تمر
tamr/tamr/
The English word "dates" (referring to the fruit) is translated into Arabic as تمر (tamr).
تمر refers to the sweet oval fruit of the date palm tree.
How does it change in a sentence?
تمر is a mass noun and typically does not take a plural form when referring to the fruit in general. The form تمرا is the accusative case of تمر, which is used when the word functions as the direct object of a verb.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is tamr and the IPA is /tamr/.
Did you know?
- In many Arabic-speaking cultures, eating an odd number of تمر is a common tradition, especially during the breaking of the Ramadan fast.
- Arabic uses different terms for dates depending on their ripeness, distinguishing between the 'kimri', 'khalal', 'rutab' and 'tamr' stages.
- The Arabic word for general 'fruits' ثَمَر likely evolved from a word that originally meant specifically 'dates'.
Examples in context
- أكل ويري تمرا.Ziri ate dates.This sentence is useful for seeing the accusative form تمرا used as a direct object.Tatoeba #10231129 by Amastan, translation #10208226 by Amastan
- اشتريتُ تمرًا طازجًا.Ishtaraytu tamran tazijan.I bought fresh dates.
Example conversation
Laila and Ahmed are having tea in the living room.
- ليلى Laylaهل تريد تمرًا مع الشاي؟Hal turidu tamran ma'a al-shay?Do you want dates with the tea?
- أحمد Ahmedنعم، من فضلكِ يا ليلى.Na'am, min fadliki ya Laila.Yes, please, Laila.
- ليلى Laylaتفضل، هذا التمر من السوق.Tafaddal, hadha al-tamr min al-suq.Here, these dates are from the market.
- أحمد Ahmedشكرًا لكِ، يبدو رائعًا.Shukran laki, yabdu ra'i'an.Thank you, it looks wonderful.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry تمر, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries تمر, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
