kufiya
/kuˈfiʝa/feminine
The Spanish word for keffiyeh is kufiya. Wiktionary also lists pañuelo palestino.
Meaning: Arabian headdress (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| kufiya | /kuˈfiʝa/ | feminine |
| pañuelo palestino | /paɲwelo palestino/ (from spelling rules) | masculine |
The term refers to the traditional Arabian headdress.
Which one should you use?
While kufiya is the transliterated name of the specific garment, pañuelo palestino is a descriptive phrase used to identify it as a Palestinian scarf.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun kufiya is feminine and takes the feminine article la (e.g., la kufiya).
How do you pronounce it?
/kuˈfiʝa/
Did you know?
- In Spanish political discourse, using pañuelo palestino instead of kufiya often signals a deliberate choice to emphasize the garment as a symbol of national identity and resistance. The choice of words can change the tone from a simple description to a political statement.
- While pañuelo is used for a kufiya, it is also the standard word for a 'bandage' or 'dressing' in some regional Spanish medical contexts. This can lead to confusion between a cultural head-covering and a medical wrap.
- The Spanish term pañuelo originates from the word paño, which means 'cloth'. The diminutive suffix '-uelo' was added to create the word for 'little cloth', eventually evolving into the standard term for a scarf or handkerchief.
Examples in context
- El pañuelo palestino es un símbolo cultural importante en Oriente Medio.The Palestinian scarf is an important cultural symbol in the Middle East.
- El pañuelo árabe es reconocible por sus patrones tradicionales.The Arab scarf is recognizable for its traditional patterns.
- La kufiya es de algodón.The kufiya is made of cotton.
- Ella lleva una kufiya blanca.She is wearing a white kufiya.
- Compré una kufiya en el mercado.I bought a kufiya at the market.
Example conversation
Mateo and María are looking at traditional textiles in a shop.
- Mateo¿Te gusta esta kufiya?Do you like this kufiya?
- MaríaSí, es muy bonita.Yes, it is very beautiful.
- MateoEs una kufiya muy auténtica.It is a very authentic kufiya.
- MaríaMe la voy a llevar.I am going to take it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “keffiyeh” translations and entries kufiya, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries kufiya, pañuelo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
