Animals

1. كلب

   kelb

   Dog

   Usage

   Use it when you see a dog or to say you are afraid of dogs.

   Grammar Note

   Never say it to a person; it is only for the animal.

2. قطوسة

   qaṭūsa

   Cat

   Usage

   Used to point out a cat.

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary lists it as cat. The same spelling can also describe a pretty woman, so point at the animal.

3. عصفور

   ʿaṣfūr

   Bird

   Usage

   Used for a small bird. The plural is "ʿaṣāfer".

   Grammar Note

   The plural is "ʿaṣāfer" (عصافر).

4. حوتة

   ḥūta

   Fish

   Usage

   Used for a live fish. Fish as food is "ḥūt".

   Grammar Note

   "Ḥūta" is one fish.

5. حصان

   ḥṣān

   Horse

   Usage

   Used for a horse, also when talking about riding.

   Grammar Note

   A dictionary example mentions a pure-bred Arabian horse.

6. جمل

   jmel

   Camel

   Usage

   Used when talking about camel rides in the south.

   Grammar Note

   A dictionary example says people ride camels when they go south. The same spelling is also a verb meaning to embellish.

7. حمار

   ḥmār

   Donkey

   Usage

   Used for a donkey carrying loads.

   Grammar Note

   Never say it to a person; it is only for the animal.

8. بڨرة

   bagra

   Cow

   Usage

   Used for a cow.

   Grammar Note

   The letter "ڨ" stands for the sound /g/. A dictionary example uses the collective "l-bagar" for cattle.

9. علوش

   ʿallūsh

   Sheep

   Usage

   Used for a sheep, including the sheep of the Eid sacrifice.

   Grammar Note

   The dictionary headword is lamb; its examples refer to the sheep prepared for the feast.

10. معزة

    maʿza

    Goat

    Usage

    Used for a goat.

    Grammar Note

    A male goat is "ʿatrūs" (عتروس).

11. دجاجة

    djāja

    Chicken

    Usage

    Used for one chicken. Chicken as a whole or as meat is "djāj".

    Grammar Note

    "Djāja" is one bird and "djāj" is the collective.

12. سردوك

    serdūk

    Rooster

    Usage

    Used for the cock that crows in the morning.

    Grammar Note

    A dictionary example says the speaker woke up to the rooster crowing.

13. بطة

    baṭṭa

    Duck

    Usage

    Used for ducks on a pond or lake.

    Grammar Note

    A dictionary example uses the collective "l-baṭṭ".

14. حمامة

    ḥmāma

    Pigeon / dove

    Usage

    Used for a pigeon or dove.

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary headword covers dove and pigeon.

15. صقر

    ṣaqr

    Falcon

    Usage

    Used for a bird of prey.

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary describes it as a bird of prey.

16. قرد

    qerd

    Monkey

    Usage

    Used for a monkey, for example at a zoo.

    Grammar Note

    Said to a woman it is an insult; keep it for the animal.

17. ثعلب

    thaʿleb

    Fox

    Usage

    Used for a fox seen in the woods.

    Grammar Note

    A dictionary example says someone saw a fox in the forest.

18. فنك

    fnek

    Fennec (desert fox)

    Usage

    Used for the small fox of the desert.

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary headword is desert fox.

19. ذيب

    dhīb

    Wolf

    Usage

    Used for a wolf of the forest.

    Grammar Note

    A dictionary example says the wolf lives in the forest.

20. أرنب

    arnab

    Rabbit / hare

    Usage

    Used for a rabbit.

    Grammar Note

    The everyday word for rabbit.

21. فار

    fār

    Mouse / rat

    Usage

    Use it to report seeing a mouse.

    Grammar Note

    A dictionary example says someone saw a mouse.

22. حنش

    ḥnash

    Snake

    Usage

    Use it when you see a snake or to warn someone.

    Grammar Note

    A dictionary example says the bite of a poisonous snake kills.

23. حنشة

    ḥnasha

    Viper

    Usage

    Use it when someone has been bitten by a viper.

    Grammar Note

    A dictionary example says someone was bitten by a viper.

24. سحلية

    saḥliyya

    Lizard

    Usage

    Used for a lizard.

    Grammar Note

    A dictionary example says a lizard is passing by.

25. وزغة

    wazgha

    Gecko

    Usage

    Used for the small lizard on the wall.

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary lists it as gecko or small lizard.

26. عقرب

    ʿeqrab

    Scorpion

    Usage

    Use it if one has stung you in the desert.

    Grammar Note

    A dictionary example says there are many scorpions in the desert.

27. رتيلة

    rtīla

    Spider

    Usage

    Used for a spider on the wall.

    Grammar Note

    A dictionary example says there is a spider on the wall.

28. نموسة

    nemūsa

    Mosquito

    Usage

    Use it when mosquitoes are bothering you.

    Grammar Note

    "Nemūsa" is one mosquito and "nāmūs" is the collective.

29. ذبانة

    dhebbāna

    Fly

    Usage

    Use it when a fly is bothering you.

    Grammar Note

    A dictionary example says a fly disturbed someone trying to sleep.

30. نحلة

    naḥla

    Bee

    Usage

    Use it to say a bee has stung you.

    Grammar Note

    A dictionary example says the bee makes honey. The collective is "naḥl".

31. بو زمزم

    bū zemzem

    Wasp

    Usage

    Use it to say a wasp has stung you.

    Grammar Note

    A dictionary example says it stung someone on the hand. "Bū" is the word for "possessor of".

32. نمالة

    nemmāla

    Ant

    Usage

    Use it when ants are swarming.

    Grammar Note

    The plural or collective is "nemmāl" (نمال).

33. خنفوس

    khenfūs

    Cockroach

    Usage

    Use it to report bugs in a room.

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary lists cockroach, beetle and small bug; a small one is "khnīfsa".

34. فكرون

    fakrūn

    Turtle / tortoise

    Usage

    Used for a turtle or tortoise.

    Grammar Note

    A dictionary example mentions a pet turtle kept at home.

35. قنديل لبحر

    qandīl l-baḥr

    Jellyfish

    Usage

    Use it when you see one while swimming.

    Grammar Note

    The dictionary headword is "qandīl l-baḥr".

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