Learning about trees in Arabic is a wonderful way to connect with the natural world and rich culture of the Middle East. For instance, whether you’re walking through a desert oasis or exploring a vibrant city park, knowing the right words will help you see the world from a new perspective. Therefore, this guide will teach you the essential vocabulary for plants in Arabic, beginning with the word for tree in Arabic and then expanding to a variety of flora you might find in the region.
Tree in Arabic: Singular and Plural
The word for “tree” in Arabic is شَجَرَة (shajara). To clarify, this is the singular feminine form. Furthermore, if you want to talk about multiple trees, you would use the plural form, أَشْجَار (ashjār). In short, the forms are as follows:
- Singular: شَجَرَة – shajarah – a tree
- Plural: أَشْجَار – ʼashjaar – trees
Common Trees in Arabic
Fruit and Nut Trees
To begin, here is a list of common fruit and nut trees you’ll likely encounter.
| English Name | Arabic Name (Pronunciation) | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Palm Tree in Arabic | نَخْلَة – nakhlah | النَّخْلَةُ طَوِيلَة – al-nakhlatu Taweela – The palm tree is tall. |
| Olive Tree in Arabic | شَجَرَة زَيْتُون – shajarat zaytoon | لَدَيْنَا شَجَرَة زَيْتُون قَدِيمَة – ladaynaa shajarat zaytoon qadeemah – We have an old olive tree. |
| Lemon Tree in Arabic | شَجَرَة لَيْمُون – shajarat laymoon | تَنْمُو شَجَرَة اللَّيْمُون فِي الْحَدِيقَة – tanmoo shajarat al-laymoon fee al-Hadeeqah – The lemon tree is growing in the garden. |
| Pomegranate Tree in Arabic | شَجَرَة رُمَّان – shajarat rummaan | شَجَرَة الرُّمَّان تُعْطِي ثِمَارًا حُلْوَة – shajarat ar-rummaan tuʻTee thimaaran Hulwah – The pomegranate tree gives sweet fruits. |
| Date Palm in Arabic | نَخْلَة تَمْر – nakhlat tamr | رَأَيْتُ نَخْلَة تَمْر فِي الصَّحْرَاءِ – raʼaytu nakhlat tamr fee aS-SaHraaʼ – I saw a date palm in the desert. |
| Almond Tree in Arabic | شَجَرَة لَوْز – shajarat lawz | تُزْهِرُ شَجَرَة اللَّوْز فِي الرَّبِيع – tuzhiru shajarat al-lawz fee ar-rabeeʻ – The almond tree blossoms in the spring. |
| Carob Tree in Arabic | شَجَرَة خَرُّوب – shajarat kharroob | شَجَرَة الْخَرُّوب تُنْتِجُ قُرُونًا – shajarat al-kharroob tuntiju quroonan – The carob tree produces pods. |
Forest and Shade Trees
Moving on, let’s look at some trees commonly found in forests or used for shade.
| English Name | Arabic Name (Pronunciation) | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Pine Tree in Arabic | شَجَرَة صَنَوْبَر – shajarat Sanawbar | شَجَرَة الصَّنَوْبَر لَهَا رَائِحَة جَمِيلَة – shajarat aS-Sanawbar lahaa raaʼiHah jameelah – The pine tree has a beautiful smell. |
| Oak Tree in Arabic | شَجَرَة بَلُّوط – shajarat ballooṭ | شَجَرَة الْبَلُّوط ضَخْمَة – shajarat al-ballooT ḍakhmah – The oak tree is huge. |
| Cypress Tree in Arabic | شَجَرَة سَرْو – shajarat saroo | تُوجَد شَجَرَة سَرْو بِجَانِب الْمَنْزِل – toujad shajarat saroo bijaanib al-manzil – There is a cypress tree next to the house. |
| Eucalyptus Tree in Arabic | شَجَرَة كَالِيتُوس – shajarat kaalitos | أُحِبُّ رَائِحَة شَجَرَة الْكَالِيتُوس – ʼuHibbu raaʼiHat shajarat al-kaalitos – I love the smell of the eucalyptus tree. |
| Willow Tree in Arabic | شَجَرَة صَفْصَاف – shajarat SafSaaf | تَنْمُو شَجَرَة الصَّفْصَاف بِجَانِب النَّهْر – tanmo shajarat aS-SafSaaf bijaanib an-nahr – The willow tree grows next to the river. |
Desert and Other Trees
Finally, here are a few more unique species that thrive in the arid climates of the region.
| English Name | Arabic Name (Pronunciation) | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Acacia Tree in Arabic | شَجَرَة سَنْط – shajarat sanṭ | شَجَرَة السَّنْط تَتَكَيَّفُ مَعَ الْجَفَاف – shajarat as-sanṭ tatakayyafu maʻa al-jafaaf – The acacia tree adapts to drought. |
| Juniper Tree in Arabic | شَجَرَة عَرْعَر – shajarat ʻarʻar | يَكْثُرُ شَجَرُ الْعَرْعَر فِي الْجِبَال – yakthuru shajaru al-ʻarʻar fee al-jibaal – Juniper trees are abundant in the mountains. |
| Sycamore Tree in Arabic | شَجَرَة جُمَّيْز – shajarat jummayz | لِلْجُمَّيْزِ ثَمَرٌ صَغِيرٌ – lil-jummayzi thamarun Sagheerun – The sycamore has a small fruit. Export to Sheets |
- The sycamore tree is a large, unique tree identified by its peeling, multi-colored bark and broad leaves. In North America, the term usually refers to a plane tree, known for its size and use in landscaping. In contrast, the sycamore of the Middle East and ancient texts is a type of fig tree, called شَجَرَة الْجُمَّيْز (shajarat al-jummayz) in Arabic. This tree holds significant cultural and historical importance, especially in ancient Egypt where it was revered as the “Tree of Life.” The sycamore is valued for its wood and, in its fig variety, its edible fruit.
Essential Plants and Related Vocabulary
Beyond just trees, here is some general vocabulary related to plants in Arabic that will also come in handy.
| English Name | Arabic Name (Pronunciation) | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Plant in Arabic (singular) | نَبْتَة – nabtah | هَذِهِ نَبْتَة جَمِيلَة – haTHihi nabta jameelah – This is a beautiful plant. |
| Plants in Arabic (plural) | نَبَاتَات – nabaataat | لَدَيْنَا الْكَثِيرُ مِنَ النَّبَاتَات – ladaynaa al-katheeru mina an-nabaataat – We have a lot of plants. |
| Flower in Arabic | زَهْرَة – zahrah | أُحِبُّ لَوْنَ هَذِهِ الزَّهْرَة – ʼuHibbu lawna haTHihi az-zahrah – I love the color of this flower. |
| Rose in Arabic | وَرْدَة – wardah | لِلْوَرْدَةِ رَائِحَة عَطِرَة – lil-wardati raaʼiHah ʻaTirah – The rose has a fragrant smell. |
| Jasmine in Arabic | يَاسَمِين – yaasameen | شَجَرَة الْيَاسَمِين فِي حَدِيقَتِي – shajarat al-yaasameen fee ḥadeeqatee – The jasmine tree is in my garden. |
| Cactus in Arabic | صَبَّار – Sabbaar | الصَّبَّارُ يَنْمُو فِي الصَّحْرَاءِ – aS-Sabbaaru yanmoo fee aS-SaHraaʼ – Cactus grows in the desert. |
| Leaf in Arabic | وَرَقَة – waraqah | الْوَرَقَةُ خَضْرَاء – al-waraqatu khadhraaʼ – The leaf is green. |
| Root in Arabic | جَذْر – jaTHr | لِكُلِّ شَجَرَةٍ جَذْرٌ قَوِيّ – likulli shajaratin jaTHrun qawiyy – Every tree has a strong root. |
| Grass in Arabic | عُشْب – ʻushb | الْعُشْبُ يَمْلَأُ الْحَدِيقَة – al-ʻushbu yamlaʼu al-Hadeeqah – The grass fills the garden. |
| Blossom in Arabic | زَهَر- zahar | رَأَيْتُ الزَّهَرَ فِي الْحَدِيقَة – raʼaytu al-zahara fee al-Hadeeqah – I saw the blossom in the garden. |
| Fruit in Arabic | ثَمَرَة – thamarah | هَذِهِ الشَّجَرَةُ تُعْطِي ثَمَرَة – haTHihi ash-shajaratu tuʻTee thamara – This tree gives fruit. |
| Wood in Arabic | خَشَب – khashab | هَذَا الْبَابُ مَصْنُوعٌ مِنَ الْخَشَب – haTHaa al-baabu maSnooʻun mina al-khashab – This door is made of wood. |
| Garden in Arabic | حَدِيقَة – Hadeeqah | الشَّجَرَةُ فِي الْحَدِيقَة – al-shajaratu fee al-Hadeeqah – The tree is in the garden. |
Conclusion
In conclusion, learning the names of trees in Arabic, especially the Middle Eastern trees that hold cultural and ecological significance, is a fascinating way to expand your vocabulary and connect with the Arab world. Ultimately, as you continue your Arabic journey, remember the beauty and importance of the natural world and the language used to describe it. If you liked this article and would like to start learning Arabic, then why not head over to our website and download the Kaleela Arabic learning app and learn to speak Arabic today?
