مَسْبَح
masbaḥmasculine
The English phrase 'swimming pool' is translated into Arabic as مَسْبَح (masbaḥ). Wiktionary also lists حَمَّام سِبَاحَة (ḥammām sibāḥa) and بِرْكَة سِبَاحَة (birkat sibāḥa).
Meaning: pool for swimming (noun)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| مَسْبَح | masbaḥ | masculine |
| حَمَّام سِبَاحَة | ḥammām sibāḥa | masculine |
| بِرْكَة سِبَاحَة | birkat sibāḥa | feminine |
The phrase refers to a pool used for swimming.
What does it mean word for word?
The noun مَسْبَح (masbaḥ) is derived from the verb 'to swim' and literally means 'a place for swimming'. The phrase حَمَّام سِبَاحَة (ḥammām sibāḥa) literally translates to 'swimming bath'.
Which one should you use?
While مَسْبَح is the standard term for a swimming pool, بِرْكَة سِبَاحَة (birkat sibāḥa) is often used to refer to smaller or more natural-looking pools, literally meaning 'swimming pond'.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of the standard word مَسْبَح is مَسَابِح (masābiḥ).
How do you pronounce it?
masbaḥ
Did you know?
- The word مَسْبَح (masbaḥ) shares a root with the word for 'prayer beads', مَسْبَحَة (masbaḥa). While the meanings differ, both words are built from a root associated with movement and repetition.
- The root of مَسْبَح (s-b-h) is also used in the word تَسْبِيح (tasbīḥ), which means the act of praising God, often done in a rhythmic, repetitive way.
- The word حَمَّام in حَمَّام سِبَاحَة also means 'bathroom'. This is because traditional public baths, known as 'hammams', were the primary place for bathing and washing in the Arab world for centuries.
Examples in context
- أنا أستمتع بالسباحة في المَسبَح.I enjoy swimming in the swimming pool.
Example conversation
Youssef and Laila are at a hotel planning their afternoon.
- يوسف Youssefهَلْ هُنَاكَ مَسْبَحٌ فِي الفُنْدُقِ؟hal hunaka masbah fi al-funduq?Is there a swimming pool in the hotel?
- ليلى Laylaنَعَمْ، المَسْبَحُ عِنْدَ المَدْخَلِ.na'am, al-masbah 'inda al-madkhal.Yes, the swimming pool is by the entrance.
- يوسف Youssefهَلْ نَذْهَبُ إِلَيْهِ يَا لَيْلَى؟hal nadhhabu ilayhi ya Laila?Shall we go to it, Laila?
- ليلى Laylaفِكْرَةٌ رَائِعَةٌ، لِنَذْهَبْ!fikra ra'i'a, linadhhab!Great idea, let's go!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “swimming pool” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
