مَعِدَة
maʕidafeminine
The English phrase stomach can be translated into Arabic using مَعِدَة (maʕida). Wiktionary also lists مِعْدَة (miʕda) and بَطْن (baṭn).
Meaning: belly (noun)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| مَعِدَة | maʕida | feminine | |
| مِعْدَة | miʕda | feminine | |
| بَطْن | baṭn | masculine | |
| بطن | baṭin | /batˤn/ | Hijazi Arabic, feminine |
| كرشة | kirša | Hijazi Arabic, feminine |
The term refers to the stomach or the belly. Depending on whether you are discussing the biological organ or the general abdominal area, different words are used.
Which one should you use?
The word مَعِدَة refers specifically to the biological organ (the stomach), while بَطْن is used more generally to describe the belly or the abdominal area.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Hijazi Arabic, بطن (pronounced baṭin) is a feminine form used for belly. Additionally, the word كرشة is used in Hijazi Arabic to refer to the belly, often implying a large or protruding potbelly.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say 'my stomach' or 'my belly' using the word بَطْن, you add the possessive suffix -ī to create بَطْنِي.
How do you pronounce it?
maʕida
Did you know?
- The word كرشة is not just a description of a potbelly but is also the name for a traditional dish made from tripe.
- In Arabic, the word بَطْن can be used to describe the 'inside' or 'hidden' part of any object, not just a human body.
- The word بطن shares its ancient roots with Hebrew and Aramaic words that mean both 'stomach' and 'womb'.
Examples in context
- أتحس بوجع في بطنك؟Do you feel any pain in your stomach?This sentence is useful for asking about pain in the بطن.Tatoeba #371632 by saeb, translation #28160 by CK
- بدأ سامي بضرب ولكم ليلى في بطنها.Sami started punching and kicking Layla in the stomach.This sentence is useful for describing physical contact with the بطن.Tatoeba #6734533 by Safa_Alfulaij, translation #6560142 by OsoHombre
- كَيْفَ تَشْعُرُ بِمَعِدَتِك؟How is your stomach feeling?
Example conversation
Layla tells Omar she cannot eat more at dinner.
- ليلى Laylaلا أستطيع الأكل أكثر، مَعِدَة ممتلئة.La astati' al-akl akthar, ma'idah mumtali'a.I can't eat more, my stomach is full.
- عمر Omarهل تريدين بعض الماء يا ليلى؟Hal turidin ba'd al-ma' ya Layla?Do you want some water, Layla?
- ليلى Laylaنعم، من فضلك يا عمر.Na'am, min fadlak ya Omar.Yes, please, Omar.
- عمر Omarتفضلي، اشربي ببطء.Tafaddali, ishrabi bi-but'Here you go, drink slowly.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stomach” translations and entries بطن, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries بطن, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
