حَاسُوب
ḥāsūbmasculine
The English word computer is translated into Arabic as حَاسُوب (ḥāsūb). Wiktionary also lists حَاسِب (ḥāsib) and كَمْبْيُوتَر (kambyūtar).
Meaning: programmable electronic device (noun)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| حَاسُوب | ḥāsūb | masculine | |
| حَاسِب | ḥāsib | masculine | |
| كَمْبْيُوتَر | kambyūtar | masculine | |
| كمبيوتر | kombeyūtar | /kambjuː.tar/ | Egyptian Arabic, masculine |
| كومبيوتر | kombeyūtar | Egyptian Arabic, masculine |
The term refers to a programmable electronic device.
What does it mean word for word?
The word حَاسُوب is derived from the root ح–س–ب (ḥ-s-b), which relates to the concept of calculating or counting.
Which one should you use?
حَاسُوب is the formal Modern Standard Arabic term, while كَمْبْيُوتَر is a loanword from English that is used widely in speech. In Egyptian Arabic, the loanword is often pronounced with an 'o' sound as كمبيوتر or كومبيوتر.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Egypt and some other North African countries, the term اللاب توب is predominantly used to refer to a laptop. In Egyptian Arabic, the loanword is specifically pronounced as كمبيوتر or كومبيوتر.
How does it change in a sentence?
All forms of this word are masculine.
How do you pronounce it?
ḥāsūb
Did you know?
- While حَاسُوب is the standard term, some Arabists and linguistic purists campaigned against the loanword كمبيوتر to protect the language from English influence.
- The formal term حَاسُوب is an example of a 'pattern' in Arabic grammar that transforms a verb into a noun for a tool. It describes the computer not as a machine but as 'something that calculates'.
- The loanword كمبيوتر was first attested in Arabic writing in 1972.
Examples in context
- هل تمتلك كمبيوتر؟Do you own a computer?This sentence is useful for asking if someone owns a كمبيوتر.Tatoeba #374802 by saeb, translation #374803 by saeb
- اشتريت كمبيوتر جديد الشهر الفائت.I bought a new computer last month.This sentence is useful for stating that you bought a new كمبيوتر.Tatoeba #417561 by suhaib, translation #259048 by CK
- لدي كمبيوتر.I have a computer.This sentence is useful for saying that you have a كمبيوتر.Tatoeba #13170806 by atitarev, translation #253848 by CK
- أحتاج الحاسوب لإكمال اختباري في البرمجة.I need the computer to complete my programming test.
- المحاضِرة ستركّز على تاريخ الكمبيوتر.The lecture will focus on the history of computers.
- لا يمكنني العمل بدون اللاب توب الخاص بي.I can't work without my laptop.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ahmed and Maryam are at a cafe discussing work.
- أحمد Ahmedأين الحَاسُوب الخاص بكِ يا مريم؟ayna al-ḥāsūb al-khāṣṣ biki yā Maryam?Where is your computer, Maryam?
- مريم Maryamإنه في الحقيبة.innahu fī al-ḥaqībah.It is in the bag.
- أحمد Ahmedهل هو حَاسُوب سريع؟hal huwa ḥāsūb sarī'?Is it a fast computer?
- مريم Maryamنعم، هو ممتاز جداً.na'am, huwa mumtāz jiddan.Yes, it is very excellent.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “computer” translations and entries كمبيوتر, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries كمبيوتر, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
