مسمار
musmār/mis.maːr/Egyptian Arabic, masculine
The Arabic word for "nail" is مسمار (musmār). Wiktionary also lists مِسْمَار (mismār) and مَسمار (masmār).
Meaning: spike-shaped metal fastener used for joining wood or similar materials (noun)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| مسمار | musmār | /mis.maːr/ /mus.maːr/ (Hijazi) |
Egyptian Arabic, masculine |
| مِسْمَار | mismār | masculine | |
| مَسمار | masmār | Moroccan Arabic | |
| مُسمار | musmār | Moroccan Arabic | |
| مسْمار | məsmar | Moroccan Arabic, masculine |
This term refers to a spike-shaped metal fastener used for joining wood or similar materials. While it is commonly used for construction nails, it can also be used to refer to a screw, although the word burghi is more specific for screws.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The pronunciation and form vary across dialects. The standard form is مِسْمَار (mismār). In Egyptian Arabic, the word is pronounced musmār. In Moroccan Arabic, you may encounter مَسمار (masmār), مُسمار (musmār) or مسْمار (məsmar).
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of the noun is مسامير (masāmīr).
How do you pronounce it?
The word has 2 syllables and is pronounced /mis.maːr/. The romanization is musmār.
Did you know?
- While مسمار refers to a metal nail, Arabic has a completely different root for the 'nails' on your fingers and toes, using the word ظفر.
- The word مسمار has ancient roots that trace back to the Akkadian word samrūtum, which specifically referred to nails made of copper.
Examples in context
- أنا محتاجة مسمار كبير.ana maḥtāga mismār kabīr.I need a large nail.
- الخشب ده محتاج مسمار.el-khashab da maḥtāg mismār.This wood needs a nail.
- هات مسمار من الشنطة.hāt mismār min el-shanta.Get a nail from the bag.
Example conversation
Youssef is helping Nour fix a wooden chair.
- نور Nourيا يوسف، فين المسمار؟ya Youssef, fein el-mismār?Youssef, where is the nail?
- يوسف Youssefأنا لقيت مسمار هنا.ana la'ēt mismār hina.I found a nail here.
- نور Nourهل هو مسمار طويل؟hal huwa mismār ṭawīl?Is it a long nail?
- يوسف Youssefأيوة، هو مسمار مناسب.aywa, huwa mismār munāseb.Yes, it is a suitable nail.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “nail” translations and entries مسمار, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries مسمار, CC BY-SA 4.0.
