POST 7: Samir, Chef

How Do You Say “Chef” or “Cook” in Arabic?

Quick answer: The everyday Arabic word for chef or cook is طبّاخ (ṭabbākh), pronounced tab-BAAKH. Many people also say شيف (shīf), borrowed from “chef.”

Meet Samir, the Chef from Northern Saudi Arabia

Samir runs the kitchen as one of the [Northern Shabby Little Fellas → Hub link]. [Personality line.]

How Do You Pronounce Ṭabbākh?

Say tab-BAAKH. The ṭ is a heavier, deeper “t,” and the kh is a scratchy sound from the back of the throat, like “loch.”

Where Does the Word Ṭabbākh Come From?

It comes from the root ط-ب-خ (to cook). Ṭabkh (طبخ) is cooking, and maṭbakh (مطبخ) is the kitchen. It uses the same job-title pattern as ḥaddād and khabbāz.

How Do You Say “Samir Is a Chef” in Arabic?

سمير طبّاخ (Samīr ṭabbākh).

FAQ

• What is the Arabic word for kitchen? مطبخ (maṭbakh).
• What’s the difference between ṭabbākh and ṭāhī? Ṭabbākh is the everyday word for a cook. Ṭāhī (طاهي) is more formal and often used in writing. → [Meet Nasreen the Chef]
• How do you say a female cook? طبّاخة (ṭabbākha).

Take Samir home: [Chefs Apron] Next: [Meet Nasreen the Chef →]