Buzz
In my previous post on Mytour, I shared a list titled 'Top 10 English Words of Arabic Origin.' Some readers pointed out a discrepancy between the title and some of the words listed (for example, 'jihad' isn't really an 'English word,' but rather the English adaptation of an Arabic/Islamic concept). While that criticism may hold some weight, it’s worth remembering that titles can be tricky, and the purpose of these lists is mainly for fun and education for those who have an interest in etymology, history, and related fields. So, here’s another list featuring terms that caught my eye while I was studying foreign languages. As always, let the critics be critical – not sure how to say that in Arabic or Spanish though.
Islamic forces made up of Arabs and Berbers began their conquest of the Iberian Peninsula in 711, and they stayed in the region until their final expulsion in 1492. Naturally, this invasion left a lasting mark on the language of the conquered territories. Below, you’ll find several Spanish expressions that owe their origins to this significant period in history.
*Note: The transliterations of Arabic terms provided here are based on my personal interpretation, as there is no universally accepted standard for this.
10. Asesino Assassin
I regret not including this term in my previous list, especially since I did a college report on its etymology. Several readers pointed out its absence as well. The term traces back to the Crusades and originates from 'حشاشيين – hashasheen,' which translates to 'smokers of hash.' Legend has it that this label was given to a group of warriors who received their commands from a mysterious figure known as the 'old man in the mountains.' These assassins were likely part of the Ismaili branch of Shia Islam in Syria. They became infamous for eliminating key figures threatening their cause, carrying out the killing without attempting to flee. There are two theories regarding their connection to drugs. One suggests the warriors used hashish to bolster courage and dull the fear associated with political assassination. The other, more dramatic theory, claims they were indulged in all sorts of pleasures—narcotics included—by their commander in their mountain stronghold. This paradise-like existence supposedly motivated them to carry out their assignments without hesitation, fully expecting to return to their earthly paradise in the afterlife, blissfully untouched by fear or regret.
9. Alfil Chess Piece
I first encountered this term while watching the latest Sherlock Holmes film with Spanish subtitles (a great tool for keeping up with a foreign language). It comes from the Arabic word for 'elephant,' and refers to what English-speaking players know as the 'bishop' piece in chess. The game of chess likely originated in India and spread to the Arabic world via Persia. Since the Persian word for elephant is the same as the Arabic 'fil – فيل,' it could be more accurate to classify this as a Spanish word of Persian origin. But then again, such is the winding journey of etymology.
8. Alhambra
Although not so much a word as a place name, Alhambra is a stunning historical landmark that takes its name from the Arabic 'الحمراء – alhamra,' which means 'the red one.' It was the site of the 1492 surrender of the Muslim Kingdom of Granada, marking the end of Islamic rule in Iberia and the rise of colonial Spain. Interestingly, the fort itself was never attacked during the Reconquista, meaning it stands today as a remarkable example of Moorish architecture in Spain.
7. Hasta Until
This word carries a similar meaning to the English word 'until' and comes from the Arabic 'حتى – hata,' which is a preposition with an almost identical meaning (prepositions are always tricky to translate precisely). Perhaps more than any other term on this list, this example highlights the profound impact Arabic has had on the Spanish language. While nouns and verbs—particularly those related to new technology or social phenomena—often make their way between languages, I can't think of another instance in my own limited linguistic experience where a preposition from a foreign language replaces the original form of the same word in the native language.
6. Ojala Hopefully
English-speaking students of Spanish will likely recognize this term from their subjunctive tense lessons. Meaning 'hopefully,' it originates from the Arabic phrase 'لو شاء لله – wa sha allah,' which translates to 'should God will it.' Because the subjunctive mood is often used to express wishes or uncertain outcomes, this term is always used in that context. ¡Ojala que recuerde este lexicón para su próximo examen!
5. Aciete Oil
Derived from the Arabic word 'الزيت – az-zait,' this term refers to the liquid extracted from olives, not to be confused with fossil fuels. Interestingly, the Portuguese word is phonetically similar, and other languages likely have related terms as well.
4. Almohada Pillow
By now, readers may have noticed that many of the terms on this list begin with the letter 'a.' This is due to the Arabic definite article 'ال – al,' which has been preserved in numerous loanwords. It's unclear whether this word replaced an existing Spanish term or if the concept of a padded fabric pillow was introduced to Spain by Islamic invaders.
3. Adobe
While I’m not sure how this term became the name for the ubiquitous software that keeps begging for updates, the mud brick structures it refers to have a much older and understandable origin. Here’s the explanation I found on Wikipedia, and I see no reason to alter it:
The word traces back to Middle Egyptian (around 2000 BC) with the term 'dj-b-t,' meaning 'mud [i.e., sun-dried] brick.' As Middle Egyptian evolved into Late Egyptian, Demotic, and then Coptic (around 600 BC), 'dj-b-t' became 'tobe,' which still meant '[mud] brick.' This term was borrowed into Arabic as 'al-tub' (الطّوب), combining 'al' meaning 'the' and 'tub' for 'brick.' Eventually, it made its way into Old Spanish as 'adobe' [aˈdobe], keeping the same meaning of 'mud brick.'
2. Rehén Hostage
The origin of the Arabic word 'رهين – raheen' stems from the meaning 'to deposit as security.' I first encountered this term a few years back, and it inspired me to explore the linguistic connection between Arabic and Spanish. Unfortunately, I don’t have more detailed etymological insights to enrich this entry, but I still found it intriguing enough to include.
1. Azúcar Sugar
The sweetest word on the list and, unsurprisingly, a food-related one. Like 'alfil,' it made its way to Spanish from India through Persian and Arabic. This word has spread across many languages around the world.
