شيشة
shīsha
The English phrase "shisha" is شيشة (shīsha) in Arabic.
شيشة refers to a water pipe used for smoking flavored tobacco. In a colloquial social context, the word is often used to refer to the act of sitting at a cafe to smoke.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In many parts of the Levant, such as Lebanon, Syria and Jordan, نارجيلة (narghile) is often used. In Jordan and parts of the Arabian Gulf, including Kuwait and Bahrain, the informal word أرغيلة (arghileh) is commonly used. In Iraq, the word is commonly called شيشة (sheeshe).
How do you pronounce it?
shīsha
Did you know?
- The word شيشة is a loanword from the Persian word for 'glass' or 'bottle'.
- In some Arabic cultures, the preparation of the شيشة is considered a professional craft. Experts called 'maallems' are employed specifically to master the precise temperature of the charcoal.
- The word نارجيلة is actually a loanword from the Turkish word 'nargile', showing the historical influence of the Ottoman Empire on Arabic social habits.
Examples in context
- عفوًا، ممكن نطلب نرجيلة؟Excuse me, could we have some shisha, please?
- طلبنا شيشة بنكهة التفاح.ṭalabnā shīsha bi-nakhat at-tuffāḥ.We ordered an apple flavored shisha.
Example conversation
Two friends sitting at an outdoor cafe.
- نور Nourهل تريد شيشة يا عمر؟hal turīdu shīsha yā 'Umar?Do you want a shisha, Omar?
- عمر Omarنعم، أريد شيشة تفاح.na'am, urīdu shīsha tuffāḥ.Yes, I want an apple shisha.
- نور Nourحسناً، سأطلبها الآن.ḥasanan, sa-aṭlubuhā al-ān.Okay, I will order it now.
- عمر Omarشكراً لك يا نور.shukran laki yā Nūr.Thank you, Noor.
