POST 8: Asif, the Mechanic

How Do You Say “Mechanic” in Arabic?

Quick answer: A mechanic is ميكانيكي (mīkānīkī), pronounced mee-kaa-NEE-kee. A car mechanic is ميكانيكي سيارات (mīkānīkī sayyārāt). A more Arabic-rooted option is مصلّح سيارات (muṣliḥ sayyārāt), “car repairer.”

Meet Asif, the Mechanic from Eastern Saudi Arabia

The east is home to Saudi Arabia’s oil fields, so engines are a way of life. Asif keeps them running as one of the [Eastern Shabby Little Fellas → Hub link].

How Do You Pronounce Mīkānīkī?

Say mee-kaa-NEE-kee, with the stress on the third syllable.

Where Do the Words Come From?

Mīkānīkī is borrowed from the English “mechanic,” with the Arabic -ī ending, as in bustānī (gardener). → [Meet Sara the Gardener] The Arabic word for engine, muḥarrik (محرّك), comes from ح-ر-ك (to move). Ḥaraka (حركة) means movement, and the vowel marks in Arabic are called ḥarakāt (حركات). Sayyāra (سيارة), car, comes from sāra, “he travelled.”

How Do You Say “He Is a Mechanic” in Arabic?

هو ميكانيكي (Huwa mīkānīkī).

FAQ

• What is the Arabic word for car? سيارة (sayyāra).
• What is the Arabic word for engine? محرّك (muḥarrik).
• What is the Arabic word for tyre? إطار (iṭār).
• What is the Arabic word for oil? زيت (zayt), the same word as in olive oil. → [Meet Aisha the Olive Grower]
• What is the Arabic word for garage or workshop? ورشة (warsha). → [Meet Na’if the Handyman]

Take Asif home: [Eid cards] Next: [See all 8 Eastern Fellas →]