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0 pointsas_bntd2y ago0 comments

It is true that no one would call it almost Semitic, but some very common words are of arabic origin.

Taza, guitarra, almohada, albañil, algebra, elíxir, tamarindo, fulano, alfombra, acimut, cenit, café, azúcar, naranja, azar, ajedrez, arsenal, aceite, alcohol, arroba, azulejo, alberca, cero, etc.

And also several toponyms, the most famous probably being Andalucía.

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jefftk2y ago

Several of the words you list are also English words: guitar, algebra, elixir, tamarind, cafe, orange, arsenal, alcohol. When talking about English origins do we count those for Spanish or Arabic? ;)

imagainstit2y ago

Only guitar in that list comes to English from a Spanish etymology, the others come from Arabic via medieval Latin, French and Italian, not Spanish.

mike_hock2y ago

azimuth, zenith

drycobbler2y ago

Andalucía to name the geography is Arabic-speakers’ legacy, but as a term for a people, it can be traced further back to a Germanic root.

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