عسلي
asali
In Arabic, the word for hazel (referring to the color) is عسلي (asali).
The term عسلي is used to describe the color hazel.
Meaning: colour (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is derived from the Arabic word for honey (عسل), so it literally means honey-colored.
Which one should you use?
While عسلي is used for the color hazel, the word بُنْدُق refers to the actual hazelnut or the hazel tree.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Gulf Arabic, people use the word عسلي to describe the color hazel.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When describing a feminine noun, such as 'eyes' (عيون), the adjective عسلي changes to the feminine form عسلية.
How do you pronounce it?
asali
Did you know?
- Because 'eyes' (عيون) is a plural feminine noun in Arabic, you must use the feminine form عسلية even if the person is male.
- The root of the word عسلي is tied to a very ancient Proto-Semitic linguistic family, linking it to words for sweetness found across the Middle East.
- The word عسلي shares the same root as the word for 'honey', which in Arabic culture is often used as a metaphor for sweetness and beauty.
Examples in context
- تلوّن العيون لديها بين الأخضر والبني، وتوصف بلون خضرة البندق.Her eyes have shades of green and brown, described as the color of hazelnut.
- إن لون عينيك هو العسلي الجميل.The color of your eyes is beautiful hazel.
- أبحث عن عدسات لون عسلي.abhatu 'an 'adasat lawn 'asali.I am looking for hazel-colored lenses.
- هذا القميص لونه عسلي.hadha al-qamis lawnuhu 'asali.This shirt is a hazel color.
Example conversation
Ziad and Nour are shopping for contact lenses in a mall.
- زياد Ziadهل تفضلين اللون العسلي؟hal tufadhilina al-lawn al-'asali?Do you prefer the hazel color?
- نور Nourنعم، اللون العسلي يناسبني جداً.na'am, al-lawn al-'asali yunasibuni jiddan.Yes, the hazel color suits me very well.
- زياد Ziadهذا النوع عسلي فاتح.hadha al-naw' 'asali fatih.This type is light hazel.
- نور Nourسآخذ هذا اللون من فضلك.sa'akhudh hadha al-lawn min fadlik.I will take this color, please.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries عسلي, CC BY-SA 4.0.
