Sohbet
/soʊˈbɛt/noun
A conversation or spiritual discussion, especially in a Sufi or Turkish cultural context.
Did you know?In Sufi traditions, sohbet can refer to spiritually transformative conversation with a teacher, reflecting the word’s original Arabic association with companionship.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Semitic
Proto-Semitic
ṣ-ḥ-b
“To accompany or keep company; the reconstructed root underlying later Arabic forms.”
Classical Arabic
Arabic
ṣuḥba
“Companionship, association, or keeping company.”
Classical Arabic
Arabic
ṣāḥib
“Companion, associate, or one who possesses something; later the source of English “sahib.””
Medieval Arabic
Arabic
ṣuḥba / ṣuḥbat
“Companionship and conversation, especially in religious or scholarly settings.”
Ottoman Turkish
Turkish
sohbet
“Conversation, friendly talk, or religious conversation; borrowed from Arabic.”
Modern English
English
sohbet
“A conversation or spiritual discussion, generally used in contexts involving Turkish or Sufi culture.”