مفتاح
muftāḥ/mif.taːħ/Egyptian Arabic
The Arabic word for key is مفتاح (muftāḥ). Wiktionary also lists مِفْتَاح (miftāḥ) and مُفْتاح (muftāḥ).
Meaning: device designed to open and close a lock (noun)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| مفتاح | muftāḥ | /mif.taːħ/ /muf.taːħ/ (Hijazi) |
Egyptian Arabic |
| مِفْتَاح | miftāḥ | masculine | |
| مُفْتاح | muftāḥ | Hijazi Arabic, masculine | |
| ساروت | sārūt | Moroccan Arabic, masculine |
This noun refers to a device designed to open and close a lock.
What does it mean word for word?
The word مِفْتَاح is derived from the root f-t-ḥ (ف–ت–ح), which means 'to open'.
Which one should you use?
مِفْتَاح is the standard masculine form, while مفتاح is the form used in Egyptian Arabic. مُفْتاح is the form used in Hijazi Arabic. In Morocco, the word ساروت is used instead of the standard مِفْتَاح.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Morocco, ساروت is commonly used. In the Gulf region, مفتاح is commonly used for both formal and informal situations.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of the standard word مفتاح is مفاتيح.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /mif.taːħ/ (two syllables).
Did you know?
- Because مفتاح comes from the root meaning 'to open', the same root is used to name the 'Fatih' or 'conqueror' in history, as conquering a city is viewed as 'opening' it.
- The grammatical pattern of مفتاح is a specific 'instrumental' form in Arabic, designed specifically to denote the tool used to perform a verb.
- The root of مفتاح is also used in the term فاتحة, which refers to the opening chapter of the Quran.
Examples in context
- ها هو مفتاح الغرفة.Here's the room key.This sentence is useful for identifying the location of a مفتاح.Tatoeba #7140454 by OsoHombre, translation #5823320 by OsoHombre
- أحضر لي مفتاح الغرفة.Bring me the room key.This sentence is useful for requesting someone to bring a مفتاح.Tatoeba #7140464 by OsoHombre, translation #6311285 by OsoHombre
- مفتاح الغرفة من فضلك.The room key, please.This sentence is useful for politely asking for a مفتاح.Tatoeba #7422292 by OsoHombre, translation #554603 by FeuDRenais
- أين مفتاح السيارة؟Where is the car key?
- لدي مفتاح المنزلI have the house key.
- 29 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Laila and Ziad are standing outside their apartment door.
- ليلى Laylaمعاك مفتاح الشقة؟ma'ak miftah el sha'a?Do you have the apartment key?
- زياد Ziadأيوه، هو في جيبي.aywa, howa fi geibi.Yes, it is in my pocket.
- ليلى Laylaطيب، افتح الباب بسرعة.tayeb, eftah el bab be-sor'a.Okay, open the door quickly.
- زياد Ziadثواني وهفتح.sawani we aftah.Give me a second and I'll open it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “key” translations and entries مفتاح, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
