidha | silver |
| filla – pl. fillat | villa – an obvious loan word |
| filli | strips of woven goat hair which, sewn together, form the covering of a black tent |
| finjaan – pl. finajil | traditional Arabic coffee cup |
| finaa’ | courtyard and the space immediately adjacent to the outside of a property wall |
| fiqh | Islamic jurisprudence which has a number of schools distinguished by geographical area: hanafi – the Indian sub-continent, West Africa and Egypt; maliki – north and west Africa; shafi – Malaysia and Indonesia; hanbali – the Arabian peninsula; and jaferi – Iran and Iraq. |
| firdaws | the highest level of paradise |
| fowk | above |
| fraym fat’ha al badgheer | a shutter which closes over a ventilation system to keep the rain from entering |
| funduq | hotel or guest house |
| fuqa | truffles, of which there are two main types: khalasi, which are black with a light pink flesh and zubaidi, dark cream with a cream coloured flesh |
| fuqaha | Islamic jurists |
| furshat | paint brush |
| fustaan | a woman’s dress |
| G | |
| garmoush | male saqr falcon |
| ghaim | cloud |
| ghalat | mistake |
| ghali | expensive |
| ghaltan | wrong |
| ghanem | sheep |
| gharb | west |
| ghazaal | gazelle |
| ghubar | dust |
| ghurbaal | a collection of twenty-five pearl sieves, each known as a tasah |
| ghurfa | room or a suspended floor in a building |
| ghurfat al-jaluws | sitting room for the family |
| ghurfat al-nome – pl. ghurf nome | bedroom or room for sleeping in |
| ghurfat al-sufra | dining room or room for eating in |
| ghutra | cotton square, folded diagonally, which men wear over their head – usually white in summer, heavier and checked in winter |
| girih | [not a word used in the Gulf] tiles which consist of sets of five contiguous polygons – a decagon, pentagon, diamond, bowtie, and hexagon – each with a unique decorative line pattern which, when joined together produce complex geometrical patterns |
| H | |
| haashiya – pl. haashiyaat | frame or edge |
| haatif | telephone |
| habl – pl. hibaal | rope |
| hadam | demolition |
| hadhar | people who have settled in a particular area, as opposed to badu q.v. who are transient |
| hadeed | iron, traditionally, wrought iron but now also used for steel |
| hadeed ash shubeck | iron window bars |
| hadiqa – pl. hadaa’aq | garden |
| hadith – pl. ahaadith | sayings or traditions – based on what he witnessed and approved – of the Prophet |
| hadith qudsi | hadiths in which the Prophet put in his own words what Allah said to him – not to be confused with the words of the Quran which are literal quotes of Allah |
| hafriyaat | excavation |
| haikal – pl. haiaakal | structure |
| hail | the spice cardamon, used in preparation of Arabic coffee |
| hajj | the pilgrimage made by muslims to Mecca |
| hajar – pl. hajaraat | stone |
| hakuwma | government |
| halaal | anything that is permitted, in English usually relating to diet, but in Islam also relating to dress, speech and behaviour |
| halib | milk |
| haluwsah | a children’s game played with stones and a double row of holes, usually scratched in the ground |
| halwa | beautiful, or a sweet |
| hamaam | washroom |
| hamam | pigeon |
| hanafi | the school of fiqh covering the Indian sub-continent, West Africa and Egypt |
| hanbali | the school of fiqh covering the Arabian peninsula. |
| haqq – pl. huquwq | truth or right |
| har | hot |
| haraam | forbidden – the opposite of halaal |
| haraara | heat |
| haramlik | the private area of a house |
| harf | a letter of the alphabet |
| hariq | fire |
| hasa | stones from the desert |
| hasa bahri | literally, sea stones – see faroush |
| hassira | cane or rush matting |
| hashish | garden or grass |
| hawaala | transfer or remit (of money) |
| hawa’ | air or weather |
| hawlaani | a badu riding saddle |
| hawan wa yad al-hawan | pestle and mortar used for the crushing of coffee beans |
| hawaya | the tall, vertical openings which form the entrances for the wind in a wind tower |
| hawdaj | a covered, tent-like camel saddle, generally used by women |
| hawdh | pool |
| hawsh | local name for a courtyard |
| hawta | boundary |
| hayt | wall |
| hazm | high ground separating two depressions |
| henna or hiyna | a plant used to decorate the skin |
| hijab | a Muslim woman’s common head covering |
| hijrah | the name given to the exile, flight or move the Prophet made from Mecca to Medina in 622 AD, the result of his increasing disaffection with polytheism and the resultant merchants’ anger with his opposition and its effect on the pilgrims |
| hilaal | a crescent or new moon |
| hima | pre-Islamic protected reserve of land |
| himaar – pl. hameer | donkey, and a mild term of abuse |
| hisaan | horse |
| hibl – pl. hibaal | rope |
| hibb | large earthenware water vessel |
| hibr | ink |
| hiyala | a majlis, or sitting area, outside the house and its compound |
| hizam as suwr / burj | the strengthened construction of the foot or corner of a building / tower |
| housh | the garden, yard or area around the house |
| hubara | the hubara or bustard is a relatively slow bird, commonly the quarry of hawks |
| hujra | a room or the lowest floor of a house |
| huli – pl. hawwalah | hawwalah are Sunni Arabs from southern Persia who link themselves genealogically to one of the tribes of Arabia |
| hurr | female saqr falcon |
| I | |
| idhat | the waiting period of four months and ten days during which a woman may remain in her house to effect a reconciliation |
| ibriq | kettle |
| ifsah | yield! – traffic sign |
| ifreez | carved timber or plaster frieze |
| iftah | open! |
| ihsaan | perfection or excellence, related to the carrying out of prayer and, by extension, to all activities |
| ijaaza | permit or licence |
| ijma’ | an aspect of Islamic law based on consensus |
| ijtihad | reasoning aimed at comprehending an issue of shari’a |
| ijtima’a | meeting |
| ilm | knowledge |
| imaam | a religious leader or teacher, and one who leads the salah |
| iqal – pl. uqul | a thick, doubled, black cord which sits on top of the qutra, holding it onto the head, and comes with or without a tail hanging down the back of the wearer |
| isha | the prayer at night |
| Islam | the religion of Muslims, literally – submission to God – from the root meaning ‘to surrender’ |
| istihsan | a method of exercising personal opinion in order to avoid unfairness that might result from a literal application of law |
| istislah | a method of resolving complex problems whose answer can not be found in religious texts |
| iswarah | A bracelet, usually gold and worn on the wrist |
| iwan | a rectangular room, often vaulted, open on one side to a hall or, more often, an open forecourt |
| izmeel | chisel |
| J | |
| jaama’a | university |
| jabal – pl. jibaal | hill |
| jadeed | new |
| jaferi | the school of fiqh covering Iran and Iraq |
| jaliboot – pl. jalabit | boat with vertical stem and transom stern |
| jamal | camel |
| jameel | beautiful |
| jannah – pl. jannaat | paradise – an abbreviation of jannaat ’adn – the Garden of Eden – the English word, paradise, from the Persian, pairi-daeza, meaning an enclosed space. The highest level of jannah is firdaws |
| janoob | south |
| jayb | |
| jayyid | excellent or very good |
| jareeda | magazine or newspaper |
| jawaaz | permit |
| jawaaz as-safr | passport |
| jaww | a flat, wide open area, or weather |
| jazeera | island |
| jibin – pl. ajbaan | cheese |
| jibs | lime, plaster, gypsum – usually used about modern internal plaster |
| jilaabah – pl. jilbaab | a woman’s loose fitting coat covering from the neck to the ground, usually closed with buttons or a zip |
| jiri – pl. jiryan | low lying depressions around which there is little planting but in which water collects during rainy seasons |
| jisr | a beam in trabeated construction, or a bridge |
| juma’a | Friday, or a mosque particularly used for the weekly, Friday prayers |
| jundi | soldier – see also askari |
| juss | lime mortar – usually referring to the traditional use of plaster, or stucco |
| juwti | shoes or sandals, the name being Punjabi |
| K | |
| Ka’ba | a rectangular stone structure within the masjid al Haram in Mecca. It is the holiest place in Islam. |
| kaatib | scribe or clerk |
| kabeer | large |
| kafaala | sponsorship, or the requirement to have a National take responsibility for an expatriate worker |
| kaff | wrist decoration comprising a bracelet joined to finger rings – in Qatari dialect, pronounced chaff |
| kaffiyah | small cotton skull cap which sits directly on the head, ensuring the qutra won’t slip |
| kahf | cave |
| kahraba | electricty |
| kalb | dog |
| kalba | a small cross beam at the prow of a boat used to hang an anchor out of the water |
| kanaar | the edible fruit of the ziziphus mauritiana tree |
| kapucipasi | Turkish title meaning ‘Head of the Palace Doorkeepers’ |
| kandiri | merchants and water sellers who came with a donkey and water tank on a small cart – also kerosene sellers who sold the same way. |
| kashara | rubbish |
| kashtil is-sidr | forecastle of a boat |
| katheef | thick or dense |
| katheer | much or many |
| khaarij | outside |
| khaas | private or special |
| khail | horse |
| khaima – pl. khayaam | tent |
| khalas | enough, sufficient or stop |
| khalij | gulf, as in khalij al arabi – Arabian Gulf |
| khalil | little |
| khalyat nahl | bee hive |
| khan | a resting place, inn or hotel, similar to a Persian ‘caravansarai’ |
| khanjar | curved knife, worn in the belt in front of the stomach |
| khareef | autumn |
| kharita – pl. kharaayat | drawing |
| kharuwj | exit |
| khashab | wood or timber, also a colloquial name for traditional, wooden craft, or dhow |
| khatt | calligraphy, handwriting or a drawn line |
| khat | handwriting or a drawn line |
| khateeb | the speaker at a mosque who delivers the khutbah on the Friday dhuhr prayers which may also be given by the imaam |
| khatr | danger |
| khazan al moi | water tank |
| khazana | cupboard |
| khazuwq | a pile, or can be used in impolite remarks |
| khazzan | public water storage facility |
| khilaal | the steel or wooden pins used to fix ruaq to the covering material of a black tent |
| khilafah | stewardship of the world |
| khimaar | a woman’s cape covering from the top of the head to the waist, fastened under the chin |
| khor | a sea inlet |
| khubz | bread |
| khudar | vegetables |
| khuff | a leather sock |
| khurj – pl. akhraaj | saddlebag |
| khula’a | divorce initiated by a woman |
| khurays | a wide depression covered by a thin layer of water |
| khuraytiyaat | an area characterised by depressions |
| khursa’ah | the first stage of a dahl characterised by a hole with the roof still standing |
| khutbah | sermon delivered at the Friday dhuhr prayers |
| kilim | flat woven rugs, mostly used from Persia or Iran, but also woven in many other areas |
| kitab – pl. kutub | book |
| kohl | from kuh’ala – a black material used to line and beautify the eyes |
| kitr – pl. kitrat? | a small, double-ended boat used mainly for access between dhows and the shore |
| kunatb | a traditional game for girls |
| kufic | said to be the earliest form of Islamic calligraphic script |
| kumbar | hemp rope used to wrap and strengthen beams |
| kuwra | sphere or ball – also football |
| kursee | chair |
| kuttab | school, attached to a masjid, providing an elementary Quranic education |
| L | |
| laqfah | a traditional game for girls |
| lajna | committee |
| lahm | meat, usually mutton |
| lakh | general term for guy ropes on a black tent |
| lughat | language |
| layl | night |
| laysh | why? |
| layt | light |
| lanj | launch (boat) |
| libbin | straw used as an admixture to mud bricks |
| lilbiy’a | for sale |
| liwan | covered terrace or hall |
| lowh | board – as in a board on a wall |
| lown | colour |
| lubbaan | frankincense |
| lu’lu’ | colour |
| M | |
| maa | not – see mush and mab below |
| maajil | private water system |
| ma’ | with |
| ma’aaljat al miyah | water treatment |
| maail | diagonal |
| mab | not, as in ‘mab zain’ – not good – coll. |
| mabkhar, mabakhir or madkhaan | incense burner – but midkhan more usual |
| mabna – pl. mabaani | building |
| machboos | a form of cooking whereby meat, anything from chicken to young camels, and including fish, is cooked with vegetables and spices in large pots |
| mi’dhana – pl. almaadhan | minaret. See also See also manara |
| madina – pl. mudun | city |
| madkhul | entrance or entrance hall |
| madrassa – madaaris | school, traditionally associated with a mosque |
| mafaasid | social evils – see masaalih |
| maghrab | prayer at sunset |
| maghsala | laundry or washing area |
| maha | common name for the Arabian oryx |
| mahal | place or location, also a collection of tents or an encampment |
| mahram – pl. mahaarim | those members of the family whom a man or woman is not permitted to marry – for a man these are his mother, daughters, sisters, his father’s sisters, mother’s sisters, brother’s daughters, sister’s daughters, his foster mother who gave him suck, his foster milk suckling sisters, his wives’ mothers, his step-daughters under his guardianship, and two sisters in wedlock at the same time |
| maidaan | open place, market place, square |
| maajari | drains |
| majaani | free |
| majdah – pl. majadih | bow drill |
| majdthaaf – pl. majaadthif | oar |
| majlis – pl. majaalis | sitting room, either internal or external, generally understood to be the room in which men of a household entertain their male friends – also the informal institution where family problems are aired and decisions made at a variety of scales within the society ranging from individual families through that of the qabila, to that of the Ruler. It also describes the general system by which information is passed and decisions made |
| majlis al shura | literally, a consultative majlis or council |
| majmu’a | group or collection |
| makaan – pl. ’amaakin | a place |
| makhraj | the exit point from the throat or essential articulation of a letter |
| makhzan | shop or store |
| maksuwr | broken |
| maktab | office, study or desk |
| malah – pl. mlaal | bowl |
| maliki | the school of fiqh covering north and west Africa |
| ma’maari | architecture |
| mamnoo’a | forbidden |
| mamnoo’a dakhuwl | entrance forbidden |
| mamnoo’a al tadkheen | smoking forbidden |
| mandthuwr | perspective |
| manara – pl. manaaraat | the tower of a mosque from which the word ‘minaret’ is thought to be derived. See also mi’dhana |
| manjur | percussion instrument used in tambouras, consisting of a skirt-like material to which is attached dried goats feet, and activated by shaking the hips rhythmically |
| manqa’ | land within an area of jiri in which water settles |
| manqala | a board game consisting of two parallel rows of holes along which markers are moved – from the verb naqala – he moved. |
| manqalah | the wrist cuff used by falconers to protect their arm |
| manqrur | woven palm matting used in the construction of suspended floors |
| mantaqa – manaataq | district |
| manzil | house, or a place to stay |
| maqataab | the ridge pole or beam used in some types of black tent |
| maqbadth | handle |
| maqbara – pl. maqbarat | graveyard |
| maqta | section |
| marash | container from which rose water is sprinkled |
| maridh | ill or sick |
| markab | generic term for a ship or boat |
| markaz | a headquarters, centre or place devoted to a specific activity |
| markaz ashurta | police station |
| marub’a | square |
| maruwr | traffic |
| masaa’ | evening |
| masaalih | social good – see mafaasid |
| masaleeb | a wooden dowel used to hold two flat paddles together creating the base for holding a camel saddle – see thuluwf |
| mashghuwl | busy or occupied |
| mashru’a | project |
| masjid – pl. masaajid | mosque – masjid al Qubaa’, the house the Prophet built in Medina in 622AD; musjid al Haram, Mecca, the holiest mosque in Islam; musjid al Nabawi, Medina, the second most holy mosque in Islam; musjid al Aqsa, Jerusalem, the third most holy mosque in Islam |
| maslaha | considerations which produce benefit or interest, or prevent harm |
| mastaba | bench or table |
| masuwl | person in charge |
| mastalki | the upwards facing side of a calligraphic stroke |
| mat’am | restaurant |
| mataar | airport |
| matar | rain |
| matbakh – pl. mataabach | kitchen |
| matbakh al ra’yyis | main kitchen |
| mat’haf | museum |
| mawaasafaat | specification |
| mawjood | present, in the sense of it existing |
| mawqif – pl. mawaqif sayaraat | car park |
| mawthafeen | staff |
| mazdm | the rear tent pole of a black tent |
| mazlaaj | a traditional wooden bolt used in securing wooden doors from the outside |
| mazra’a – pl. mazaar’a | farm |
| Mecca | or Makkah, the holiest city in Islam, containing the ka’ba towards which all Muslims turn in prayer |
| meen | who? |
| midkhan – pl. midakhn | incense burner |
| miftah – pl. mafaatiyh | key |
| mighzal | drop spindle used for working goat and other hair into yarn |
| mihma | a long-handled spoon on which coffee is roasted in the preparation of traditional Arabic coffee |
| mihrab | feature in the wall or qibla of a mosque – usually a niche , arch or, in earlier times, a marker – indicating the direction of Mecca for prayer |
| mikhir | the front tent pole of a black tent |
| miknasa | sweeping brush |
| milaqat | spoon |
| milh | salt |
| min | from |
| min seen | from a long way away – literally, from China |
| min’a | jetty, port or harbour |
| minb’a sharb – pl. sanaabir myaa’ al-sharb | drinking fountain |
| minbar | pulpit in a mosque |
| minfakh – manafeekh | bellows used to blow air on a fire |
| mirzam – pl. maraazim | a projecting roof water spout, usually made from timber, or the central point of the qutra above the eyes |
| mirzam a’amoudi | exposed vertical rainwater channel constructed in the body of the wall to lead water down a wall |
| misbah | prayer beads |
| mishat – mshoot | comb |
| mishlah | loose robe worn by men, usually black or brown with gold trimming, heavier in winter. More usually known as a bisht |
| mishtakhata – pl. mishtakhtaat | chest |
| mismaar – pl. misaamir | nail or a tent peg |
| mismaar hadeed | iron or steel nail |
| misnad – pl. masaanid | hard cushions used on the ground or upon a raised dikka for people to lean against |
| misnad al majdthaaf | rowlock – arranged in pairs they act as fulcrums for oars to power a rowing craft |
| mistah | an area of hard pan ground surrounding manqa’, covered with broken rock |
| miswaak | a piece of fibrous wood from the root of the arak tree – Salvadora persica L. – used to clean teeth and which is associated with prayer |
| mitraqa | hammer |
| mithkab | drill |
| mitr | measure or tape measure |
| mntharah – pl. manathr | mirror |
| mnya | well, all right |
| moi | water |
| moi warid | rose water – literally flower water |
| mu’allim | teacher |
| muadthin – pl. muadthneen | person who calls Muslims to pray at a masjid, traditionally from a mi’dhana |
| mub | coll. not, as in mub zain – not good, i.e. bad. See also: mush |
| mubarrad | a shallow, wooden box into which roasted coffee beans are placed for them to cool down prior to their being crushed and added to water in the process of making coffee |
| mudaaris | teacher |
| mudabab | pointed arch |
| mudabissa | a specialised room in some houses set aside for the storage of dates and production of date syrup, dibis. It is characterised by the channels for liquids to drain away to a collection pot |
| mudir | director of a government department or a private organisation |
| mudhakarat | memorandum |
| mufak baraghi | screwdriver |
| mufasl – pl. mufsalaat | hinge |
| Mugharib | generally understood to be the Mediterranean littoral Arabic states of Libya, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco |
| muhandess | general name for an engineer |
| muhandess ma’mari | architect |
| muhandess takhtiyt | planner |
| muharrik | fire engine |
| muhim | important |
| mujtamah | society |
| mukhtalif | different or mixed |
| mukab | the downwards facing side of a calligraphic stroke |
| mukayif | air-conditioner |
| mulk – pl. amlaak | ownership |
| munshar | saw |
| muntaqah – pl. manaataq | area, zone or neighbourhood |
| muntaqah mazruwa’ | cultivated area |
| muqarnas | decoration in a stalactite or honeycomb form, usually in the area between the foot of a dome and its supporting walls |
| muqawwal | contractor |
| fat’ha al murakaba | defensive viewing holes in the walls of a building |
| murmar | marble |
| musalla | prayer hall, open prayer area or place to pray |
| musalla saidaat | Ladies prayer area |
| mush | coll. not, as in mush jayyid – not good, i.e. bad. See also mub which is the more Qatari of the two words |
| mushrafaat | decorative top to wall or building |
| mushkil | difficult |
| mushrabiya – pl. mushrabiyaat | lattice screen, usually of turned or carved wood – also a house type in some parts of the Arab world having mushrabiya to the street and open windows on the other side giving light and ventilation to the house |
| muslim – pl. muslimeen | a follower of Islam |
| must’ajil | urgent |
| mustaqbil | the future |
| mustashar | an expert or advisor |
| mustashfa | hospital |
| mutawain | religious police of Saudi Arabia with broad powers for policing the shari’a |
| muthaad | a bangle, usually of gold and worn on the wrist |
| muwadhin | the official or chosen person who makes the call to prayers |
| N | |
| na’al | traditional open sandal |
| naady | club |
| naar | fire |
| nabq | the edible fruit of the zizphus spina-christi tree |
| nadhif | clean |
| nafl salat | voluntary prayers which may be offered in addition to fard, but not at sunrise, true noon or sunset |
| nahaar | daytime |
| nahaas | brass |
| nahlah – nahal | bee |
| nahr | river |
| na’in | a particular kind of Persian carpet, predominantly beige and of high quality |
| najjar | carpenter |
| najm – pl. najuwm | star |
| nakhl – nakheel | cultivated area |
| nakhuda | ship’s captain |
| namawzaj | shape, form or design |
| naqoush mefat’ha | carved plaster panels or plasterwork allowing air to circulate |
| naqaa | barkan sand dunes |
| naqoush suwr al bab | carved plaster panels or plasterwork around a door |
| naql | transportation |
| naqsh | carved plaster panels or plasterwork |
| nat a habl | a traditional rope game for girls |
| natuwr | watchman |
| neel | the material used to give the distinctive finish to a batula |
| niqaab | a double- or triple-layered black veil worn by some women to mask their faces |
| niswan | women |
| nuhaas | copper |
| nusf | half – fraction |
| nuqta | point or place |
| nuwr | light or lamp |
| nuwra | lime wash |
| Q | |
| qa’a | a house type in some parts of the Arab world having a qa’a, or small covered central courtyard, and surrounding rooms |
| qabila – pl. qabaa’l | family group characterised by a common family name |
| qadeem | old |
| qadm – pl. aqdaam | foot – measurement |
| qahwa | coffee, traditionally made with coffee beans and cardamon, and served in small cups, poured from a della |
| qaim maqam | a Turkish title given to the person who administers a kaza, or district |
| qalam | pen |
| qal’at | fort |
| qal’at al askar | military fort |
| qalb | heart or centre |
| qalm | pen |
| qamees | shirt |
| qamr | moon, arch or crescent-shaped |
| qanas | falconry |
| qanat | underground channel for water with periodic vertical ventilation shafts, more commonly used in Iran |
| qanuwn – pl. qawaaneen | laws |
| qanuwn al binaa’ | building regulations |
| qareeb | near |
| qaraar – pl. qaraaraat | decision |
| laqum al qaraar | television programme – The Decision is Yours |
| qasbah | fortified quarters or citadel of rulers – mostly in reference to Mugharib buildings |
| qasr | castle, fort or fortified structure |
| qata | an internal tent dividing wall constructed from woven strips sewn together |
| qataf | Limonium axillare – a desert plant |
| qatiya | low, head-height dividing wall |
| qatuba | a reinforcing strip that links the filli of tent roofs and protects the material from tension stresses |
| qaws – aaqwaas | moon or arch |
| qawi | strong |
| qayis | good |
| qibla | the direction of Mecca, usually understood to be the wall of a mosque on that side facing Mecca |
| qif | stop! or stand! – traffic sign |
| qifl – aqfaal | door lock |
| qism | section |
| qiyas | an aspect of Islamic law which is reasoned by analogy |
| qleena wa al-maatuwa’ | tipstick, a traditional Qatari game played with a stick and a bat or paddle to strike it with |
| qubba – pl. qubab or qubaab | dome or cupola |
| qubqub | crab |
| quran | the sacred text of Islam, understood by Muslims to comprise the revelations of God to Muhammad through the angel, Gabriel. Its text is valid for religious purposes only in its original Arabic. Translations are interpretations only |
| qutb | pivot, pole or axis |
| qutra | headscarf square, folded on the diagonal and worn on the head over a kaffiyah and held down with a black iqal. The qutra is white in summer and usually check in winter – most commonly white and black, red or green. Although both white and coloured are commonly referred to as a qutra, the embroidered, heavy qutra is more properly known as a shumagh |
| R | |
| ra’ad | thunder |
| rabaaba | the single stringed violin used by Badu |
| rabadth | suburb in the immediate vicinity of the older, central part of a medina |
| rabi’ | spring – pl. season |
| raff – pl. rafuwf | shelf |
| raha – pl. rahaat | a pintel hinge, most commonly found on doors, or a grain mill |
| rahma | compassion |
| rakhis | cheap |
| rajul – pl. rijaal | man |
| Ramadhan | the holy month – ninth in the Muslim calendar, the month in which the first verses of the Quran were revealed to the Prophet, and marked by fasting through the hours of daylight |
| ramaadi | grey or ash-like |
| raml – pl. ramaal | sand |
| raas | head of a body or a geographical cape |
| rabi’a | spring (season) |
| ra’ees | head of a group or chief of a tribe |
| rakaab | pack camels – camels used for transporting |
| raqam – pl. aarqaam | number |
| rawdha – pl. riyadh | private garden or cultivatable land – also the colloquial name given to soil which can be used for planting |
| rashash | rifle |
| razeef | Badu dance for men performing in two facing lines, singing eight-bar verses at each other, backed by two kinds of drum, the tubal and the tara |
| rijl | foot |
| risaala | letter or transmission |
| riwaq | porch, originally of palm fronds before simple rooms |
| ruaq | the walls of tent, fixed to the tent roof with wooden pins |
| ruba’a | a quarter – fraction |
| ruba’a al khali | the Empty Quarter of Saudi Arabia |
| rukhaam | marble |
| rukhsa | a permit |
| rukn | corner |
| rushanih – pl. ruwshaanaat | the internal part of a wall between structural columns, or a niche |
| ruttub | a half-ripe date which has contrasting tastes and textures |
| rutuba | humidity, damp or moisture |
| S | |
| sa’a | clock, watch or hour |
| s’af | date palm fronds |
| saala | sitting room for the family |
| sa’b | difficult |
| sabaah | morning |
| sabbah | a traditional game played by boys |
| sabil | a fountain used as a water source for washing in a wudhuw’ |
| sabkha | an area of sea which has been covered by wind-driven sand to form land of varying solidity and safety to travellers |
| sabr | wait, as in ‘be patient’ |
| sabr shway | wait a little |
| sadu | a badu simple weaving loom, fixed to the ground |
| safaqa | timber window shutters |
| safarat | embassy |
| safir | ambassador |
| safina | ship |
| sagheer | small |
| saha | healthy |
| sahab | cloud |
| sahan – pl. suhoon | plate, or alternatively, a courtyard |
| saharaa’ | desert |
| sahat | cul-de-sac |
| sa’id | happy |
| saidaliya | pharmacy |
| saif | summer |
| saif | sword or a curved sand-dune |
| salaam | peace |
| salah | ritual prayers |
| salama | safety |
| salat | prayer |
| salat al-fajr | early morning prayer |
| salat al-dthur | mid-day prayer |
| salat al-asr | mid-afternoon prayer |
| salat al-maghrib | sunset prayer |
| salat al-isha | evening prayer |
| saj | teak timber |
| sajada – pl. sajjad | prayer mat |
| salaamlik | the public area of a house |
| salam | ladder |
| salsabil | water spout usually associated with a shadirwan or carved marble slab. The name comes from one of the wells, fountains or rivers in paradise from which the faithful may drink according to the Holy Quran |
| saluqi – pl. sulqan or salaq | a hunting dog |
| samak | fish |
| sambooq | a boat traditionally used for pearling |
| samr | the plant, Acacia tortillis |
| sanduq – pl. sanaadiq | box |
| sanduq al bareed | post office box |
| sanna | year |
| saqf – pl. suquwf | ceiling |
| saqr | the most popular hawk for hunting – hurr is the female, garmoush the male |
| saraaj – pl. saraajaat | bed |
| sareer – pl. saraaeer | bed |
| sat’h – pl. satuwh | roof |
| sawm | the practice of fasting |
| sawma’a – pl. sawaami’ | an early ventilation tower |
| sawr | to make a picture or take a photograph |
| sayaana | maintenance |
| sayyara | motor car |
| sbuwq | the jesses used to tether a hawk’s feet |
| seeda | straight ahead – coll. |
| seekh | a steel or brass bolt used to secure a door, usually on the outside of the door. It is the replacement of the mazlaaj |
| shaab – pl. shabaab | a youth |
| shaar | hair |
| shadakha – pl. shadakhat | bird trap |
| shadirwan | a carved marble slab onto which a salsabil pours water |
| shafi | the school of fiqh covering Indonesia and Malaysia |
| shahada | the expression of faith, and one of the five basic practical tenets of Islam |
| shaheen | hawk |
| shaikh – pl. shyuwkh | leader of a tribe or qabila, or a term of respect |
| shaitaan | Satan or the Devil |
| shajjar | trees |
| shamal | north or the local name for the strong north north-west wind, often sand-laden. Also the colloquial name for ‘left’ |
| shams | sun |
| shandal | timber roof joists, usually of round sectioned mangrove poles |
| shaqiqa | sister state or body, a familiar reference to states or groups with which there are close ties of one sort or another, particularly religious |
| sha’r | hair |
| shahr – pl. shahuwr | month |
| shara’ | road |
| sharika | (commercial) company |
| shari’a | Islamic legal tradition based on regulations, traditions and principles |
| sharq | east |
| shawkat | fork |
| sharq alawsat | Middle East |
| shayba or shaybi | an old man |
| shayla | a loosely worn headscarf for women |
| sherbala | the carved wooden architraves around a door |
| shi’a | a branch of Islam representing between 10-15% of Muslims. |
| shibreet – shibareet | match |
| shi’ite | derived from shi’at Ali – the followers of Ali, the son-in-law of Muhammad who, his followers believe, was designated by Muhammad to succeed him |
| shitaa’ | winter |
| shnaan | Arthrocnemum glaucum – a desert plant |
| shubak – pl. shubabik | window |
| shumagh | a heavy headscarf square, folded on the diagonal and worn on the head over a kaffiyah and held down with a black iqal. Usually worn in winter it commonly has a white and black, red or green check pattern. It is often referred to as a qutra |
| shurfa | verandah or balcony |
| shuw’i – pl. shwa’i | typical, small fishing boat with raked stem and transom stern, also used for general cargo movement |
| shuf | look! |
| shura | consultation |
| shurfa | merlon or crenellation – the articulated top of a wall |
| shurta | police |
| shurti – pl. shurta | policeman |
| shway-shway | gently or quietly |
| shy | tea |
| shy ahmar | tea, literally red tea, served with sugar but without milk |
| shy na’na | mint tea |
| sidr or sidra | the plant, Zizyphus nummularia |
| sifaat | the attributes and characteristics of the letters of the Arabic alphabet |
| sifr | nought, zero or nothing |
| sijaad | carpet |
| sijn | prison |
| sikka – pl. sikkat | narrow urban alleyway |
| sikkin | knife |
| sim | poison |
| sinn – pl. alasnaan | tooth |
| sirwal | loose trousers worn by both men and women below their outer garment |
| sirwal qamees | woman’s clothing comprising loose trousers and a long shirt |
| sitara | raised parapet walls at roof level for privacy |
| subagh | paint |
| suban | shell sand |
| subh | morning |
| sufra | woven mat, usually circular, from which meals are eaten |
| sufun | generic term for a ship or boat |
| suna’ | land within an area of jiri where there is no vegetation |
| sunnah | source of law second only to the Quran, essentially deeds and recorded sayings of the Prophet |
| sunnah salat | optional prayers which may be offered on a regular basis and are of two forms: one which, if abandoned would be a sin, and one which, if abandoned, would not |
| sunna | a branch of Islam founded on acceptance of the legitimacy of the first four caliphs – Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman and Ali – who succeeded Muhammad, and representing 85-90% of Muslims |
| sunni | a follower of the sunna traditions of Islam, and the majority religion of Qataris |
| suq – pl. aswaaq | market or bazaar |
| sura – pl. suwar | any of the 114 chapters of the Holy Quran. surat al baqara – the chapter of the cow |
| suwf | wool |
| suwr | wall |
| suwra – pl. suwar | a picture |
| T | |
| taajir | merchant |
| taalib | student |
| tabakh | gas oven or cook |
| tabeeb | doctor |
| tabeeb asnaan | dentist |
| tabiq | a storey of a building |
| tabl | a double-ended drum which is carried at waist level, suspended by a rope around the neck of the drummer |
| tadiem | the strengthened corner of a rectangular building |
| tafteesh | inspection |
| taht | under or below |
| tahuwiyah | ventilation |
| tajweed | recitation of the Quran, the root word meaning doing something well |
| takhzeen | storage |
| takhtiyt | planning |
| tal | hill |
| talaq | divorce initiated by a man |
| tamam | good |
| tambura | pre-Islamic dance performed by women and associated with the pre-Islamic god, Zar, and a drum used in that dance? |
| tambara | a tall, stringed, lyre-like instrument used in Tamburas? |
| tamr | date |
| tanuwr | clay bread oven |
| taq taq taqiyyah | a traditional game for boys |
| taqiyyah | the practice of dissimulation, permitted under certain conditions |
| taqlidyah | traditional |
| taqs | weather |
| taqwa | the attitude of care, and reverence for all things |
| tara | a single-sided drum used at a razeef or ardha |
| taraaz – pl. taraazaat | pattern |
| tarath | heritage |
| tarfa | name given to the wooden construction of a camel saddle, the name deriving from the tamarisk tree from which the y-shaped structure is usually taken |
| tariq | street |
| tarmeem | repair of buildings |
| tasah | a pearl sieve – see ghurbaal |
| tasmeem | design |
| taswiq | marketing or shopping – see dukaan |
| taswir | a picture |
| tatwir | development |
| taweel | tall |
| tawel umrak | m. term of respect – literally long your life |
| tawela | table |
| tawheed | the belief of faith in God |
| tawjeed | the art and science of recitation |
| tawwash | a pearl dealer |
| tayyara | aeroplane |
| tayyib | good or strong |
| teen – soft ‘t’ | figs |
| teen – hard ‘t’ | mud used for building |
| thab | desert lizard |
| thalaja | refrigerator |
| thalith | third – ordinal |
| thalj | snow or ice or hail |
| thaqaafa | culture or education |
| thaqeel | heavy |
| thub or thawb – pl. thiyaab | ankle-length traditional Arabic male dress, white and light in summer, darker and heavier in winter |
| thulth | third – fraction |
| thuluwf | a pair of flat hard wood paddles forming a part of a traditional camel saddle – see masaleeb |
| tubal | drum used in razeefs |
| tistaahleen | congratulations |
| tufah | apple |
| turath | heritage |
| turaab | earth used for building |
| U | |
| ubuw | father |
| ufuqi | horizontal |
| ulema | Muslim scholars who are responsible for interpreting the shari’a |
| umayyad | relating to the dynasty founded by Umayya ibn ’abd Shams, the great grandfather of the first Umayyad caliph. Based in Damascus, it moved to al-Andalus. It was the second of the Islamic caliphates – see abbaasid and fatimid |
| umm | mother |
| umm salal | a hard, rocky area |
| ummah | community or nation. In the context of Islam it refers to the whole of the Islamic world |
| ’urf – pl. a’raf | local or tribal rules and customary practice |
| usbuwa’ | week |
| ustad | master builder |
| W | |
| waasut | the central pole of a black tent |
| wadi – pl. widyan | dry river bed or valley |
| wadhihi | the Arabian oryx, one of the antelope family |
| wahabi | a movement, originating with Muhammad ibn ’abd al-Wahab (c.1703–1791) in Saudi Arabia, holding among other things, that the veneration of saints, ostentation in worship and luxurious living are evils |
| waha | oasis |
| waalid | father |
| wajib salat | compulsory prayers, avoidance of which make the individual a sinner |
| waajiha | elevation |
| wakaala – pl. wakaalaat | open area serving a number of private houses |
| wakr | the mushroom-shaped seat on which a hawk sits, with a spiked base for fixing in the sand |
| walad | boy |
| waqf – pl. awqaf. | a charitable endowment usually established for the advantage of a religious, educational or hospital establishment |
| waqt | time |
| waraqa | piece of paper or the leaf of a tree |
| warid | flower |
| warra | behind |
| warrish | high wall constructed for privacy |
| wasit | middle |
| wasta | influence |
| wasakh | dirt or dirty – coll. |
| wasm | tribal property symbol branded onto animals and carved near wells to express ownership |
| watad – pl. awtad | turned and painted wooden peg, let into the wall of a majlis or other room, and from which cloaks are hung, or a tent peg |
| wayn | where? |
| wazarat | ministry |
| wazir | minister |
| wudhuw’ | ablution, or the Muslim act of washing parts of the body before prayer, or the ablution area |
| Y | |
| yameen | right – as opposed to left |
| yasaar | left – as opposed to right |
| yad | hand |
| yawm | day |
| Z | |
| zaar | dance with a pre-Islamic African origin |
| zahir | the external expression of self or a thing |
| zain | good |
| zait | oil |
| zakaat | a tax and the name given to one of the five pillars of Islam – the giving of alms to the poor |
| zanjabil | ginger, particularly tea served in winter with ginger and condensed milk |
| zariba – pl. zaribaat | open area for animals |
| za’tar | thyme, and a tea made with thyme which is considered to have beneficial medicinal properties |
| zawiya | corner |
| zift | black tar or an impolite expression |
| ziyada | outer enclosure or extension of a mosque common to congregational mosques in the early Islamic period |
| ziyr | water jug |
| zujaj | glass |
| zuli | partially enclosed toilet fixed to the side of a boat |
| zulia – pl. zuwali | carpet or rug – coll. |
| zulij | mosaics or glazed tiles |
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