Novel Reading Excercise–Tilka al-Ra’iha

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

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