فطر
feṭrEgyptian Arabic, masculine
The English word mushroom is translated into Arabic as فطر (feṭr). Wiktionary also lists فُطْر m عَيْش الْغُرَاب (fuṭr) and مشروم (mašrōm, mašrūm).
Meaning: fruiting body of a fungus (noun)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| فطر | feṭr | Egyptian Arabic, masculine |
| فُطْر m عَيْش الْغُرَاب | fuṭr | masculine |
| مشروم | mašrōm, mašrūm | Egyptian Arabic, masculine |
| عيش الغراب | ʕēš el-ḡorāb | Egyptian Arabic, masculine |
| شمپنيون | šampinyūn | Moroccan Arabic |
The term is used to describe the fruiting body of a fungus. While فطر is the standard biological term for fungus, it is often used more broadly than the specific culinary term for a mushroom.
What does it mean word for word?
The Egyptian-Arabic phrase عيش الغراب literally translates to "crow's bread".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
فطر is the formal term. In casual conversation and on menus in many Arabic-speaking countries, the loanword مشروم is commonly used.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Morocco, the French loanword شمپنيون is used to refer specifically to the edible mushroom. In Egypt, you may encounter مشروم, فطر or عيش الغراب.
How do you pronounce it?
feṭr
Did you know?
- The root of فطر is related to the Ugaritic word for 'to split', likely referring to how a mushroom breaks through the soil.
- The word عيش usually means 'bread' in Egyptian Arabic, but it is derived from a root meaning 'life'.
- In Egypt, the phrase عيش الغراب describes mushrooms as 'crow's bread', though crows do not actually eat them as a staple.
Examples in context
- هل تعرف كيف يسمى الفطر بالعربية؟Do you know how to say mushroom in Arabic?
- نعم، الفطر يسمى "فطر" بالعربية.Yes, mushroom is called "fitr" in Arabic.
- في فطر كتير في الغابة.fi fetr keteer fel ghabet.There are many mushrooms in the forest.
- البيتزا دي فيها فطر.el pizza di feeha fetr.This pizza has mushrooms in it.
Example conversation
Sara and Omar are ordering food at a restaurant.
- سارة Saraعمر، أنت بتحب الفطر؟Omar, enta bethebb el fetr?Omar, do you like mushrooms?
- عمر Omarلأ، مش بحب طعمه أوي.La', mesh bahebb ta'mo awi.No, I don't like the taste much.
- سارة Saraطيب، أطلب لك بيتزا من غير فطر؟Tayeb, atlob lak pizza min gher fetr?Okay, should I order a pizza for you without mushrooms?
- عمر Omarيا ريت، شكراً يا سارة.Ya reit, shokran ya Sara.Yes please, thanks Sara.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mushroom” translations and entries فطر, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries فطر, CC BY-SA 4.0.
