POST 6: Zina, the Goldsmith

How Do You Say “Goldsmith” in Arabic?

Quick answer: A goldsmith is صائغ ذهب (ṣāʾigh dhahab) for a man and صائغة ذهب (ṣāʾigha dhahab) for a woman, pronounced SAA-i-gha DHA-hab. It’s the same word as Hawdah’s silversmith. Only the metal changes.

Meet Zina, the Goldsmith from Eastern Saudi Arabia

Zina shapes gold as one of the [Eastern Shabby Little Fellas → Hub link]. [Personality line.]

How Do You Pronounce Ṣāʾigha Dhahab?

Say SAA-i-gha DHA-hab. The ṣ is a heavier, deeper “s,” the gh is a gargled sound like the French “r,” and the dh is like the “th” in “this.”

Where Do the Words Come From?

Ṣāʾigh comes from the root ص-و-غ (to shape or mould), and ṣiyāgha (صياغة) is jewellery-making. → [Meet Hawdah the Silversmith] Dhahab (ذهب) means gold. The same three letters also spell dhahaba, “he went.”

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

هي صائغة ذهب (Hiya ṣāʾigha dhahab).

FAQ

• What is the Arabic word for gold? ذهب (dhahab).
• What is the Arabic word for necklace? قلادة (qilāda) or عقد (ʿiqd).
• What is the Arabic word for bracelet? سوار (siwār).
• What is the Arabic word for carat? قيراط (qīrāṭ). The English word “carat” traces back to it.

Take Zina home: [Keychain] Next: [Meet Karima the Zoologist →]