خنفساء
khunfusa'
The word for beetle in Arabic is خنفساء (khunfusa').
The term is used to refer to the insect known as a beetle.
Meaning: insect (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
khunfusa'
Did you know?
- The word خنفساء is an ancient relative of the Aramaic term for the 'scarab', a symbol once considered sacred in the Near East.
- While خنفساء is the formal term, many Arabic speakers use the word جعل (ja'al) in daily conversation to refer to beetles or similar insects.
- The word خنفساء is a feminine noun in Arabic, regardless of the biological sex of the beetle being described.
Examples in context
- أريد معرفة المزيد عن الخنفساء.I want to know more about the beetle.
- رأيت خنفساء صغيرة في الحديقة.ra'aytu khunfusā'a ṣaghīra fī al-ḥadīqa.I saw a small beetle in the garden.
- هذه خنفساء ملونة وجميلة.hādhihi khunfusā'a mulawwana wa jamīla.This is a colorful and beautiful beetle.
- هل هذه خنفساء أم حشرة أخرى؟hal hādhihi khunfusā'a am ḥashara ukhra?Is this a beetle or another insect?
Example conversation
Maryam and Ahmed are walking in a park and spot a small insect on a leaf.
- مريم Maryamانظر يا أحمد، هناك خنفساء على الورقة.unẓur yā aḥmad, hunāka khunfusā'a 'alā al-waraqa.Look Ahmed, there is a beetle on the leaf.
- أحمد Ahmedنعم، إنها خنفساء سوداء لامعة.na'am, innahā khunfusā'a sawdā' lāmi'a.Yes, it is a shiny black beetle.
- مريم Maryamهل هي خطيرة؟hal hiya khaṭīra?Is it dangerous?
- أحمد Ahmedلا، هي مجرد خنفساء صغيرة.lā, hiya mujarrad khunfusā'a ṣaghīra.No, it is just a small beetle.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries خنفساء, CC BY-SA 4.0.
