POST 4: Mariyam, the Citrus Fruit Farmer

How Do You Say “Citrus Fruit Farmer” in Arabic?

Quick answer: A citrus fruit farmer is مزارع حمضيات (muzāriʿ ḥamaḍiyyāt) for a man and مزارعة حمضيات (muzāriʿat ḥamaḍiyyāt) for a woman. Ḥamaḍiyyāt means citrus fruits.

Meet Mariyam, the Citrus Fruit Farmer from Eastern Saudi Arabia

Mariyam tends her citrus trees as one of the [Eastern Shabby Little Fellas → Hub link].

How Do You Pronounce Muzāriʿat Ḥamaḍiyyāt?

Say mu-ZAA-ri-ʿat ha-ma-diy-YAAT. The ḥ is a soft, breathy “h” from the throat, and the ḍ is a heavier, deeper “d.”

Where Do the Words Come From?

Ḥamaḍiyyāt comes from the root ح-م-ض (to be sour). Ḥāmiḍ (حامض) means sour, and ḥamḍ (حمض) means acid, so citrus fruits are “the sour ones.” Muzāriʿa is the same farmer word as in Aisha’s post. → [Meet Aisha the Olive Grower]

How Do You Say “Mariyam Is a Citrus Farmer” in Arabic?

مريم مزارعة حمضيات (Maryam muzāriʿat ḥamaḍiyyāt).

FAQ

• What is the Arabic word for orange? برتقال (burtuqāl), which comes from the word “Portugal.”
• What is the Arabic word for lemon? ليمون (laymūn). The English words “lemon” and “lime” trace back to it.
• What is the Arabic word for sour? حامض (ḥāmiḍ).
• What is the Arabic word for sweet? حلو (ḥulw).

Take Mariyam home: [Teatowel] Next: [Meet Abdel-karim the Pearl Merchant →]