معكرونة
ma‘karūnah
The English word "pasta" is translated into Arabic as معكرونة (ma‘karūnah).
The word refers to a dish or a serving of pasta.
Meaning: dish or serving (noun)
Which one should you use?
باستا is an informal alternative.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Egypt, the term باستا is widely used and understood. In some Gulf countries, such as Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain, the term معكرونة is used.
How do you pronounce it?
ma‘karūnah
Did you know?
- In many Levantine households, you might hear people use the term لسان العصفور, which translates to 'the tongue of the bird', to describe a specific small pasta shape used in soups.
- Certain traditional Arabic pasta dishes, such as those found in North Africa, use handmade semolina shapes that predate the adoption of the Italian loanword معكرونة.
- In Egypt, using the word باستا often signals a more modern or 'international' style of cooking, while معكرونة refers to traditional home-style dishes.
Examples in context
- أحب المكرونة بالصلصة البيضاء.I love pasta with white sauce.
- هل تفضل الباستا بالصلصة الحمراء أم البيضاء؟Do you prefer pasta with red sauce or white sauce?
Example conversation
Nour and Ziad are deciding what to cook for dinner.
- نور Nourماذا سنطبخ للعشاء يا زياد؟Madha sanutbukh lil-asha ya Ziyad?What will we cook for dinner, Ziad?
- زياد Ziadلنطبخ معكرونة بالصلصة الحمراء.Linutbukh ma'karuna bil-salsa al-hamra.Let's cook pasta with red sauce.
- نور Nourفكرة رائعة، سأجهز المكونات.Fikra ra'i'a, sa'ujahhiz al-mukawwinat.Great idea, I will prepare the ingredients.
- زياد Ziadشكراً لكِ يا نور.Shukran laki ya Nour.Thank you, Nour.
