Being able to talk about clothes in Arabic opens up a whole new world of conversation topics. In this article, I will guide you step by step to learn the basic Arabic vocabulary for clothing, offering pronunciation tips, cultural insights, and practical examples, so you will feel confident using them in real-life contexts.
How Do You say Clothes in Arabic?
The general word for “clothes” in Arabic is ملابس (malaabis). Say it with me: ma-laa-bis. ثياب (thiyāb) is another common term for clothes in Arabic.
أحتاج لشراء ملابس جديدة
‘aḥtāju li-shirā’ malābis jadīdah.
I need to buy new clothes.
Arabic has many dialects, and the word for “clothes” can vary. In some dialects, you might hear هدوم (pronounced “hudūm”) or لبس (pronounced “libs”).
General Words Related to Clothes in Arabic
First, let’s learn some essential words about clothes in Arabic such as fabric, color, size, new, old:
1. Fabric in Arabic: قماش (Qimaash)
When talking about the material that clothes are made of, you would use the word قماش (qumaash) in Arabic.
هذا القماش ناعم جداً
hadha al-qumāsh nā`im jiddan
This fabric is very soft.
2. Color in Arabic: لون (Lawn)
In Arabic, “color” is لون (lawn). Knowing colors is essential when describing clothes.
ما هو لونك المفضل؟
mā huwa lawnuka al-mufaḍḍal?
What is your favorite color?
3. Size in Arabic: مقاس (Maqaas)
In Arabic, “size” is مقاس (maqaas), pronounced mi-qaas.
ما هو مقاسك؟
mā huwa miqāsuka?
What is your size?
When shopping in the Arab world, it’s helpful to know your size in both European and Arabic sizing systems, as they can differ.
4. New in Arabic: جديد (Jadeed)
When you’ve just bought something, you can describe it as new, or جديد (jadeed) in Arabic. Pronounce it as ja-deed, with the “ja” sounding similar to “jar.”
اشتريت قميصاً جديداً
ishtareet qamīṣan jadīdan.
I bought a new shirt.
5. Old in Arabic: قديم (Qadeem)
On the other hand, if something is worn out or not new, you can say it’s old, or قديم (qadeem) in Arabic.
هذا الفستان قديم جداً
hatha al-fustān qadīm jiddan.
This dress is very old.
Clothes Vocabulary in Arabic
Here are some of the most common clothing items in Arabic, such as shirt, dress, pants, skirt, shoes, jacket, coat, socks, hat, and scarf in Arabic
1. Shirt in Arabic: قميص (Qamis)
The word for “shirt” in Arabic is قميص (qamis).
اشتريت قميصاً جديداً اليوم
ishtareet qamīṣan jadīdan al-yawm
I bought a new shirt today.
2. Dress in Arabic: فستان (Fustan)
A dress in Arabic is called فستان (fustan), pronounced fus-taan.
هذا الفستان جميل جداً
hadha al-fustān jamīl jiddan
This dress is very beautiful
The style and design of dresses can vary greatly across different Arab regions, reflecting diverse cultural influences and traditions.
3. Pants in Arabic: سروال (Sirwal)
Whether you prefer jeans or trousers, the general word for “pants” in Arabic is سروال (sirwal), pronounced sir-wal.
أحتاج إلى سروال جديد للعمل
‘aḥtāju ‘ilā sirwāl jadīd lil-`amal.
I need new pants for work.”
You can also use “بنطلون” (bantalon) for “pants” in Arabic, but its informal.
4. Skirt in Arabic: تنورة (Tannurah)
A skirt in Arabic is called تنورة (tannurah), pronounced tan-noo-rah.
هذه التنورة طويلة جداً
hadhihi at-tannūrah ṭawīlah jiddan.
This skirt is very long.
In some Arab countries, the “tannurah” refers specifically to a long, flowing skirt that is part of traditional folk dance costumes.
5. Shoes in Arabic: حذاء (Hitha’a)
The word for “shoes” in Arabic is حذاء (hitha’a), pronounced hi-dha-‘a.
أحب هذا الحذاء الجديد
‘uḥibbu hatha al-ḥidhā’ al-jadīd
I love these new shoes
Removing shoes before entering a home or mosque is a common custom in many Arab cultures, showing respect and cleanliness.
6. Jacket in Arabic: سترة (Sutra)
A jacket in Arabic is called سترة (sutra), pronounced sut-ra.
هذه السترة دافئة جداً
hadhihi as-sutra dāfi’ah jiddan
This jacket is very warm.
7. Coat in Arabic: معطف (Mi`taf)
Coat is معطف (mitaf) in Arabic.
أحتاج إلى معطف جديد لفصل الشتاء
‘aḥtāju ‘ilā mi`ṭaf jadīd lifaṣl ash-shitā’.
I need a new coat for winter.
8. Socks in Arabic: جوارب (Jawarib)
Socks in Arabic are called جوارب (jawarib), pronounced ja-waa-rib.
اشتريت جوارب صوفية جديدة
ishtareet jawārib ṣūfiyya jadīdah
I bought new wool socks.
9. Hat in Arabic: قبعة (Qubba`ah)
A hat in Arabic is called قبعة (qubba`ah), pronounced qub-ba-‘ah.
هذه القبعة أنيقة جداً
hadhihi al-qubba`ah ‘anīqah jiddan.
This hat is very stylish.
10. Scarf in Arabic: وشاح (Wishah)
Finally, a scarf in Arabic is called وشاح (wishah), pronounced wi-shaah.
أحب ارتداء الأوشحة في فصل الشتاء
‘uḥibbu irtidā’ al-‘awshiḥa fī faṣl ash-shitā’.
I love wearing scarves in winter.
Chart of Arabic Clothing Vocabulary
To help you organize and remember all the fabulous fashion terms we’ve learned, here’s a handy chart:
| English Translation | Arabic Word | Transliteration |
| Clothes | ملابس | Malaabis |
| Fabric | قماش | Qumaash |
| Color | لون | Lawn |
| Size | مقاس | Maqaas |
| New | جديد | Jadeed |
| Old | قديم | Qadeem |
| Shirt | قميص | Qamis |
| Dress | فستان | Fustan |
| Pants | بنطلون/سروال | Bantalon/sirwal |
| Skirt | تنورة | Tannurah |
| Shoes | حذاء | Hidha’a |
| Jacket | سترة | Sutra |
| Coat | معطف | Mi`taf |
| Socks | جوارب | Jawarib |
| Hat | قبعة | Qubba`ah |
| Scarf | وشاح | Wishah |
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