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Shrimp
الروبيان (al-rubiyān) is the Arabic word for shrimp or prawn, referring to the small crustacean commonly used in cooking throughout the Arab world. This noun is masculine and is widely used in culinary contexts, markets, and restaurants across Arabic-speaking regions. It represents an important seafood staple in Mediterranean and Gulf Arab cuisines.
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أحب أن أطبخ الروبيان مع الثوم والليمون.
Aḥibb an aṭbukha al-rubiyān maʿa al-thūm wa-al-laymūn.
I love to cook shrimp with garlic and lemon.
سعر الروبيان مرتفع هذا الأسبوع في السوق.
Saʿr al-rubiyān murtafaʿ hādhā al-usbūʿ fī al-sūq.
The price of shrimp is high this week at the market.
يقدمون طبق الروبيان المقلي في هذا المطعم.
Yuqaddimūn ṭabaq al-rubiyān al-muqallá fī hādhā al-maṭʿam.
They serve fried shrimp dish at this restaurant.
الروبيان غني بالبروتينات والفيتامينات.
Al-rubiyān ghanī bi-al-brūtīnāt wa-al-fītāmīnāt.
Shrimp is rich in proteins and vitamins.
اشتريت كيلو من الروبيان الطازج.
Ishtarayt kīlū min al-rubiyān al-ṭāzij.
I bought a kilogram of fresh shrimp.
Shrimp is a beloved ingredient in Arab cuisine, particularly in Gulf and Levantine cooking, where it features prominently in dishes like sayadiyah (fish with rice) and grilled preparations. In Islamic dietary laws, shrimp is permissible (halal) as it is considered a type of seafood, making it widely consumed across the Muslim Arab world. The word الروبيان is commonly heard in fish markets, restaurants, and home kitchens throughout the Middle East and North Africa.
Remember that الروبيان is a masculine noun, so adjectives and verbs agreeing with it should follow masculine forms. When ordering at restaurants or shopping at markets, use the definite form 'al-rubiyān' or specify quantities like 'كيلو روبيان' (kilo of shrimp). The word is commonly paired with cooking methods like 'مقلي' (fried), 'مشوي' (grilled), or 'مسلوق' (boiled).
The Arabic word الروبيان (al-rubiyān) is the standard term for shrimp or prawn in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) and is widely used across the Arab world, particularly in the Levant, Gulf states, and North Africa. This masculine noun refers to the small crustacean that thrives in both saltwater and freshwater environments and is a staple ingredient in Arab cuisine.
The word الروبيان is pronounced as "al-roo-bee-yan" with emphasis on the second syllable. The Arabic spelling الروبيان uses the root letters ر-ب-ي (r-b-y), and the definite article ال (al-) is commonly attached when referring to shrimp in general or in specific contexts.
As a masculine noun in Arabic, الروبيان requires masculine agreement with adjectives and verbs. For example:
When used in sentences, the word maintains its masculine form regardless of context. Plural forms and quantity expressions follow standard Arabic patterns, such as "كيلو من الروبيان" (kilogram of shrimp) or "أرطال الروبيان" (pounds of shrimp).
In Arab cooking, شرم is prepared in numerous ways, reflecting regional traditions and preferences. Common preparations include:
These dishes are particularly popular in coastal regions and cities with strong seafood traditions.
Shrimp holds an important place in Arab culinary traditions, especially in Gulf cuisine where it appears in signature dishes and is often served at celebrations and family gatherings. The ingredient is religiously permissible (halal) in Islamic dietary law, as seafood is generally considered lawful for consumption. Markets in Arab cities feature dedicated seafood sections where fresh شرم is sold daily, and the availability and price of shrimp often reflect seasonal variations and supply from local fishing industries.
When learning الروبيان, it's helpful to encounter it in practical contexts such as restaurant menus, cooking recipes, or market conversations. This helps reinforce the word's usage and allows learners to understand how it's naturally used in everyday Arabic speech. Listening to how native speakers describe shrimp dishes or discuss prices at markets provides valuable exposure to authentic language use.
Understanding الروبيان becomes easier when learned alongside related seafood terms such as السمك (fish), الأسماك (fishes), and المأكولات البحرية (seafood in general). This contextual learning approach helps build a comprehensive vocabulary around Arab food culture and market terminology.