معدن
maʕdin/maʕ.din/Egyptian Arabic, masculine
The usual Arabic word for metal is معدن (maʕdin). If unsure, use معدن. Wiktionary also lists فِلِزّ (filizz) and مَعْدِن (maʕdin).
Meaning: atomic element or material made of such atoms (noun)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| معدن | maʕdin | /maʕ.din/ | Egyptian Arabic, masculine |
| فِلِزّ | filizz | ||
| مَعْدِن | maʕdin | masculine |
معدن is the general word for metal as a material. It can also mean mineral, for example in geology. Used of people, it describes a person's inner nature or character, much like the English word mettle.
Which one should you use?
فِلِزّ (filizz) is a scientific or chemical term for a metal as an element, while مَعْدِن is the everyday word for metal as a material.
How does it change in a sentence?
مَعْدِن is masculine.
How do you pronounce it?
It is said /maʕ.din/ in two syllables. The sound at the end of the first syllable is made deep in the throat and has no English equivalent.
Did you know?
- In Arabic, if someone says you have a 'good' معدن, they are praising your innate integrity and nobility of character.
- The word معدن functions as both a noun for a substance and a noun of place, meaning it can refer to a 'mine' where metals are found.
- The word معدن originates from a root meaning 'to strike'. It originally referred to the place where one strikes the earth to find ore.
Examples in context
- يتم استخدام المعادن في العديد من الصناعات.Metals are used in many industries.
- الفلزات الثقيلة مفيدة في البناء.Heavy metals are useful in construction.
- ده معدن غالي جداً.da ma'dan ghali geddan.This is a very expensive metal.
Example conversation
Ahmed and Sarah are looking at a piece of jewelry.
- أحمد Ahmedيا سارة، تفتكري ده معدن إيه؟Ya Sarah, teftikri da ma'dan eh?Sarah, what metal do you think this is?
- سارة Saraشكلها فضة أو معدن تاني.Shaklaha fedda aw ma'dan tani.It looks like silver or another metal.
- أحمد Ahmedبس اللون بتاعه غريب شوية.Bas el lon beta'o gharib shwaya.But its color is a bit strange.
- سارة Saraممكن يكون معدن مخلوط.Momken yekon ma'dan makhlout.It might be a mixed metal.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “metal” translations and entries معدن, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries معدن, CC BY-SA 4.0.
