سحاب
saḥāb/sa.ħaːb/
The Arabic word for 'zip' (referring to a zip fastener) is سحاب (saḥāb).
Meaning: to close as if with a zip fastener (verb)
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /sa.ħaːb/. It has two syllables: sa-ḥāb.
Did you know?
- The word سحاب is also the standard word for 'clouds' in many Arabic-speaking regions, as clouds are seen as things that 'pull' or 'drag' moisture across the sky.
- In some Arabic dialects, you might hear سسته used instead of سحاب. This term is borrowed from the Persian word 'sesteh' meaning 'spring'.
- The root of سحاب actually means 'to pull' or 'to drag', describing the physical action of pulling a slider to close the fastener.
Examples in context
- الرقم البريديZip code
Example conversation
Ahmed and Maryam are getting ready to go outside.
- أحمد Ahmedمريم، هل نسيتِ سحاب حقيبتك؟Maryam, hal nasiti sahhab haqibatiki?Maryam, did you forget to zip your bag?
- مريم Maryamأوه، شكراً يا أحمد. سأفعل ذلك الآن.oh, shukran ya Ahmad. sa'af'alu dhalika al-aan.Oh, thank you Ahmed. I will do it now.
- أحمد Ahmedسحاب المعطف أيضاً، الجو بارد.sahhab al-ma'taf aydan, al-jawu barid.Zip the coat too, the weather is cold.
- مريم Maryamحسناً، أنا جاهزة الآن.hasanan, ana jahiza al-aan.Okay, I am ready now.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry سحاب, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries سحاب, CC BY-SA 4.0.
