How to Say "Library" in Arabic

مكتبة

maktaba/mak.ta.ba/Egyptian Arabic, feminine

The Arabic word for library is مكتبة (maktaba). Wiktionary also lists مَكْتَبَة (maktaba).

Meaning: institution which holds books, etc. (noun)

Ways to say it

“library” in Arabic
Arabic	Romanization (Wiktionary)	IPA	Note
مكتبة	maktaba	/mak.ta.ba/	Egyptian Arabic, feminine
مَكْتَبَة	maktaba		feminine

The word مكتبة refers to both a library, such as an institution holding books and a bookstore, which is a shop where books are sold.

The word is derived from the root k-t-b, which relates to writing, meaning its literal sense refers to a place of writing or books.

The form مكتبة is used in Egyptian Arabic.

The plural form of مكتبة is مكتبات.

maktaba (IPA: /mak.ta.ba/)

In many Arabic-speaking countries, the word مكتبة can also refer to a stationery shop where you buy pens and paper, not just books.
Historically, the 'House of Wisdom' in Baghdad was a مكتبة and translation center that preserved Greek philosophy for Europe.
The root of مكتبة is the same as the word for 'desk' or 'office', as both are places where 'writing' happens.

أقطن بالقرب من مكتبة.
I live next to a library.
This sentence is useful for describing where you live in relation to a مكتبة.
Tatoeba #11043679 by Amghar, translation #9021177 by Amastan
دخل باني مكتبة المسجد.
Yanni entered the mosque library.
This sentence is useful for describing someone entering a مكتبة at a mosque.
Tatoeba #11043644 by Amghar, translation #9048487 by Amastan
التقوا في مكتبة المسجد.
They met at the mosque library.
This sentence is useful for describing a meeting location at a مكتبة at a mosque.
Tatoeba #11043678 by Amghar, translation #8249464 by Amastan
يمكنك أن تعثر على الكتاب الذي تبحث عنه في المكتبة.
You can find the book you are looking for at the library.
6 more sentences on Tatoeba

Sources

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