POST 7: Karima, the Zoologist

How Do You Say “Zoologist” in Arabic?

Quick answer: A female zoologist is عالمة حيوان (ʿālimat ḥayawān), literally “scholar of animals,” pronounced AA-li-mat ha-ya-WAAN. A man is عالم حيوان (ʿālim ḥayawān). Zoology is علم الحيوان (ʿilm al-ḥayawān).

Meet Karima, the Zoologist from Eastern Saudi Arabia

Karima studies the animals of Arabia as one of the [Eastern Shabby Little Fellas → Hub link].

How Do You Pronounce ʿĀlimat Ḥayawān?

Say AA-li-mat ha-ya-WAAN. The ʿ is the deep throat ʿayn sound, and the ḥ is a soft, breathy “h” from the throat.

Where Do the Words Come From?

ʿĀlima comes from ʿilm (علم), knowledge, the same word as Talib’s archaeologist, ʿālim āthār. → [Meet Talib the Archaeologist] Ḥayawān comes from ح-ي-ي (life), and ḥayāh (حياة) means “life,” so an animal is a “living being.”

How Do You Say “Karima Is a Zoologist” in Arabic?

كريمة عالمة حيوان (Karīma ʿālimat ḥayawān).

FAQ

• What is the Arabic word for animal? حيوان (ḥayawān), plural حيوانات (ḥayawānāt).
• What are the Arabic words for camel, horse, and falcon? جمل (jamal), حصان (ḥiṣān), and صقر (ṣaqr).
• What is the Arabic word for veterinarian? طبيب بيطري (ṭabīb bayṭarī).
• What is the Arabic word for life? حياة (ḥayāh).

Take Karima home: [Eastern Eid Cards] Next: [Meet Asif the Mechanic →]