Tayib طيب is an Arabic word which can have many different meanings in both standard Arabic and Arabic dialects. طيب can be written using different short vowels making it either a noun or a verb. It can also be interpreted differently based on context and even gestures used when saying the word.  As an Arabic learner, you will definitely end up 🙂hearing and using the word طيب.

Below, I have the word طيب written with different short vowels, meanings, Arabic synonyms, and examples.

Let’s first look at طيب when it functions as a verb:

• طَيَّبَ: to spice/flavor/season food (Arabic synonym: تَبّلَ)

      طَيَّبَ الأرز بِالتوابِل.        He seasoned the rice with spices.

 

• طَيّب: to aromatize/scent or to make something fragrant     (Arabic synonym: عَطّرَ)

      .طَيّب الغُرفة برائِحة الوَرد     He scented the room with the smell of roses.

 

When طيب functions as a noun, it can have the following meanings:

• طَيّب: agreeable/good/nice/pleasant     (Arabic synonym: جَيّد)

        تفاهم طيب      a good understanding

 

• طِيْب: perfume/scent    (Arabic synonym: عِطْر)

      .أشتريَتُ طِيْب كَهَدية لأُمي     I bought perfume as a gift for my mother.

 

• طَيّب: delicious/savory/tasty   (Arabic synonym: لَذِيذ)

       .هذهِ السَّلَطة طَيّبة    This salad is delicious.

 

• طَيّب: kind    (Arabic synonym: صَالِح، كَريم)

       رَجُل طَيّب      a kind/good man

       قَلْب طَيّب       kindhearted

 

In many Arabic dialects, you will here طَيّب used to mean “okay”.

For example:

Could you open the window?

Okay.

مُمكِن تِفتَح الشُّباك؟

.طَيّب

Note: Okay in standard Arabic is حَسَنًا.

In terms of gestures, when two people get into an argument and one decides to threaten the other, he/she will use this gesture 👌 and say “Okay, I will show you.”   “.طَيّب، أن بَفرجيك”

or “Okay, you just wait.” “.طَيّب، ستنى عَلَي”     You may see this a lot in Arabic shows.

As you can see طيب is one versatile word! 😎