لُعَاب
luʕābmasculine
The English word saliva can be translated into Arabic using لُعَاب (luʕāb), رِيق or بُزَاق.
Meaning: liquid secreted into the mouth (noun)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| لُعَاب | luʕāb | masculine |
| رِيق | rīq | masculine |
| بُزَاق | buzāq | masculine |
All three forms refer to the liquid secreted into the mouth. While they all mean saliva, they are used in different contexts depending on whether you are speaking scientifically, casually or referring specifically to the act of spitting.
Which one should you use?
The choice between these words depends on the setting and the specific substance being described. لُعَاب is the standard term for saliva in formal settings. رِيق is the most common term used in everyday spoken Arabic. بُزَاق refers more specifically to spittle or the substance of spit and can carry a more blunt or vulgar connotation.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In many Arabic dialects, رِيق is used in common idioms, such as describing someone who is thirsty or drooling for something.
How does it change in a sentence?
All three forms are masculine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
luʕāb
Did you know?
- In Arabic poetry, رِيق is frequently used as a metaphor for sweetness or purity, often comparing the 'saliva' of a loved one to honey or nectar.
- In some Arabic cultures, there is a traditional belief that the لُعَاب of a spiritual leader or healer possesses curative properties.
- While بُزَاق is the word for spit, the verb associated with it is used in some dialects to describe something completely worthless or trivial.
Examples in context
- يتأثر اللعاب بكثير من العوامل المختلفة.Saliva is affected by various factors.
- يجب عدم المشاركة في النشاطات الرياضية بعد أن تقوم بابتلاع ريقك.You should not engage in sports activities after swallowing your saliva.
- يوجد لُعَاب في فمي.yujad lu'āb fī famī.There is saliva in my mouth.
- هذا لُعَاب الكلب.hādhā lu'āb al-kalb.This is the dog's saliva.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “saliva” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
