عنكبوت
ʕankabūt/ʕan.ka.buːt/Egyptian Arabic, masculine
The Arabic word for spider is عنكبوت (ʕankabūt). Wiktionary also lists عَنْكَبُوت (ʕankabūt) and شَبَث (šabaṯ).
Meaning: arthropod (noun)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| عنكبوت | ʕankabūt | /ʕan.ka.buːt/ /ʕan.kbuːt/ (Moroccan) |
Egyptian Arabic, masculine |
| عَنْكَبُوت | ʕankabūt | masculine | |
| شَبَث | šabaṯ | masculine | |
| ابو شبت | abu šabat | Egyptian Arabic, masculine |
The word refers to the arthropod known as a spider.
Which one should you use?
While عنكبوت is the standard term, شَبَث is another masculine noun used for the same creature.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Egyptian Arabic, you may use ابو شبت to refer to a spider.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
عنكبوت is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /ʕan.ka.buːt/. It has 3 syllables: ʕan-ka-būt.
When do people say it?
The word is used in the name of the 29th sura of the Qur'an, سورة العنكبوت.
Did you know?
- The word عنكبوت originates from Ancient North Arabian, where it was written as 𐪒𐪌𐪋𐪈𐪉.
- In some Arabic contexts, the spider's web is used as a metaphor for a fragile or deceptive plan that offers no real protection.
Examples in context
- ماتى كانت آخر مرة سحقت فيها عنكبوتا؟When was the last time you squashed a spider?This sentence shows how to use the form عنكبوت when discussing squashing one.Tatoeba #11685377 by dididodo, translation #1747718 by Amastan
- ماذا ينبغي أن تفعل إن وجدت عنكبوتا كبيرا على سريرك؟What should you do if you find a big spider on your bed?This sentence uses عنكبوت to describe finding one on a bed.Tatoeba #11251276 by Amghar, translation #1870105 by Amastan
- انظر، عنكبوت قافز!Look, a jumping spider!This sentence uses عنكبوت to identify a jumping spider.Tatoeba #13736925 by Adelpa, translation #13736887 by Adelpa
- في الركن العلوي من الغرفة، وجدتُ عنكبوتًا كبيرًا.In the upper corner of the room, I found a big spider.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sara and Ziad are in the garden.
- سارة Saraبص يا زياد، فيه عنكبوت على الشجرة.boss ya Ziad, feh 'ankaboot 'ala el-shagara.Look Ziad, there is a spider on the tree.
- زياد Ziadخلاص، هخليه يروح بعيد.khallas, hakhallee yerooh ba'eed.Okay, I will make it go away.
- سارة Saraخايفة منه أوي.khayfa menno awy.I am very afraid of it.
- زياد Ziadمتخافيش يا سارة، هو مش هيأذيكي.matkhafish ya Sara, howa mish hay'ezeki.Don't be afraid Sara, it won't hurt you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “spider” translations and entries عنكبوت, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries عنكبوت, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
