مَكْتَب
maktabmasculine
The English word 'desk' can be translated into Arabic as مَكْتَب (maktab). If unsure, use مَكْتَب. Wiktionary also lists مِنْضَدَة (minḍada).
Meaning: table for writing and reading (noun)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| مَكْتَب | maktab | masculine |
| مِنْضَدَة | minḍada | feminine |
مَكْتَب is used to refer to a desk, which is a table for writing and reading. In many Arabic-speaking contexts, it can also refer to the office or room itself.
What does it mean word for word?
The word مَكْتَب is derived from the root k-t-b, which relates to writing and it literally means a place for writing.
Which one should you use?
While مَكْتَب specifically refers to a desk used for work or writing, مِنْضَدَة is a more general term for a table.
How does it change in a sentence?
The broken plural form of مَكْتَب is مَكاتِب.
How do you pronounce it?
maktab
Did you know?
- Arabic has a specific word for a 'desk' that is used specifically for the Quran, called a رَحْلَة, which differs from the standard مَكْتَب.
- In some Arabic dialects, the word مَكْتَب is used to describe a travel agency or a recruitment bureau, treating the agency as a literal 'office' of service.
- In a way similar to how 'library' relates to 'book' in English, the word مَكْتَبَة (maktaba) means 'library' or 'bookstore' because it shares the same root as مَكْتَب.
Examples in context
- أنا أجلس على المكتب في المكتبة.I sit at the desk in the library.
- هل يمكنك ترتيب الأوراق على المكتب؟Can you organize the papers on the desk?
- الْكِتَابُ عَلَى الْمَكْتَبِ.al-kitābu ‘alā al-maktabi.The book is on the desk.
- هَذَا الْمَكْتَبُ جَدِيدٌ جِدًّا.hādhā al-maktabu jadīdun jiddan.This desk is very new.
- أَحْتَاجُ إِلَى مَكْتَبٍ لِلْعَمَلِ.aḥtāju ilā maktabin lil-‘amal.I need a desk for work.
Example conversation
In a home office, Layla is looking for a place to work.
- ليلى Laylaأَيْنَ الْمَكْتَبُ يَا عُمَرُ؟ayna al-maktabu yā ‘umar?Where is the desk, Omar?
- عمر Omarالْمَكْتَبُ فِي الْغُرْفَةِ.al-maktabu fī al-ghurfati.The desk is in the room.
- ليلى Laylaهَلْ هُوَ كَبِيرٌ؟hal huwa kabīrun?Is it big?
- عمر Omarنَعَمْ، هُوَ كَبِيرٌ وَمُرِيحٌ.na‘am, huwa kabīrun wa murīḥ.Yes, it is big and comfortable.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “desk” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
