لسان
lesān/li.saːn/Egyptian Arabic, masculine
The Arabic word for tongue is لسان (lesān). Wiktionary also lists لِسَان (lisān).
Meaning: organ (noun)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| لسان | lesān | /li.saːn/ | Egyptian Arabic, masculine |
| لِسَان | lisān | feminine, masculine |
The word refers to the physical organ in the mouth. Metaphorically, just as in English, it can also be used to refer to a person's speech or their ability to speak.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The formal word for tongue is لسان.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Egyptian Arabic, the pronunciation shifts from 'lisān' to lesān.
How do you pronounce it?
lesān
Did you know?
- The word لسان is a cognate with the Hebrew word לָשׁוֹן (lashón). Both descend from the ancient Proto-Semitic root *lišān-.
- In some contexts, the word لسان is used in the phrase 'the tongue of the bell' to describe the clapper, applying the biological term to a mechanical object.
- Certain Arabic idioms use لسان to describe someone who is overly blunt or rude, often referring to a 'long tongue'.
Examples in context
- هل أكلت القطة لسانك؟The cat got your tongue?This sentence uses the form لسان to translate the idiom 'The cat got your tongue?'Tatoeba #7248478 by Mustava, translation #7248461 by Hybrid
- الصلصة كانت حارة جداً ، انها حرقت لساني.The dip was so hot, it burned my tongue.This sentence uses the form لسان to describe a physical sensation of burning.Tatoeba #4102582 by fadi, translation #1286921 by CM
- الْمُسْلِمُ مَنْ سَلِمَ الْمُسْلِمُونَ مِنْ لِسَانِهِ وَيَدِهِ.A Muslim is the one who avoids harming Muslims with his tongue and hands.This sentence uses the form لِسَان in a religious context regarding speech and conduct.Tatoeba #9090803 by alkhaldy, translation #9091087 by alkhaldy
- من الأمور الجيدة تعلم لسان البلد الذي تزوره.It is good to learn the language of the country you're visiting.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mariam and Ahmed are talking about a spicy meal.
- مريم Maryamأنا مش قادرة آكل، الأكل حراق أوي.Ana mesh adra akol, el-akl harraq awy.I can't eat, the food is very spicy.
- أحمد Ahmedفعلاً، أنا حاسس إن لساني بيحرقني.Fe'lan, ana hases en لساني beyehra'ny.Indeed, I feel like my tongue is burning.
- مريم Maryamاشرب مية بسرعة يا أحمد.Ishrab mayya bsor'a ya Ahmed.Drink some water quickly, Ahmed.
- أحمد Ahmedشكراً يا مريم، ده ريح لساني شوية.Shokran ya Mariam, da rayyah لساني shwayya.Thanks Mariam, that soothed my tongue a bit.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tongue” translations and entries لسان, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries لسان, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
