Loading...
Zipper
#14
السّوستة (al-sūstah) is the Arabic word for 'zipper,' a fastening device consisting of two rows of interlocking teeth. This modern loanword, derived from English, is commonly used in everyday Arabic to refer to zippers on clothing, bags, and other items. It's a feminine noun and is widely understood across Arabic-speaking regions.
Worksheets, games, and lesson plans for Years 1-11 — completely free
Get a new Arabic word delivered to your inbox every day — with pronunciation, meaning, and cultural context.
السّوستة في معطفي مكسورة.
al-sūstah fī ma'ṭafī maksūrah.
The zipper on my coat is broken.
أغلقت السّوستة قبل أن تغادر.
Aghlaḳt al-sūstah qabla an taghādir.
She closed the zipper before leaving.
هذه الحقيبة لها سوستة قوية جداً.
Hādhihi al-ḥaqībah lahā sūstah qawiyyah jiddan.
This bag has a very strong zipper.
فتح الولد السّوستة ببطء.
Fataḥ al-walad al-sūstah bibuṭ'.
The boy opened the zipper slowly.
تعطلت السّوستة في وسط الملابس.
Ta'aṭṭalat al-sūstah fī wasaṭ al-malābis.
The zipper got stuck in the middle of the clothes.
السّوستة is a relatively modern addition to Arabic vocabulary, reflecting the influence of English in contemporary Arabic, particularly in fashion and everyday products. The word is used consistently across different Arabic-speaking countries, making it a universally recognized term. While traditional Arabic might use more descriptive phrases, السّوستة has become the standard modern term for zippers in both casual conversation and commercial contexts.
السّوستة is feminine (al-sūstah), so use feminine adjectives and verbs when describing or discussing it. The word is typically used with the definite article 'al-' (السّ) when referring to a specific zipper. Remember that verbs associated with zippers use the feminine form: 'closed' (مكسورة maksūrah) or 'broken' (مكسورة maksūrah) agree with the feminine noun.
السّوستة (al-sūstah) is the modern Arabic word for 'zipper,' a common fastening device used on clothing, bags, and other items. This feminine noun has become the standard term across Arabic-speaking regions for describing the interlocking teeth mechanism that opens and closes garments. As a loanword borrowed from English, it reflects the modern, globalized nature of contemporary Arabic vocabulary.
السّوستة is a feminine noun in Arabic. This is important for learners because it affects how you describe or modify it with adjectives and verbs. For example, if you want to say 'the zipper is broken,' you would use the feminine form: 'السّوستة مكسورة' (al-sūstah maksūrah), not the masculine form. When using verbs with السّوستة, they must also agree with the feminine gender of the noun.
Like many modern technological terms in Arabic, السّوستة is a loanword that entered the language through English. This word is particularly common in fashion, textiles, and everyday conversations about clothing and accessories. It has become so universally adopted that it's used in formal writing, advertising, and informal speech across countries from Morocco to the Gulf states.
Understanding السّوستة requires seeing it in context. For instance, 'السّوستة في معطفي مكسورة' (al-sūstah fī ma'ṭafī maksūrah) means 'The zipper on my coat is broken.' Another common usage is 'أغلقت السّوستة قبل أن تغادر' (Aghlaḳt al-sūstah qabla an taghādir), which means 'She closed the zipper before leaving.' These examples show how السّوستة is used in everyday situations.
In Arabic-speaking cultures, fashion and clothing are important aspects of daily life. The introduction of modern fastening devices like zippers marked a significant change in how clothing was designed and manufactured. السّوستة became the natural term for this innovation, and its widespread adoption shows how Arabic continues to evolve with technological and cultural changes. Understanding this word is essential for anyone shopping for clothes or discussing fashion in Arabic.
Several common phrases help you use السّوستة correctly in conversation:
When discussing زippers and clothing, you might encounter related words such as:
When using السّوستة, remember to maintain feminine agreement with adjectives and verbs. Don't confuse it with other fasteners like buttons (أزرار - azrār) or snaps (المشابك - al-mashābik). Practice using it in sentences about your own clothing to make it more memorable. Since this is a modern loanword, it's widely understood even in formal contexts, making it a safe choice for any situation where you need to discuss zippers in Arabic.