مَنْدِيل
mandīlmasculine
In Arabic, the English phrase "tissue" (referring to a sheet of absorbent paper) is translated as مَنْدِيل (mandīl). Wiktionary also lists مِنْدِيل (mindīl).
Meaning: sheet of absorbent paper (noun)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| مَنْدِيل | mandīl | masculine |
| مِنْدِيل | mindīl | masculine |
The word refers to an absorbent sheet of paper, such as a tissue. In certain contexts, it can also refer to a handkerchief.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Gulf Arabic, the form مناديل is used to refer to both a tissue and a handkerchief. In Egyptian Arabic, the term كلينكس is used for tissue.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of mandīl is مَنَادِيل.
How do you pronounce it?
mandīl
Did you know?
- While 'tissue' in English can refer to biological cells, the Arabic مَنْدِيل is strictly for the paper or cloth. For biological tissue, Arabic uses a completely different word, نَسِيج, which means 'fabric' or 'web'.
- The word مَنْدِيل is often used in Arabic poetry and literature to symbolize elegance or even heartbreak, rather than just a tool for hygiene.
- In some dialects, the word مَنْدِيل can be used to describe a specific type of decorative scarf or head covering used in traditional dress.
Examples in context
- هل لديك منديل؟Do you have a tissue?
- أَحْتَاجُ إِلَى مَنْدِيلٍ، مِنْ فَضْلِكَ.aḥtāju ilā mandīlin, min faḍlik.I need a tissue, please.
- هَذَا الْمَنْدِيلُ نَاعِمٌ جِدًّا.hādhā al-mandīlu nā'imun jiddan.This tissue is very soft.
Example conversation
Ziad is sneezing in the living room.
- زياد Ziadيَا مَرْيَمُ، هَلْ عِنْدَكِ مَنْدِيلٌ؟yā Maryamu, hal 'indaki mandīlun?Maryam, do you have a tissue?
- مريم Maryamنَعَمْ، تَفَضَّلْ هَذَا الْمَنْدِيلُ.na'am, tafaḍḍal hādhā al-mandīlu.Yes, here is the tissue.
- زياد Ziadشُكْرًا لَكِ يَا مَرْيَمُ.shukran laki yā Maryamu.Thank you, Maryam.
- مريم Maryamعَفْوًا، هَلْ أَنْتَ بِخَيْرٍ؟afwan, hal anta bikhayr?You're welcome, are you okay?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tissue” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
