جبنة
gibna/d͡ʒub.na/Egyptian Arabic, feminine
The English word "cheese" is translated into Arabic as جبنة (gibna). Wiktionary also lists جُبْن (jubn) and جبنه (gibna).
Meaning: dairy product (noun)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| جبنة | gibna | /d͡ʒub.na/ | Egyptian Arabic, feminine |
| جُبْن | jubn | masculine | |
| جبنه | gibna | Egyptian Arabic | |
| جبن | jibin | /d͡ʒubn/ | Gulf Arabic, masculine |
| فرماج | furmāj, frumāj | Moroccan Arabic |
The term refers to the dairy product known as cheese.
Which one should you use?
The form جُبْن (jubn) is the standard way to say cheese in Modern Standard Arabic. In the Gulf region, you will often hear the form جبن pronounced as jibin. In Lebanon, the feminine form جبنة is commonly used.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Lebanon, the word commonly used for cheese is جبنة. In the Gulf region, the form جبن is often pronounced and used as jibin.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form جبنة is grammatically feminine, a characteristic common for many food items in many dialects.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /dʒub.na/ (gibna).
Did you know?
- While جبنة refers to the food, the masculine form جُبْن shares the same root as the Arabic word for 'cowardice'.
- In some North African dialects, you might hear the word فرماج, which is a loanword from the French 'fromage' rather than the Arabic root.
- While English speakers say 'cheese' to smile for a photo, Arabic speakers do not have a cultural equivalent using the word جبنة.
Examples in context
- قل جبنة يا زيري.Ziri, say cheese.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase "say cheese" using جبنة.Tatoeba #10240442 by Amastan, translation #10216942 by Amastan
- أكل زيري جبنا.Ziri ate cheese.This sentence shows the use of the form جبن to describe eating cheese.Tatoeba #10240459 by Amastan, translation #10217300 by Amastan
- كسرت قطعة صغيرة من جبنة الشيدر و غمستها في كريمة حامضة.I broke a small piece of cheddar cheese and dipped it in sour cream.This sentence demonstrates how to use جبنة when describing a piece of cheddar cheese.Tatoeba #4103666 by fadi, translation #2771405 by mervert1
Example conversation
Ahmed and Layla are in the kitchen making breakfast.
- أحمد Ahmedيا ليلى، في جبنة عندنا؟ya Layla, fi gebna andena?Layla, do we have cheese?
- ليلى Laylaأيوه، فيه جبنة في التلاجة.aywa, fi gebna fel talaga.Yes, there is cheese in the fridge.
- أحمد Ahmedطيب، هعمل ساندوتش جبنة.tayyeb, ha'mel sandwich gebna.Okay, I will make a cheese sandwich.
- ليلى Laylaبالهنا والشفا يا أحمد.bel hana wel shefa ya Ahmed.Enjoy your meal, Ahmed.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cheese” translations and entries جبنة, جبن, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries جبن, جبنة, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
