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Quiz about Spanish Words of Arabic Origin
Quiz about Spanish Words of Arabic Origin

Spanish Words of Arabic Origin Quiz


Spanish has 3000+ words borrowed directly from Arabic. I'll give you the Romanised Arabic word and Modern Spanish equivalent. You will need to pick the corresponding English word (i.e. Arabic: "az-zayt": Spanish "aceite" to English, "oil").

A multiple-choice quiz by zombipi. Estimated time: 3 mins.
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Author
zombipi
Time
3 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
378,089
Updated
Jun 02 23
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Easy
Avg Score
9 / 10
Plays
658
Awards
Top 35% Quiz
Last 3 plays: klotzplate (10/10), muzzyhill3 (10/10), Guest 150 (9/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. From the Arabic "al-qútun", we get the Spanish "algodón", the word for this substance that may have been new to the people of Iberia (Spain) during the Moorish rule of the peninsula in Medieval times. Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. From Moorish fishermen we get the word "al-bakura", which became the Spanish "albacore". This one should sound familiar to piscivores in the English-speaking world. Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. This word from the Arabic language, "bakari", was adopted by Iberians as "vacari", which defines a certain classification of livestock animals. Does it look familiar? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. Arabic-speaking Moors would drink from a "taza", which the Iberian Spaniards would call "la tasa". What were they drinking from? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. The Spanish word "rincón" is a borrow word from the Arabic "rukan". Can you name the English that is just around the bend? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. The Arabic expression "Wa-'llah!" is best translated into Spanish as "Ole!". English speakers might exclaim what? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. If a Spanish was called "lawqa" by an Arabic speaker, they may recognize they are being called "loco". What would this insult sound like in English? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. A familiar Arabic word "al-fafaa" changes just slightly into the Spanish word "alfalfa". See if you can figure the English word out. Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. The Arabic preposition "hatta" was mutated into Spanish as "hasta". Often used by American English speakers, what does it mean? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. This one will be reversed. I'll give you the Spanish word and you give me the Arabic word that was influenced by it.

The Spanish word for "shirt" is "camisa". What do you think that the Arabic word would be?
Hint



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Most Recent Scores
Dec 09 2024 : klotzplate: 10/10
Dec 06 2024 : muzzyhill3: 10/10
Nov 18 2024 : Guest 150: 9/10
Oct 28 2024 : blatnika2: 7/10

Score Distribution

quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. From the Arabic "al-qútun", we get the Spanish "algodón", the word for this substance that may have been new to the people of Iberia (Spain) during the Moorish rule of the peninsula in Medieval times.

Answer: Cotton

It is believed that cotton had been introduced, or at least imported, by Moorish (North African Arabs) during the 8th or 9th century A.D. (C.E.)
2. From Moorish fishermen we get the word "al-bakura", which became the Spanish "albacore". This one should sound familiar to piscivores in the English-speaking world.

Answer: Tuna

In modern English usage, the word "albacore" implies a certain type of tuna. An alternative name would be, "long-finned tuna".
3. This word from the Arabic language, "bakari", was adopted by Iberians as "vacari", which defines a certain classification of livestock animals. Does it look familiar?

Answer: Bovine

The Spanish word, "vaca" (cow) is derived from "vacari", as is "vaquero". The Moors also raised "garabouye", which we know in English as "caribou".
4. Arabic-speaking Moors would drink from a "taza", which the Iberian Spaniards would call "la tasa". What were they drinking from?

Answer: A cup

This is not to be confused with the Spanish "vaso" (drinking glass). It is likely that Iberians were drinking from cups much earlier than the arrival of the Moors.
5. The Spanish word "rincón" is a borrow word from the Arabic "rukan". Can you name the English that is just around the bend?

Answer: Corner

With the exception of one letter, the English is a near anagram from the Spanish word. It has appeared in archaich forms as "recón".
6. The Arabic expression "Wa-'llah!" is best translated into Spanish as "Ole!". English speakers might exclaim what?

Answer: Hurray!

The literal meaning of the Arabic word directly to English is "by Allah!" or "by God!". It is a positive expression of amazement or approval.
7. If a Spanish was called "lawqa" by an Arabic speaker, they may recognize they are being called "loco". What would this insult sound like in English?

Answer: Crazy

The Arabic word can also be translated to English as "fool".
8. A familiar Arabic word "al-fafaa" changes just slightly into the Spanish word "alfalfa". See if you can figure the English word out.

Answer: Alfalfa

OK, that might have been too easy!

Earliest records of alfalfa cultivation indicate that Arabic speaking Moors showed Iberian farmers how to cultivate the plant as early as the 13th Century.
9. The Arabic preposition "hatta" was mutated into Spanish as "hasta". Often used by American English speakers, what does it mean?

Answer: Until

Not to be confused with the Latin word, "hasta", meaning "spear". "Hasta" is also used in Portuguese, when it can mean either an auction or an archaic word for a spear.
10. This one will be reversed. I'll give you the Spanish word and you give me the Arabic word that was influenced by it. The Spanish word for "shirt" is "camisa". What do you think that the Arabic word would be?

Answer: Kameez

This article of clothing worn by the people was not native to Medieval era Moors. Nowadays, the baggy overlapping "kameez", worn over the "shalwar" (loose fitting pants), throughout the Middle east and South Asia.
Source: Author zombipi

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor stedman before going online.
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