كينوا
kinwa
In Arabic, the English word 'quinoa' is translated as كينوا (kinwa).
The term refers to the plant Chenopodium quinoa.
Meaning: Chenopodium quinoa (noun)
Which one should you use?
The term can also be transliterated as كِينُوَا in Modern Standard Arabic.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Egyptian Arabic, quinoa is commonly referred to as كينوا.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is kinwa.
Did you know?
- In high-end culinary circles in Dubai or Beirut, كينوا is often paired with تبولة 'tabbouleh' as a gluten-free alternative to the traditional bulgur wheat.
- While the name كينوا is used globally, some Arabic-speaking nutritionists refer to it as 'the gold of the Andes' by translating the phrase into ذهب الأنديز.
- The term كينوا is used identically across diverse dialects, from Morocco to Iraq, because it is a technical botanical loanword rather than a colloquialism.
Example conversation
Layla and Ahmed are discussing what to cook for dinner.
- ليلى Laylaماذا سنطبخ للعشاء يا أحمد؟Madha sanatbukh lil-asha ya Ahmed?What shall we cook for dinner, Ahmed?
- أحمد Ahmedيمكننا تحضير طبق من الكينوا.Yumkinuna tahdir tabaq min al-quinoa.We can prepare a quinoa dish.
- ليلى Laylaهل لدينا كينوا في المطبخ؟Hal ladayna quinoa fi al-matbakh?Do we have quinoa in the kitchen?
- أحمد Ahmedنعم، اشتريت بعض الكينوا أمس.Na'am, ishtaraytu ba'd al-quinoa ams.Yes, I bought some quinoa yesterday.
