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kuzburra
Cilantro
كزبرة (kuzburra) is the Arabic word for cilantro, a leafy green herb commonly used in Middle Eastern, North African, and Asian cuisines. This noun refers to both the fresh leaves and the plant itself, and is essential in many traditional dishes across the Arab world. It's pronounced with emphasis on the first syllable and is used in both culinary and everyday contexts.
Worksheets, games, and lesson plans for Years 1-11
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أضفت الكزبرة الطازجة إلى السلطة.
Adaftu al-kuzburra al-taza ilaa al-salata.
I added fresh cilantro to the salad.
الكزبرة تعطي نكهة جميلة للطعام.
Al-kuzburra ta'ti nakhwa jamila lil-ta'am.
Cilantro gives a beautiful flavor to the food.
هل تحب الكزبرة في الحمص؟
Hal tuhibb al-kuzburra fi al-hummus?
Do you like cilantro in hummus?
اشتريت حزمة من الكزبرة من السوق.
Ishtarayt hazma min al-kuzburra min al-suq.
I bought a bunch of cilantro from the market.
الكزبرة الطازجة أفضل من المجففة.
Al-kuzburra al-taza afdal min al-mujaffafa.
Fresh cilantro is better than dried.
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Cilantro holds a special place in Arab cuisine, particularly in Levantine, Egyptian, and Moroccan cooking. It's a staple ingredient in dishes like tabbouleh, baba ganoush, and various salads, where its distinctive fresh and slightly citrusy flavor is highly valued. The herb is so integral to Arab culinary tradition that it appears in markets year-round and is often grown in home gardens throughout the Middle East and North Africa.
When learning this word, remember that كزبرة is always feminine in Arabic, so adjectives and verbs associated with it should agree grammatically. In spoken Arabic, you may hear regional variations like 'kisbara' or 'qasbara,' but كزبرة is the standard written form. Always pair it with definite or indefinite articles appropriately (الكزبرة for 'the cilantro' or كزبرة for 'cilantro').
The Arabic word كزبرة (kuzburra) refers to cilantro, a vibrant green herb that's fundamental to Arab and Middle Eastern cuisine. This everyday word is essential for anyone learning Arabic, especially those interested in cooking or discussing food.
كزبرة is pronounced "kuz-BUR-ra" with the stress on the second syllable. The word is spelled with the Arabic letters: ك (kaf), ز (zay), ب (ba), ر (ra), and ة (ta marbuta). In modern written Arabic, this is the standard spelling, though you may encounter regional variations in spoken dialects.
كزبرة is a feminine noun that refers to both the cilantro plant and its fresh green leaves. It's used in culinary contexts to describe the herb itself, whether fresh or dried, and appears frequently in recipes, cooking instructions, and food-related conversations. The word can be used with the definite article (الكزبرة) to mean "the cilantro" or without it (كزبرة) to mean "cilantro" in general.
Cilantro is far more than just a garnish in Arab cuisine—it's a cornerstone ingredient. From the Levantine region to North Africa, fresh cilantro appears in countless dishes including tabbouleh, fattoush salad, various dips like hummus and baba ganoush, and Middle Eastern rice dishes. The herb's distinctive flavor—fresh, slightly citrusy, and aromatic—is beloved by most Arabs, though some people have a genetic variation that makes it taste soapy to them.
When shopping for groceries, you might ask for "كزبرة طازجة" (fresh cilantro). In recipes, you'll see instructions like "أضف الكزبرة" (add the cilantro) or "رش الكزبرة" (sprinkle cilantro). The phrase "أوراق الكزبرة" specifically refers to cilantro leaves, distinguishing them from other parts of the plant.
Cilantro belongs to a broader category of herbs in Arabic cooking. Related words include:
Understanding these related words helps build a comprehensive vocabulary for discussing ingredients and cooking in Arabic.
While كزبرة is the Modern Standard Arabic form, you may hear dialectal variations:
Regardless of pronunciation variations, understanding the standard form كزبرة will serve you well across the Arab world.
When studying this word, remember that it's always grammatically feminine in Arabic. This means adjectives and past tense verbs must agree with feminine forms. For example, "الكزبرة طازجة" (the cilantro is fresh) uses the feminine adjective ending. Practice using it in complete sentences about cooking to reinforce both vocabulary and grammar.