The Spanish language has been influenced by different languages over the years. One of the most interesting influences is from Arabic. Arabic had a lasting impact on Spanish during the almost 800 years of Muslim rule in the Iberian Peninsula (711-1492 AD). Many common Spanish words have their roots in Arabic, which shows the historical connections between these two cultures. In this article, we’ll look at some of the most interesting Spanish words of Arabic origin and what they mean.

40 Spanish Words of Arabic Origin

The influence of Arabic on the Spanish language extends beyond individual words. It has also shaped Spanish culture, architecture, and even place names. Cities like Almería or Guadalajara are Arabic names, reflecting the deep historical connections.

Understanding these words and their origins not only enriches your vocabulary but also provides a deeper appreciation of the historical and cultural ties that have shaped the Spanish language. As you continue to learn Spanish, keep an ear out for these and other Spanish words of Arabic origin, and enjoy the rich tapestry of linguistic influences that make Spanish such a beautiful language.

Achacar

Achacar (to blame) comes from the Andalusian Arabic aččakká, which comes from the Classic Arabic tašakkà (to complain).

No puedes achacar tus errores a los demás.

You cannot blame your mistakes on others.

Aceite

Aceite (oil) comes from the Andalusian Arabic azzáyt, which comes from the Classic Arabic azzayt (the oil), borrowed from the Aramaic zaytā.

El aceite de oliva es el ingrediente estrella de esta ensalada.

Olive oil is the star ingredient in this salad.

Aceituna

Aceituna (olive) comes from the Andalusian Arabic azzaytúna, which comes from the Classic Arabic az-zaytūn (the olive), borrowed from the Aramaic zaytuna (the little oil).

Me encanta comer aceitunas en las ensaladas.

I love eating olives in salads.

Acequia

Acequia (irrigation ditch) comes from the Andalusian Arabic assáqya, which is derivated from the Classic Arabic sāqiyah (irrigation).

La acequia proporciona agua a los campos.

The irrigation ditch provides water to the fields.

Alcalde

Alcalde (mayor) comes from the Andalusian Arabic alqáḍi, taken from the Classic Arabic qāḍī (judge).

El alcalde de la ciudad inauguró el nuevo parque.

The mayor of the city inaugurated the new park.

Albahaca

We’re starting the list of Spanish words of Arabic origin with albahaca (basil), which comes from the Andalusian Arabic alḥabáqa, a variant of the Classical Arabic ḥabaqah.

Añadí albahaca fresca a la salsa de tomate.

I added fresh basil to the tomato sauce.

Aldea

Aldea (village) comes from the Andalusian Arabic aḍḍáy‘a, derivated from the Classic Arabic ḍay‘ah.

La aldea está rodeada de montañas.

The village is surrounded by mountains.

Algodón

Algodón (cotton) comes from the Andalusian Arabic alquṭún, derivated from the Classic Arabic quṭn.

La camiseta está hecha de algodón puro.

The t-shirt is made of pure cotton.

Alquiler

Alquiler (rent, rental) comes from the Andalusian Arabic alkirá or alkirí, taken from the Classic Arabic kirā’.

Pagamos el alquiler del apartamento cada mes.

We pay the apartment rent every month.

Almacén

Almacén (warehouse) comes from the Andalusian Arabic almaẖzán, taken from the Classic Arabic maẖzan.

El almacén está lleno de mercancías.

The warehouse is full of goods.

Almohada

Almohada (pillow) comes from the Andalusian Arabic almuẖádda, taken from the Classic Arabic miẖaddah.

Cada noche pongo mi cabeza en la almohada para dormir.

Every night I lay my head on the pillow to sleep.

Alfombra

Alfombra (rug, carpet) comes from the Andalusian Arabic alḥánbal (ceremonial tapestry), still very used in Morocco, and it comes from the Classic Arabic ḥanbal (used fur coat).

La alfombra en el salón es muy elegante.

The rug in the living room is very elegant.

Arrecife

Arrecife (reef) comes from the Andalusian Arabic arraṣíf, which comes from the Classic Arabic raṣīf (platform).

El arrecife de coral es un ecosistema muy delicado.

The coral reef is a very delicate ecosystem.

Asesino

Asesino (assassin, murderer) comes from the Arabic ḥaššāšīn (addicted to hashish).

La policía capturó al asesino.

The police caught the murderer.

Azafrán

Azafrán (saffron) comes from the Andalusian Arabic azza‘farán, from the Classic Arabic za‘farān.

El azafrán es un ingrediente clave en la paella.

Saffron is a key ingredient in paella.

Azahar

Azahar (orange blossom) comes from the Andalusian Arabic azzahár, which comes from the Classic Arabic zahr (flowers).

El perfume huele a flores de azahar.

The perfume smells like orange blossoms.

Azotea

Azotea (rooftop terrace) comes from the Andalusian Arabic assuṭáyḥa, which is the diminutive form of the Classic Arabic word saṭḥ (terrace).

La azotea del edificio ofrece una vista increíble.

The rooftop of the building offers an incredible view.

Barrio

Barrio (neighborhood) comes from the Andalusian Arabic bárri (outer), derivated from the Classic Arabic barrī (wild).

Vivo en un barrio muy tranquilo.

I live in a very quiet neighborhood.

Dado

Dado (dice) comes from the Classic Arabic a‘dād (numbers).

Tiré el dado y saqué un seis.

I rolled the die and got a six.

Fideo

Fideo (noodle) comes from the Andalusian Arabic fidáwš.

He cocinado una sopa de fideos con pollo.

I have cooked a chicken noodle soup.

Hachís

Hachís (hashish) comes from the Classic Arabic ḥašīš (grass).

La policía confiscó una gran cantidad de hachís.

The police confiscated a large amount of hashish.

Hazaña

Hazaña (feat, deed) comes from the Andalusian Arabic ḥasána, taken from the Classic Arabic ḥasanah (good action). 

Su hazaña fue reconocida por todo el pueblo.

His feat was recognized by the entire town.

Holgazán

Holgazán (lazy) comes from the Andalusian Arabic kaslán, which comes from the Classic Arabic kaslān (be unnecessary).

No seas holgazán y termina tu tarea.

Don’t be lazy and finish your homework.

Jabalí

Jabalí (boar) comes from the Andalusian Arabic ǧabalí, derivated from the Classic Arabic ǧabalī (of the mountains).

Vimos un jabalí en el bosque durante nuestra caminata.

We saw a wild boar in the forest during our hike.

Jarabe

Jarabe (syrup) comes from the Andalusian Arabic šaráb, taken from the Classic Arabic šarāb (drink).

Tómate este jarabe para la tos.

Take this syrup for your cough.

Jarra

Jarra (jug, jar) comes from the Andalusian Arabic ǧárra, which comes from the Classic Arabic ǧarrah.

Llena la jarra con agua fresca, por favor.

Filled the jar with fresh water, please.

Jeque

Jeque (sheikh) comes from the Andalusian Arabic šáyẖ, from the Classic Arabic šayẖ (old man who is in charge).

El jeque posee una gran fortuna.

The sheikh possesses a great fortune.

Joroba

Joroba (hump) comes from the Andalusian Arabic ḥadúbba, taken from the Classic Arabic ḥadabah.

¡Qué gran joroba tiene el camello!

What a large hump the camel has!

Laúd

Laúd (lute) comes from the Andalusian Arabic al‘úd, derivated from the Classic Arabic ‘ūd.

El músico tocaba el laúd con gran destreza.

The musician played the lute with great skill.

Marfil

Marfil (ivory) comes from the Andalusian Arabic ‘aẓm alfíl, which literally means elephant’s bone.

La estatua está hecha de marfil.

The statue is made of ivory.

Mazmorra

Mazmorra (dungeon) comes from the Andalusian Arabic maṭmúra, derivated from the Classic Arabic maṭmūrah (silo).

El prisionero fue encerrado en la mazmorra.

The prisoner was locked up in the dungeon.

Ojalá

Ojalá (hopefully) comes from the Andalusian Arabic law šá lláh (and may God will it).

Ojalá que mañana haga buen tiempo.

Hopefully, the weather will be good tomorrow.

Rabal

Rabal (outskirts, suburb) comes from the Classic Arabic rabaḍ.

El rabal de esta ciudad es muy pintoresco.

The outskirts of this city are very picturesque.

Rehén

Rehén (hostage) comes from the Andalusian Arabic rihán, which is the plural form of ráhn, derivated from the Classic Arabic rihān.

Los ladrones tomaron a un rehén durante el robo.

The robbers took a hostage during the robbery.

Rincón

Rincón (corner) comes from the Andalusian Arabic rukán, which is derivated from the Classic Arabic rukn.

Me gusta leer en ese rincón tranquilo.

I like reading in that quiet corner.

Sandía

Sandía (watermelon) comes from the Andalusian Arabic sandíyya, which is derivated from the Classic Arabic sindiyyah (from Sindh). Sindh is a province of Pakistan that this fruit supposedly comes from.

Me encanta la sandía. Es dulce y refrescante.

I love the watermelon. It is sweet and refreshing.

Tabaco

Tabaco (tobacco) comes from the Andalusian Arabic ṭub[b]āq (dittrichia viscosa).

El tabaco es perjudicial para la salud.

Tobacco is harmful to health.

Tabique

Tabique (partition) comes from the Andalusian Arabic tašbík, derivated from the Classic Arabic tašbīk (action of tangling up).

Derribaron el tabique para ampliar la sala.

They knocked down the partition wall to enlarge the room.

Tambor

Tambor (drum) comes from the Andalusian Arabic ṭabbūl, hypocoristic of ṭabál.

Escuché a lo lejos el sonido de un tambor.

I heard in the distance the sound of a drum.

Tarea

Let’s finish the list of Spanish words of Arabic origin with tarea (task, homework), which comes from the Arabic ṭaríḥa, which comes from the Classic Arabic verb root ṭrḥ meaning (to throw).

Terminé toda mi tarea antes de salir a jugar.

I finished all my homework before going out to play.

Exercises

By learning about these Spanish words of Arabic origin, you can gain a greater understanding of the language’s evolution and the cultural exchanges that have shaped it. So next time you use words like aceituna or almohada, remember their Arabic origins and the fascinating history they carry with them. Now, let’s do some exercises to practice all these Spanish words of Arabic origin we have covered today.

Exercise 1

Exercise 2

Categorized in:

VocabularySpanish Around the World