بازلاء
bāzillā'
The English phrase "peas" is translated into Arabic as بازلاء (bāzillā').
The term refers to small, round green seeds eaten as a vegetable.
Which one should you use?
بازلاء is the standard term, while بسلة is used in informal contexts.
How do you pronounce it?
bāzillā'
Did you know?
- The word بازلاء is a linguistic traveler, having been borrowed from the Italian word piselli.
- Peas are a central ingredient in بصارة, a traditional thick Egyptian dip that is often blended into a smooth paste rather than eaten as whole seeds.
- Despite being a common vegetable, finding the word بازلاء in classical Arabic poetry is quite rare, as it was often treated as a much later culinary import.
Examples in context
- نحتاج إلى بازلاء لهذه الوصفة الجديدة.We need peas for this new recipe.
- ما رأيك في إضافة بسلة إلى السلطة؟What do you think about adding peas to the salad?
Example conversation
In the kitchen while preparing lunch.
- نور Nourهل اشتريت بازلاء يا أحمد؟hal ishtarayta bazillā' yā aḥmad?Did you buy peas, Ahmed?
- أحمد Ahmedنعم، لقد اشتريت الكثير.na'am, laqad ishtaraytu al-kathīr.Yes, I bought a lot.
- نور Nourممتاز، سأطبخها الآن.mumtāz, sa-aṭbukhu-hā al-ān.Excellent, I will cook them now.
- أحمد Ahmedأنا أحب طبخك يا نور.anā uḥibbu ṭabkhaki yā nūr.I love your cooking, Nour.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries بازلاء, CC BY-SA 4.0.
