خشب
ḵašab/xa.ʃab/Egyptian Arabic, masculine
In Arabic, the word for wood is خشب (ḵašab). Wiktionary also lists خَشَب (ḵašab).
Meaning: substance (noun)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| خشب | ḵašab | /xa.ʃab/ | Egyptian Arabic, masculine |
| خَشَب | ḵašab | masculine |
The term refers to the material or substance known as wood.
Which one should you use?
The form خشب is used in Egyptian Arabic. Additionally, the form الخشب is a formal way to say wood.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun is masculine.
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is /xa.ʃab/. The romanization is ḵašab.
Did you know?
- In various Arabic dialects, calling someone خشب can be a slang insult meaning 'wooden' or 'clumsy'. It implies the person is stiff and lacks social grace or quick reflexes.
- While خشب refers to the material, the Arabic word for a 'forest' غابة comes from a different root entirely and does not share a linguistic connection with the word for 'wood'.
- The Arabic word for 'wooden' or 'made of wood' is خشبي, which is used in modern terminology to describe 'wooden' or rigid structures in digital interfaces.
Examples in context
- اذى توم نفسه بمنشارِ خشب.Tom hurt himself with a wood saw.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use خشب in a sentence.Tatoeba #9612175 by issadouba, translation #9612167 by issadouba
- أحتاج لقطعة من الخشب لبناء الأثاث.I need a piece of wood to build the furniture.
- الترابيزة دي معمولة من خشب.el-tarabeza di ma'moula men khashab.This table is made of wood.
- أنا محتاج خشب عشان أصلح الكرسي.ana mehtag khashab ashan asalleh el-korsi.I need wood to fix the chair.
Example conversation
Ahmed and Layla are looking at a piece of furniture.
- أحمد Ahmedشايفة الكرسي ده؟ لونه حلو أوي.shayfa el-korsi da? lonno helw awy.Do you see this chair? Its color is very nice.
- ليلى Laylaفعلاً، بس هل هو خشب طبيعي؟fe'lan, bas hal howa khashab tabi'i?Indeed, but is it natural wood?
- أحمد Ahmedأيوه، ده خشب زان أصلي.aywa, da khashab zan asly.Yes, this is original beech wood.
- ليلى Laylaخلاص، أنا عايزة أشتريه.khalas, ana 'ayza ashtareeh.Alright, I want to buy it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “wood” translations and entries خشب, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
