معجون أسنان
ma'jun asnan
The Arabic word for toothpaste is معجون أسنان (ma'jun asnan).
معجون أسنان refers to the paste used for cleaning the teeth.
Meaning: paste for cleaning the teeth (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
This is a compound noun. The first part, معجون, means paste and the second part, أسنان, means teeth.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word أسنان used in this phrase is the plural form of سن, which means tooth.
How do you pronounce it?
ma'jun asnan
Did you know?
- Arabic has a specific root system where سن (tooth) and سنة (year) share the same root letters. This creates a linguistic link between a tooth and a year in the language.
- The word معجون comes from the same root as the process of kneading dough. This implies that the texture of the paste is conceptually linked to the physical act of working a soft substance with one's hands.
- The term أسنان is the plural form of سن, but in certain poetic or classical contexts, this same root can refer to the 'teeth' of a saw or a comb.
Examples in context
- أريد أن أشتري معجون الأسنان من الصيدلية.I want to buy toothpaste from the pharmacy.
- هل عندك فرشاة أسنان؟ محتاج معجون أيضًا.Do you have a toothbrush? I also need toothpaste.
- أريد شراء معجون أسنان جديد.uridu shira' ma'jun asnan jadid.I want to buy new toothpaste.
- هل يوجد معجون أسنان في الحمام؟hal yujad ma'jun asnan fil-hammam?Is there toothpaste in the bathroom?
Example conversation
Omar and Layla are in the supermarket.
- عمر Omarهل نحتاج معجون أسنان؟hal nahtaj ma'jun asnan?Do we need toothpaste?
- ليلى Laylaنعم، نحتاج معجون أسنان.na'am, nahtaj ma'jun asnan.Yes, we need toothpaste.
- عمر Omarأي نوع تفضلين يا ليلى؟ayyu naw' tufaddilin ya Layla?Which kind do you prefer, Layla?
- ليلى Laylaهذا النوع جيد جداً.hadha al-naw' jayyid jiddan.This kind is very good.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries معجون, معجون أسنان, CC BY-SA 4.0.
