زبدة
zébda/zub.da/Egyptian Arabic, feminine
The English word 'butter' is translated into Arabic as زبدة (zébda). Wiktionary also lists زُبْدَة (zubda).
Meaning: soft foodstuff made from milk (noun)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| زبدة | zébda | /zub.da/ /zub.da/ (Hijazi) |
Egyptian Arabic, feminine |
| زُبْدَة | zubda | feminine |
The word refers to the soft foodstuff made from milk. To specify 'peanut butter', you use the compound phrase زبدة الفول السوداني, which combines the word for butter with the word for peanut.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Gulf dialect, the word سمن is used to refer to butter or ghee. In Egyptian Arabic, the word is pronounced as zébda.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word for butter is a feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
zébda (/zub.da/), 2 syllables
Did you know?
- The word زبدة shares a root with words meaning 'foam' or 'scum' in classical Arabic, reflecting the process of churning milk where the butter rises to the top.
- The word زبدة can also be used in a metaphorical sense in Arabic to describe something that is the 'cream of the crop' or the best part of a group.
- In traditional Arabic medicine and folk customs, زبدة was historically used as a base for topical ointments and healing salves long before modern creams existed.
Examples in context
- ناولني علبة زبدة الفول السوداني مع المربى إذا سمحت.Peanut butter and jelly, please.This sentence is useful for requesting peanut butter and jelly using زبدة.Tatoeba #395501 by saeb, translation #34859 by Swift
- اشترت رطليْ زبدة.She bought two pounds of butter.This sentence is useful for describing the purchase of butter using زبدة.Tatoeba #498527 by saeb, translation #311984 by CK
- هل يمكنك تمرير الزبدة، من فضلك؟Could you pass me the butter, please?
- أنا عايزة زبدة على العيش.Ana ayza zebda 'ala el-'eish.I want butter on the bread.
Example conversation
Sara and Ahmed are preparing breakfast in the kitchen.
- سارة Saraيا أحمد، فين الزبدة في الثلاجة؟Ya Ahmed, feen el-zebda fil-tallaga?Ahmed, where is the butter in the fridge?
- أحمد Ahmedموجودة في الباب، يا سارة.Mawgouda fil-bab, ya Sara.It is in the door, Sara.
- سارة Saraتمام، محتاجة زبدة عشان الكيكة كمان.Tamam, mehtaga zebda ashan el-kika kaman.Okay, I need butter for the cake too.
- أحمد Ahmedممكن تشتري علبة تانية وأنتِ خارجة.Momkin teshteri elba tanya wenti kharga.You can buy another pack when you go out.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “butter” translations and entries زبدة, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
