Appendix:Arabic influence on Spanish

Estimates of the number of Arabic loanwords in the Spanish language range from 2000 to 3000 words, a majority of which are nouns, with a more limited number of verbs, adjectives, adverbs and prepositions, thus not substantially changing the grammar or basic structure of the language. The exact number of words of Arabic origin in Spanish is not known. Many Arabisms not included on this list are regionalisms: words which are used in certain parts of Spain and/or Latin America but are generally unknown elsewhere.

Methodology

This is an open list of Spanish words acquired directly from Classical and Andalusian Arabic, listed in alphabetical order. This list includes the Spanish meaning of the word as well as the Arabic etymology. No fixed standard of Arabic transliteration is used. Due to the heavy influence of Arabic on Spanish, this list is relatively restrictive:

• Only words which have passed directly from Arabic are included. Arabic words which entered the Spanish language through other, non-Iberian, European languages (such as beduino, sofá or sorbete) are not included.

• Only Spanish root words are listed, derivations not being included. For example, aceite (from az-zeit, oil) is included but not aceitería, aceitero, aceitón or aceitoso. On the other hand, aceituna (olive) is included since it derives not from الزيت az-zeit but from الزيتونَة az-zeituna in Arabic, even though the root of the Arabic word is the same. An exception to this rule may be made when the derived word is much more commonly used than the root word or when it is not evident that one is derived from the other (e.g., horro and ahorrar).

• Words derived from Mozarabic are not included (Mozarabic being fundamentally a Romance language), unless the Mozarabic word is itself derived from classical Arabic.

• Words acquired from Berber or Hebrew (or other Afroasiatic languages) are not included.

The etymology and meaning of most of these words can be verified on the site of the Real Academia de la Lengua Española, although a small minority are only available in past editions of this dictionary.

A

1. ababol: silly or thoughtless person. Used mainly in the Spanish region of Aragon. Poppy. In Aragon, Navarre, Albacete and Murcia. From Andalusian Arabic Happapáwr, a fusion of the Arabic word ħabb (حب) "seed" and the Latin papāver.
2. abacero: owner of an abacería, small food shop. From Andalusi Arabic /ʂaħb azzād/ (صاحب الزاد) "owner of the supplies."
3. abadí: descendant/lineage of Mohammed ben Abad, founder of the Taifa Kingdom of Seville in the 11th century AD. From Andalusi Arabic abbadi (عَبَّادِيّ).
4. abalorio: cheap jewelry; jewelry beads. From Andalusi Arabic al balluri (البِلَّوْرِيّ (al-billawriyy)) "made of glass."
5. abarraz: stavesacre (Delphinium staphisagria), a medicinal plant. From Andalusi Arabic ħabb ar-ra’s (حب الرأس) "head seeds."
6. abasí: pertaining to the Abbasid dynasty, which overthrew the Umayyads in the 8th century.
7. abelmosco: musk seeds, an aromatic plant. From Andalusi Arabic ħabb al-musk (حب المسك) literally "musk seeds."
8. abencerraje: used in expression: "Zegríes y abencerrajes", which means "partisans of opposite interests". The Abencerrajes (in Arabic aban as-sarráǧ) was an Arabic family of the Kingdom of Granada, rivals of the Zegríes in the 15th century.
9. abenuz: ebony. From Arabic abanus (أبنوس) of the same meaning.
10. abismal: screw in head of a spear. From Arabic al-mismar (المسمار) "nail."
11. abitaque: a cut of wood used in construction of a certain shape and dimension. From Arabic Tabaqa (طبقة) "layer" or "intermediate chamber."
12. acebibe: raisin. From Arabic zabib (زبيب) of the same meaning.
13. acebuche: wild olive tree, or wood from such a tree. From Andalusi Arabic azzabbúǧ.
14. aceche: copper, iron or zinc sulfate. From Arabic zāǧ.
15. aceifa: Muslim summer military expedition. From Arabic Sa'ifah "harvest" or "summer expedition."
16. aceite: oil. From Arabic az-zayt (الزيت) "oil."
17. aceituna: olive. From Arabic الزيتون (az-zaytun) "olive."
18. aceituní: precious cloth from the Orient. From Arabic az-zaytuni, a possible adaptation of the Chinese city Tsö-Thung.
19. acelga: chard. From Arabic as-silqa of the same meaning.
20. acémila: beast of burden; tax formerly paid in Spain. From Arabic az-zamilah "beast of burden."
21. acemite: wheat husk; a type of wheat porridge. From Arabic as-samid (السميد).
22. acenefa: see cenefa.
23. aceña: water mill. From Arabic as-saniyah "the lifter."
24. acequia: irrigation canal. From Arabic as-saqiyah "the irrigator."
25. acerola: fruit of the service tree (the tree itself is called acerolo). From Arabic zu 'rūrah. Originally from Syriac za‘rārā.
26. acetre: bucket or Cauldron used to extract water from a well; small cauldron used to spray holy water in Christian liturgy. From Arabic as-saTl (السطل).
27. aciar: (or acial): instrument used to keep farm-animals still by squeezing their ear or snout. From Arabic az-ziyār.
28. acíbar: aloe (both the plant and its bitter juice); bitterness, grief, distaste. From Arabic aS-Sabr.
29. acicalar: to clean or polish (acicalarse in reflexive form); to make oneself look good by combing, shaving etc. From Arabic aS-Siqal, an instrument used for polishing things.
30. acicate: spurs or the spikes on spurs; incentive. From Arabic (Muzil) as-siqaT "what takes away weaknesses."
31. acidaque: Muslim dowry. From Arabic as-Sidaq, dowry in Islamic law.
32. acimut: astrological concept: angle with which the meridian forms a vertical circle which passes through a point in the globe. From Arabic assumut plural of samt.
33. ación: handle on the stirrup. From Arabic suyūr, plural of sayr "strap."
34. acirate: line of soil used to separate different plots of land; path between two lines of trees. From Arabic SirāT.
35. acitara or citara: thin wall, normally on a bridge. From Arabic sitārah, wall to avoid falls.
36. achacar: to blame. From Arabic tashakkà (تشكى): to complain or to blame.
37. adafina: pot used by Hebrews to cook. It is buried in embers on Friday night, where it cooks until Saturday. From Arabic: dafina "buried."
38. adalid: leader; general of Spanish militia. From Arabic dalil (دليل).
39. adaraja: each of the gaps made by the bricks in a horizontally unfinished wall. From daraja.
40. adarga: leather shield. From Arabic daraqah.
41. adárgama:(rarely used today) flour. From Arabic darmaka.
42. adarme: small portion of something; type of measurement. From Arabic dirham (درهم).
43. adarvar: to shock. From Arabic darb (ضرب) "blow."
44. adarve: wall of a fortress; protection, defense. From Arabic darb (ضرب)
45. adaza: sorghum. From Arabic duqsah.
46. adefera: a small, square wall or floor tile. From Arabic add-ddafeera.
47. adehala: that which is granted or taken as obligatory with the price in the leasing or sale of a property. From Mozarabic ad ihala and originally from Arabic ihala "offering credit."
48. adelfa: oleander. From Arabic ad-difla (الدفلى) of the same meaning.
49. ademán: gesticulation which expresses the will to do something. From Arabic aD-Daman (الضمان), literally meaning legal guarantees. The change of meaning is due to the exaggerated promises and gesticulations which were offered in such a plea.
50. ademe: wooden structures used to strengthen tunnels in mines. From Arabic di'mah.
51. aderra: cord used to press grapes or olives in order to obtain their juice. From Andalusi Arabic ad-dirra a noose or cord used to punish those who were guilty of fraud.
52. adiafa: present or refreshment given to sailors when back from a voyage. From Arabic Diyafa (ضيافَة) "present of hospitality."
53. adivas: a disease provoking throat inflammation in animals. From Arabic aD-Dibbah "wolverine" - which is the old Arabic name for this disease.
54. adive: a type of canid similar to a fox. From Arabic di'b (ذئب).
55. adobe: brick made from clay. From Arabic at-tuba (الطوبَة from Coptic tôbe) of the same meaning, and from ad-dabba.
56. adoquín: paving-stone, cobble; block. From Arabic Dukkan bench of rock or wood.
57. ador: in regions where water for irrigation is restricted and shared out by local authorities, irrigation-time for each farm/field. From Arabic dawr.
58. aduana: customs house; customs. From Arabic diwan (ديوان).
59. aduar: semi-permanent rural settlement, normally used for Gypsies, Bedouins or Amerindians in South America. From Bedouin Arabic duwwar.
60. adúcar: type of silk made from the outside of the silk-worm's cocoon. From Andalusi Arabic Haduqa.
61. adufe:tambourine used by Spanish Muslims. From Arabic Duff (دف).
62. adul: in Morocco, assessor of the Cadí. From Arabic adl "trustworthy person."
63. adula: see dula.
64. adunia: (adverb) lots. From Andalusi Arabic addunya, originally from Classical Arabic duniya (الدنيا) "the (whole) world."
65. adutaque: same meaning as adárgama. From Arabic duqaq (دقاق) "fine flour."
66. afán: effort; desire; zeal. From afanar.
67. afanar: to steal; to work with passion. From Arabic fanaaʔ (فناء) "extinction," "annihilation through passion."
68. aguajaque: the whitish resin of fennel. From Arabic aw-washaq "contaminated with water."
69. agüela: Renta de los derechos sobre préstamos consignados en documento público. From Arabic Hawalah.
70. ajabeba: Moorish flute. From Classical Arabic sabbabah.
71. ajaquefa: ??Ceiling??. Arabic as-saqaf السقف
72. ajaraca:
73. ajarafe: terrace. From Classical Arabic saraf "commanding height."
74. ajebe: Alum; Para rubber Tree. From Arabic as-Shabb.
75. ajedrea: plant of the family of the Labiadas, about three decimeters of height, very populated with branches and narrow leaves, of dark color. It is cultivated for adornment in the gardens. From Arabic assariyya or assiriyya, ultimately from Latin satureia.
76. ajedrez: chess. From Arabic ash shitrang (الشطرنج).
77. ajenuz: nutmeg flower or Roman coriander (Nigella Sativa). From Andalusi Arabic Shanuz and ultimately Classical Arabic Shuniz.
78. ajimez: bent; window divided in the center by a vertical divider; salient balcony done of wood and with lattice windows. From Arabic samis.
79. ajomate: pluricellular alga formed by very thin filaments, without knots, bright and of intense green color. It abounds in fresh waters of Spain. From Classical Arabic gumam.
80. ajonjolí: sesame; herbaceous, annual plant of the family of the Pedaliaceae, a meter high, straight stem, serrate and almost triangular leaves, white or rosy corolla, and fruit with four delicate, yellowish, oily and edible capsules and many seeds. From Classical Arabic gulgulan "sesame."
81. ajorca: bangle; type of gold hoop, silver or another metal, used by the women to adorn the wrists, arms or the feet. From Classical Arabic shuruk, ultimately from the word shirāk "strap."
82. ajorrar: To drag, to tow. See Jorro.
83. ajuagas: equine animal ulcers. From Classical Arabic shuqaq.
84. ajuar: a collection of household and personal items (clothes, furniture, jewelry etc...) which women in Spain traditionally prepare from a young age for the day in which they marry and move in with their husband. From Arabic Shawar.
85. alacena: cupboard. From Classical Arabic ẖizānah (خزانَة).
86. alacet: foundation of a building. From Classical Arabic asas (أساس).
87. alacrán: scorpion. From Classical Arabic aqrab (عقرب) of same meaning.
88. aladar
89. aladroque:
90. alafa: wage; pay. From Classical Arabic alafah "subsistence allowance."
91. 'alafia: grace; pardon; mercy. From Andalusian Arabic al afya ultimately from Classical Arabic afiyah (عافيَة) "health."
92. alahílca: tapestry to adorn the walls. Perhaps of alailaca from Andalusian Arabic ilaqa, and this of Classical Arabic ilāqah (علاقَة) perhaps meaning "hanger."
93. alajor
94. alajú
95. alamar
96. alambique: alembic. From Arabic al-anbiq "the cup/container holding water", in turn from Greek.
97. alambor (two meanings from al'ubur and from al-hambad)
98. alamín
99. alamud
100. alaqueca
101. alárabe
102. alarde/alardear: To boast/to show off.
103. alarido: Scream.
104. alarife
105. alarije
106. alaroz
107. alaroza
108. alatar
109. alatrón
110. alazán
111. alazor
112. albacara: Wall around a fortress (within which cattle were normally kept. From Arabic bab al-baqqara The cattle door. baqara (بقرَة) means "cow" in Arabic.
113. albacea: executor (of a will). From Andalusi Arabic Sahb al Wassiya (صَاحِب الوَصِيَّة); "the owner of the will".
114. albacora: albacore. From Arabic al-bakura "premature" or al-bakrah "young camel."
115. albadena
116. albahaca
117. albahío
118. albaida
119. albanar
120. albanega
121. albaní
122. albañal
123. albañil
124. albaquía: the remainder. From Arabic al-baqi (البَاقِي) of the same meaning.
125. albarán
126. albarrán
127. albarazo
128. albarda
129. albardán
130. albardín
131. albaricoque: apricot. From Arabic al-barqouq (البرقوق) "plum" or "early-ripe."
132. albarrada
133. albarrán
134. albarrana
135. albatoza
136. albayalde
137. albéitar
138. albenda
139. albengala
140. alberca
141. albérchigo
142. albihar
143. albitana
144. alboaire
145. albogue: Single-reed clarinet used in Spain. From Arabic al-bûq (البوق): The horn or the trumpet.
146. alboheza
147. albohol
148. albollón
149. albóndiga: meatball; ball. From Arabic al-bunduqa (البندقَة) "the ball."
150. albórbola
151. alborga
152. albornía
153. albornoz: Bath-robe. From al-burnos (البرنس); "bathrobe".
154. alboronía
155. alboroque
156. alborozo
157. albotín
158. albricias
159. albudeca
160. albufera: Lagoon. From al-buhayra (البحيرَة); little sea, lake.
161. albur
162. alcabala
163. alcabor
164. alcabtea
165. alcacel
166. alcachofa: Artichoke. From al-ẖarshoof of the same meaning.
167. alcaduz
168. alcafar
169. alcahaz
170. alcahuete
171. alcaicería
172. alcaide:
173. alcalde: Mayor.
174. álcali: alkali. From Arabic qalawi (قِلْوِيّ (qilwiyy)) of the same meaning.
175. alcaller
176. alcamiz
177. alcamonías
178. alcana
179. alcaná
180. alcancía: Clay money box, penny or piggy bank. From Andalusi Arabic alkanzíyya, derived from Classical Arabic kanz: treasure.
181. alcándara
182. alcandía
183. alcandora
184. alcanería
185. alcanfor
186. alcántara/alcantarilla: drain; sewer. From Arabic al-qantarah.
187. alcaparra
188. alcaraván
189. alcaravea
190. alcarceña
191. alcarraza
192. alcarria
193. alcatanes
194. alcatara (or alquitara)
195. alcatifa
196. alcatraz
197. alcaucil, artichoke. From Spanish Arabic: alqabsíl[a], that comes from Mozarab diminutive kapićéḻa, and this from Spanish Latin: capĭtia, head. (Standard Latin, Caput-itis)
198. alcavela
199. alcazaba
200. alcázar: citadel; palace. From Arabic al-qasr (القصر) "the citadel."
201. alcazuz (or orozuz)
202. alcoba: alcove. From Arabic al-qubba "the vault" or "the arch."
203. alcohela
204. alcohol: from Arabic al-kuhul (الكحول) fine powder of antimony sulfide used as eye makeup.
205. alcoholar
206. alcolla
207. alcor
208. alcora
209. alcorcí
210. alcorque
211. alcorza
212. alcotán
213. alcotana
214. alcrebite
215. alcuacil
216. alcubilla
217. alcuña
218. alcuza
219. alcuzcuz
220. alchub
221. aldaba
222. aldea/aldeano: Village/Villager.
223. aldiza
224. alefriz
225. aleja
226. alejija
227. alema
228. alerce
229. aletría
230. aleve/alevoso/alevosía
231. aleya
232. alfaba
233. alfábega
234. alfadía
235. alfaguara
236. alfahar/alfaharería
237. alfaida
238. alfajeme
239. alfajor: Sweet almond shortbread. From Spanish Arabic fašúr, and this from Persian afšor (juice).
240. alfalfa: alfalfa. From Arabic al-fafaa literally "the best kind of fodder"
241. alfaneque (two meanings, a type of bird, from Arabic al-fanak and a tent from Berber afarag)
242. alfanje
243. alfaque
244. alfaqueque
245. alfaquí
246. alfaquín
247. alfaraz
248. alfarda (two meanings from al-farda and from al-fardda)
249. alfardón
250. alfareme
251. alfarje
252. alfarrazar
253. alfaya
254. alfayate
255. alfazaque
256. alféizar
257. alfeñique
258. alferecía
259. alferez
260. alferraz
261. alferza
262. alficoz
263. alfil: bishop, in chess. From Arabic al-feel (الفيل) "the elephant."
264. alfilel/alfiler
265. alfinge
266. alfitete
267. alfiz
268. alfolí
269. alfombra (two meanings from al-jumra and al-humra)
270. alfóndega
271. alforfón
272. alforja
273. alforre
274. alforrocho
275. alforza
276. alfóstigo
277. alfoz
278. algaba
279. algaida
280. algalia
281. algar
282. algara
283. algarabía: incomprehensible talk; gabble; gibberish. From Arabic al-garabiya.
284. algarivo
285. algarrada
286. algarrobo: carob. From Arabic al-kharouba "the carob."
287. algavaro
288. algazafán
289. algazara
290. algazul
291. álgebra: algebra. From the name of al-Khwarizmi' book Hisab al-jabr w'al-muqabala "The Calculus of Subtraction and Equality."
292. algecireño
293. algodón, "cotton", from Arabic "al-qutn", meaning "the cotton"
294. algorfa
295. algoritmo, algorithm, that comes from the name of Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi, محمد بن موسى الخوارزمي, famous mathematician.
296. algorza
297. alguacil
298. alguaquida
299. alguaza
300. alhadida
301. alhaite
302. alhaja: jewel. From Arabic al-hagah "the valuable thing."
303. alhamar
304. alhamel
305. alhamí
306. alhandal
307. alhanía
308. alhaquín
309. alharaca
310. alhavara
311. alhelí
312. alheña
313. alholva
314. alhorí
315. alhorre (two meanings from al-khur and al-hurr)
316. alhorría (or ahorría)
317. alhucema
318. alhuceña
319. alhurreca
320. aliacán
321. aliara
322. alicante
323. alicatar
324. alicate
325. alidada
326. alifa
327. alifafe (two meanings from an-nafakh and al-lifah)
328. alifara
329. alijar
330. alimara
331. alioj
332. alizace
333. alizar
334. aljaba
335. aljabibe
336. aljama
337. aljamía/aljamiado: Medieval Romance Spanish or Mozarabic written in Arabic script.
338. aljaraz
339. aljarfa
340. aljébana
341. aljerife
342. aljez
343. aljibe
344. aljófar/aljofarar
345. aljofifa
346. aljor (or aljez)
347. aljuba
348. aljuma
349. añagaza
350. almacabra
351. almacén: deposit. From Arabic al-majzan of makhzan (المخزن) "the storage" or "the depot."
352. almacería
353. almáciga
354. almadén
355. almádena
356. almadía
357. almadraba: Tuna fishing. Word used primarily in Andalusia and particularly in Cadiz province.
358. almadraque
359. almagazén
360. almagra
361. almahala
362. almaizar
363. almaja
364. almajaneque
365. almajar
366. almajara
367. almalafa
368. almanaque: almanac. From Arabic al-manakh (المناخ) "the climate." Or possibly from Greek almenichiakon "calendar."
369. almacebe
370. almarada
371. almarbate
372. almarcha
373. almarjo
374. almarrá
375. almarraja or almarraza
376. almártaga (two meanings, from al-marta'a and al martak)
377. almástica
378. almatroque
379. almazara
380. almazarrón
381. almea (two meanings, from almay'a and 'alima)
382. almejía
383. almenara (two meanings, from al-manara and al-minhara)
384. almez
385. almíbar
386. almicantarat
387. almijar
388. almijara
389. almijarra
390. almimbar
391. alminar
392. almiraj/almiraje/almiral
393. almirez
394. almizate
395. almizcle/almizque
396. almocadén
397. almocafre
398. almocárabe
399. almoceda
400. almocrebe
401. almocrí
402. almodón
403. almófar
404. almofariz
405. almofía
406. almofrej/almofrez
407. almogama
408. almogávar
409. almohada: Pillow.
410. almohade
411. almoharrefa
412. almohaza
413. almojábana
414. almojama (see mojama)
415. almojarife
416. almojaya
417. almona
418. almoneda
419. almoraduj/almoradux
420. almorávide:
421. almorí
422. almotacén
423. almotalafe
424. almotazaf/almotazán
425. almozala/almozalla
426. almud
427. almuédano
428. almunia
429. alpechín
430. alquería: farmhouse. From Arabic al-qaria "the village."
431. aloque
432. aloquín
433. alpargata
434. alquequenje
435. alquería
436. alquermes
437. alquerque (Two meanings from al-qirq and al-qariq)
438. alquez
439. alquezar
440. alquibla
441. alquicel
442. alquiler: Rent.
443. alquimia
444. alquinal
445. alquitira
446. alquitrán
447. alrota
448. altabaca
449. altamía
450. altramuz
451. alubia: pea bean
452. aludel
453. aluquete/luquete
454. alloza
455. amán
456. ámbar
457. ámel
458. amín
459. amirí
460. anacalo
461. anacora
462. anafaga
463. anafalla/anafaya
464. anafe
465. anaquel
466. andorra
467. andrajo
468. anea
469. anejir
470. anfión
471. anorza
472. anúteba
473. añacal
474. añacea/añacear
475. añafea
476. añafil
477. añagaza
478. añascar
479. añazme
480. añicos
481. añil (ultimately from Sanskrit nilah "dark blue")
482. arabí
483. arancel
484. arbellón/arbollón
485. archí
486. argadillo
487. argamandel
488. argamula
489. argán
490. argel
491. argolla
492. arguello/arguellarse
493. arije
494. arimez
495. arjorán
496. arnadí
497. arrabá
498. arrabal
499. arracada
500. arráez
501. arrayán
502. arrecife
503. arrejaque/arrejacar
504. arrelde
505. arrequife
506. arrequive
507. arriate
508. arricés
509. arroba
510. arrobda
511. arrocabe
512. arrope
513. arroz: Rice.
514. áscar/áscari
515. asequi
516. asesino: assassin. From Arabic hashshashin "someone who is addicted to hashish (marijuana)." Was originally use to refer to the followers of the Persian Hassan-i-Sabah] (حسن صباح), the Hashshashin.
517. atabaca
518. atabal
519. atabe
520. atacar
521. atacir
522. atafarra/ataharre
523. atafea
524. atahona
525. atahorma
526. ataifor
527. ataire
528. atalaya
529. atalvina
530. atambor
531. atanor
532. atanquía
533. ataracea
534. atarazana
535. atarfe
536. atarjea
537. atarraga
538. atarraya
539. ataúd: Coffin.
540. ataujía
541. ataurique
542. atifle
543. atijara
544. atíncar
545. atoba
546. atocha
547. atracae
548. atoque
549. atríaca/atriaca
550. atún: Tuna.
551. atutía
552. auge: Surge/rise.
553. aulaga
554. avería
555. ayatolá
556. azabache
557. azabara
558. azacán
559. azacaya
560. azache
561. azafate/azafata
562. azafrán: saffron. From Arabic za'firan of the same meaning. Perhaps from safra "yellow."
563. azahar: White flower, especially from the orange tree. From Spanish Arabic azzahár, and this from Classic Arabic zahr, flowers
564. azalá
565. azamboa
566. azándar
567. azaque
568. azaquefa
569. azar: hazard; luck; chance; random. From Arabic al-zahr "the dice."
570. azarbe
571. azarcón
572. azarja
573. azarnefe
574. azarote
575. azófar
576. azofra/azofrar
577. azogue (two meanings: from az-za'uq and from as-suq)
578. azolvar
579. azor
580. azorafa
581. azote: Smacking, beating, scourge. From Arabic Sawt.
582. azotea: Flat roof or terrace. From Andalusi Arabic assutáyha, diminutive of sath, terrace in Classical Arabic.
583. azoya
584. azúcar: sugar. From Arabic (سكر) sukkar of the same meaning.
585. azucarí
586. azucena
587. azuche
588. azud
589. azufaifa/azufaifo
590. azul: Blue. Derived from Arabic Lazaward.
591. azulaque (or zulaque)
592. azulejo
593. azúmbar
594. azumbre: Measurement for liquids equivalent to around two liters. From Del Andalusi Arabic aTTúmn, and this from Classical Arabic: Tum[u]n, "an eighth".

B

1. babismo: Babism. From Arabic باب (bāb) "door."
2. babucha — slipper
3. badal
4. badán
5. badana
6. badea
7. badén — dip in land or sidewalk or ford
8. badial
9. bagarino
10. bagre: a freshwater fish that has no scales, a catfish. From Arabic baghir or baghar.
11. baharí
12. baída
13. baja: pasha, Turkish officer or governor of high rank. From Arabic basha ultimately from Turkish pasha of the same meaning.
14. baladí
15. balaj/balaje
16. balate
17. balda (and baldío)
18. baldar
19. balde: from Arabic batil "false" or "useless."
20. bancal
21. baño
22. baraka
23. barbacana
24. barcino
25. bardaje
26. barragán
27. barrio — area or district
28. bata (either from Arabic batt of French ouate)
29. batán
30. batea
31. baurac
32. bayal
33. baza (either Arabic or Italian origin)
34. bazar — bazaar
35. belez
36. bellota: acorn, the fruit or seed of the oak tree. From Arabic balluta of the same meaning.
37. ben
38. benimerín
39. benjuí
40. berberí
41. bereber
42. berenjena/berenjenal
43. bezaar/bezoar
44. bocací
45. bodoque/bodocal
46. bófeta
47. bórax
48. borní
49. boronía
50. botor
51. bujía
52. bulbul
53. burche
54. buz
55. buzaque

C

1. cabila: tribe of Berbers or Bedouins. From Arabic قبيلَة (qabīla), "tribe."
2. cachera
3. cadí
4. cadira
5. café: coffee. From قهوَة (qáhwa) of the same meaning.
6. cáfila
7. cafiz (or cahiz)
8. cafre
9. caftán
10. cáid (same origin as alcaide)
11. caimacán
12. cala
13. calafate/calafatear
14. calahorra
15. calí (same root as álcali)
16. cálibo/calibre
17. cambuj
18. camocán
19. canana — cartridge belt
20. cáncana/cancanilla
21. cáncano
22. cande (in azúcar cande)
23. canfor
24. caraba
25. cárabe
26. cárabo: owl; dog. Taken from قراب (qaraab) and كلب (kalb) "dog," respectively.
27. caracoa
28. caramida
29. caramuzal
30. caravana
31. caravasar
32. carcajada/carcajear
33. carcax
34. carmen/carme: From Spanish Arabic kárm, and this from Classical Arabic كرم (karm), vine.
35. carmesí
36. carmín
37. carraca
38. carrafa
39. cártama/cártamo
40. catán
41. catifa
42. cazurro
43. cebiche
44. cebtí
45. ceca
46. cegatero
47. cegrí
48. ceje
49. cenacho
50. cendolilla
51. cenefa
52. ceneque
53. cení
54. cenia
55. cenit
56. cequí
57. cerbatana
58. cero: zero. From صفر (sifr) of the same meaning.
59. cetís
60. ceutí
61. chafariz
62. chafarote
63. chaleco
64. charrán
65. chifla
66. chiísmo
67. chilaba (from Moroccan Arabic)
68. chiquero
69. chirivía
70. chisme
71. chivo
72. choz
73. chupa
74. chuzo
75. cianí
76. cibica
77. cica
78. cicalar
79. cicatear
80. cicatero (cicatero has a different root to cicatear)
81. ciclán
82. ciclar
83. ciclatón
84. cid
85. cifaque
86. cifra/cifrar
87. címbara
88. cimboga
89. cimitarra
90. circón
91. citara
92. civeta/civeto
93. coba/cobista
94. cofa
95. coima
96. coime
97. colcótar
98. cora
99. Corán
100. corbacho
101. corma
102. cotonía
103. cubeba
104. cúrcuma
105. curdo
106. cuscuta
107. cuscús (or alcuzcuz/cuzcuz)

D

1. dado: die. From Classical Arabic اعداد a'dad "numbers."
2. daga — daggar
3. dahír
4. daifa
5. dante
6. darga (or adarga) — shield
7. dársena — dock/basin
8. daza
9. derviche
10. descafilar
11. destartalado
12. dey
13. dínar
14. dirham
15. diván — divan/couch
16. droga — drug
17. druso
18. dula/dular

E

1. edrisí
2. ejarbe
3. elche
4. elemí
5. embelecar/embeleco
6. emir (or amir)
7. encaramar
8. enchufar/enchufe: To plug in/plug; To connect, to offer a job or a post through personal connections. From Andalusi Arabic Juf derived from Classical Arabic Jawf: stomach; internal cavity.
9. engarzar — to set/thread
10. enjalma
11. enjarje
12. enjeco
13. escabeche: Pickle or marinade. From Arabic as-sukbaj. Originally from Persian Sekba.
14. escafilar (see descafilar)
15. escaque/escaquear
16. espinaca — spinach
17. exarico

F

1. faca
2. falagar
3. falca
4. falleba
5. faltriquera — pocket
6. falúa/faluca
7. fanega/hanega
8. fanfarrón
9. faranga (or haragán)
10. farda
11. fardacho
12. farfán
13. farnaca
14. farota
15. farruco
16. felús
17. fetua
18. fez
19. fideo
20. filelí
21. foceifiza
22. fondolí
23. fondac/fonda
24. foz
25. fulano: To refer to "anyone" without naming, X of people. Arabic: Fulan.
26. fustete

G

1. gabán
2. gabela
3. gacel/gacela
4. gafetí
5. galacho
6. galanga
7. galbana
8. gálibo
9. galima
10. gandula/gandula
11. garama
12. garbino
13. gardacho
14. gárgol
15. garrafa
16. garrama
17. garroba
18. gilí
19. gomer
20. granadí
21. grisgrís
22. guadamací
23. guájara
24. guájete
25. guala
26. guarismo
27. guifa
28. guilla
29. gumía
30. gurapas

H, I

1. habiz
2. habús
3. hachís
4. hacino
5. hadruba
6. hafiz
7. hálara
8. hálara
9. hamudí
10. haragán
11. harambel
12. harbar
13. harén
14. harma
15. harón
16. Hasaní
17. hasta: Until. From Arabic حتى hatta (same meaning).
18. hataca
19. hazaña
20. he: Adverb used in a number of ways: (1) "he aquí/ahí/allí": Here it is/there it is. (2) Used in conjunction with pronouns me/te/le/la/lo/las/los to point something out. e.g., Te lo he dicho, meaning I have told you (it). From Arabic haa.
21. hégira
22. hobacho/hobacha
23. holgazán
24. holgar
25. hoque
26. horro/horra
27. imam
28. imela
29. islam

J, K

1. jabalí : Wild boar. From Arabic jebeli, of the mountains. Perhaps originally from Khanzeer Jebelí: Mountain Pig.
2. jabalón
3. jabeca
4. jabeque
5. jabí : A type of apple and type of grape. From Andalusi Arabic sha‘bí, a type of apple.
6. jácara
7. jácena
8. jacerino
9. jadraque
10. jaez
11. jaguarzo
12. jaharí
13. jaharral
14. jaharrar
15. jaima
16. jaique
17. jalear
18. jalma (or enjalma)
19. jaloque
20. jametería
21. jámila
22. japuta
23. jaque
24. jaqueca: Migraine. From Arabic Shaqiqa, with same meaning.
25. jáquima
26. jara
27. jarabe
28. jaraíz
29. jarcha
30. jareta
31. jaricar
32. jarifo/jarifa
33. jarquía
34. jarra: Pitcher or other pot with handle(s). From ǧarrah, same as English jar.
35. jatib
36. jazarino/jazarina
37. jazmín
38. jebe
39. jeliz
40. jemesía
41. jeque
42. jerife: sheriff. From shereef of the same meaning.
43. jeta
44. jifa
45. jinete
46. jirel
47. jofaina: a wide, shallow basin for domestic use. From ǧufaynah.
48. jofor
49. jorfe
50. joroba
51. jorro
52. juba/aljuba/jubón
53. jurdía
54. kermes

L

1. laca: resinous substance tapped from the lacquer tree. From Arabic lak, taken from Persian lak, ultimately from Sanskrit laksha literally meaning "one hundred thousand" referring to the large number of insects that gather and sap out all the resin from the trees.
2. lacre
3. lapislázuli: lapis lazuli, a deep blue mineral. From Arabic lazaward from Persian lagvard or lazward, ultimately from Sanskrit rajavarta literally meaning "ringlet of the king."
4. latón: brass. From Arabic latun from Turkish altin "gold."
5. laúd: lute. From Arabic al 'ud (اعواد) "the lute."
6. lebeche: Southeasterly wind on the Mediterranean coast of Spain. From Andalusi Arabic Labash.
7. lebení: a Moorish beverage prepared from soured milk. From Arabic labani "dairy."
8. leila: from Arabic layla "night."
9. lelilí: Shouts and noise made by Moors when going into combat or when celebrating parties. From لا إله إلا اللّٰه lā ilāhā illā-llāhu: there is no god but God; Ya leilí: O-Night; ya 'ayouni: O my eyes.
10. lima: lime. From Arabic limah of the same meaning.
11. limón: lemon. From laymoon (ليمون), derived from the Chinese word limung.
12. loco: crazy. From Arabic lawqa "fool."

M

1. macabro
2. macsura
3. madraza
4. magacén
5. magarza/magarzuela
6. maglaca
7. maharon/maharona
8. maharrana/marrana/marrano
9. mahozmedín
10. maimón
11. majareta
12. majzén
13. mamarracho
14. mameluco
15. mamola
16. mandeísmo
17. mandil
18. maquila
19. marabú
20. maravedí
21. marchamo
22. márfega
23. marfil
24. marfuz/a
25. margomar
26. marjal
27. marlota
28. marojo
29. maroma
30. marras
31. márraga
32. marroquí: (adj) Moroccan. From Morrocan Arabic Marrakush: Marrakesh.
33. masamuda: (adj) Individual from the Berber Masmuda tribe, from which originate the Almohades, a movement which ruled Spain and North Africa in the XII century. From Arabic: Masamuda.
34. matafalúa
35. mártaga
36. máscara
37. matarife
38. matraca
39. matula
40. mauraca
41. mazapán
42. mazarí
43. mazarrón
44. mazmodina
45. mazmorra
46. mazorca: corn cob; roll of wool or cotton. From Andalusi Arabic: Masurqa, derived from Classical Arabic Masura: a tube used as a bobbin (sewing).
47. meca: Place which is attractive because of a particular activity. From Arabic Mekkah.
48. mechinal
49. mejala
50. mejunje
51. mengano/mengana
52. mequetrefe
53. mercal
54. metical
55. mezquino
56. mía: A military term, formerly designating a regular native unit composed of 100 men in the Spanish protectorate of northern Morocco; by analogy, any colonial army. From Arabic Mi'ah: one hundred.
57. mihrab:
58. miramamolín
59. moaxaja
60. mogataz
61. mogate
62. moharra
63. moharracho
64. mohatra
65. mohedal
66. mohino
67. mojí
68. momia
69. mona
70. monfí
71. morabito
72. moraga
73. morapio
74. mozárabe
75. mudéjar
76. muftí
77. mujalata
78. mulquía
79. muslim/muslime: (Adjective) Muslim. From Arabic Muslim.

N, O, P, Q

1. nabí
2. nacar
3. nácara
4. nadir: the point on the celestial sphere, opposite the zenith directly below the observer. From nadheer.
5. nádir
6. nagüela
7. naife
8. naipe
9. naranja: orange (fruit), from نارنج
10. natrón
11. nazarí
12. nesga
13. noria
14. ojalá: I hope; I wish. From law šaʾ allāh (وشاء الله), "God willing."
15. ¡olé!: The most famous expression of approval, support or encouragement, comes from wa-Allah واللّٰه , by Allah!
16. omeya: adj. Related to the Ummayyad.
17. oque
18. orozuz
19. ox
20. quermes
21. quilate/quirate
22. quilma
23. quina
24. quintal

R

1. rabadán
2. rabal
3. rabazuz
4. rabel
5. rábida
6. rafal
7. rafe
8. ragua
9. rahez
10. ramadán
11. rambla
12. rauda
13. rauta
14. real: Military encampment; plot where a fair is organized; (in Murcia region) small plot or garden. From Arabic rahl: camping.
15. rebato
16. rebite
17. recamar
18. recua
19. redoma
20. rehala
21. rehalí
22. rehén
23. rejalgar: realgar. From reheg al-ghar (رهج الغار): "powder of the cave"
24. requive
25. resma
26. retama
27. rincón: from ركن
28. robda
29. robo (or arroba)
30. romí/rumí
31. ronzal
32. roque

S

1. Saharaui
2. sajelar
3. salema
4. sandía
5. sarraceno
6. sebestén
7. secácul
8. serafín
9. siroco
10. sofí
11. sófora
12. soldán
13. soltaní
14. sufí
15. sura

T

1. tabal (or atabal)
2. tabaque
3. tabefe
4. tabica
5. tabique
6. taca
7. tafurea
8. tagarino/tagarina
9. tagarnina
10. taha
11. tahalí
12. tahona
13. Taifa
14. tajea
15. talco
16. talega
17. talvina
18. támara
19. tamarindo
20. tambor
21. tara
22. taracea
23. taraje
24. tarasí
25. tarbea
26. tarea
27. tareco
28. tarida
29. tarifa
30. tarima
31. tarquín
32. tarraya
33. taza: cup. From tasa.
34. tértil
35. tíbar
36. tochibí
37. tomín
38. toronja
39. toronjil
40. trafalmejas
41. truchimán/na
42. trujamán/na
43. tuera
44. tumbaga
45. Tunecí
46. turbit
47. turquí (in [[azul turquí)])
48. tutía (or atutía)

V, X, Y

1. vacarí: from Arabic بَقَرِيّ (baqariyy) baqari "bovine."
2. velmez: from Arabic ملابس malbas "clothing."
3. visir: vizier. From Arabic وزير wazir "minister."

Z

1. zabalmedina: in the Middle Ages, judge with civil and criminal jurisdiction in a city. From Arabic Sahib al Medina "Chief of the City."
2. zabarcera: woman who sells fruit and other food. Same origin as abacero
3. zabazala: imam who leads Islamic prayer. From Arabic SaHb aS-Salah "Leader of prayer."
4. zabazoque: same meaning as almotacén. From Arabic SáHb as-súq "Leader of the Market."
5. zábila: aloe vera (used mainly in Latin America) From Andalusi Arabic sabíra, originally from Classical Arabic Sibar.
6. zabra: type of vessel used in the Bay of Biscay in the Middle Ages and the beginning of the Modern Age. From Arabic zauraq.
7. zacatín: in some villages, a square where clothes are sold. From saqqatin, plural of saqqat: seller of clothes.
8. zafar: a number of meanings in Spain and Latin American countries: To free, to untie, to ignore, to unknit among others. From Arabic azaHa: to take away.
9. zafarí: Granada zafarí: a type of pomegranate. Higo zafarí: a type of fig. From Arabic Safr.
10. zafariche:
11. zafio
12. zafrán
13. zaga
14. zagal: boy. From Andalusian Arabic zaḡál, traditional Arabic zuḡlūl. Same meaning.
15. zagaya (or azagaya)
16. zagua
17. zaguán: hall. From Andalusian Arabic istawán, traditional Arabic usṭuwān(ah).
18. zagüía
19. zaharrón
20. zahén
21. zahón
22. zahora
23. zahorí
24. zaida
25. zaino
26. zala
27. zalamelé
28. zalea/zalear
29. zalema/zalama
30. zalmedina: Same meaning and origin as zabalmedina.
31. zalona
32. zamacuco
33. zambra
34. zanahoria: carrot, presumably from Andalusi Arabic. The only Arabic dialect with a cognate form is Tunisian with sfinaria.
35. zaque
36. zaquizamí
37. zaragüelles
38. zaranda/zarandillo
39. zaratán
40. zarco
41. zarracatín
42. zarzahán
43. zatara
44. zéjel
45. zoco (or azogue): market. From Arabic souk of the same meaning.
46. zofra
47. zorzal: field fare.
48. zubia
49. zulaque
50. zulla
51. zumaque: sumac. From Arabic simaq of the same meaning.
52. zumo: fruit juice
53. zuna

Toponyms (place names) in Iberia of Arabic origin

There are hundreds if not thousands of place names derived from Arabic in the Iberian peninsula including provinces and regions, cities, towns, villages and even neighborhoods and streets. They also include geographical features such as mountains, mountain ranges, valleys and rivers. Toponyms derived from Arabic are common in all of Spain (including much of the North of the country) except for those regions which never came under Muslim rule or where it was particularly short-lived. These regions include Galicia and the Northern coast (Asturias, Cantabrian and the Basque country) as well as most of Catalonia. Regions where place names of Arabic origin are particularly common are the Eastern Coast and the region of Andalusia. In Portugal, the frequency of Arabic toponyms increases as one travels south in the country.

Those toponyms which maintained their pre-Islamic name during the Muslim period were generally Arabized and the mark of the old Arabic pronunciation is noticeable in their modern names: e.g. Cesarea Augusta — سرقسطَة Saraqusţah — Zaragoza.

Toponyms (place names) in Iberia of Arabic origin

There are hundreds if not thousands of place names derived from Arabic in the Iberian peninsula including provinces and regions, cities, towns, villages and even neighborhoods and streets. They also include geographical features such as mountains, mountain ranges, valleys and rivers. Toponyms derived from Arabic are common in all of Spain (including much of the North of the country) except for those regions which never came under Muslim rule or where it was particularly short-lived. These regions include Galicia and the Northern coast (Asturias, Cantabrian and the Basque country) as well as most of Catalonia. Regions where place names of Arabic origin are particularly common are the Eastern Coast and the region of Andalusia. In Portugal, the frequency of Arabic toponyms increases as one travels south in the country.

Those toponyms which maintained their pre-Islamic name during the Muslim period were generally Arabized and the mark of the old Arabic pronunciation is noticeable in their modern names: e.g. Cesarea Augusta — سرقسطَة Saraqusţah — Zaragoza.

Major towns, cities and regions

• Axarquía Eastern region of Malaga province, From Arabic Ash-sharquía: The eastern/oriental (region).
• Andalucía Most populated and 2nd largest autonomous community in Spain. Derived from الأندلس, Al Andalus, the Arabic name for Muslim Iberia.
• Albacete city and province of Castilla la Mancha. Derived from Arabic Al Basit (the plain).
• Algarve Region of southern Portugal. From Arabic al gharb, the west.
• Algeciras City and port in Cadiz province. Derived from Al Jazeera Al Khadra meaning the green island.
• Almería City and province of Andalucía. From Al Meraya, the watchtower.
• Alpujarras (originally Alpuxarras) Region extending South of Granada into Almería. From Arabic Al-Busherat: The grasslands.
• Badajoz City and province of Extremadura. Badajoz was called Pax Augusta by the Romans and most likely the current name is derived from an Arabic corruption of the original Latin name.
• Calatayud City of Aragón. Derived from Qal'at Ayyūb (Arabic قلعَة أيوب) meaning "Castle of Ayyub".
• Guadalajara City and province of Castilla la Mancha. From Wādī al-Jārah (Arabic وادي الحجارَة), Wadi or canyon of Stones.
• Gibraltar British Colony in Southern Spain. From Jabal Ţāriq (جبل طارق), Mountain of Tariq, (Tariq ibn Ziyad).
• Jaén City and province of Andalucía From Arabic Jayyan, crossroads of caravans.
• Lisboa (Lisbon). Capital of Portugal. Derived from original Arabic name: al-'Ishbūnah in Arabic الأشبونَة
• Madrid Capital of Spain. Derived from original Arabic name: al-MagrīT, المجريط: "Source of water".
• La Mancha Wide arid steppes covering much of Toledo, Ciudad Real, Cuenca and Albacete provinces. Derived from original Arabic name: la'a Ma-anxa : "No water".
• Medina Sidonia: Town and municipality in Cadiz province.
• Tarifa town in southern Spain. Originally Jazeera Tarif: the island of Tarif. Derived form the first name of the Berber conqueror Tarif ibn Malik.
• La Sagra, an arid region between Toledo and Madrid. Name derived from Arabic Sahra صحراء "desert".
• Sevilla, city and province in Andalusia. From Arabic Ishbillia, deformation of Latin Hispalis.

Geographical features

• Guadiana river. Meaning "Anna river".
• Guadalquivir river. Derived from Arabic: al-wādĩ al-kabir الوادي الكبير, "the big river".
• Mulhacén. Highest mountain in peninsular Spain. Named after 15th century Arabian Sultan of Granada Ali Muley Hacén Abu al-Hasan.
• Pico Almanzor. Mountain in the Sierra de Gredos of Central Spain. Named after "Almanzor" Al-Mansur Ibn Abi Aamir, de-facto ruler of Al Andalus in late 10th – early 11th centuries.

Geographical features

• Guadiana river. Meaning "Anna river".
• Guadalquivir river. Derived from Arabic: al-wādĩ al-kabir الوادي الكبير, "the big river".
• Mulhacén. Highest mountain in peninsular Spain. Named after 15th century Arabian Sultan of Granada Ali Muley Hacén Abu al-Hasan.
• Pico Almanzor. Mountain in the Sierra de Gredos of Central Spain. Named after "Almanzor" Al-Mansur Ibn Abi Aamir, de-facto ruler of Al Andalus in late 10th – early 11th centuries.

Suggestions for further research

In the English language, search the online catalogs of United States university libraries using the Library of Congress (LC) subject heading, "Spanish language foreign elements".

When searching Spanish language Web sites, use the subject term, "arabismos".

Selected reference works and other academic literature

These works have not necessarily been consulted in the preparation of this article.

• Abu-Haidar, J. A. 1985. Review of Felipe Maíllo Salgado, Los arabismos del castellano en la baja edad media (consideraciones históricas y filológicas). Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies, 48(2): 353–354. University of London. Stable URL: http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0041-977X%281985%2948%3A2%3C353%3ALADCEL%3E2.0.CO%3B2-X

• Cabo Pan, José Luis. El legado del árabe. Mosaico 8:7–10. Revista para la Promoción y Apoyo a la Enseñanza del Español. Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia del Reino de España, Consejería de Educación y Ciencia en Bélgica, Países Bajos y Luxemburgo. [Article with convenient, short word lists, grouped by theme. In PDF. Refer to Mosaico's portal page. ]

• Corriente, Federico. 2003. Diccionario de arabismos y voces afines en iberorromance. (2nd expanded ed.; 1st ed. 1999) Madrid: Gredos. 607 p.

• Real Academia Española (Royal Spanish Academy). Diccionario de la lengua española (DRAE), online.

• Maíllo Salgado, Felipe. 1991/1998. Los arabismos del castellano en la Baja Edad Media : consideraciones históricas y filológicas. Salamanca: Universidad de Salamanca. 554 p. [2nd ed., corrected and enlarged; 1st ed. 1983]

• Ibid. 1996. Vocabulario de historia árabe e islámica. Madrid: Akal. 330 p.

• Pezzi, Elena. 1995. Arabismos: estudios etimológicos. Almería: Universidad de Almería. 160 p.

• Sola-Solé, Josep María. 1983. Sobre árabes, judíos y marranos y su impacto en la lengua y literatura españolas. Barcelona: Puvill. 279 p.

• Toro Lillo, Elena. La invasión árabe. Los árabes y el elemento árabe en español. In the Cervantes Virtual Library. Includes a brief list of historical sound changes. Useful bibliography.

Selected resource pages of universities and research institutes

• Instituto de Estudios Islámicos y del Oriente Próximo. Search results consisting of Institute publications whose entries contain the word "arabismos" [1]

• Universidad de Granada. Holdings under the subject "arabismos" [2]