Modern Standard Arabic (MSA)
Using Language in the Kitchen
One of the most interesting parts of exploring a new culture and new country includes experiencing its food. An even better way to dive deeper into a region’s culture is through cooking. While I have spent much time studying Arabic words related to my interests, politics, and literature I have spent far less time using the necessary words in Arabic needed to maneuver around a kitchen. The following includes necessary phrases and words for Arabic users, like me, who are eager to put their language to practical use when ordering a meal or even dining at home.
Kitchen Items[1]:
| Kitchen | اَلمَطبَخُ | Matbakh |
| Oven | فُرنٌ | Furn |
| Pot | قِدرٌ | Qidrun |
| Knife | سِکِّینٌ | Sikkeen |
| Fire | نارٌ | Naar |
| Cup | کَوبٌ | Kowb |
| Smoke | دِخانٌ | Dikhaan |
| Frying Pan | مِقلاۃٌ | Miqlaatun |
| Spoon | ملعقةٌ | mil’aqahun |
| Fork | شوكة | shawkah |
| Grill | مِشواۃٌ | Mishwaatun |
| Towel | فَوطَۃٌ | Fowtatun |
| Tea Pot | بَرَّادَۃٌ | Barradatun |
| Bottle | قِنِینَۃٌ | Qineenatun |
| Plate | طبق | Tabaq |
| Bowl | زبدية | zubddiyah |
Examples:
1.) قدر /qidr/ pot
هذا القدر عمره عشر سنوات
/hathā al-qidru umruhu ašru sanawāt/
This pot is ten years old.
2.) مقلاة /miqlāh/ frying pan
البصل يقلى فى المقلاة
/al-basalu yuqlā fil-miqlāh/
The onions are sautéed in the frying pan.
3.) سكين /sikkīn/ knife
هل يمكنك أن تمررلي السكين؟
/hal yumkinuka ʾan tumarrira lī as-sikkīn?/
Could you pass me the knife?
4.) شوكة /shawkah/ Fork
الشوكة على طبق
/šawkah alā tabaq/
The fork is on a plate.
Activity: Write sentences using the new vocabulary above.
Food Items:
| food | طعام | Ta3aam | |
| foods | مأكولات | ma’kuulaat | |
| breakfast | فطور | faTuur | |
| lunch | غداء | ġadaa’ | |
| dinner | عشاء | 3ašaa’ | |
| to eat | أكل – يأكل (أكل) | akala – yaa’kulu (akl) | |
| to drink | شرب – يشرب (شرب) | šariba – yašrabu (šurb) | |
| water | ماء | maa’ | |
| tea | شاي | šaay | |
| coffee | قهوة | qahwa | |
| milk | حليب | Haliib | |
| fruit | فاكهة (ج) فواكه | faakiha (pl.) fawaakih | |
| apple | تفّاح | tuffaaH | |
| orange | برتقال | burtuqaal | |
| banana | موز | mooz | |
| lemon | ليمون | laymuun | |
| lime | ليمون حامض | laymuun HaamiD | |
| watermelon | بطّيخ | baTTiix | |
| cantaloupe | بطّيخ أصفر | baTTiix aSfar | |
| strawberry | فراولة | farawla | |
| cherry | كرز | karaz | |
| grape | عنب | 3inab | |
| pomegranate | رمّان | rummaan | |
| olive | زيتون | zeituun | |
| carrot | جزر | jazar | |
| cauliflower | قرنبيط | qarnabiiT | |
| lettuce | خسّ | xass | |
| cucumber | خيار | xiyaar | |
| zucchini | كوسا | kuusa | |
| cabbage | كرمب | krumb | |
| peas | بازلاء | baazilaa’ | |
| onion | بصل | baSal | |
| garlic | ثوم | tuum | |
| chicken | دجاج | dajaaj | |
| lamb | لحم الخروف | laHm al-xaruuf | |
| beef | لحم البقر | laHm al-baqar | |
| turkey | ديك رومي | diik ruumi | |
| fish | سمك | samak | |
| pork | لحم الخنزير | laHm al-xanziir | |
| bread | خبز | xubz | |
| rice | أرزّ | aruzz | |
| pasta | مكرونة | makaruuna | |
| egg | بيض | beiD | |
| desserts, sweets | حلويات | Helawiyaat | |
Example Sentences:
| Are you thirsty? | هل انت عطشان؟ |
| I’m hungry | أنا جائع |
| Breakfast is ready | الإفطار جاهز |
| What kind of food do you like? | أي نوع من الطعام تحب؟ |
| I like cheese | أنا أحب الجبن |
| I don’t like cucumber | أنا لا أحب الخيار |
| I like bananas | أنا أحب الموز |
Activity: Using the examples and the vocabulary list above, create your own sentences in Arabic.
Sources:
[1] See https://kaleela.com/kitchen-items-in-arabic/ for more words and examples. Many of the words and examples can be found on this webpage.
https://arabic.desert-sky.net/food.html
