يَمَام
yamāmmasculine
The English phrase "dove" is translated into Arabic as يَمَام (yamām). Wiktionary also lists حَمَام (ḥamām).
Meaning: bird of the family Columbidae, especially one smaller than a pigeon (noun)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| يَمَام | yamām | masculine |
| حَمَام | ḥamām | masculine |
In Arabic, the term refers to a bird of the family Columbidae, especially one smaller than a pigeon.
Which one should you use?
The word يَمَام (yamām) specifically refers to the dove, whereas حَمَام (ḥamām) is a more general term often used for pigeons or doves collectively. The word حَمَام (ḥamām) is the more common, general term used for the entire family of birds including both pigeons and doves.
How do you pronounce it?
yamām
Did you know?
- In many Arabic speaking countries, حَمَام refers not only to the bird but also to a public bathhouse. This happens because the word 'hammam' refers to a steam bath, which sounds nearly identical to the word for pigeon.
- The word حَمَام is used in the phrase 'eating pigeon' as a delicacy in Egypt, where the birds are specifically fattened and prepared as a festive meal.
- Arabic has a specific word for the sound a pigeon or dove makes, هديل (hadīl), which is used as a noun to describe that distinct cooing sound.
Examples in context
- لون اليمامة رمادي فاتح.The dove's color is light gray.
- رَأَيْتُ يَمَامَةً بَيْضَاءَ فِي الْحَدِيقَةِ.ra'aytu yamāmatan bayḍā'a fī al-ḥadīqah.I saw a white dove in the garden.
- هَذَا يَمَامٌ صَغِيرٌ جِدًّا.hādhā yamāmun ṣaghīrun jiddan.This is a very small dove.
- يَمَامُ الْبَرِّ يَسْكُنُ الْأَشْجَارَ.yamāmu al-barri yaskunu al-ashjār.The wood dove lives in the trees.
Example conversation
A woman and a man are sitting on a park bench.
- نور Nourانْظُرْ يَا أَحْمَدُ، هُنَاكَ يَمَامٌ عَلَى الْغُصْنِ!unẓur yā aḥmad, hunāka yamāmun ‘alā al-ghuṣn!Look Ahmed, there is a dove on the branch!
- أحمد Ahmedنَعَمْ، إِنَّهُ جَمِيلٌ جِدًّا.na‘am, innahu jamīlun jiddan.Yes, it is very beautiful.
- نور Nourهَلْ تُحِبُّ هَذَا الْيَمَامَ؟hal tuḥibbu hādhā al-yamām?Do you like this dove?
- أحمد Ahmedبِالتَّأْكِيدِ، لَوْنُهُ رَائِعٌ.bi-at-ta'kīd, lawnuhu rā'i‘.Certainly, its color is wonderful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dove” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
