سيارة
sayyāra/saj.jaː.ra/Gulf Arabic, feminine
The English word car is translated into Arabic as سيارة (sayyāra). Wiktionary also lists سَيَّارَة (sayyāra) and عَرَبِيَّة (ʕarabiyya).
Meaning: automobile, a vehicle steered by a driver (noun)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| سيارة | sayyāra | /saj.jaː.ra/ /səj.jɑː.rə/ (Kuwait) |
Gulf Arabic, feminine |
| سَيَّارَة | sayyāra | feminine | |
| عَرَبِيَّة | ʕarabiyya | Egyptian Arabic, feminine | |
| طوموبيل | ṭumubīl | Moroccan Arabic, feminine |
The word refers to an automobile, which is a vehicle steered by a driver.
What does it mean word for word?
The word سَيَّارَة is derived from the Arabic root s-y-r, which relates to moving or traveling.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Egyptian Arabic, people commonly use عَرَبِيَّة instead of the standard سيارة. In Moroccan Arabic, the word طوموبيل is used, which is a loanword from the French 'automobile'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word سيارة is a feminine noun. To express the plural 'cars', use سيارات.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is sayyāra. It has 3 syllables.
Did you know?
- In the Quran and classical Arabic, the word سَيَّارَة did not mean a vehicle but referred to a 'caravan' of travelers.
- Because عَرَبِيَّة can mean both 'car' and 'Arabic', an Egyptian speaker saying 'I love عَرَبِيَّة' could be praising a vehicle or the language.
- The root of سيارة is shared with the Hebrew word for 'caravan', showing a deep linguistic connection between the two languages regarding movement.
Examples in context
- أي سيارة هي سيارتنا؟Which car is ours?This sentence shows how to use سيارة to ask which car belongs to someone.Tatoeba #376248 by saeb, translation #36872 by CK
- كادت أن تصدمني سيارة.I was nearly hit by a car.This sentence uses سيارة in the context of a car nearly hitting someone.Tatoeba #416833 by saeb, translation #31590 by CK
- أيمكنك أن تقود سيارة؟Can you drive a car?This sentence demonstrates the use of سيارة when asking about the ability to drive.Tatoeba #458140 by saeb, translation #16020 by CK
- 108 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mariam and Ziad are discussing a new vehicle in a parking lot.
- مريم Maryamوين سيارة زياد؟Wayn sayyarat Ziyad?Where is Ziad's car?
- زياد Ziadالسيارة هناك عند الباب.As-sayyarah hunak 'ind al-bab.The car is over there by the door.
- مريم Maryamسيارة مريم كبيرة جداً.Sayyarat Maryam kabirah jiddan.Mariam's car is very big.
- زياد Ziadنعم، هي سيارة جميلة.Na'am, hiya sayyarah jamilah.Yes, it is a beautiful car.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “car” translations and entries سيارة, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries سيارة, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
