مُهَنْدِس
muhandismasculine
The English word 'engineer' is translated into Arabic as مُهَنْدِس (muhandis). Wiktionary also lists مُهَنْدِسَة (muhandisa).
Meaning: person engaged in designing, constructing, or maintaining engines or machinery, (more generally) a person qualified or professionally engaged in any branch of engineering, or studying to do so (noun)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| مُهَنْدِس | muhandis | masculine |
| مُهَنْدِسَة | muhandisa | feminine |
An engineer is a person engaged in designing, constructing or maintaining engines or machinery or more generally, a professional in any branch of engineering. For example, you can say muhandis barq to mean 'electrical engineer'. In many Arabic dialects, the term can also be used colloquially as a respectful or friendly way to address a man, even if he is not actually an engineer, similar to calling someone 'boss' or 'chief' (e.g., يا مُهَنْدِس).
Which one should you use?
The masculine form is مُهَنْدِس, while the feminine form مُهَنْدِسَة is used specifically when referring to a female engineer.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form for female engineers is مُهَنْدِسَات.
How do you pronounce it?
muhandis
Did you know?
- In many Arabic-speaking countries, calling a stranger يا مُهَنْدِس is a social tactic used to flatter a person to receive better service or a fairer price in a marketplace.
- Historically, the term was linked to the sophisticated architectural and mathematical techniques that were believed to have originated in or been refined through India.
- The term مُهَنْدِس can be used metaphorically in political or social contexts to describe someone who meticulously plans a complex strategy, even if they have no technical degree.
Examples in context
- فاطمة تعمل كمهندسة في شركة الهندسة المعماريةFatima works as an engineer in an architectural firm
- هي مهندسة صوتShe is a sound engineer
Example conversation
Yousef and Layla are talking about their careers.
- يوسف Youssefأنا أعمل كـمُهَنْدِس في هذه الشركة.Ana a'mal ka-muhandis fi hadhihi al-sharika.I work as an engineer in this company.
- ليلى Laylaهذا رائع يا يوسف!Hadha ra'i' ya Yousef!That is great, Yousef!
- يوسف Youssefوماذا عنك يا ليلى؟Wa madha 'anki ya Layla?And what about you, Layla?
- ليلى Laylaأنا أدرس لأكون مُهَنْدِسَة أيضاً.Ana adrus li-akuna muhandisa aidan.I am studying to be an engineer too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “engineer” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
