غِرْبَال
ḡirbālmasculine
The English word sieve can be translated into Arabic as غِرْبَال (ḡirbāl) or مِصْفاة.
Meaning: device to separate larger objects from smaller ones or from liquids (noun)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| غِرْبَال | ḡirbāl | masculine |
| مِصْفاة | miṣfāh |
A sieve is a device used to separate larger objects from smaller ones or from liquids. When performing these actions, you might use different verbs: صَفَّى is commonly used for filtering or straining liquids, such as juice or oil, while غَرْبَلَ is used for sifting dry materials like flour or sand.
Which one should you use?
The term غِرْبَال refers to a general sieve, especially one used for dry goods like flour or grain. In contrast, مِصْفاة is more specifically used for a strainer or colander used for liquids or fine particles.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
ḡirbāl
Did you know?
- In many Arabic dialects, the word غِرْبَال is used in a proverb to describe a person who cannot keep a secret, implying that information leaks through them like sand through a sieve.
- The word صَفَّى (to strain) is used in many Arabic dialects to also mean 'to settle' a score or 'to resolve' a conflict, much like how a sieve settles particles.
- While غِرْبَال refers to the tool, the verb غَرْبَلَ can also be used figuratively in media to mean 'to vet' or 'to screen' information or candidates during an investigation.
Examples in context
- هذا غِرْبَالٌ كَبِيرٌ جِدًّا.hadha ghirbalun kabirun jiddan.This is a very large sieve.
- اسْتَخْدِمِ الْغِرْبَال لِتَنْقِيَةِ الدَّقيقِ.istakhdim al-ghirbal li-tanqiyati ad-daqiq.Use the sieve to sift the flour.
- أَيْنَ الْغِرْبَالُ الصَّغِيرُ؟ayna al-ghirbal al-saghir?Where is the small sieve?
Example conversation
Nour and Omar are preparing dough in the kitchen.
- نور Nourيا عُمَر، هَلْ عِنْدَكَ غِرْبَالٌ؟ya Omar, hal 'indaka ghirbal?Omar, do you have a sieve?
- عمر Omarنَعَمْ، هُوَ فِي الْخِزانَةِ.na'am, huwa fi al-khizanah.Yes, it is in the cupboard.
- نور Nourحَسَنًا، سَأَخُذُهُ الآنَ.hasanan, sa-akhudhuhu al-an.Okay, I will take it now.
- عمر Omarهَلْ نَحْتاجُ إِلَى غِرْبَالٍ آخَرَ؟hal nahtaju ila ghirbalin akhar?Do we need another sieve?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sieve” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
