Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| كَأْس | kaʔs | masculine | |
| كُوب | kūb | masculine | |
| قَدَح | qadaḥ | masculine | |
| كباية | kubbāya | Egyptian Arabic, feminine | |
| قلاص | gḷāṣ | Gulf Arabic, masculine | |
| كاسة | kāsa | Hijazi Arabic, feminine | |
| كوب | kōb | /kuːb/ | Hijazi Arabic, feminine |
All these terms refer to a vessel used for drinking, such as a cup, chalice or goblet.
Which one should you use?
While all these words describe drinking vessels, they vary in scale and context: كَأْس is used for more literary or poetic references to a cup or chalice. كُوب is the standard term for a modern drinking glass. And قَدَح typically refers to a larger vessel like a goblet or a bowl.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For formal or literary contexts, such as poetry or religious texts, use كَأْس. In everyday formal or semi-formal situations, the most common and standard term is كُوب. For informal situations in Egypt, you may use كباية.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Gulf region, it is common to use قلاص, which is likely derived from the English word 'glass'. In Hijazi Arabic, you might encounter كاسة or the feminine form كوب. In Egyptian Arabic, the colloquial term is كباية.
How does it change in a sentence?
In some Hijazi dialects, the word كوب is treated as a feminine noun, even though it is masculine in Standard Arabic.
How do you pronounce it?
kaʔs
Did you know?
- The word كَأْس is used in Arabic to describe a sporting trophy, such as the 'World Cup', which is literally a 'cup'.
- In many Arabic-speaking contexts, the distinction between a 'glass' (the material) and a 'glass' (the vessel) is handled by different words, unlike in English.
- The term كَأْس is frequently used in Arabic poetry to symbolize not just a vessel, but the emotional experience of love and longing.
Examples in context
- أشرب عادةً كوبًا من الحليب على الإفطار.I usually have a glass of milk for breakfast.This sentence shows how to use كوب to talk about a morning drink.Tatoeba #832524 by Samer, translation #41159 by CK
- كسرت كوبا.I broke a glass.This sentence uses كوب to describe breaking a glass.Tatoeba #5115301 by damascene, translation #62898 by CK
- لقد طَلَبَ كوب من الماء.He asked for a glass of water.This sentence uses كوب to express a request for water.Tatoeba #1994985 by Asma, translation #1994890 by Eldad
- زُجَاجَةGlass Bottle
- كَوْب زُجَاجِيّGlass Cup
- نَافِذَة زُجَاجِيَّةGlass Window
- طَاوِلَة زُجَاجِيَّةGlass Table
- بِتْقَدَّرْ تَجِيبْلِي كَوْب؟Bitqaddar tajiblī kawb?
- مِنْ فَضْلَكَ، خُذْ هَذَا الكَأْسMin faḍlak, khudha haḏā al-kās
Example conversation
Mariam and Yusuf are sitting at a table during a formal dinner.
- مريم Maryamهَلْ تُرِيدُ كَأْسًا مِنَ العَصِيرِ؟hal turīdu ka'san mina al-'aṣīr?Do you want a glass of juice?
- يوسف Youssefنَعَمْ، شُكْرًا لَكِ يَا مَرْيَمُ.na'am, shukran laki yā maryam.Yes, thank you, Mariam.
- مريم Maryamهَذَا كَأْسٌ جَمِيلٌ جِدًّا.hādhā ka'sun jamīlun jiddan.This is a very beautiful glass.
- يوسف Youssefإِنَّهُ كَأْسٌ مِنَ الكْرِيسْتَالِ.innahu ka'sun mina al-krīstāl.It is a crystal glass.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “glass” translations and entries كباية, كوب, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
