مِبْرَاة
mibrāhfeminine
The English phrase "sharpener" can be translated into Arabic as مِبْرَاة (mibrāh) or بَرَّايَة.
Meaning: device for making things sharp (noun)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| مِبْرَاة | mibrāh | feminine |
| بَرَّايَة | barrāya | feminine |
Both words refer to a device used for making things sharp.
What does it mean word for word?
The word مِبْرَاة is derived from the Arabic root b-r-y (ب–ر–ي), which means to sharpen or to shave.
Which one should you use?
مِبْرَاة is the standard Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) term, while بَرَّايَة is more common in spoken dialects.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
بَرَّايَة is frequently used in everyday spoken Arabic.
How does it change in a sentence?
مِبْرَاة is a feminine noun, meaning that any adjectives used to describe it must also be in the feminine form.
How do you pronounce it?
mibrāh
Did you know?
- The root ب-ر-ي used in مِبْرَاة is also used in Arabic to describe the act of peeling a fruit or vegetable, linking the idea of sharpening a pencil to removing an outer layer.
- While مِبْرَاة is the formal term found in textbooks, using it in a casual shop might make you sound like a news anchor rather than a student.
- The word بَرَّايَة comes from the same root as the word 'to shave', meaning the action of the sharpener is conceptually linked to the act of shaving hair.
Examples in context
- أحتاج إلى مِبْرَاة جديدة.ahtaju ila mibraat jadida.I need a new sharpener.
Example conversation
Two students are looking for supplies in a classroom.
- سارة Saraيوسف، هل لديك مِبْرَاة؟Yusuf, hal ladayka mibraat?Yusuf, do you have a sharpener?
- يوسف Youssefنعم، تفضلي هذه المِبْرَاة.Na'am, tafaddali hadhihi al-mibraat.Yes, here is the sharpener.
- سارة Saraشكراً جزيلاً لك.Shukran jazilan laka.Thank you very much.
- يوسف Youssefعفواً يا سارة.Afwan ya Sarah.You are welcome, Sarah.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sharpener” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
