دهان
dihan
To paint (as in applying paint to a surface) in Arabic is دهان (dihan).
The verb is used to describe the action of applying paint to a surface. It is also related to the noun form referring to the substance itself.
Meaning: to apply paint to (verb)
Which one should you use?
صبغ is a widely recognized informal term for paint.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Egyptian Arabic, the term used for paint is دهان.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
dihan
Did you know?
- Arabic distinguishes between painting a wall, which uses دهان, and painting a canvas or artistic painting, which typically uses the word رسم meaning 'drawing'.
- The root of the word دهان is actually connected to the concept of 'oiling' or 'greasing' a surface rather than just pigment.
- In many Arabic dialects, the word دهان can also refer to 'ointment' or 'fat' because the act of applying something smooth to a surface is linguistically shared.
Examples in context
- أنا أحب أن أرسم لوحات فنية.I love to paint artistic canvases.
- هل يمكنني دهان الحائط باللون الأزرق؟Can I paint the wall blue?
- أريد أن أدهن السور بالأبيض.I want to paint the fence white.
Example conversation
Laila and Yusuf are discussing home renovations.
- ليلى Laylaهل ستنهي دهان المطبخ اليوم؟hal satunhī dahān al-maṭbakh al-yawm?Will you finish painting the kitchen today?
- يوسف Youssefلا، سأبدأ دهان المطبخ في المساء.lā, sa-abda'u dahān al-maṭbakh fī al-masā'.No, I will start painting the kitchen in the evening.
- ليلى Laylaيوسف، هل تحتاج إلى مساعدة؟Yusuf, hal taḥtāju ilā musā'adah?Yusuf, do you need help?
- يوسف Youssefشكراً لكِ يا ليلى، أنا بخير.shukran laki yā Laila, ana bi-khayr.Thank you, Laila, I am fine.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries دهان, CC BY-SA 4.0.
