يَهُودِيّ
yahūdiyymasculine
The Arabic word for "jew" is يَهُودِيّ (yahūdiyy). Wiktionary also lists يَهُودِيَّة (yahūdiyya).
Meaning: member or descendant of the Jewish people (noun)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| يَهُودِيّ | yahūdiyy | masculine |
| يَهُودِيَّة | yahūdiyya | feminine |
This noun refers to a member or descendant of the Jewish people.
Which one should you use?
The masculine form is يَهُودِيّ and the feminine form is يَهُودِيَّة.
How do you pronounce it?
yahūdiyy
Did you know?
- In many modern Arabic dialects, specifically in the Levant, a person might use the word يَهُودِيّ to describe someone who is very shrewd or stingy in a business context, though this is often considered a derogatory stereotype.
- Historically, the Arabic word for 'Jew' shared a root with words denoting 'conversion' or 'returning', echoing the biblical concept of 'returning' to God.
- The term أهل الكتاب is not just a description but a legal category in classical Islamic law that grants specific protections and rights to Jews and Christians.
Examples in context
- Sarah هي يَهُودِيَّـةSarah is a Jewish woman.
Example conversation
Noor and Omar are discussing a historical figure.
- نور Nourمن هو هذا الرجل؟man huwa hādhā ar-rajul?Who is this man?
- عمر Omarإنه عالم يَهُودِيّ مشهور.innahu 'ālim yahūdiyy mashhūr.He is a famous Jewish scholar.
- نور Nourهل هو من أوروبا؟hal huwa min urubbā?Is he from Europe?
- عمر Omarنعم، كان يَهُودِيّاً ألمانياً.na'am, kāna yahūdiyyan almāniyyan.Yes, he was a German Jew.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “jew” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
