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Arabic in Cards

English Words from Arabic

Everyday English words, each with a journey from Arabic – and some came back home.

53 cards
algebra algorithm alcohol

Why these cards?

English has far more words from Arabic than any set of cards could hold. These are samples, chosen on three conditions: two standard English dictionaries confirm the Arabic origin, the word is one you use every day, and its journey has a story. The series grows as we find more.

Showing 18 of 53 Show all

alchemy
al-kīmiyāʾ
elixir
al-iksīr
sugar
sukkar
candy
qandī
lemon
laymūn
lime
līma
orange
nāranj
spinach
isfānākh
apricot
al-barqūq
sofa
ṣuffa
crimson
qirmizī
talc
ṭalq
jasmine
yāsamīn
mummy
mūmiyāʾ
camphor
kāfūr
sumac
summāq
check
shāh
sine
jayb