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Arabic influence on the Spanish language 1

Arabic influence on the Spanish language


Arabic influence on the Spanish
language has been significant due to
the Islamic presence in the Iberian
peninsula between 711 and 1492 A.D.
(see Al-Andalus).
Modern day Spanish language (also
called castellano in Spanish) first
appeared in the small Christian
Kingdom of Castile in Northern Spain
during this period of Islamic
domination over most of the Iberian
Peninsula. As a result, the language
was influenced by Andalusi Arabic
practically from its inception. Arabic Great Mosque of Córdoba, a Roman Catholic cathedral in Córdoba, Spain, was the
imprint on the language increased as second largest mosque in the world in the 10th century.
the Kingdom of Castile expanded into
Muslim lands where the Castilian language had never been spoken and as arabized Christians (Mozarabs) from Al
Andalus emigrated northwards during times of sectarian violence, and particularly as a result of the Almoravid
conquest in the 12th century. Although the degree to which Arabic percolated the peninsula is the subject of
academic debate, it is generally agreed that Arabic was used among the local elites and local Arabic-influenced
Romance dialects, known collectively as Mozarabic were more prevalent as the vernacular language. Only the
kingdom of Granada, under the Nasrid dynasty was totally arabized after many centuries of Muslim rule.

Modern Spanish is thus a mixture of Old Castilian and the Mozarabic dialects which it absorbed. This fusion
explains why Spanish has, in many cases, both Latin and Arabic derived words for the same meaning. For example,
aceituna and oliva (olive), alacrán and escorpión (scorpion), jaqueca and migraña (migraine) or alcancía and hucha
(piggy bank). The imprint of Mozarabic and Arabic is evidently more noticeable in the southern dialects of
Peninsular Spanish than in the northern ones.
A small number of words have also been borrowed from Moroccan Arabic both due to geographic proximity, but
principally as a result of Spain's protectorate over Spanish Morocco in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Although the influence of Arabic on Spanish is fundamentally lexical, other influences are briefly examined in this
article.

Lexical influence
It is estimated that the Spanish language counts over four thousand Arabic loanwords (including derivations) and
well over one thousand Arabic roots, which together make up around 8% of the Spanish vocabulary [1] . This makes
Arabic the largest influence on Spanish after Latin.
A majority of these are nouns, with a more limited number of verbs, adjectives, adverbs and prepositions, thus not
substantially changing the grammar or basic structure of the language. The exact number of words of Arabic origin
in Spanish is not known and many words not included on this list are regionalisms: words which are used in certain
parts of Spain and/or Latin America but are generally unknown elsewhere.
Arabic influence on the Spanish language 2

List of words of Arabic origin


This is an open list of Spanish words acquired directly from Classical and Andalusi Arabic, listed in alphabetical
order. This list includes the Spanish meaning of the word as well as the Arabic etymology. Be aware that many
words in the list are now obsolete or seldom used. No fixed standard of Arabic transliteration is used.
Rationale for inclusion
Due to the heavy influence of Arabic on Spanish, this list is relatively restrictive:
• This list has been edited to include only words which are considered to appertain to the Spanish language and the
Hispanic culture and society. Arabic words which may be understood by Spanish speakers, but remain foreign to
the Hispanic civilisation such as Ayatolá, Jihad, or Chiita, are excluded from this list.
• Only words which have passed directly from Arabic are included. Arabic words which entered the Spanish
language through other, non-Iberian, Indo-European languages (such as Ayatolá, Beduino, Sofá, or sorbete) are
not included.
• Generally, only Spanish root words are listed, derivations not being included. For example, aceite (from az-zeit,
oil) is included but not aceitería, aceitero, aceitón or aceitoso. On the other hand, aceituna (olive) is included
since it derives not from az-zeit but from az-zeituna in Arabic, even though the root of the Arabic word is the
same. Aceituno (olive tree), on the other hand, would not be included, since it shares the same root as aceituna.
An exception to this rule may be made when the derived word is much more commonly used than the root word,
when the meaning of the derivative has no evident connection with the root word or when it is not clear that one is
derived from the other (e.g. horro and ahorrar).
• Words derived from Mozarabic are not included (Mozarabic being fundamentally a Romance language), unless
the Mozarabic word is itself derived from classical or Andalusi Arabic.
• Words acquired from Berber or Hebrew (or other Afro-Asiatic languages) are not included.
The etymology and meaning of most of these words can be verified on the site of the Real Academia de la Lengua
Española [2], although a small minority are only available in other sources or past editions of this dictionary.

A (Ababol to Alguaza)

1. ababol: Poppy. In Aragon, Navarre, Albacete and Murcia. From


Andalusian Arabic Happapáwr, a fusion of the Arabic word Hab
(‫" )بح‬seed" and the Latin papāver.
2. abacero: owner of an abacería, small food shop. From Andalusi
Arabic SaHb azzád (‫" )دازلا بحاص‬owner of the supplies."
3. abadí: descendant/lineage of Mohammed ben Abad, founder of the
Taifa Kingdom of Seville in the 11th century AD. From Andalusi
Arabic abbadi (‫)يداّبع‬.
4. abalorio: cheap jewellery or jewellery beads. From Andalusi
Ababol, poppy
Arabic al balluri (‫" )يرولبلا‬made of glass."

5. abarraz: stavesacre (Delphinium staphisagria), a medicinal plant. From Andalusi Arabic Hab ar-ras (‫)سأرلا بح‬
"head seeds."
6. abasí: pertaining to the Abbasid dynasty, which overthrew the Umayyads in the 8th century.
7. abelmosco: musk seeds, an aromatic plant. From Andalusi Arabic Hab el musk (‫ )كسملا بح‬literally "musk
seeds."
8. abencerraje: used in expression: "Zegríes y abencerrajes", which means "partisans of opposite interests". The
Abencerrajes (in Arabic aban as-sarráǧ) was an Arabic family of the Kingdom of Granada, rivals of the Zegríes
in the 15th century.
Arabic influence on the Spanish language 3

9. abenuz: ebony. From Arabic abanus (‫ )سونبأ‬of the same meaning.


10. abismal: screw in head of a spear. From Arabic al-mismar (‫" )رامسملا‬nail."
11. abitaque: a cut of wood used in construction of a certain shape and dimension. From Arabic Tabaqa (‫)ةقبط‬
"layer" or "intermediate chamber."
12. acebibe: raisin. From Arabic zabib (‫ )بيبز‬of the same meaning.
13. acebuche: wild olive tree, or wood from such a tree. From Andalusi Arabic azzabbúǧ.
14. aceche: copper, iron or zinc sulphate. From Arabic zāǧ.
15. aceifa: Muslim summer military expedition. From Arabic Sa'ifah "harvest" or "summer expedition."
16. aceite: oil. From Arabic az-zayt (‫" )تيزلا‬oil."
17. aceituna: olive. From Arabic ‫( نوتيزلا‬az-zaytun) "olive."
18. aceituní: precious cloth from the Orient. From Arabic az-zaytuni, a possible adaptation of the Chinese city
Tsö-Thung.
19. acelga: chard. From Arabic as-silqa of the same meaning.
20. acémila: beast of burden; tax formerly paid in Spain. From Arabic az-zamilah "beast of burden."
21. acemite: wheat husk; a type of wheat porridge. From Arabic as-samid (‫)ديمسلا‬.
22. acenefa see cenefa.
23. aceña: watermill. From Arabic as-saniyah "the lifter."
24. acequia: irrigation canal. From Arabic as-saqiyah (‫")ةيقاسلا‬the irrigator."
25. acerola: fruit of the trees Malpighia emarginata or M. glabra, generally found in the Americas, of the
Malpighiaceae family. This should be differentiated from the European Service Tree (Sorbus domestica), family
Rosaceae. From Arabic zu 'rūrah (‫)ةرورعز‬. Originally from Syriac za‘rārā.
26. acetre: bucket or cauldron used to extract water from a well; small cauldron used to spray holy water in
Christian liturgy. From Arabic as-saTl (‫)لطسلا‬.
27. aciar: (or acial): instrument used to keep farm-animals still by squeezing their ear or snout. From Arabic
az-ziyār.
28. acíbar: aloe (both the plant and its bitter juice); bitterness, grief, distaste. From Arabic aS-Sabr (‫)ربّصلا‬.
29. acicalar: to clean or polish (Acicalarse in reflexive form); to make oneself look good by combing, shaving etc.
From Arabic aS-Siqal, an instrument used for polishing things.
30. acicate: spurs or the spikes on spurs; incentive. From Arabic (Muzil) as-siqaT "what takes away weaknesses."
31. acidaque: Muslim dowry. From Arabic as-Sidaq, dowry in Islamic law.
32. acimut: azimuth, an astrological concept - the angle with which the meridian forms a vertical circle which
passes through a point in the globe. From Arabic assumut plural of samt.
33. ación: handle on the stirrup. From Arabic suyūr (‫)رويس‬, plural of sayr (‫" )ريس‬strap."
34. acirate: line of soil used to separate different plots of land; path between two lines of trees. From Arabic SirāT
(‫)طارص‬.
35. acitara or citara: thin wall, normally on a bridge. From Arabic sitārah (‫)ةراتس‬, wall to avoid falls.
36. achacar: to blame. From Arabic tashakkà (‫)ىكشت‬: to complain or to blame.
37. adafina: pot used by Hebrews to cook. It is buried in embers on Friday night, where it cooks until Saturday.
From Arabic: dafina (‫" )ةنيفد‬buried."
38. adalid: leader; general of Spanish militia. From Arabic dalil (‫)ليلد‬.
39. adaraja: each of the gaps made by the bricks in a horizonally unfinished wall. From daraja (‫)ةجرد‬.
40. adarga: leather shield. From Arabic daraqah.
41. adárgama:(rarely used today) flour. From Arabic darmaka.
42. adarme: small portion of something; type of measurement. From Arabic dirham (‫)مهرد‬.
43. adarvar: to shock. From Arabic darb (‫" )برض‬blow."
44. adarve: wall of a fortress; protection, defense. From Arabic darb (‫)برض‬
45. adaza: sorghum. From Arabic duqsah.
Arabic influence on the Spanish language 4

46. adefera: a small, square wall or floor tile. From Arabic add-ddafeera.
47. adehala: that which is granted or taken as obligatory with the price in the leasing or sale of a property. From
Mozarabic ad ihala and originally from Arabic ihala "offering credit."
48. adelfa: oleander. From Arabic ad-difla (‫ )ىلفدلا‬of the same meaning.
49. ademán: gesticulation which expresses the will to do something. From Arabic aD-Daman (‫)نامضلا‬, literally
meaning legal guarantees. The change of meaning is due to the exaggerated promises and gesticulations which
were offered in such a plea.
50. ademe: wooden structures used to strengthen tunnels in mines. From Arabic di'mah.
51. aderra: cord used to press grapes or olives in order to obtain their juice. From Andalusi Arabic ad-dirra a noose
or cord used to punish those who were guilty of fraud.
52. adiafa: present or refreshment given to sailors when back from a voyage. From Arabic Diyafa (‫" )ةفايض‬present
of hospitality."
53. adivas: a disease provoking throat inflammation in animals. From Arabic aD-Dibbah "wolverine" - which is the
old Arabic name for this disease.
54. adive: a type of canid similar to a fox. From Arabic di'b (‫)بئذ‬.
55. adobe: brick made from clay. From Arabic at-tuba (‫ ةبوطلا‬from Coptic tôbe) of the same meaning, and from
ad-dabba.
56. adoquín: paving-stone, cobble; block. From Arabic Dukkan bench of rock or wood.
57. ador: in regions where water for irrigation is restricted and shared out by local authorities, irrigation-time for
each farm/field. From Arabic dawr.
58. aduana: customs house; customs. From Arabic diwan (‫)ناويد‬.
59. aduar: semi-permanent rural settlement, normally used for Gypsies, bedouins or Amerindians in South
America. From Bedouin Arabic duwwar.
60. adúcar: type of silk made from the outside of the silk-worm's cocoon. From Andalusi Arabic Haduqa.
61. adufe:tambourine used by Spanish Muslims. From Arabic Duff (‫)فد‬.
62. adul: in Morocco, asessor of the Cadí. From Arabic adl "trustworthy person."
63. adula: see dula.
64. adunia: (adverb) lots. From Andalusi Arabic addunya, originally from classical Arabic duniya (‫" )ايندلا‬the
(whole) world."
65. adutaque: same meaning as adárgama. From Arabic duqaq (‫" )قاقد‬fine flour."
66. afán: effort; desire; zeal. From afanar.
67. afanar: to steal; to work with passion. From Arabic fanaaʔ (‫" )ءانف‬extinction," "annihilation through passion."
68. aguajaque: the whitish resin of fennel. From Arabic aw-washaq "contaminated with water."
69. agüela: Renta de los derechos sobre préstamos consignados en documento público. From Arabic Hawalah.
70. ajabeba: Moorish flute. From Classical Arabic sabbabah.
71. ajaquefa: Roof. Same origin as Azaquefa.
72. ajaraca: Ornamental loop in Andalusian and Arabic architecture. From Andalusi Arabic Ash-sharakah "loop".
73. ajarafe: terrace. From Classical Arabic saraf "commanding height."
74. ajebe: Alum; Para rubber tree. From Arabic as-Shabb.
75. ajedrea: plant in the genus Satureja (family Lamiaceae), about three decimeters in height, with many branches
and dark, narrow leaves. It is cultivated as an ornamental in gardens. From Arabic assariyya or assiriyya,
ultimately from Latin satureia.
Arabic influence on the Spanish language 5

76. ajedrez: chess. From Arabic ash shitrang (‫ )جنرطشلا‬which is


from the Sanskrit Chaturang (four armed) as was the shape of the
original chess board in India
77. ajenuz: nutmeg flower or Roman Coriander (Nigella sativa).
From Andalusi Arabic Shanuz and ultimately Classical Arabic
Shuniz.
78. ajimez: bent; window divided in the center by a vertical divider;
salient balcony done of wood and with lattice windows. From
Arabic samis.
79. ajomate: pluricellular alga formed by very thin filaments, without
knots, bright and of intense green color. It abounds in fresh waters Ajedrez, chess
of Spain. From Classical Arabic gumam.
80. ajonjolí: sesame; herbaceous, annual plant of the family of the Pedaliaceae, a meter high, straight stem, serrate
and almost triangular leaves, white or rosy corolla, and fruit with four delicate, yellowish, oily and edible
capsules and many seeds. From Classical Arabic gulgulan "sesame."
81. ajorca: bangle; type of gold hoop, silver or another metal, used by the women to adorn the wrists, arms or the
feet. From Classical Arabic shuruk, ultimately from the word shirāk "strap."
82. ajorrar: To drag, to tow. See Jorro.
83. ajuagas: equine animal ulcers. From Classical Arabic shuqaq.
84. ajuar: a collection of household and personal items (clothes, furniture, jewelry etc...) which women in Spain
traditionally prepare from a young age for the day in which they marry and move in with their husband. From
Arabic Shawar.
85. alacena: cupboard. From Classical Arabic ẖizānah (‫)ةنازخ‬.
86. alacet: foundation of a building. From Classical Arabic asas (‫)ساسأ‬.
87. alacrán: scorpion. From Classical Arabic aqrab (‫ )برقع‬of same
meaning.
88. aladar: Tuft of hair which falls on either side of the head. From
Arabic idar.
89. aladroque: Anchovy. From Andalusi Arabic Al Hatruk, "big
mouthed".
90. alafa: wage; pay. From Classical Arabic alafah "subsistence
allowance."
Alacrán, scorpion
91. alafia: grace; pardon; mercy. From Andalusian Arabic al afya
ultimately from Classical Arabic afiyah (‫" )ةيفاع‬health."
92. alahílca: tapestry to adorn the walls. Perhaps of alailaca from Andalusian Arabic ilaqa, and this of Classical
Arabic ilāqah (‫ )ةقالع‬perhaps meaning "hanger."
93. alajor: Tax which was paid to owners of land where buildings were built. From Arabic Ashur, period of ten
days before Easter when debts were paid and alms were given.
94. alajú: Andalusian cake made of almonds, nuts, pine nuts, bread, spices and cooked honey. From al Hashu
"filling".
95. alamar: A type of decorative attachment which is buttoned on clothing. From Andalusi Arabic Alam, decoration
(in clothes).
96. alambique: alembic. From Arabic al-anbiq "the cup/container holding water", in turn fr Greek.
97. alambor: Two meanings in Spanish with two different etymologies. 1)Embankment, from Andalusi Arabic
Harabul "rim", from classical Arabic verb Hawwala, "to alter". 2) Type of Orange tree. From Catalan l'ambor,
singular of els zambors, derived from Andalusi Arabic Azzambu.
Arabic influence on the Spanish language 6

98. alamín: Village judge who decided on irrigation distribution or official who measured weights. From Arabic al
amin.
99. alamud: Steel bar used to close windows. From Arabic amud.
100. alaqueca: A type of blood-coloured quartz. From Arabic 'aqiq.
101. alárabe: Arab. From Andalusi Arabic (maintaining the definite article al arabi.
102. alarde/alardear: To boast/to show off. From Arabic ,show (Alaard ‫)ضرعلا‬
103. alarife: 1)Architect 2) Builder (in mining) 2) Astute or quick witted person (in Argentina and Uruguay). From
Arabic al 'arif: The expert.
104. alarije (uva): A type of grape. From Arabic al'aris.
105. alaroz: Crossbar which divides a window or a door. From Arabic al'arud: Obstacle placed to block entry.
106. alaroza: Fiancée or newly wed wife. From Arabic Andalusi Arabic al arusa.
107. alatar: Drug, spice or perfume dealer. From Arabic al attar.
108. alatrón: Nitrate foam. From Arabic nattrun.
109. alazán/alazano: Reddish cinnamon coloured. (Used commonly to describe horses). From Arabic al ashab.
110. alazor: safflower. From Arabic al usfur.
111. albacara: Wall around a fortress (within which cattle were normally kept. From Arabic bab al-baqqara The
cattle door. baqara (‫ )ةرقب‬means "cow" in Arabic.
112. albacea: executor (of a will). From Andalusi Arabic Sahb al Wassiya (‫" ;)ةيصولا بحاص‬the owner of the will".
113. albacora: Albacore. From Arabic al-bakura "premature" or al-bakrah "young camel."
114. albadena: Type of tunic or silk dress. From Arabic badan: Type of shirt which covers the torso.
115. albahaca: Basil. From Arabic habaqah.
116. albahío: Pale yellowish colour (used commonly for cattle). From Arabic bahi: Shining.
117. albalá: Official document. From Arabic al bara'ah.
118. albaida: Anthyllis cystoides (Flowering plant). From Arabic al baida: "The white one".
119. albanega:1) Net used for hair. 2) Rabbit trap. From Arabic al baniqa.
120. albañal: Sewer. From Andalusi Arabic al ballá: "Swallower".
121. albañil: Construction worker. From Andalusi Arabic al banni. Originally from classical Arabic banna.
122. albaquía: The remainder. From Arabic al-baqi (‫ )يقابلا‬of the same meaning.
123. albarán: Invoice. From Arabic al-bara'ah.
124. albarazo: Vitiligo. From Andalusi Arabic Al-Barash.
125. albarda: Pack-saddle. From Arabic al-barda'ah.
126. albardán: Clown or fool. From Andalusi Arabic albardán: "insolent". Originally from Classical Arabic
bardan: "Idiot (Cold headed)".
127. albardín: Plant endemic to the Spanish steppes, similar in nature and use to Esparto. From Arabic "al-bardi":
"papyrus".
128. albaricoque: Apricot. From Arabic al-barqouq (‫" )قوقربلا‬plum" or "early-ripe."
129. albarrada: 1) Same meaning as alcarraza (Clay vase). 2) Stone Wall. From Arabic al-barradah: "the
cooler".
130. albarrán: 1) Farm boy 2) Shepherd 3)Person with no fixed residence. From Andalusi Arabic al-barrani:
"Outsider".
131. albatoza: Small, covered boat. From Arabic al-gattosha: grebe (Due to the Arabic custom of giving names of
birds to vessels.
132. albayalde: Cerrusite. From Arabic al-bayad.
133. albéitar: Vet. From Arabic al-baytar.
134. albenda: Decorated white linen. From Arabic al-band.
135. alberca: Water deposit for irrigation. From Arabic al-birka.
136. albérchigo: Apricot tree. From Andalusi Arabic albershiq.
Arabic influence on the Spanish language 7

137. albihar: Mayweed. From Arabic Al-Bahar.


138. albitana: 1)Fence to protect plants in gardening. 2) Prolongation of the keel or stern post of a ship. From
Arabic al-bitana.
139. alboaire:
140. albogue: Single-reed clarinet used in Spain. From Arabic al-bûq (‫)قوبلا‬: The horn or the trumpet.
141. alboheza
142. albohol
143. albollón
144. albóndiga: meatball; ball. From Arabic al-bunduqa (‫" )ةقدنبلا‬the ball."
145. albórbola
146. alborga: matweed sandal. From Arabic albúlḡa
147. albornía
148. albornoz: Bath-robe. From al-burnos (‫" ;)سنربلا‬bathrobe".
149. alboronía
150. alboroque
151. alboroto: Riot, joy. Comes from arabism alborozo (joy), from andalusí-arab al-burúz derived from Classical
Arabic al-burūz, "military parade previous to a campaign".
152. alborozo
153. albotín
154. albricias
155. albudeca
156. albufera
157. albur
158. alcabala: A tax.
159. alcabor
160. alcabtea
161. alcacel
162. alcachofa: Artichoke. From al-ẖarshoof of the same meaning.
163. alcaduz: Water pipe. From Arabic Qâdûs (‫ )سوداق‬meaning "water-wheel scoop"
164. alcafar
165. alcahaz: Birdcage. From Arabic qafaṣ (‫ )صفق‬of the same meaning
166. alcahuete: Accomplice, a person who helps another in a love affair, specially an illicit one; gossipy person.
Alcahuete comes from hispanic arabic alqawwad (the messenger), and this from Classical Arabic qawwad. This
"messenger" carried messages to a married woman's lover. By extension it became commonly known as any
person who sets up a love affair, generally illicit.
167. alcaicería
168. alcaide:
169. alcalde: Mayor. From Arabic al-qadi (the judge). Qadi comes from the verb qada (to judge).
170. álcali: alkali. From Arabic qalawi (‫ )يولق‬of the same meaning.
171. alcaller
172. alcamiz
173. alcamonías
174. alcana
175. alcaná
176. alcancía: Clay money box, penny or piggy bank. From Andalusi Arabic alkanzíyya, derived from classical
Arabic kanz: treasure.
177. alcándara
Arabic influence on the Spanish language 8

178. alcandía
179. alcandora
180. alcanería
181. alcanfor
182. alcántara/alcantarilla: drain; From Arabic al-qantarah meaning bridge.
183. alcaparra: caper. From Andalusian Arabic al-kaparra. Via Latin and Greek.
184. alcaraván
185. alcaravea
186. alcarceña
187. alcarraza
188. alcarria:
189. alcatanes
190. alcatara (or alquitara)
191. alcatifa
192. alcatraz: a bird of the Sulidae family, from arabic ‫ سرطقلا‬al-qaṭrās, meaning sea eagle.
193. alcaucil, artichoke. From Spanish Arabic: alqabsíl[a], that comes from mozarab diminutive kapićéḻa, and this
from Spanish Latin: capĭtia, head. (Standard latin, Caput-itis)
194. alcavela
195. alcazaba
196. alcázar: citadel; palace. From Arabic al-qasr (‫" )رصقلا‬the citadel."
197. alcazuz (or orozuz)
198. alcoba: alcove. From Arabic al-qubba "the vault" or "the arch."
199. alcohela
200. alcohol: from Arabic al-kuhul (‫ )لوحكلا‬fine powder of antimony sulfide used as eye makeup.
201. alcoholar
202. alcolla
203. alcor
204. alcora
205. alcorcí
206. alcorque
207. alcorza
208. alcotán
209. alcotana
210. alcrebite
211. alcuacil
212. alcubilla
213. alcuña
214. alcuza
215. alcuzcuz
216. alchub
217. aldaba
218. aldea/aldeano: Village/Villager.
219. aldiza
220. alefriz
221. aleja
222. alejija
223. alema
Arabic influence on the Spanish language 9

224. alerce
225. aletría
226. aleve/alevoso/alevosía
227. aleya
228. alfaba
229. alfábega
230. alfadía
231. alfaguara: Geyser. From Arabic fawwâra (‫)ةراوف‬: spout, fountain, jet d'eau
232. alfahar/alfaharería
233. alfaida
234. alfajeme
235. alfajor: Sweet almond shortbread. From Spanish Arabic fašúr, and this from Persian afšor (juice).
236. alfalfa: alfalfa. From Arabic al-fafaa literally "the best kind of fodder"
237. alfaneque (two meanings, a type of bird, from Arabic al-fanak and a tent from Berber afarag)
238. alfanje: A type of sword. From The Arabic al-janyar "dagger"
239. alfaque
240. alfaqueque
241. alfaquí
242. alfaquín
243. alfaraz
244. alfarda (two meanings from al-farda and from al-fardda)
245. alfarero: potter
246. alfardón
247. alfareme
248. alfarje
249. alfarrazar
250. alfaya
251. alfayate
252. alfazaque
253. alféizar: Window ledge. From Arabic al-Hayzar "the one which takes possession".
254. alfeñique
255. alferecía
256. alferez
257. alferraz
258. alferza
259. alficoz
260. alfil: bishop, in chess. From Arabic al-feel (‫" )ليفلا‬the elephant."
261. alfilel/alfiler
262. alfinge
263. alfitete
264. alfiz
265. alfolí
266. alfombra (two meanings from al-jumra and al-humra)
267. alfóndega
268. alforfón
269. alforja: saddlebag. From Arabic al-khurj ( ‫" ) جرخلا‬saddle-bag," portmanteau
270. alforre
Arabic influence on the Spanish language 10

271. alforrocho
272. alforza
273. alfóstigo
274. alfoz: Neighborhood, district. From Arabic hauz (‫ )زوح‬meaning "Precinct" or "City limits"
275. algaba
276. algadara
277. algaida
278. algalaba
279. algalia
280. algalife
281. algar
282. algara
283. algarada
284. algarabía: incomprehensible talk; gabble; gibberish. From Arabic al-'arabiya: "Arabic".
285. algarivo
286. algarazo: Short rainstorm. From Arabic al 'ard: "cloud".
287. algarrada
288. algarrobo: carob. From Arabic al-kharouba "the carob."
289. algavaro
290. algazafán
291. algazara
292. algazul
293. álgebra: algebra. From the name of al-Khwarizmi' book Hisab al-jabr w’al-muqabala "The Calculus of
Subtraction and Equality."
294. algecireño
295. algodón, "cotton", from Arabic "al-qúţun (‫")نطق‬, meaning "the cotton"
296. algorfa
297. algoritmo, algorithm, that comes from the name of Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi, ‫ىسوم نب دمحم‬
‫يمزراوخلا‬, famous mathematician.
298. algorza:
299. alguacil, "Sherrif", from Arabic "al-wazîr (‫)ريزولا‬," meaning "Minister"
300. alguaquida: fuel for a fire. From Arabic waqîda (‫ )ةديقو‬meaning "Fuel"
301. alguaza: Window or door hinge.From Arabic wasl "juncture".

A (Alhadida to Azumbre)
1. alhadida: Old Spanish term for Hadith.
2. alhaite: jewel. From Arabic al hayt "string".
3. alhaja: jewel. From Arabic al-hagah "the valuable thing."
4. alhamar: Red matress or bed cover. From Arabic hanbal: fur bedcover.
5. alhamel: (Andalusian Spanish) Beast of burden or human porter. From Arabic hammal.
6. alhamí: Stone bench normally covered with azulejos. Refers to the Grenadine town of Alhama.
7. alhandal: Colocynth. From Arabic Alhanzal.
8. alhanía: 1) Bedroom 2) cupboard 3) A type of small mattress. From Andalusi Arabic al haniyya: Alcove.
9. alhaquín: Weaver. From Arabic plural Al Hayikeen. Weavers.
10. alharaca: Violent reaction to a small issue. From Arabic haraka.
11. alhavara: Flour. From Arabic huwara.
12. alhelí: Aegean Wallflower. From Arabic hiri.
Arabic influence on the Spanish language 11

13. alheña: Spanish word for Henna and the plant from which it is derived.
14. alholva:Fenugreek. From Arabic hulbah-
15. alhorí: Same meaning and etymology as more commonly used term Alfolí.
16. alhorre: 1) Feaces of newly born child. From Arabic hur: feaces. 2)Skin rash common in babies. Commonly
used in expression yo te curaré el alhorre when threatening to beat a child. From Arabic Shakatu el hurr, skin
infection.
17. alhorría: (or ahorría): Expression used for when a slave is freed. From Arabic al-hurriya: Freedom.
18. alhucema: Lavender. From Arabic: huzama.
19. alhuceña
20. alhurreca
21. aliacán
22. aliara
23. alicante
24. alicatar
25. alicate
26. alidada
27. alifa
28. alifafe (two meanings from an-nafakh and al-lifah)
29. alifara
30. alijar
31. alimara
32. alioj
33. alirón
34. alizace
35. alizar
36. aljaba
37. aljabibe
38. aljama
39. aljamía/aljamiado: Medieval Romance Spanish or Mozarabic written in Arabic script.
40. aljaraz
41. aljarfa
42. aljébana
43. aljerife
44. aljez
45. aljibe
46. aljófar/aljofarar
47. aljofifa
48. aljor (or aljez)
49. aljuba
50. aljuma
51. añagaza
52. almacabra
53. almacén: deposit, dry goods store. From Arabic al-majzan of makhzan (‫" )نزخملا‬the storage" or "the depot."
54. almacería
55. almáciga
56. almadén
57. almádena
Arabic influence on the Spanish language 12

58. almadía
59. almadraba: Tuna fishing in Andalusia and particularly in Cadiz province. From Andalusi Arabic Al-madraba,
"place where one beats something or fights", in reference to the fishing technique.
60. almadraque
61. almagazén
62. almagra
63. almahala
64. almaizar
65. almaja
66. almajaneque
67. almajar
68. almajara
69. almalafa
70. almanaque: almanac (see etymology section in the article for further discussion). From Arabic al-manakh
(‫" )خانملا‬the climate." Or possibly from Greek almenichiakon "calendar."
71. almacebe
72. almarada
73. almarbate
74. almarcha
75. almarjo
76. almarrá
77. almarraja or almarraza
78. almártaga (two meanings, from al-marta'a and al martak)
79. almástica
80. almatroque
81. almazara
82. almazarrón
83. almea (two meanings, from almay'a and 'alima)
84. almejía
85. almenara (two meanings, from al-manara and al-minhara)
86. almez
87. almíbar
88. almicantarat
89. almijar
90. almijara
91. almijarra
92. almimbar
93. alminar
94. almiraj/almiraje/almiral
95. almirez
96. almizate
97. almizcle/almizque
98. almocadén
99. almocafre
100. almocárabe
101. almoceda
102. almocrebe
Arabic influence on the Spanish language 13

103. almocrí
104. almodón
105. almófar
106. almofariz
107. almofía
108. almofrej/almofrez
109. almogama
110. almogávar
111. almohada: Pillow, from Arabic al-makhada with the same meaning.
112. almohade
113. almoharrefa
114. almohaza
115. almojábana
116. almojama (see mojama)
117. almojarife
118. almojaya
119. almona
120. almoneda
121. almoraduj/almoradux
122. almorávide:
123. almorí
124. almoronía: See alboronía.
125. almorzar
126. almotacén
127. almotalafe
128. almotazaf/almotazán
129. almozala/almozalla
130. almud
131. almuédano
132. almuerzo
133. almunia
134. alpargata
135. alpechín
136. alquería: farmhouse. From Arabic al-qaria "the village."
137. aloque
138. aloquín
139. alpargata
140. alquequenje
141. alquería
142. alquermes
143. alquerque (Two meanings from al-qirq and al-qariq)
144. alquez
145. alquezar
146. alquibla
147. alquicel
148. alquilar: Rent.
149. alquimia
Arabic influence on the Spanish language 14

150. alquinal
151. alquitira
152. alquitrán
153. alrota
154. altabaca
155. altamía
156. altramuz
157. alubia: pea bean
158. aludel
159. aluquete/luquete
160. alloza
161. amán
162. ámbar
163. ámel
164. amín
165. amirí
166. anacalo
167. anacora
168. anafaga
169. anafalla/anafaya
170. anafe
171. anaquel
172. andorra
173. andrajo
174. anea
175. anejir
176. anfión
177. anorza
178. anúteba
179. añacal
180. añacea/añacear
181. añafea
182. añafil
183. añagaza
184. añascar
185. añazme
186. añicos
187. añil (ultimately from Sanskrit nilah "dark blue")
188. arabí
189. arancel
190. arbellón/arbollón
191. archí
192. argadillo
193. argamandel
194. argamula
195. argán
196. argel
Arabic influence on the Spanish language 15

197. argolla
198. arguello/arguellarse
199. arije
200. arimez
201. arjorán
202. arnadí
203. arrabá
204. arrabal
205. arracada
206. arráez
207. arrayán
208. arrecife
209. arrejaque/arrejacar
210. arrelde
211. arrequife
212. arrequive
213. arriate
214. arricés
215. arroba
216. arrobda
217. arrocabe
218. arrope
219. arroz: Rice.
220. áscar/áscari
221. asequi
222. asesino: assassin. From Arabic hashshshin "someone who is addicted to hashish (marijuana)." Was originally
use to refer to the followers of the Persian Hassan-i-Sabah (‫)حابص نسح‬, the Hashshashin.
223. atabaca
224. atabal
225. atabe
226. atacar : to tie, to button up. From Andalusi Arabic tákka, originally from classical Arabic tikkah, ribbon used
to fasten clothes. Not to be confused with atacar with the meaning of "to attack", of Italian origin.
227. atacir
228. atafarra/ataharre
229. atafea
230. atahona
231. atahorma
232. ataifor
233. ataire
234. atalaya
235. atalvina
236. atambor
237. atanor
238. atanquía
239. ataracea
240. atarazana
241. atarfe
Arabic influence on the Spanish language 16

242. atarjea
243. atarraga
244. atarraya
245. ataúd: Coffin.
246. ataujía
247. ataurique
248. atifle
249. atijara
250. atíncar
251. atoba
252. atocha
253. atracae
254. atoque
255. atríaca/atriaca
256. atún: Tuna.
257. atutía
258. auge: Surge/rise.
259. aulaga
260. avería
261. ayatolá
262. azabache
263. azabara
264. azacán
265. azacaya
266. azache
267. azafate/azafata
268. azafrán: saffron. From Arabic za'firan of the same meaning. Perhaps from safra "yellow."
269. azahar: White flower, especially from the orange tree. From Spanish Arabic azzahár, and this from Classic
Arabic zahr, flowers
270. azalá
271. azamboa
272. azándar
273. azaque
274. azaquefa: Covered portico or patio. From Andalusi Arabic assaqifa, portico.
275. azar: luck; chance. From Arabic az-zahr "the dice." or North African Arabic az-zhar "luck".
276. azarbe
277. azarcón
278. azarja
279. azarnefe
280. azarote
281. azófar
282. azofra/azofrar
283. azogue (two meanings: from az-za'uq and from as-suq)
284. azolvar
285. azor
286. azorafa
287. azote: Smacking, beating, scourge. From Arabic Sawt.
Arabic influence on the Spanish language 17

288. azotea: Flat roof or terrace. From Andalusi Arabic assutáyha, diminutive of sath, terrace in classical Arabic.
289. azoya
290. azúcar: sugar. From Arabic (‫ )ركس‬sukkar of the same meaning.
291. azucarí
292. azucena
293. azuche
294. azud
295. azufaifa/azufaifo
296. azul: Blue. Derived from Arabic Lazaward.
297. azulaque (or zulaque)
298. azulejo
299. azúmbar
300. azumbre: Measurement for liquids equivalent to around two litres. From Del Andalusi Arabic aTTúmn, and
this from classical Arabic: Tum[u]n, "an eighth".

B
1. babismo: Babism. From Arabic ‫" باب‬door."
2. babucha: Slippers. From Arabic Baboush, itself from Latin pede[m], "foot".
3. badal: Cut of meat from the back and ribs of cattle, close to the neck. From Andalusi Arabic bad'a "Calf muscle"
derived from classical Arabic bad'ah "piece".
4. badán: Trunk of an animal. From Arabic badan.
5. badana: 1) Sheepskin, 2) hat lining 3) Lazy person. From Arabic bitana, "lining".
6. badea: 1) Watermelon or Melon of bad quality. 2) Insipid cucumber 3) Weak person 4) Unimportant thing. From
Arabic battiha: "bad melon".
7. badén: Dip in land, road, sidewalk or ford. From Arabic batin: Sunken (land).
8. bagarino: Free or hired sailor, as opposed to a press-ganged or enslaven one. Same origin as baharí.
9. bagre: a freshwater fish that has no scales and has a chin. From Arabic baghir or baghar.
10. baharí: Bird of prey. From Arabic bahri: "from the sea".
11. baja: pasha, Turkish officer or governor of high rank. From Arabic basha ultimately from Turkish pasha of the
same meaning.
12. baladí: 1) Unimportant thing or matter. 2) Something of the land our country. From Arabic baladiy "From the
country".
13. balaj/balaje: Purple ruby. From Arabic Balahshi: From Balahshan (region in central Asia where these stones
are found).
14. balate
15. balda (and baldío)
16. baldar
17. balde: 1)Free. 2) without cause or 3) in vain. from Arabic batil "false" or "useless."
18. bancal
19. baño
20. baraka
21. barbacana
22. barcino
23. bardaje
24. bardoma/bardomera
25. barragán
26. barrio-area or district
Arabic influence on the Spanish language 18

27. bata (either from Arabic batt of French ouate)


28. batán
29. batea
30. baurac
31. bayal
32. baza (either Arabic or Italian origin)
33. bazar-bazaar
34. belez
35. bellota: acorn, the fruit or seed of the oak tree. From Arabic balluta of the same meaning.
36. ben
37. benimerín
38. benjui
39. berberí
40. berberís
41. bereber
42. berenjena/berenjenal
43. bezaar/bezoar
44. biznaga
45. bocací
46. bodoque/bodocal
47. bófeta
48. bórax
49. borní
50. boronía
51. botor
52. bujía
53. bulbul
54. burche
55. buz
56. buzaque

C
1. cabila: tribe of Berbers or Bedouins. From Arabic qabila "tribe."
2. cachera
3. cadí
4. cadira
5. café: coffee. From qahwa of the same meaning.
6. cáfila
7. cafiz (or cahiz)
8. cafre
9. caftán
10. cáid (same origin as alcaide)
11. caimacán
12. cala
13. calabaza: Pumpkin or squash. From Arabic qerabat, plural of qerbah, meaning wineskin.
14. calafate/calafatear
15. calahorra
Arabic influence on the Spanish language 19

16. calí (same root as álcali)


17. cálibo/calibre
18. cambuj
19. camocán
20. canana-cartridge belt
21. cáncana/cancanilla
22. cáncano
23. cande (in azúcar cande)
24. canfor
25. caraba
26. cárabe
27. cárabo: owl; dog. Taken from qaraab and kalb "dog," respectively.
28. caracoa
29. caramida
30. caramuzal
31. caravana
32. caravasar
33. carcajada/carcajear
34. carcax
35. carmen/carme: From Spanish Arabic kárm, and this from Classic Arabic karm, vine.
36. carmesí: crimson. From quirmizi
37. carmín
38. carraca
39. carrafa
40. cártama/cártamo
41. catán
42. catifa
43. cazurro
44. cebiche
45. cebtí
46. ceca
47. cedoaria
48. cegatero
49. cegrí
50. ceje
51. celemí/celemín/celeminero
52. cenacho
53. cendolilla
54. cenefa
55. ceneque
56. cení
57. cenia
58. cenit
59. cequí
60. cerbatana
61. cero: zero. From sifr of the same meaning.
62. cetís
Arabic influence on the Spanish language 20

63. ceutí
64. chafariz
65. chafarote
66. chaleco
67. charrán
68. chifla
69. chilaba (from Moroccan Arabic)
70. chiquero
71. chirivía
72. chisme
73. chivo
74. choz
75. chupa
76. chuzo
77. cianí
78. cibica
79. cica
80. cicalar
81. cicatear
82. cicatero (cicatero has a different root to cicatear)
83. ciclán
84. ciclar
85. ciclatón
86. cid
87. cifaque
88. cifra/cifrar
89. címbara
90. cimboga
91. cimitarra
92. circón
93. citara
94. civeta/civeto
95. coba/cobista
96. cofa
97. coima
98. coime
99. colcótar
100. cora
101. Corán
102. corbacho
103. corma
104. cotonía
105. cubeba
106. cúrcuma
107. curdo
108. cuscuta
Arabic influence on the Spanish language 21

D,E
1. dado: die (cube or stamp). From Classical Arabic a'dad "numbers."
2. daga - dagger
3. dahír
4. daifa
5. dante
6. darga (or adarga)-shield
7. dársena-dock/basin
8. daza
9. derviche
10. descafilar
11. destartalado
12. dey
13. dínar
14. dirham
15. diván-divan/couch
16. droga-drug
17. druso
18. dula/dular
19. edrisí
20. ejarbe
21. elche
22. elemí
23. embelecar/embeleco
24. emir (or amir)
25. encaramar
26. enchufar/enchufe: To plug in/plug; To connect, to offer a job or a post through personal connections. From
Andalusi Arabic Juf derived from Classical Arabic Jawf: stomach; internal cavity.
27. engarzar-to set/thread
28. enjalma
29. enjarje
30. enjeco
31. escabeche: Pickle or marinade. From Arabic as-sukbaj. Originally from Persian Sekba.
32. escafilar (see descafilar)
33. escaque/escaquear
34. espinaca-spinach
35. exarico
Arabic influence on the Spanish language 22

F,G
1. faca
2. falagar
3. falca
4. falleba
5. faltriquera-pocket
6. falúa/faluca
7. fanega/hanega
8. fanfarrón
9. faranga (or haragán), lazy, idler, loafer
10. farda
11. fardacho
12. farfán
13. fárfara
14. farnaca
15. farota
16. farruco
17. felús
18. fetua
19. fez
20. fideo
21. filelí
22. foceifiza
23. fondolí
24. fondac/fonda
25. foz
26. fulano, "any one" without naming, X of people. Arabic: Fulan.
27. fustal
28. fustete
29. gabán
30. gabela
31. gacel/gacela
32. gafetí
33. galacho
34. galanga
35. galbana
36. gálibo
37. galima
38. gandula/gandula
39. gañan
40. garama
41. garbino
42. gardacho
43. garfa
44. gárgol
45. garra
46. garrafa
Arabic influence on the Spanish language 23

47. garrama
48. garroba
49. gazpacho
50. gilí
51. gomer
52. granadí
53. grisgrís
54. guadamací
55. guájara
56. guájete
57. guala
58. guarismo
59. guifa
60. guilla
61. gumía
62. gurapas

H, I
1. habiz
2. habús
3. hachís
4. hacino
5. hadruba
6. hafiz
7. hálara
8. hálara
9. hamudí
10. haragán
11. harambel
12. harbar
13. harén
14. harma
15. harón
16. Hasaní
17. hasta: Until. From Arabic hatta (same meaning). Influenced by Latin phrase 'ad ista'[3]
18. hataca
19. hazaña
20. he: Adverb used in following manner: "he aquí/ahí/allí": Here it is/there it is. From Arabic haa.[3]
21. hégira
22. hobacho/hobacha
23. holgazán: Lazy person. From Arabic Kaslan. Influenced by Holgar.
24. holgar
25. hoque/oque
26. horro/horra
27. imam, imán
28. imela
29. islam
Arabic influence on the Spanish language 24

J, K
1. jabalí : Wild Boar. From Arabic jebeli: From the mountains. Perhaps originally from Khanzeer Jebelí: Mountain
Pig.
2. jabalón
3. jabeca
4. jabeque
5. jabí : A type of apple and type of grape. From Andalusi Arabic sha‘bí, a type of apple.
6. jácara
7. jácena
8. jacerino
9. jadraque
10. jaez
11. jaguarzo
12. jaharí
13. jaharral
14. jaharrar
15. jaima
16. jaique
17. jalear
18. jalma (or enjalma)
19. jaloque
20. jametería
21. jámila
22. japuta
23. jaque
24. jaqueca: Migraine. From Arabic Shaqiqa, with same meaning.
25. jáquima
26. jara
27. jarabe
28. jaraíz
29. jarcha
30. jareta
31. jaricar
32. jarifo/jarifa
33. jarquía
34. jarra: Pitcher or other pot with handle(s). From ǧarrah, same as english jar.
35. jatib
36. jazarino/jazarina
37. jazmín: jasmine. From Arabic yasmin then from Persian word the same word
38. jebe
39. jeliz
40. jemesía
41. jeque: From Arabic shaikh or sheikh, older
42. jerife: From Arabic sharif, noble, respected.
43. jeta: Snout, face, cheek (in both literal and figurative sense). From Arabic khatm: "snout".
44. jifa
45. jinete
Arabic influence on the Spanish language 25

46. jirafa: giraffe. From ziraffa of the same meaning.


47. jirel
48. jofaina: a wide and shallow basin for domestic use. From ǧufaynah.
49. jofor
50. jorfe
51. joroba
52. jorro
53. juba/aljuba/jubón
54. jurdía
55. jurel
56. kermes

L,M
1. laca: resinous substance tapped from the Lacquer Tree. From Arabic lak, taken from Persian lak, ultimately from
Sanskrit laksha literally meaning "one hundred thousand" referring to the large number of insects that gather and
sap out all the resin from the trees.
2. lacre
3. lapislázuli: lapis lazuli, a deep blue mineral. From Arabic lazaward (‫ )دروزال‬from Persian lagvard or lazward,
ultimately from Sanskrit rajavarta literally meaning "ringlet of the king."
4. latón: brass. From Arabic latun from Turkish altin "gold."
5. laúd: lute. From Arabic al 'ud (‫" )دوعلا‬the lute."
6. lebeche: Southeasterly wind on the Mediterranean coast of Spain. From Andalusi Arabic Labash.
7. lebení: a Moorish beverage prepared from soured milk. From Arabic labani (‫" )ينابل‬dairy."
8. leila: from Arabic layla (‫" )ةليل‬night."
9. lelilí: Shouts and noise made by moors when going into combat or when celebrating parties. From la illaha ila
allah( ‫)هللا الإ هلإ ال‬: There is no god but Allah; Ya leilí (‫ )يليلاي‬: Night of mine; ya 'ayouni (‫ )ينويع اي‬: My
eyes.
10. lima: lime. From Arabic limah of the same meaning.
11. limón: lemon. From laymoon (‫ )نوميل‬, derived from the Chinese word limung.
12. loco: crazy. From Arabic lawqa "fool."
13. macabro
14. macsura
15. madraza
16. magacén
17. magarza/magarzuela
18. maglaca
19. maharon/maharona
20. maharrana/marrana/marrano
21. mahozmedín
22. maimón
23. majareta
24. majzén
25. mamarracho
26. mameluco
27. mamola
28. mandeísmo
29. mandil
Arabic influence on the Spanish language 26

30. maquila
31. marabú
32. maravedí
33. marcasita
34. marchamo
35. márfega
36. marfil
37. marfuz/a
38. margomar
39. marjal
40. marlota
41. marojo
42. maroma
43. marrano pig; cf. Arabic muharram "forbidden".
44. marras
45. márraga
46. masamuda: (adj) Individual from the Berber Masmuda tribe, from which originate the Almohades, a movement
which ruled Spain and North Africa in the XII century. From Arabic: Masamuda.
47. matafalúa
48. mártaga
49. máscara
50. matarife
51. mate
52. matraca
53. matula
54. mauraca
55. mazapán
56. mazarí
57. mazarrón
58. mazmodina
59. mazmorra: Dungeon. From Arabic matmura "silo".
60. mazorca: corn cob; roll of wool or cotton. From Andalusi Arabic: Masurqa, derived from classical Arabic
Masura (‫ )ةروسام‬: a tube used as a bobbin (sewing) .
61. meca: Place which is attractive because of a particular activity. From Arabic Mekkah(‫)ةكم‬.
62. mechinal
63. mejala
64. mejunje
65. mendrugo
66. mengano/mengana: Expression of similar meaning as fulano or zutano, used always after the former but after
the latter, meaning "whoever". From Arabic man kan meaning "whoever".
67. mequetrefe: Nosy or useless person. From Andalusi Arabi qatras meaning person of boastful demeanor.
68. mercal
69. metical
70. mezquino
71. mía: A military term, formerly designating a regular native unit composed of 100 men in the Spanish
protectorate of northern Morocco; by analogy, any colonial army. From Arabic Mi'ah: one hundred(‫)ةئم‬.
72. mihrab:
Arabic influence on the Spanish language 27

73. miramamolín
74. moaxaja
75. mogataz
76. mogate
77. moharra
78. moharracho
79. mohatra
80. mohedal
81. mohino
82. mojama (originally almojama): Delicacy of phoenician origin from the region of Cadiz. It consists of filleted
salt-cured tuna. From the Arabic al mushama: "momified or waxed".
83. mojí
84. momia
85. mona
86. monfí
87. morabito
88. moraga
89. morapio
90. mozárabe
91. mudéjar
92. muftí
93. mujalata
94. mulato: Likely from Muwallad, as with the Muladi. Walad (‫ ) دلو‬means, "descendant, offspring, scion; child;
son; boy; young animal, young one". According to DRAE, from mulo (mule), in the sense of hybrid.
95. mulquía
96. muslim/muslime: (Adjective) Muslim. From Arabic Muslim (‫)ملسم‬.

N, O,P, Q
1. nabí: Prophet among arabs. From Arabic nabiy.
2. nacar: Innermost of the three layers of a seashell. From Catalan nacre, derived from Andalusi Arabic naqra,
small drum.
3. nácara: Type of small metallic drum used historically by the Spanish cavalry. Same etymology as nacar.
4. nadir: Nadir, the point on the celestial sphere opposite the zenith directly below the observer. From nadheer.
5. nádir: In Morocco, administrator of a religious foundation.
6. nagüela: Small hut for human habitation. From Andalusi Arabic nawalla: hut.
7. naife: High quality diamond. From Andalusi Arabic nayif. Originally from classical Arabic na'if: excellent.
8. naipe: Playing card. From Catalan naíp. Originally from Arabic ma'ib.
9. naranja: from Arabic nāranja, fr Persian nārang, fr Sanskrit nāranga, fr a Dravidian language akin to Tamil
naŗu "fragrant".
10. narguile
11. natrón
12. nazarí: Related to the Nasrid kingdom or dynasty of Granada.
13. nenúfar: Water-lily. From Arabic naylufar from Persian nilofer, niloofar, niloufar.
14. nesga
15. noria: Watermill, Ferris wheel. From Arabic na'urah.
16. nuca: Nape of the neck. From Arabic nuḫā' ‫ عاخن‬، ‫ عخنم‬, via Medieval Latin nucha.
17. ojalá: "I hope"; "I wish that...". From law šhaʾ allāh "God willing." [4]
Arabic influence on the Spanish language 28

18. ¡ole! (or olé): The most famous expression of approval, support or encouragement, possibly comes from wa-llah
‫ هللا و‬, by Allah!
19. omeya: adj. Related to the Ummayyad.
20. orozuz
21. ox
22. papagayo
23. quermes
24. quilate/quirate
25. quilma
26. quina
27. quintal: weight unit of about 46 kg.

R,S,T
1. rabadán
2. rabal
3. rabazuz
4. rabel
5. rábida
6. rafal
7. rafe
8. ragua
9. rahez
10. ramadán
11. rambla
12. rauda
13. rauta
14. real: Military encampment; plot where a fair is organized; (in Murcia region) small plot or garden. From Arabic
rahl: camping.
15. rebato
16. rebite
17. recamar
18. recua
19. redoma
20. rehala
21. rehalí
22. rehén: Hostage or captive. From Arabic ‫ةنيهر‬, captive, ransom.
23. rejalgar: realgar. From Andalusi Arabic reheg al-ghar: "powder of the cave"
24. requive
25. resma
26. retama
27. rincón: Corner. From Andalusi Arabic rukan, derived from classicar Arabic Rukn.
28. robda
29. robo (or arroba)
30. roda
31. romí/rumí
32. ronzal
33. roque
Arabic influence on the Spanish language 29

34. sajelar
35. salema
36. sandía: Watermelon. From Arabic Sindiya "from Sindh (province in India)".
37. sarasa: Homosexual or effeminate man. From "Zaraza".
38. sarraceno
39. sebestén
40. secácul
41. serafín
42. siroco
43. sofí
44. sófora
45. soldán
46. soltaní
47. sufí
48. sura
49. tabal (or atabal)
50. tabaque
51. tabefe
52. tabica
53. tabique
54. taca
55. tafurea
56. tagarino/tagarina
57. tagarnina
58. taha
59. tahalí
60. tahona
61. tahúr
62. taifa: Refers to an independent Muslim-ruled principality, an emirate or petty kingdom, of which a number
formed in the Al-Andalus (Moorish Iberia) after the final collapse of the Umayyad Caliphate of Córdoba in 1031.
Used in numerous expressions. Can also mean 1) a faction 2) a group of people of ill judgement. 3) un reino de
Taifas (a kingdom of Taifas) can also refer to a chaotic or disorderly state of affairs. From classical Arabic
Ta'ifah: faction.
63. tajea
64. talco
65. talega
66. talvina
67. támara
68. tamarindo
69. tambor
70. tara
71. taracea
72. taraje
73. tarasí
74. tarbea
75. tarea
76. tareco
Arabic influence on the Spanish language 30

77. tarida
78. tarifa
79. tarima
80. tarquín
81. tarraya
82. taza: cup. From Tasa.
83. tértil
84. tíbar
85. tochibí
86. tomín
87. toronja
88. toronjil
89. trafalmejas
90. truchimán/na
91. trujamán/na
92. tuera
93. tumbaga
94. Tunecí
95. turbit
96. turquí (in Azul Turquí)
97. tutía (or atutía)

V,X,Y,Z
1. vacarí: from Arabic baqari(‫" )يرقب‬bovine."
2. velmez: from Arabic malbas(‫" )سبلم‬clothing."
3. visir: vizier. From Arabic wazir (‫" )ريزو‬minister."
4. yébel: from Arabic jabal; "mountain"
5. zabalmedina: in the Middle Ages, judge with civil and criminal jurisdiction in a city. From Arabic Sahib al
Medina "Chief of the City."
6. zabarcera: women who sells fruits and other food. Same origin as abacero
7. zabazala: imam who leads Islamic prayer. From Arabic SaHb aS-Salah "Leader of prayer."
8. zabazoque: same meaning as almotacén. From Arabic SáHb as súq "Leader of the Market."
9. zábila: aloe vera (used mainly in Latin America) From Andalusi Arabic sabíra, originally from classical Arabic
Sibar.
10. zabra: type of vessel used in the Bay of Biscay in the Middle Ages and the beginning of the Modern Age. From
Arabic zauraq.
11. zacatín: in some villages, a square where clothes are sold. From saqqatin, plural of saqqat: seller of clothes.
12. zafar: a number of meanings in Spain and Latin American countries: To free, to untie, to ignore, to unknit
among others. From Arabic azaHa: to take away.
13. zafarí: Granada zafarí: a type of pomegranate. Higo zafarí: a type of fig. From Arabic Safr.
14. zafariche: Structure used for placing clay urns. Same etymology as jaraíz (see above).
15. zafio: Uncouth. From Andalusi Arabic Fellah safi: "Mere peasant".
16. zafrán: See Azafran.
17. zaga: Backside of something. Cargo on the back of a truck. From Arabic Saqah: Rear, rearguard.
18. zagal: boy. From Andalusian Arabic zaḡál, traditional Arabic zuḡlūl. Same meaning.
19. zagaya (or azagaya)
20. zagua
Arabic influence on the Spanish language 31

21. zaguán: hall. From Andalusian Arabic istawán, traditional Arabic usṭuwān(ah).
22. zagüía
23. zaharrón
24. zahén
25. zahón
26. zahora
27. zahorí
28. zaida
29. zaino
30. zala
31. zalamelé
32. zalea/zalear
33. zalema/zalama
34. zalmedina: Same meaning and origin as zabalmedina.
35. zalona
36. zamacuco
37. zambra: Traditional festivity of the Moriscos in Spain which is maintained by the Gypsy community of
Sacromonte, Granada. From Andalusi Arabic Zamra, originally from classical Arabic Zamr.
38. zanahoria: carrot, presumably from Andalusi Arabic. The only Arabic dialect with a cognate form is Tunisian
with sfinaria.
39. zaque: Leather recipient for wine or extracting water from a well. Drunken person. From Andalusi Arabic zaqq.
Originally from classical Arabic ziqq.
40. zaquizamí
41. zaragüelles
42. zaranda/zarandillo/zarandaja
43. zarandear: To shake vigorously / push around / toss about. From Zaranda.
44. Zaratán: Breast Cancer. From the Arabic Saratan: crab.
45. zarazán:
46. zarco
47. zarracatín
48. zarzahán
49. zatara
50. zéjel
51. zoco (or azogue): market. From Arabic souk of the same meaning.
52. zofra
53. zorzal: Thrush, intelligent person. From Andalusi Arabic Zurzal, originally from classical Arabic zurzur.
54. zubia: Place where a large amount of water flows. From Arabic Zubya.
55. zulaque
56. zulla
57. zumaque: sumac. From Arabic simaq of the same meaning.
58. zumo: fruit juice. From Arabic zum.
59. zuna: Sunnah, from Arabic Sunnah
60. zurriaga or 'zurriago: Refers to a type of whip and to a lark. From Andalusi Arabic Surriyaqa
Arabic influence on the Spanish language 32

Words with a coincidental similarity to Arabic


• el. The Spanish definite articles el / la / lo / los / las, like most definite articles in the Romance languages, derive
from the Latin demonstratives ille / illa / illud. The similarity to the Arabic article al seems to be a mere
coincidence.
• usted. The formal second-person pronoun usted is derived from a shortening of the old form of address Vuestra
merced, as seen in dialectal Spanish vosted, Catalan vostè, etc. The possibility of a link with the Arabic word
ustādh ('professor'/'doctor') seems very remote.

Other Influences
1. The suffix í. Arabic has a very common type of adjective, known as the nisba or relationship adjective, which is
formed by adding the suffix -ī (masc.) o ‫ ةي‬-iyya (fem.) to a noun. This has given Spanish the suffix -í (both masc.
and fem.), creating adjectives from nouns which indicate relationship or belonging. Examples are Marbellí, Ceutí,
Maghrebí, Zaragocí, Andalusí or Alfonsí.
2. Expressions. A number of expressions such as "¡Ole!" (sometimes spelled "olé" ), possibly from wa'llah, or
ojalá, from law sha'a Allah, have been borrowed directly from Arabic. Furthermore, many expressions in Spanish
might have been calqued from their Arabic equivalent. Examples would be si Dios quiere, que Dios guarde or
bendito sea Dios. The generally accepted etymology of hidalgo 'nobleman' — Old Spanish fijo d'algo — is
composed of Latin roots (cf. Modern Spanish hijo 'son' + algo 'something'), but it might be a calque of an Arabic
phrase using ibn 'son' to mean simply 'person characterized by (the idea expressed by the following noun)'. In Old
Spanish, algo could mean 'wealth, property'.
3. Phonetics: Although the phonetic influence of Arabic on standard peninsular Spanish is considered to be
negligible, Arabic influence is thought to have influenced the phonetics of the Andalusian dialect of Spanish (and
indirectly certain Latin American dialects). For example, the use of the fricative H, or the substitution of the sh for
the ch sound is considered to be a result of contact with Arabic.

Toponyms (place names) in Iberia of Arabic origin


There are hundreds if not thousands of place names derived from Arabic in the Iberian peninsula including provinces
and regions, cities, towns, villages and even neighborhoods and streets. They also include geographical features such
as mountains, mountain ranges, valleys and rivers. Toponyms derived from Arabic are common in all of Spain
(including much of the North of the country) except for those regions which never came under Muslim rule or where
it was particularly short-lived. These regions include Galicia and the Northern coast (Asturias, Cantabria and the
Basque country) as well as northern Catalonia and Aragon. Regions where place names of Arabic origin are
particularly common are the Eastern Coast (Valencia and Murcia) and the region of Andalusia. In Portugal, the
frequency of Arabic toponyms increases as one travels south in the country.
Those toponyms which maintained their pre-Islamic name during the Muslim period were generally Arabized, and
the mark of either the old Arabic pronunciation or the popular pronunciation from which it derived is noticeable in
their modern names: e.g. Hispalis - Ishbiliya - Sevilla.
Arabic influence on the Spanish language 33

Major towns, cities and regions


• Albarracín City of Aragón. Derived from Al Banū Razin, name of the Berber governor of the town.
• Axarquía Eastern region of Málaga province, From Arabic Ash-sharquía(‫)ةيقرشلا‬: The eastern/oriental (region).
• Andalucía Most populated and 2nd largest autonomous community in Spain. Derived from ‫سلدنألا‬, Al Andalus,
the Arabic name for Muslim Iberia.
• Albacete city and province of Castilla-La Mancha. Derived from Arabic Al Basit (‫( )طيسبلا‬the plain).
• Algarve Region of southern Portugal. From Arabic al gharb(‫)برغلا‬, the west.
• Algeciras City and port in Cadiz province. Derived from Al Jazeera Al Khadra (‫ )ءارضخلا ةريزجلا‬meaning the
green island.
• Almería City and province of Andalucía. From Al Meraya, the watchtower.
• Alpujarras (originally Alpuxarras) Region extending South of Granada into Almería. From Arabic
Al-Busherat: The grasslands.
• Badajoz City and province of Extremadura. Badajoz was called Pax Augusta by the romans and most likely the
current name is derived from an Arabic corruption of the original Latin name.
• Calatayud City of Aragón. Derived from Qal'at Ayyūb (Arabic ‫ )بويأ ةعلق‬meaning "(Ayyūb) Job´s Fortress".
• Guadalajara City and province of Castilla la Mancha. From Wādī al-Ḥijārah (Arabic ‫)ةراجحلا يداو‬, River or
canyon of Stones.
• Jaén City and province of Andalusia From Arabic Jayyan, crossroads of caravans.
• Lisboa (Lisbon). Capital of Portugal. Derived from Arabic name: al-'Ishbūnah in Arabic ‫( ةنوبشألا‬from Latin
Olisippo, ultimately Celtic)
• Madrid Capital of Spain. Derived from original Arabic name: al-MagrīT, ‫طيرجملا‬: "Source of water", which
pertains to Rio Manzanares that flows through it.
• La Mancha Wide arid steppes covering much of Toledo, Ciudad Real, Cuenca and Albacete provinces. Derived
from original Arabic name: la'a Ma-anxa : "No water".
• Medina Sidonia: Town and municipality in Cadiz province, from madina, city.
• Tarifa town in Cadiz province, Andalusia. Originally Jazeera Tarif (‫)فيرط ةريزج‬: the island of Tarif. Derived
form the first name of the Berber conqueror Tarif ibn Malik.
• La Sagra, an arid region between Toledo and Madrid. Name derived from arabic Sahra ‫" ءارحص‬desert".
• Valladolid, a town and province of Castilla y Leon region in northern Spain. Name derived from Balad al-Walid
in Arabic, meaning 'Land of Walid'.
• Ubeda, a town in Jaen province, Andalusia. From the Arabic Ubadat el Arab.

Geographical features
• Guadiana river. Meaning "River Anae" (from the original Latin name Fluminus Anae, "River of Ducks").
• Guadalquivir river. Derived from Arabic: al-wādĩ al-kabir ‫ريبكلا يداولا‬, "the big river".
• Javalambre. Mountain in southern Aragon, Jabal 'Amr, meaning "Mountain of 'Amr".
• Mulhacén. Highest mountain in peninsular Spain. Named after 15th century Arabian Sultan of Granada Ali
Muley Hacén Abu al-Hasan.
• Pico Almanzor. Mountain in the Gredos Mountains of Central Spain. Named after "Almanzor" Al-Mansur Ibn
Abi Aamir, defacto ruler of Al Andalus in late 10th - early 11th centuries.
• Cape Trafalgar. From Andalusi Arabic Taraf-al-ghar.
Arabic influence on the Spanish language 34

Given Names and Surnames


Male given names
• Omar.
• Ismael, but also a Biblic name, corresponding to the Hebrew Ishmael.
• Ibrahim.
Female given names
• Almira.
• Almudena, from al-mudayna, citadel, fortress. From the Virgin of Almudena, patroness of Madrid, Spain.
• Fátima, derived from Our Lady of Fátima.
• Soraya, probably popularized after the late Soraya Esfandiary-Bakhtiari.
• Yasmine, meaning "Jasmine Flower".
• Zahira, popular in Latin America.
Surnames
A few given names taken from Arabic, or with indirect Arabic etymology, are commonly used in the
Spanish-speaking world. Surnames of indirect Arabic origin, such as Medina, Almunia, Guadarrama or Alcaide are
much more common, often referring to toponyms or professions.
Few, if any, Arabic surnames names remain as a result of Muslim descendence. The reason being that it was
common practice, throughout Spanish history for ethnic and religious minorities to change their surnames to escape
persecution by the Catholic Church. Furthermore, Spanish Muslims were compelled to adopt Christian surnames by
a series of royal decrees in the 16th century. 17th century Morisco leader Muhammad Ibn Ummaya, for example,
was born to the Christian name Fernando de Córdoba y Valor.
• Alcaide, meaning governor or commander of a Spanish fortress or prison.
• Alfonso, transliterated from the name "Alfonsh"[5]
• Guadarrama, taken from the from the name of the mountain range between Segovia and Madrid. In Arabic: "wādī
al-ramah".[6]
• Medina, meaning Dweller at or near the market or one who had returned from the market also from the city of
Medina in western Saudi Arabia, the second most holy city of Islam. According to the Instituto Genealógico e
Histórico Latino-Americano, the Medina surname originated principally in the Spanish areas of Burgos and
Andalusia.[7]

See also
• Influence of Arabic on other languages
• List of Arabic loanwords in English
• List of French words of Arabic origin
• List of Portuguese words of Arabic origin

Suggestions for further research


In the English language, search the online catalogs of United States university libraries using the Library of Congress
(LC) subject heading, "Spanish language foreign elements".
When searching Spanish language Web sites, use the subject term, "arabismos".
Arabic influence on the Spanish language 35

Selected reference works and other academic literature


These works have not necessarily been consulted in the preparation of this article.
• Abu-Haidar, J. A. 1985. Review of Felipe Maíllo Salgado, Los arabismos del castellano en la baja edad media
(consideraciones históricas y filológicas). Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, 48(2): 353-354.
University of London. Stable URL: http://links.jstor.org/
sici?sici=0041-977X%281985%2948%3A2%3C353%3ALADCEL%3E2.0.CO%3B2-X [8]
• Cabo Pan, José Luis. El legado del arabe [9]. Mosaico 8:7-10. Revista para la Promoción y Apoyo a la Enseñanza
del Español. Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia del Reino de España, Consejería de Educación y Ciencia en
Bélgica, Países Bajos y Luxemburgo. [Article with convenient, short word lists, grouped by theme. In PDF. Refer
to Mosaico's portal page. [10] ]
• Corriente, Federico. 2003. Diccionario de arabismos y voces afines en iberorromance. (2nd expanded ed.; 1st ed.
1999) Madrid: Gredos. 607 p.
• Real Academia Española (Royal Spanish Academy). Diccionario de la lengua española (DRAE) [2], online.
• Maíllo Salgado, Felipe. 1991/1998. Los arabismos del castellano en la Baja Edad Media : consideraciones
históricas y filológicas. Salamanca: Universidad de Salamanca. 554 p. [2nd ed., corrected and enlarged; 1st ed.
1983]
• Ibid. 1996. Vocabulario de historia árabe e islámica. Madrid: Akal. 330 p.
• Pezzi, Elena. 1995. Arabismos: estudios etimológicos. Almería: Universidad de Almería. 160 p.
• Sola-Solé, Josep María. 1983. Sobre árabes, judíos y marranos y su impacto en la lengua y literatura españolas.
Barcelona: Puvill. 279 p.
• Toro Lillo, Elena. La invasión árabe. Los árabes y el elemento árabe en español. In the Cervantes Virtual Library
[11]
. Includes a brief list of historical sound changes. Useful bibliography.

Selected resource pages of universities and research institutes


• Instituto de Estudios Islámicos y del Oriente Próximo. Search results consisting of Institute publications whose
entries contain the word "arabismos" [12]
• Universidad de Granada. Holdings under the subject "arabismos" [13]

External links
• La invasión árabe. Los árabes y el elemento árabe en español [11], by Elena Toro Lillo; Biblioteca Virtual Miguel
de Cervantes
• Arabic Influences in Various Languages [14]

References
[1] ENSEÑANZA DEL ACERVO LÉXICO ÁRABE DE LA LENGUA ESPAÑOLA (http:/ / cvc. cervantes. es/ ensenanza/ biblioteca_ele/
asele/ pdf/ 13/ 13_0697. pdf) "El léxico español de procedencia árabe es muy abundante: se ha señalado que constituye, aproximadamente, un
8% del vocabulario total".
[2] http:/ / www. rae. es
[3] The Diccionario de la Lengua Española (http:/ / buscon. rae. es/ draeI/ SrvltConsulta?TIPO_BUS=3& LEMA=hasta) of the Real Academia
Española
[4] http:/ / buscon. rae. es/ draeI/ SrvltConsulta?TIPO_BUS=3& LEMA=ojalá DRAE entry
[5] baheyeldin.com/.../portuguese-and-spanish-names-and-their-arabic-equivalents.html
[6] http:/ / www. answers. com/ topic/ guadarrama-1
[7] http:/ / genealogy. about. com/ library/ surnames/ m/ bl_name-MEDINA. htm
[8] http:/ / links. jstor. org/ sici?sici=0041-977X%281985%2948%3A2%3C353%3ALADCEL%3E2. 0. CO%3B2-X
[9] http:/ / www. sgci. mec. es/ be/ media/ pdfs/ articulos/ Mosaico083. pdf
Arabic influence on the Spanish language 36

[10] http:/ / www. sgci. mec. es/ be/ publicaciones/ mosaico/ articulos. htm
[11] http:/ / www. cervantesvirtual. com/ servlet/ SirveObras/ scclng/ 01350531966682286190680/ p0000001. htm
[12] http:/ / www. ieiop. com/ publicaciones/ buscador. php
[13] http:/ / adrastea. ugr. es/ search*spi/ dArabismos/ darabismos/ -3%2C-1%2C0%2CB/ exact& FF=darabismos& 1%2C14%2C
[14] http:/ / www2. ignatius. edu/ faculty/ turner/ arabicspanish. htm
Article Sources and Contributors 37

Article Sources and Contributors


Arabic influence on the Spanish language  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=369379987  Contributors: Aeusoes1, Ahmad2099, An--egyptian--girl, Asterion, Aziz1005,
Belchman, BorgQueen, Burgas00, Cbdorsett, CultureDrone, DH85868993, Davecrosby uk, Dbachmann, Dividing, Drmaik, Dwo, Echuck215, Eekerz, Egypt42, Epf, Eric Shalov, FayssalF,
FilipeS, FordPrefect42, Garcilaso, Gibmetal77, Gobonobo, Gonbal2, Grafen, Gundisalvo, Guzman ramirez, Hameryko, Harriherrihorri, Hempfel, Hippietrail, Hraefen, Hurmata, Hussam al-Hariri,
Hussam ksa, Inahet, Izmir2, J Di, Jagged, Jagged 85, Jeff3000, Jidan, John, John254, Joseph Solis in Australia, Jotamar, Karimobo, Khaled hosny, Kotabatubara, Kwamikagami, LilHelpa, Locos
epraix, Louanna007, MK8, Madler, Marquez, Martin253, MartinezMD, Mboverload, Mellamoandres, Misheu, Nordisk varg, Not home, P.4.P. No. 1, Pradiptaray, R9tgokunks, Ramirez72,
Randomlychaotic, Richard Ye, Rofl, Sahfrei, Sebatianalfar, Severo, Sirmylesnagopaleentheda, Sobreira, Suirea, Szfski, TDogg310, Tabletop, Thiseye, TrueColour, Wachowich,
WereSpielChequers, 185 anonymous edits

Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors


Image:Mosque of Cordoba Spain.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Mosque_of_Cordoba_Spain.jpg  License: GNU Free Documentation License  Contributors: Steven
J. Dunlop, Nerstrand, MN
Image:Corn Poppy (Papaver rhoeas).jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Corn_Poppy_(Papaver_rhoeas).jpg  License: GNU Free Documentation License  Contributors:
User:Midimacman
Image:ChessSet.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:ChessSet.jpg  License: GNU Free Documentation License  Contributors: Andrew69., BrokenSegue, Dbenbenn,
Interpretix, Roberto Cruz, 2 anonymous edits
Image:Black scorpion.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Black_scorpion.jpg  License: GNU Free Documentation License  Contributors: Dbenbenn, EugeneZelenko,
Inductiveload, Kilom691, Santana-freitas, 1 anonymous edits

License
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported
http:/ / creativecommons. org/ licenses/ by-sa/ 3. 0/

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