سَائِق
sāʔiqmasculine
The English word "driver" is translated into Arabic as سَائِق (sāʔiq). Wiktionary also lists سَوَّاق (sawwāq).
Meaning: person who drives a motorized vehicle, such as a car or a bus (noun)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| سَائِق | sāʔiq | masculine |
| سَوَّاق | sawwāq | masculine |
The term refers to a person who drives a motorized vehicle, such as a car or a bus.
Which one should you use?
The form سَائِق is the standard term used in Modern Standard Arabic. In contrast, سَوَّاق is a more colloquial or intensive form often used in spoken dialects to refer to someone whose profession is driving.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Egyptian Arabic, the phrase سواق تاكْسِي is used to mean "taxi driver". In Levantine Arabic, the phrase سوّاق تكسي means "taxi driver".
How does it change in a sentence?
To refer to a female driver, use the feminine form سَائِقَة. The masculine plural form of the standard term is سَائِقُونَ.
How do you pronounce it?
sāʔiq
Did you know?
- The root of سَائِق comes from a word meaning 'to drive' or 'to lead' cattle or sheep. Before cars existed, the word described a shepherd guiding a flock.
- If you are riding in a private car in many parts of the Middle East, the driver is often addressed as أُسْتَاذ (teacher/professor) as a sign of respect. This formalizes the relationship beyond a simple service transaction.
- The Arabic root س و ق also forms the word سُوق, meaning 'market'. Both words relate to the idea of 'driving' or 'pushing' things and people toward a central location.
Examples in context
- أحتاج إلى سائق خاص لنقلي إلى المؤتمر.I need a private driver to take me to the conference.
- أطلبُ سَوَّاقًا يأتِ بِنا مِنَ المَطَار.I will request a driver to pick us up from the airport.
- احكيلي إذا بتعرف سواق محترم وماهر.Let me know if you know a respectful and skilled driver.
- أَنَا أَبْحَثُ عَنْ سَائِقٍ جَدِيدٍ.anā abḥathu 'an sā'iqin jadīdin.I am looking for a new driver.
Example conversation
Ahmed is asking Nour about the man who will drive them to the airport.
- أحمد Ahmedهَلْ جَاءَ السَّائِقُ يَا نُورُ؟hal jā'a al-sā'iqu yā Nūru?Has the driver arrived, Nour?
- نور Nourنَعَمْ، السَّائِقُ يَنْتَظِرُكَ خَارِجًا.na'am, al-sā'iqu yantaẓiruka khārijan.Yes, the driver is waiting for you outside.
- أحمد Ahmedهَلْ هُوَ سَائِقٌ جَيِّدٌ؟hal huwa sā'iqun jayyidun?Is he a good driver?
- نور Nourلَا أَعْرِفُ، لَكِنَّهُ لَطِيفٌ جِدًّا.lā a'rifu, lākinnahu laṭīfun jiddan.I don't know, but he is very kind.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “driver” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
