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maqhā
café
#12
مقهى (maqhā) is a masculine noun meaning 'café' or 'coffeehouse,' referring to a public establishment where people gather to drink coffee, tea, and other beverages while socializing. It is a common word used throughout the Arab world and represents an important social institution in Arab culture. The word can also refer to the building or physical space itself.
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أحب أن أذهب إلى المقهى كل صباح لشرب القهوة.
Aḥibbu an adhhaba ilā al-maqhā kulla sabāḥ li-sharāb al-qahwa.
I love to go to the café every morning to drink coffee.
التقيت بصديقي في المقهى بعد العمل.
Al-taqaytu bi-ṣadīqī fī al-maqhā ba'da al-'amal.
I met my friend at the café after work.
المقهى الجديد بجانب المسجد جميل جداً.
Al-maqhā al-jadīd bi-jānib al-masjid jamīl jiddan.
The new café next to the mosque is very beautiful.
نحن نقضي الوقت في المقهى كل يوم جمعة.
Naḥnu naqḍī al-waqt fī al-maqhā kull yawm jum'a.
We spend time at the café every Friday.
صاحب المقهى شخص لطيف جداً.
Ṣāḥib al-maqhā shakhṣ laṭīf jiddan.
The café owner is a very nice person.
The café (مقهى) holds special significance in Arab culture as a social gathering place where people meet to discuss politics, business, philosophy, and daily life. These establishments often serve traditional Arabic coffee (qahwa), tea, and sometimes light refreshments, and are places where conversations can last for hours. The café culture is deeply rooted in Arab tradition and represents a central element of social interaction and community life.
Remember that مقهى is masculine, so use masculine adjectives and verbs when describing it (e.g., 'المقهى الجميل' - the beautiful café, not 'الجميلة'). You can use 'في المقهى' (in the café) or 'إلى المقهى' (to the café) depending on whether you mean location or movement. The word is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts across all Arabic-speaking regions.
مقهى (maqhā) is a masculine Arabic noun that means 'café' or 'coffeehouse.' It refers to a public establishment where people gather to drink beverages, primarily coffee and tea, while engaging in social activities. This word is fundamental to understanding Arab social culture and is used consistently across all Arabic-speaking regions, from Morocco to the Gulf States.
The word مقهى comes from the Arabic root ق-ه-و (q-h-w), which relates to coffee. While مقهى typically means the establishment itself, the related word قهوة (qahwa) can mean both the beverage 'coffee' and the coffeehouse, though مقهى is the more specific term for the physical location.
The word مقهى is pronounced 'maqhā' (sometimes spelled 'maqha' in English transliteration). The 'q' is a guttural sound from the throat, and the final 'ā' is a long vowel. In casual speech, Arabs may shorten it to just 'maqha' without the final vowel emphasis.
مقهى is a masculine noun in Arabic, which means:
Common prepositions used with مقهى include:
The café occupies a unique place in Arab society that differs significantly from Western café culture. The traditional Arab café (مقهى عربية) is not just a place to consume beverages; it is a social institution where intellectual discourse, business dealings, and community bonding occur. Historically, cafés were centers of learning and discussion, where poets, philosophers, and scholars would gather.
In modern times, the café remains an important social hub. People visit cafés not just for coffee but to spend time with friends and family, conduct business meetings, play traditional games like dominoes or chess, and watch sports or news on television. Extended conversations are common, and it is not unusual for someone to spend several hours at a café nursing a single cup of coffee.
The Arabic phrase 'في المقهى' (in the café) is extremely common in everyday conversation. Arabs regularly say 'سأراك في المقهى' (I'll see you at the café) to arrange meetings. The café serves as a social meeting point, similar to how a coffee shop might function in English-speaking cultures, but with deeper cultural roots and more elaborate social protocols.
Common activities at the café include:
When learning about مقهى, it is helpful to know related words:
While مقهى is the standard classical and colloquial Arabic term, variations exist:
Younger Arabs and those in urban areas may use the English loanword 'كافيه,' but مقهى remains the traditional and widely understood term across all age groups and regions.
For English speakers learning Arabic, مقهى is an essential word for daily communication. Remember that:
مقهى (maqhā) represents much more than just a physical location to buy coffee. It embodies Arab social culture, hospitality, and the tradition of community gathering. Mastering this word and understanding its cultural context will greatly enhance your ability to communicate naturally in Arabic and appreciate the social fabric of Arab life.