ورق عنب
waraq 'inab
The English phrase "grape leaves" is translated into Arabic as ورق عنب (waraq 'inab).
ورق عنب refers to the leaves of a grape vine, which are frequently used as a food ingredient or for wrapping fillings.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of waraq, meaning leaves or paper and inab, meaning grapes.
How do you pronounce it?
waraq 'inab
Did you know?
- Preparing ورق عنب is often a collective social activity. Family members traditionally spend hours sitting together to hand-roll the leaves, turning a cooking task into a community ritual.
- The word ورق is used for both 'leaves' and 'paper', as early paper was often associated with the texture and shape of foliage.
- The root of عنب is linked to the word حَبّ, which means 'seed' or 'grain'. This reveals an ancient linguistic connection between the concept of a grape and the general idea of a seed.
Examples in context
- في الفطور، قدموا لنا محشي ورق العنب.For breakfast, they served us stuffed grape leaves.
- يا جارة، هل عندكِ ورق العنب؟ أريد أن أحضّر وجبة تقليدية.Hey neighbor, do you have grape leaves? I want to prepare a traditional meal.
- اشتريت ورق عنب من السوق.ishtaraytu waraq 'enab mina al-sūq.I bought grape leaves from the market.
- هل نطبخ ورق عنب اليوم؟hal naṭbukhu waraq 'enab al-yawm?Are we cooking grape leaves today?
Example conversation
Nour and Youssef are discussing what to cook for dinner in their kitchen.
- نور Nourيا يوسف، هل نشتري ورق عنب؟yā Yūsuf, hal nashtarī waraq 'enab?Youssef, should we buy grape leaves?
- يوسف Youssefنعم، سنصنع محشي ورق عنب.na'am, sanasna'u maḥshī waraq 'enab.Yes, we will make stuffed grape leaves.
- نور Nourهذه فكرة رائعة!hādhihi fikra rā'i'a!That is a great idea!
- يوسف Youssefسأذهب إلى المتجر الآن.sa-adhhabu ilā al-matjar al-ān.I will go to the store now.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries عنب, ورق, CC BY-SA 4.0.
