جنوب
gunūb/d͡ʒa.nuːb/Egyptian Arabic, masculine
The Arabic word for south is جنوب (gunūb). If unsure, use جنوب. Wiktionary also lists جَنُوب (janūb) and جَنوب (janūb).
Meaning: compass point (noun)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| جنوب | gunūb | /d͡ʒa.nuːb/ /ɡa.nuːb/ (Egypt) |
Egyptian Arabic, masculine |
| جَنُوب | janūb | masculine | |
| جَنوب | janūb | Hijazi Arabic, masculine |
The word refers to the compass point south.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Egyptian Arabic, the word is pronounced جنوب (gunūb). In Hijazi Arabic, the word is جَنوب (janūb).
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is gunūb. It has 2 syllables.
Did you know?
- While 'south' in Arabic is linked to 'laying clothes aside', its opposite, 'north', comes from a root meaning 'to bundle up' or 'wrap up' to stay warm.
Examples in context
- سافرنا عبر جنوب فرنسا.We traveled through the south of France.This sentence shows how to use جنوب to refer to a geographic region.Tatoeba #8677107 by Ahmed_Waleed, translation #3045603 by sharptoothed
- غادر الجزائر العاصمة و توجه جنوبا.He left Algiers and headed south.This sentence demonstrates using the adverbial form of جنوب to describe direction.Tatoeba #11665515 by dididodo, translation #8781437 by Amastan
- ليلى أمّ لستّة أطفال، تعيش جنوب شرق إنكلترا.Layla is a mother of six, living in the south west of England.This sentence shows how to use جنوب when describing a specific direction within a country.Tatoeba #7353231 by OsoHombre, translation #7347966 by OsoHombre
- هل يمكنني الذهاب جنوباً؟Can I go south?
- المنازل الساحلية تقع في جنوب البلدCoastal houses are located in the south of the country.
- هل يمكنني الذهاب إلى الجنوب؟Can I go to the south?
- أنا ذاهب جنوباًI am going south.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Maryam and Ziad are looking at a map in a cafe.
- مريم Maryamالمدينة فين بالظبط؟el madina fen bel-zabt?Where exactly is the city?
- زياد Ziadهي في جنوب مصر.heya fi ganoub masr.It is in the south of Egypt.
- مريم Maryamيعني لازم نطلع شمال؟ya'ni lazem netla' shamal?So we have to go north?
- زياد Ziadلأ، لازم نمشي جنوب.la', lazem nemshi ganoub.No, we have to go south.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “south” translations and entries جنوب, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries جنوب, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
