POST 8: Hala, the Seamstress

How Do You Say “Seamstress” in Arabic?

Quick answer: A seamstress is خيّاطة (khayyāṭa), pronounced khay-YAA-ṭa. The masculine form, خيّاط (khayyāṭ), means tailor.

Meet Hala, the Seamstress from Southern Saudi Arabia

Hala stitches and mends as one of the [Southern Shabby Little Fellas → Hub link].

How Do You Pronounce Khayyāṭa?

Say khay-YAA-ṭa. The kh is a scratchy sound from the back of the throat, and the ṭ is a heavier, deeper “t.”

Where Does the Word Khayyāṭa Come From?

It comes from the root خ-ي-ط. Khayṭ (خيط) is thread, khāṭa means “he sewed,” and khiyāṭa (خياطة) is sewing. It uses the same job-title pattern as ḥaddād and khabbāz. → [Meet Khalid the Baker]

How Do You Say “She Is a Seamstress” in Arabic?

هي خيّاطة (Hiya khayyāṭa).

FAQ

• What is the Arabic word for needle? إبرة (ibra).
• What is the Arabic word for thread? خيط (khayṭ).
• What is a sewing machine in Arabic? ماكينة خياطة (mākīnat khiyāṭa).
• Are tailor and seamstress different words? No. It’s the same word, with the feminine ending -a for a woman.

Take Hala home: [Plush Cushion] Next: [Meet Dana the Beautician →]