لُعْبَة
luʕbafeminine
In Arabic, the word for toy is لُعْبَة (luʕba). Wiktionary also lists دُمْيَة (dumya).
Meaning: something to play with (noun)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| لُعْبَة | luʕba | feminine |
| دُمْيَة | dumya | feminine |
The word refers to something used for play.
Which one should you use?
لُعْبَة (luʕba) is a general term for any toy, whereas دُمْيَة (dumya) specifically refers to a doll.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Gulf countries, لُعْبَة is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of the general word for toy لُعْبَة is لُعَب. The plural form of the word for doll دُمْيَة is دُمَى.
How do you pronounce it?
luʕba
Did you know?
- The word لُعْبَة is a homonym that also means 'game' or 'match' in Arabic. Whether you are referring to a physical toy or a game of football, the same word is used.
- In certain dialects, the word دُمْيَة can be used metaphorically to describe a person who is being manipulated by others, similar to calling someone a 'puppet' in English.
- In classical poetry, terms related to لُعْبَة were sometimes used to describe the 'toys' of fate or the whims of destiny.
Examples in context
- أنا مُهْتَمٌّ بِالْأَلْعَابِI am interested in toys
- هذه لُعْبَة جَدِيدَة.hādhihi lu'ba jadīda.This is a new toy.
- أَيْنَ لُعْبَةُ الطِّفْلِ؟ayna lu'bat al-tifli?Where is the baby's toy?
- أُرِيدُ لُعْبَةً كَبِيرَةً.urīdu lu'batan kabīra.I want a big toy.
Example conversation
Sara and Youssef are cleaning the living room.
- سارة Saraيوسف، هل هذه لُعْبَة سليم؟Youssef, hal hadhihi lu'bat Salim?Youssef, is this Salim's toy?
- يوسف Youssefنعم، من فضلكِ ضعيه هناك.Na'am, min fadliki da'eehi hunak.Yes, please put it there.
- سارة Saraسأضع كل لُعْبَة في الصندوق.Sa'ada' kull lu'ba fi al-sanduq.I will put every toy in the box.
- يوسف Youssefشكراً لكِ يا سارة.Shukran laki ya Sara.Thank you, Sara.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “toy” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
