اسم
esm/ism/Egyptian Arabic, masculine
The English word 'name' is translated into Arabic as اسم (esm). Wiktionary also lists اِسْم (ism) and أَسْمَاء (ʔasmāʔ).
Meaning: word or phrase indicating a particular person, place, class or thing (noun)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| اسم | esm | /ism/ /ɪ.sɪm/ |
Egyptian Arabic, masculine |
| اِسْم | ism | masculine | |
| أَسْمَاء | ʔasmāʔ | masculine, plural | |
| اسمية | smiyya | Moroccan Arabic, feminine |
The word refers to a noun that indicates a particular person, place, class or thing. If you wish to use the verb 'to name', use سَمَّى or سمى instead of the noun.
Which one should you use?
اِسْم is the standard masculine singular form, while أَسْمَاء is the masculine plural form used to denote multiple names. Do not confuse the noun اسم with the verb سَمَّى, which means 'to name'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Egyptian Arabic, the word is often pronounced as اسم (esm). In Moroccan Arabic, the feminine form اسمية (smiyya) is used.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of the noun is أَسْمَاء.
How do you pronounce it?
/ism/
Did you know?
- The plural form أسماء is also a very common female given name in the Arab world.
- In many Arabic-speaking cultures, asking for a 'name' often leads to the sharing of the 'kunya', a nickname based on the firstborn child.
- The word اسم actually has a hidden connection to the root و س م (w-s-m), which relates to 'branding' or 'marking'.
Examples in context
- أنا لا أعرف اسمهI don't know his name.This sentence is useful for expressing that you do not know someone's name.Tatoeba #6679770 by marhabaan, translation #260758 by CK
- ما اسم حصان توم؟What's Tom's horse's name?This sentence is useful for asking about the name of a horse belonging to Tom.Tatoeba #7739595 by MisterBrown, translation #7737856 by CK
- من لم يكتب اسمه؟Who didn't write his name?This sentence is useful for asking who failed to write their name.Tatoeba #11230377 by Amghar, translation #1798828 by Amastan
- 105 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mariam and Ziad are looking at a book in a cafe.
- مريم Maryamإيه هو اسم الكتاب ده؟eih hwa esm el ketab da?What is the name of this book?
- زياد Ziadالاسم مكتوب على الغلاف.el esm maktub 'ala el ghilaf.The name is written on the cover.
- مريم Maryamأنا مش شايفة الاسم.ana mish shayfa el esm.I don't see the name.
- زياد Ziadاستني، هشوفهولك يا مريم.estanni, hashooflo-lak ya Mariam.Wait, I will look for it for you, Mariam.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “name” translations and entries اسم, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries اسم, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
