منخر
mankhar
The Arabic word for "nostril" is منخر (mankhar).
The word refers to either of the two orifices located on the nose.
Meaning: either of the two orifices located on the nose (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
When you want to refer to both nostrils together, you use the dual form منخران. If the word is in the accusative or genitive case, the dual form is منخرين.
How do you pronounce it?
mankhar
Did you know?
- The root نخر is also used in Arabic to describe the process of bone decay or becoming porous.
- The verb نخر (naḵara) means 'to snort', which creates a vivid connection between the sound of breathing and the anatomical feature itself.
- Because the word منخر is a 'tool noun', it linguistically treats the nostril as an instrument used for the act of snorting.
Example conversation
Ziad is describing his cold symptoms to Nour.
- زياد Ziadأشعر بانسداد في كل منخر.ash'ur bi-insidad fi kull mankhar.I feel a blockage in every nostril.
- نور Nourهل تعاني من الزكام يا زياد؟hal tu'ani min al-zukam ya Ziyad?Are you suffering from a cold, Ziad?
- زياد Ziadنعم، ولا أستطيع التنفس جيداً.na'am, wa la astati' al-tanaffus jayyidan.Yes, and I cannot breathe well.
- نور Nourجرب استخدام بخاخ للأنف يا زياد.jarrib istikhdam bakhakh lil-anf ya Ziyad.Try using a nasal spray, Ziad.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries منخر, CC BY-SA 4.0.
