دهب
dahabeveryday, Egyptian
In Egyptian Arabic gold is دهب (dahab). The standard spelling is ذهب, but Egyptians pronounce the first letter as a "d".
Meaning: precious metal (noun)
Ways to say it
| Egyptian | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| دهب | dahab | everyday, Egyptian |
| ذهب | ḏahab | standard spelling |
دهب is used for the metal and for gold jewelry, as in خاتم دهب (ḵātem dahab), "a gold ring".
Which one should you use?
In writing, Egyptians usually keep the standard spelling ذهب. The spelling دهب shows the spoken Egyptian form and appears in informal texts.
How do you pronounce it?
Say "DAH-hab", with the second "h" pronounced clearly.
Did you know?
- The Red Sea resort town of Dahab in South Sinai has the same name as the word for gold.
Examples in context
- اشتريت خاتم دهب.ištarēt ḵātem dahab.I bought a gold ring.
- سعر الدهب غِلي النهارده.siʿr ed-dahab ġili en-nahardah.The price of gold went up today.
- الدهب ده عيار كام؟ed-dahab da ʿayyār kam?What karat is this gold?
Example conversation
Layla and her mother Hoda look at jewelry in a shop for a wedding gift.
- Laylaعايزة سلسلة دهب.ʿayza silsila dahab.I want a gold chain.
- Hodaعيار كام؟ʿayyār kam?What karat?
- Laylaواحد وعشرين.wāḥid wi ʿišrīn.Twenty-one.
- Hodaحلوة أوي.ḥilwa awi.It is very pretty.
