غزل البنات
ghazl al-banat
The English phrase "cotton candy" is translated into Arabic as غزل البنات (ghazl al-banat).
The phrase is used to describe the spun sugar confectionery known in English as cotton candy.
Meaning: spun sugar confectionery (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase غزل البنات literally translates to "spinning of the girls".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Egyptian Arabic, cotton candy can be called غزل البنات.
How do you pronounce it?
ghazl al-banat
Did you know?
- The word غزل used in the phrase does not only mean 'spinning' thread but also refers to the art of 'flirting' or 'romantic poetry' in Arabic literature.
- In many Levantine dialects, the confection is called شعر البنات, which translates to 'the girls' hair'.
- While English uses 'cotton' to describe the texture, Arabic focuses on the process of creation with the word for 'spinning' غزل.
Examples in context
- هَلْ يُمْكِنُنِي الحُصُولَ عَلى حَلْوَى القُطْن، مِنْ فَضْلِكَ؟Can I have some cotton candy, please?
- أنا أحب غزل البنات.ana uhibbu ghazal al-banat.I love cotton candy.
- اشتريت غزل البنات من المهرجان.ishtaraytu ghazal al-banat min al-mahrajan.I bought cotton candy from the festival.
- هل تريد بعض غزل البنات؟hal turidu ba'da ghazal al-banat?Do you want some cotton candy?
Example conversation
Nour and Ziad are at a summer carnival.
- نور Nourانظر، هناك بائع يبيع غزل البنات!unzur, hunaka ba'i' yabiu ghazal al-banat!Look, there is a vendor selling cotton candy!
- زياد Ziadرائع، هل تريدين أن نشتري غزل البنات؟ra'i', hal turidina an nashtari ghazal al-banat?Great, do you want us to buy some cotton candy?
- نور Nourنعم، من فضلك يا زياد.na'am, min fadlika ya ziyad.Yes, please, Ziad.
- زياد Ziadسأذهب لإحضاره الآن.sa-adhhabu li-ihdarihi al-an.I will go get it now.
