Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| فندق | fandaq | /fun.duq/ | Moroccan Arabic, masculine |
| فُنْدُق | funduq | masculine | |
| نُزْل | nuzl | masculine | |
| أُوتِيل | ʔōtēl | masculine | |
| لوكاندة | lukanda | Egyptian Arabic, archaic, feminine | |
| بنسيون | bansiyon | Egyptian Arabic, archaic, masculine | |
| أوطيل | ʔuṭil | Moroccan Arabic, masculine | |
| أوتيل | ʔōtēl | /ʔoː.teːl/ | South Levantine Arabic, masculine |
The term refers to an establishment providing accommodation.
Which one should you use?
The standard term فُنْدُق (funduq) is used in formal contexts and is understood across most dialects. For a more casual spoken style, the loanword أُوتِيل (ʔōtēl) is commonly used. The term نُزْل (nuzl) is a more classical or formal word often used to refer specifically to an inn or a place of lodging.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
فندق (funduq) is the standard and formal term. نُزْل (nuzl) is also formal and carries a classical tone. In casual, spoken settings, people often use the loanword أُوتِيل (ʔōtēl).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Egyptian Arabic, فندق is commonly used. You may also encounter the archaic term لوكاندة (lukanda) for a hotel or inn, or the archaic term بنسيون (bansiyon), which typically refers to a smaller boarding house or pension. In Moroccan Arabic, you can use أوطيل (ʔuṭil) or فندق (fandaq). In South Levantine Arabic, the form أوتيل (ʔōtēl) is used.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of فندق is the broken plural فنادق (fanadiq).
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is fandaq. It consists of two syllables: /fun.duq/.
Did you know?
- The word فندق (funduq) likely entered Arabic from Persian, where it originally referred to a place where dates were stored.
- The word فندق (funduq) is the ancestor of the English word 'fondaco', used to describe the historic trading houses of Venice.
- Historically, a فندق (funduq) was not just a hotel for travelers but often functioned as a combined warehouse and inn for merchants and their caravans.
Examples in context
- ياني يعيش في فندق.Yanni lives in a hotel.This sentence illustrates the use of فندق to describe where someone lives.Tatoeba #11772738 by dididodo, translation #10030544 by Amastan
- ذهب ياني إلى فندق.Yanni went to a hotel.This sentence shows how to use فندق when describing a destination.Tatoeba #11772740 by dididodo, translation #10064737 by Amastan
- كان زيري في غرفة فندق.Ziri was in a hotel room.This sentence demonstrates using فندق to describe a hotel room.Tatoeba #10800170 by Amghar, translation #10237394 by Amastan
- 36 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Youssef and Maryam are discussing their travel plans.
- يوسف Youssefفين غادي نسكنو؟fin ghadi nsknu?Where are we going to stay?
- مريم Maryamخاصنا نقلبو على فندق مزيان.khassna nqlbu 'ala funduq mzyan.We need to look for a good hotel.
- يوسف Youssefواش عندك شي فندق في بالك؟wash 'andek shi funduq fi balek?Do you have a hotel in mind?
- مريم Maryamلا، مازال ما شفت والو.la, mazal ma shift walu.No, I haven't seen anything yet.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hotel” translations and entries فندق, أوتيل, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
