زِير
zīrmasculine
The English word 'jug' can be translated into Arabic as زِير (zīr) or إِبْرِيق.
Meaning: serving vessel (noun)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| زِير | zīr | masculine |
| إِبْرِيق | ʔibrīq | masculine |
Both terms refer to serving vessels, but they are used for different types of containers and in different contexts.
Which one should you use?
The term زِير specifically refers to a large, traditional clay vessel used for storing or cooling water. In contrast, إِبْرِيق is a more general term for a pitcher or jug, often used for serving liquids like water or tea from a spout.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both زِير and إِبْرِيق are masculine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
zīr
Did you know?
- In some dialects, the زِير is not just a vessel but a traditional cooling system. It uses porous clay to allow water to seep through and evaporate, which naturally lowers the temperature of the liquid inside.
- The term إِبْرِيق is often used in classical poetry to symbolize hospitality and generosity. Offering water from an إِبْرِيق is a powerful cultural metaphor for welcoming a guest.
- The word إِبْرِيق is shared by several languages in the region, including Persian and Urdu, because of the historical spread of Islamic pottery and tea culture.
Examples in context
- أحببت الإبريق الجديد الذي اشتريته لوالدتي.I loved the new jug that I bought for my mother.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “jug” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
