مَسْجِد
masjidmasculine
The English word 'mosque' is translated into Arabic as مَسْجِد (masjid). Wiktionary also lists جَامِع (jāmiʕ) and مُصَلًّى (muṣallan).
Meaning: a place of worship for Muslims (noun)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| مَسْجِد | masjid | masculine |
| جَامِع | jāmiʕ | masculine |
| مُصَلًّى | muṣallan | masculine |
The term refers to a place of worship for Muslims.
What does it mean word for word?
The word مَسْجِد is derived from the Arabic root s-j-d, which means 'to prostrate.' Consequently, it literally means 'a place of prostration.'
Which one should you use?
While مَسْجِد is a general term for any mosque, جَامِع specifically refers to a large congregational mosque where Friday prayers are held. In contrast, a مُصَلًّى is a smaller prayer room or space, often found within a larger complex or even in non-mosque settings, rather than a full-scale mosque.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Tunisian Arabic, جَامِع is often used instead of the standard مَسْجِد.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of مَسْجِد is مَسَاجِد.
How do you pronounce it?
masjid
Did you know?
- While مَسْجِد is the standard term, the English word 'mosque' actually entered the English language via the Spanish word 'mezquita', which is a phonetic adaptation of the Arabic word.
- A جَامِع historically served as more than a place of prayer, often acting as a university, a courtroom and a town hall.
- The word مَسْجِد is used in the Quran to refer to the 'place of prostration' even before the physical buildings we now call mosques existed.
Examples in context
- هَاجَمَ اْلإرْهَابِيُّونَ مَسْجِداً.The terrorists attacked a mosque.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use مَسْجِد in a sentence.Tatoeba #4222605 by eeyinn, translation #2225251 by marcosruben
- ذهبت إلى المسجد لأصلّي.I went to the mosque to pray.
- هل يمكنك توجيهي لأقرب مسجد؟Can you please provide directions to the nearest mosque?
- المَسْجِد هو مكان للسلام والعبادة.The mosque is a place of peace and worship.
- اَلْمَسْجِدُ قَرِيبٌ مِنَ الْبَيْتِ.al-masjidu qarībun mina al-bayt.The mosque is close to the house.
Example conversation
Ziad and Nour are walking in the neighborhood.
- نور Nourهَلْ هَذَا هُوَ الْمَسْجِدُ الْجَدِيدُ؟hal hādhā huwa al-masjidu al-jadīd?Is this the new mosque?
- زياد Ziadنَعَمْ، هَذَا مَسْجِدٌ كَبِيرٌ جِدّاً.na'am, hādhā masjidun kabīrun jiddan.Yes, this is a very large mosque.
- نور Nourهُوَ جَمِيلٌ جِدّاً يَا زِيَادُ.huwa jamīlun jiddan yā Ziyād.It is very beautiful, Ziad.
- زياد Ziadأَنَا أُحِبُّ هَذَا الْمَسْجِدَ.anā uḥibbu hādhā al-masjida.I love this mosque.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mosque” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
