ثوب
thawb
The English phrase "thobe" is translated into Arabic as ثوب (thawb).
A ثوب is a long, ankle-length garment worn by men and women in some Arab countries. While the word can broadly refer to any garment, in many modern contexts, it specifically refers to the traditional long robe worn by men. In many Gulf countries, the term is used specifically for the white, long-sleeved men's robe, whereas in other regions, it may be a more general term for any dress.
What does it mean word for word?
The word ثوب literally means a garment, dress or robe.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Egyptian Arabic, the traditional long garment worn by both men and women is commonly referred to as جَلَابِيَة. In Gulf Arabic, the term دِشْدَاشَة is used for the traditional attire typically worn by men. In Levantine Arabic, the term ثوب is also used. In the Gulf, ثوب specifically denotes the white, long-sleeved men's robe.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of ثوب is أثواب.
How do you pronounce it?
thawb
Did you know?
- In Palestinian culture, a woman's ثوب often features intricate embroidery that acts as a visual code, revealing her marital status and her specific home village.
- The term ثوب can be used in a highly metaphorical sense in religious texts to describe a 'garment of righteousness' or an internal spiritual state.
- For the highest levels of formality, such as royal audiences or weddings, a bisht is a traditional flowing cloak worn over the ثوب.
Examples in context
- اشتريت ثوباً جديداً للعيد.Ishtaraytu thawban jadidan lil-'id.I bought a new thobe for the Eid.
Example conversation
Ziyad and Nour are discussing what to wear to a traditional event.
- زياد Ziadسأرتدي ثوباً أبيض غداً.Sa-artadī thowban abyaḍ ghadan.I will wear a white thobe tomorrow.
- نور Nourهذا اختيار رائع يا زياد.Hādhā ikhtiyār rā'iț ya Ziyad.That is a great choice, Ziyad.
- زياد Ziadهل تفضلين الثوب التقليدي؟Hal tufaḍḍilīna ath-thowb at-taqlīdī?Do you prefer the traditional thobe?
- نور Nourنعم، أحب الثوب كثيراً.Naț, uḥibbu ath-thowb kathīran.Yes, I love the thobe very much.
