صِنْف
ṣinfmasculine
The English word "class" can be translated into Arabic using صِنْف (ṣinf). If unsure, use صِنْف. Wiktionary also lists صَنْف (ṣanf).
Meaning: group, collection, category or set sharing characteristics or attributes (noun)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| صِنْف | ṣinf | masculine |
| صَنْف | ṣanf | masculine |
This term refers to a group, collection, category or set that shares specific characteristics or attributes.
Which one should you use?
The forms صِنْف and صَنْف are both masculine nouns used to denote a class or category.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Lebanese and Egyptian dialects, the word صف is commonly used to mean class. In Gulf dialects, such as those spoken in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, the word فصل is used instead.
How do you pronounce it?
ṣinf
Did you know?
- If you use the word فصل (faṣl) to mean a 'class' in the Gulf, you are using a word that also means 'season' or 'chapter' in a book.
- In many Arabic dialects, the word صف is used for a school 'class', but it literally translates to a 'row' or 'line' of people.
- In a culinary context, صنف is used to describe a 'variety' of dish, meaning a meal with many 'classes' of food is seen as more generous.
Examples in context
- هيدا صف الرياضيات صعب.This math class is difficult.
- هذا صِنْف جديد من الفواكه.hādhā ṣinf jadīd min al-fawākih.This is a new class of fruit.
- هذا صِنْف متميز من الكتب.hādhā ṣinf mutamayyiz min al-kutub.This is an excellent class of books.
Example conversation
Ahmed and Maryam are organizing a collection of stamps.
- أحمد Ahmedيا مريم، ما هذا الصنف من الطوابع؟Yā Maryam, mā hādhā al-ṣinf min al-ṭawābiʿ?Maryam, what class of stamps is this?
- مريم Maryamهذا صِنْف نادر جداً يا أحمد.Hādhā ṣinf nādir jiddan yā Aḥmad.This is a very rare class, Ahmed.
- أحمد Ahmedهل نضعه في مجموعة منفصلة؟Hal naḍaʿuhu fī majmūʿa munfaṣila?Should we put it in a separate group?
- مريم Maryamنعم، لأنه يختلف عن البقية.Naʿam, li-annahu yakhtalifu ʿan al-baqiyya.Yes, because it is different from the rest.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “class” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
