بَنْدُورَة
bandūrafeminine
The English word "tomato" can be translated into Arabic as بَنْدُورَة (bandūra) or طَمَاطِم.
Meaning: fruit (noun)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| بَنْدُورَة | bandūra | feminine |
| طَمَاطِم | ṭamāṭim | masculine |
Both terms refer to the fruit known as a tomato.
Which one should you use?
The term طَمَاطِم is the standard term used in Modern Standard Arabic and is widely understood across the Arab world, while بَنْدُورَة is used specifically in Levantine dialects.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Levantine dialect, such as in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Palestine, the word بَنْدُورَة is the primary term used.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word بَنْدُورَة is a feminine noun, so any adjectives describing it must also be in the feminine form.
How do you pronounce it?
bandūra
Did you know?
- The word بَنْدُورَة is believed by some linguists to be derived from the Italian word 'pomodoro', which means 'golden apple'.
- The word طَمَاطِم is a loanword that entered Arabic from European languages, rather than being a root word derived from the ancient three-letter Arabic system.
- In Egypt, tomatoes are called قوطة (qoota) in some rural dialects, creating a third common regional term alongside طَمَاطِم and بَنْدُورَة.
Examples in context
- يُعَدُّ الطماطم مكوّناً هامّاً في العديد من الأطباق.The tomato is considered an essential ingredient in many dishes.
- جرّبت البندورة في وصفة جديدة وكانت رائعة!I tried tomato in a new recipe, and it was delicious!
- أُرِيدُ بَنْدُورَةً وَاحِدَةً.urīdu bandūratan wāḥidatan.I want one tomato.
- هَلْ عِنْدَكَ بَنْدُورَةٌ طَازَجَةٌ؟hal 'indaka bandūratun ṭāzajatun?Do you have a fresh tomato?
Example conversation
Sarah and Youssef are in the kitchen preparing dinner.
- سارة Saraيوسف، هل لدينا بَنْدُورَة في الثلاجة؟Yūsuf, hal ladaynā bandūrah fī ath-thallājah?Youssef, do we have a tomato in the fridge?
- يوسف Youssefنعم، هناك حبتان على الرف.Naʿam, hunāka ḥabbatān ʿalā ar-raff.Yes, there are two pieces on the shelf.
- سارة Saraرائع، سأقطعها الآن.Rāʾiʿ, sa-ʾaqṭaʿuhā al-ʾān.Great, I will cut it now.
- يوسف Youssefحسناً، أنا سأساعدكِ.Ḥasanan, ana sa-usāʿiduki.Okay, I will help you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tomato” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
