خنزير غينيا
khinzīr ghīnyā
The English phrase "guinea pig" is translated into Arabic as خنزير غينيا (khinzīr ghīnyā).
Meaning: experimental subject (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Levantine Arabic, you can use أرنب بحري to refer to a guinea pig.
How do you pronounce it?
khinzīr ghīnyā
Did you know?
- The term أرنب بحري used in Levantine Arabic literally translates to 'sea rabbit'.
- The word غينيا for 'Guinea' is a linguistic doublet of جُنَيْه, the Arabic word for a 'sovereign' or 'guinea coin'.
- While English speakers use the 'pig' metaphor to describe test subjects, an Arabic speaker is more likely to use words that explicitly mention 'testing' or 'experimentation'.
Example conversation
Maryam asks Youssef to try a new recipe she cooked.
- مريم Maryamيوسف، جرب هذا الطبق الجديد من فضلك.Youssef, jarrib hadha al-tabaq al-jadid min fadlak.Youssef, please try this new dish.
- يوسف Youssefلماذا أنا؟ هل أنا خنزير غينيا هنا؟Limadha ana? Hal ana khinzir ghinya huna?Why me? Am I a guinea pig here?
- مريم Maryamلا، لكنني أثق في ذوقك.La, lakinani athiqu fi dhawqik.No, but I trust your taste.
- يوسف Youssefحسناً، سأجربه الآن.Hasanan, sa-ujarribuhu al-an.Okay, I will try it now.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries خنزير, غينيا, CC BY-SA 4.0.
