تاكو
taku
The English phrase 'tacos' is translated into Arabic as تاكو (taku).
The term refers to a traditional Mexican dish consisting of a small corn or wheat tortilla rolled around a filling.
Which one should you use?
التاكو translates specifically to 'the tacos'. The form تاكوس is used in an informal context.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is taku.
Did you know?
- Because the word تاكو is a phonetic loanword, it exists outside the traditional three-letter root system that governs almost every other word in the Arabic language.
- While تاكوس is used informally, it is technically a 'hybrid' word that imports the Spanish plural 's' directly into Arabic script.
- A diner in the Arab world might find تاكو listed under 'American' food on a menu. This reflects a broader cultural categorization where many North American regional cuisines are grouped together.
Examples in context
- أريد تناول تاكو اليوم.urīdu tanāwul tākū al-yawm.I want to eat tacos today.
- هل جربت تاكو اللحم؟hal jarrabta tākū al-laḥm?Have you tried beef tacos?
- هذا المطعم يقدم تاكو لذيذ.hādhā al-maṭʿam yuqaddim tākū ladhīdh.This restaurant serves delicious tacos.
Example conversation
Ziad and Sara are deciding what to eat for lunch.
- زياد Ziadماذا تريدين أن تأكلي يا سارة؟mādhā turīdīna an ta'kulī yā Sāra?What do you want to eat, Sara?
- سارة Saraأنا أريد تاكو حار.anā urīdu tākū ḥārr.I want spicy tacos.
- زياد Ziadفكرة رائعة، لنذهب إلى المطعم المكسيكي.fikra rāʾiʿa, li-nadhab ilā al-maṭʿam al-meksikī.Great idea, let's go to the Mexican restaurant.
- سارة Saraسيكون غداءً لذيذاً جداً.sayakūnu ghadāʾan ladhīthan jiddan.It will be a very delicious lunch.
