Culture & Etiquette

9 phrases · Sudanese Arabic with romanization, English and audio

  1. كسرة

    Kisra

    Kisra (thin staple flatbread)

    Usage

    A thin bread that is central to home cooking in Sudan. You tear it by hand and dip it in stew. The general word for bread is a different one, "عيش"

    Grammar Note

    It is spelled like the standard word for "fragment", but in Sudan it names the staple bread. The vowels are inferred. A single-word card; native review recommended

  2. ملاح

    Mulāḥ

    Mulah (stew eaten with kisra)

    Usage

    A general word for the stew or sauce eaten with kisra. Ingredients and flavour vary by family and region

    Grammar Note

    In Sudan "ملاح" names a stew-like dish. The vowels are inferred. A single-word card; native review recommended

  3. عصيدة

    ʿAṣīda

    Aseeda (a porridge-like dish of cooked flour)

    Usage

    A warm dish made from cooked flour, eaten with milk and sugar or with stew. It may be served at breakfast or to guests

    Grammar Note

    The vowels are inferred. A single-word card; native review recommended

  4. ست الشاي

    Sitt ish-shāy

    Sitt ish-shay (the woman who sells tea at a roadside stall)

    Usage

    A woman who serves tea and coffee on the street or under a tree. Her spot is also where people sit and chat, an emblem of daily life in Sudan. "ست" is a respectful word for a woman

    Grammar Note

    "Noun + definite noun" names the person associated with something. A single-phrase card; native review recommended

  5. جلابية

    Jallābiyya

    Jallabiya (long traditional robe)

    Usage

    A long, usually white garment worn by men, from daily wear to formal occasions. A turban is sometimes worn with it

    Grammar Note

    A single-word card; native review recommended

  6. توب

    Tōb

    Tobe (long cloth worn by women)

    Usage

    A long cloth women wrap around the body and head, in many colours and patterns. It is also given as a gift. Ask before photographing someone wearing it

    Grammar Note

    "توب" means cloth or garment and is a different word from the identically spelled "repent". The vowels are inferred. A single-word card; native review recommended

  7. عنقريب

    ʿAngarīb

    Angareeb (traditional bed with a wooden frame and woven cords)

    Usage

    A breezy bed that people also use to sleep outdoors on hot nights, and as a seat for tea and chatting

    Grammar Note

    A single-word card; native review recommended

  8. عمة

    ʿImma

    Imma (turban of long cloth worn by men)

    Usage

    A long cloth men wind around the head to go with the jallabiya. The length and the way of winding vary from person to person

    Grammar Note

    It is spelled like the word for "paternal aunt", a different word told apart by context. The vowels are inferred. A single-word card; native review recommended

  9. دلوكة

    Dalūka

    Daluka (hand drum)

    Usage

    A drum played at celebrations such as weddings, often to accompany dancing

    Grammar Note

    The vowels are inferred. A single-word card; native review recommended

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