زَبِيب
zabībcollective
The Arabic word for raisin is زَبِيب (zabīb). Wiktionary also lists زَبِيبَة (zabība).
Meaning: dried grape (noun)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| زَبِيب | zabīb | collective |
| زَبِيبَة | zabība | feminine |
The word refers to a dried grape.
Which one should you use?
زَبِيب is a collective noun. The feminine form زَبِيبَة (zabība) refers to a single raisin.
How do you pronounce it?
zabīb
Did you know?
- In many Arabic-speaking cultures, زبيب is a key ingredient in savory main courses, such as meat-based كبة (Kibbeh), rather than being reserved for sweet desserts.
- The word for the fresh version of the fruit, عنب, shares an etymological root related to the concept of 'clinging', describing how the vines attach themselves to structures.
- In some North African regions, you might hear people use the French word 'raisin' instead of the native زَبِيب due to historical linguistic influences.
Examples in context
- أنا استمتع بتناول الزبيب كوجبة صحية.I enjoy eating raisins as a healthy snack.
- هل تحب إضافة زبيب إلى الحبوب الخاصة بك؟Do you like to add raisins to your cereal?
- أنا أحب الحلويات التي تحتوي على زَبِيب.ana uhib al-halawiyat allati tahtawi 'ala zabib.I love sweets that contain raisins.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “raisin” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
