خُلْطَة زَعْتَر نَابُلْسِيّ
ḵulṭat zaʕtar nābulsiyyfeminine
The English phrase zaatar refers to the Arabic seasoning خُلْطَة زَعْتَر نَابُلْسِيّ (ḵulṭat zaʕtar nābulsiyy). If unsure, use خُلْطَة زَعْتَر نَابُلْسِيّ. Wiktionary also lists زَعْتَر نَابُلْسِيّ (zaʕtar nābulsiyy).
Meaning: seasoning (noun)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| خُلْطَة زَعْتَر نَابُلْسِيّ | ḵulṭat zaʕtar nābulsiyy | feminine |
| زَعْتَر نَابُلْسِيّ | zaʕtar nābulsiyy | masculine |
The term za'tar is often used both to refer to the specific herb and the spice blend itself.
What does it mean word for word?
The word زَعْتَر refers specifically to the herb thyme or wild oregano, which is the primary ingredient in the seasoning blend. The word خُلْطَة means 'mixture' or 'blend', and it is used to indicate that the seasoning is a composite of several ingredients.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The adjective نَابُلْسِيّ refers to Nablus, a city in Palestine, indicating a specific regional style of the seasoning blend.
How does it change in a sentence?
خُلْطَة زَعْتَر نَابُلْسِيّ is a feminine form, while زَعْتَر نَابُلْسِيّ is the masculine form.
How do you pronounce it?
ḵulṭat zaʕtar nābulsiyy
Did you know?
- There is a popular folk belief in some regions that eating زَعْتَر improves memory and focus, leading parents to encourage children to eat it before exams.
- In many Arabic-speaking cultures, زَعْتَر is often paired with olive oil and eaten for breakfast by dipping bread into the oil and then the seasoning.
- The specific style زَعْتَر نَابُلْسِيّ is so culturally significant that it is often used as a culinary shorthand for Palestinian identity in regional markets.
Examples in context
- هذه خُلْطَة زَعْتَر نَابُلْسِيّ رائعة.hathihi khultat za'tar nabulsi ra'i'a.This is a wonderful Nabulsi zaatar blend.
- اشتريت خُلْطَة زَعْتَر نَابُلْسِيّ من السوق.ishtaraytu khultat za'tar nabulsi min al-suq.I bought a Nabulsi zaatar blend from the market.
Example conversation
Layla and Ziad are preparing breakfast in the kitchen.
- ليلى Laylaهل نستخدم خُلْطَة زَعْتَر نَابُلْسِيّ اليوم؟hal nustakhdimu khultat za'tar nabulsi al-yawm?Shall we use the Nabulsi zaatar blend today?
- زياد Ziadنعم، هي لذيذة جداً يا ليلى.na'am, hiya ladhidha jiddan ya Layla.Yes, it is very delicious, Layla.
- ليلى Laylaسأضعها مع زيت الزيتون.sa'ada'uha ma'a zayt al-zaytun.I will put it with the olive oil.
- زياد Ziadفكرة ممتازة، سأجهز الخبز الآن.fikra mumtaza, sa'ujahhiz al-khubz al-an.Excellent idea, I will prepare the bread now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “zaatar” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
