حِبْر
ḥibr
The English word ink is حِبْر (ḥibr) in Arabic. Wiktionary also lists مِدَاد (midād).
Meaning: coloured fluid used for writing (noun)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| حِبْر | ḥibr |
| مِدَاد | midād |
Both حِبْر and مِدَاد refer to the colored fluid used for writing.
Which one should you use?
حِبْر is the standard, most common term for ink used in everyday modern contexts. In contrast, مِدَاد is a more formal or literary synonym, often used in classical or poetic contexts.
How do you pronounce it?
ḥibr
Did you know?
- In traditional Islamic calligraphy, ink was often made from soot and gum arabic. This 'carbon ink' was designed to be permanent and resistant to fading, symbolizing the eternal nature of the written word.
- While حِبْر is the standard term, مِدَاد comes from a root meaning 'to extend' or 'to prolong'. This reflects the idea of ink as something that extends a thought from the mind onto the page.
- The Arabic word for inkwell, مِحْبَرَة, is a perfect example of an 'instrumental noun'. This is a specific grammatical pattern used to turn a substance into the tool or container used for that substance.
Examples in context
- أنا بحاجة إلى أنبوبة من الحبر لطابعتي.I need a cartridge of ink for my printer.
Example conversation
Youssef and Layla are at an art supply store.
- يوسف Youssefهل عِنْدَكِ حِبْرٌ أَسْوَدُ؟hal 'indaki hibrun aswad?Do you have black ink?
- ليلى Laylaنَعَمْ، هُوَ مَوْجُودٌ هُنَا.na'am, huwa mawjudun huna.Yes, it is available here.
- يوسف Youssefهَلْ هَذَا الحِبْرُ جَيِّدٌ لِلرَّسْمِ؟hal hadha al-hibru jayyidun li-rasm?Is this ink good for drawing?
- ليلى Laylaنَعَمْ، هُوَ نَوْعٌ مُمْتَازٌ.na'am, huwa naw'un mumtaz.Yes, it is an excellent type.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ink” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
