سَقْف
saqfmasculine
The English word "roof" can be translated into Arabic as سَقْف (saqf) or سَطْح.
Meaning: the cover at the top of a building (noun)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| سَقْف | saqf | masculine |
| سَطْح | saṭḥ | masculine |
Which one should you use?
The two terms are used to distinguish between the interior and exterior of a building. سَقْف refers to the ceiling or the interior roof as seen from inside a building, while سَطْح refers to the rooftop or the exterior surface of a building seen from the outside.
How do you pronounce it?
saqf
Did you know?
- In certain classical contexts, سَقْف can refer to the 'canopy' of the sky, treating the heavens as a structural lid over the earth.
- In many Arabic speaking countries, the سَطْح is used as a social space for drying laundry, sleeping during hot summer nights and hosting family gatherings.
- The term سَطْح is also the standard word for 'surface' in a scientific or geometric context, such as the 'surface of a sphere'.
Examples in context
- سَطْحُ الْمَنْزِلِthe roof of the house
- سَقْفُ الْمَبْنَىthe roof of the building
Sources
- Wiktionary, “roof” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
