Arabic influences in Spanish: our five favorite words of Arabic origin

The other day, Facebook reminded us of the anniversary of our school’s registration on the platform. It took us back to the early days of Jaleo Madrid—when the dream was just taking shape and one big question lingered: what should we call our school?

As anyone who’s named a child knows, choosing a name is never easy. And since this project felt like our baby, we gave it serious thought. Among the finalists were Jaleo, Algarabía, and Ojalá—three beautiful, resonant words that all happen to share the same origin: Arabic.

Spanish is full of words borrowed from Arabic, though many learners don’t realize it—especially those whose first languages are further removed. Today, we’re sharing five of our favorite Spanish words that trace their roots back to Arabic.

Jaleo: Cheers and celebration

Our school’s name! “Jaleo” comes from the verb jalear, which in turn derives from the Arabic hala, often linked to Allah. It’s a word that captures noise, excitement, clapping, and even a little chaos—everything you might find at a lively party or flamenco show. A perfect name for a place where language and culture come together in full color.

Algarabía: A festive uproar

Almost our chosen name! “Algarabía” originally referred to Arabic speech (al-‘Arabiyyah) in medieval Spain, but it evolved to describe loud chatter or cheerful noise. Today, it’s a term for joyful chaos—like what you might hear in a plaza during a celebration.

Ojalá: Hope and subjunctive wishes

From the phrase inshallah (“if God wills”), “ojalá” is one of the most poetic words in Spanish. It expresses longing, possibility, and hope, and it’s a gateway to learning the subjunctive mood—something all Spanish learners eventually face. “Ojalá que vengas pronto,” for example, means “I hope you come soon.”

Aceite: Mediterranean essence

“Aceite,” meaning oil (especially olive oil), doesn’t come from Latin, like many might assume. It comes from the Arabic al-zayt, showing just how deeply Arabic has influenced Mediterranean cuisine and language. You’ll find aceite in almost every Spanish kitchen and conversation about food.

Almohada: Comfort and rest

Finally, we have “almohada”—a cozy word that means pillow. It comes from al-muhádda, meaning “that which is placed under the head.” Whether for a siesta or a good night’s sleep, an almohada is essential—and a reminder of how everyday comforts are tied to history.

Join us to explore and learn

If you’re fascinated by these Arabic-rooted words in Spanish and want to improve your vocabulary, pronunciation, or cultural understanding, we’d love to welcome you to one of our classes at Jaleo Madrid.

Let’s explore the history, rhythm, and richness of Spanish—together.