ما هو اليوبي؟
The Filipino purple yam, explained in both English and Arabic — meaning, pronunciation, and where to find it in the UAE.
⚡ Quick Answer · الإجابة السريعة
In Arabic, ube is called البطاطا الأرجوانية الفلبينية — literally "the Filipino purple yam." It is also written phonetically as يوبي (yubi).
اليوبي هو البطاطا الأرجوانية الفلبينية، وهو نوع من اليام ذو لون بنفسجي غامق طبيعي وطعم حلو يشبه الفانيليا. يُستخدم في التحلية والمشروبات والكيك، ومتوفّر في جميع أنحاء الإمارات.
In This Guide
Because ube comes from the Philippines, it does not have a single ancient Arabic name — instead there are three ways it is commonly referred to in Arabic across the UAE and the Gulf.
Descriptive name
البطاطا الأرجوانية الفلبينية
al-batata al-urjuwaniyya al-filibiniyya — "the Filipino purple yam." The most accurate and widely understood term.
Phonetic transliteration
يوبي
yubi — the sound of the word "ube" written in Arabic letters. Used on menus and packaging.
Short form
اليام البنفسجي
al-yam al-banafsaji — "the purple yam." A simpler everyday description.
⚠️ Not to confuse with
القلقاس
al-qulqas is taro, not ube. They are different plants — see our ube vs taro guide.
OO-beh /ˈuː.bɛ/
Two syllables. The first "oo" sounds like the vowel in boot. The second "beh" sounds like the start of bed. The stress is on the first syllable.
يُنطق "أوو-بيه" — المقطع الأول مثل الضمة الطويلة، والثاني مثل بداية كلمة "بيت". لا يُنطق "يوب" أو "أوبي".
A common mistake is pronouncing it "yoob" or "oo-bee." The correct Filipino pronunciation is a clear OO-beh, and this is how it is said in Arabic too.
In English, ube is called purple yam or Filipino purple yam. Its botanical name is Dioscorea alata. The word "ube" itself comes from Tagalog, the main language of the Philippines, and is now used worldwide as the ingredient has gone mainstream.
في اللغة الإنجليزية يُسمّى اليوبي "purple yam" أي البطاطا الأرجوانية، واسمه العلمي Dioscorea alata. أصل الكلمة من اللغة الفلبينية (التاغالوغ).
Ube is a species of yam with naturally deep purple flesh and a sweet, gentle flavour often described as a mix of vanilla, coconut, and pistachio. Unlike artificial purple colouring, ube's colour is completely natural — it comes from anthocyanins, the same antioxidant pigments found in blueberries.
In Filipino cuisine, ube is a beloved dessert ingredient used in ice cream, cakes, jam (halaya), and sweet bread. In recent years it has become a global trend, appearing in lattes, cheesecakes, and even the viral Dubai chocolate bar.
📚 Learn More
For the full story on ube — its history, flavour, nutrition and uses — read our complete guide: What is Ube?
Ube is easy to find across the UAE thanks to the large Filipino community. You can buy ube powder and extract online with delivery to all Emirates, or find ube products at Lulu Hypermarket, Al Maya, and Filipino grocery stores. Cafés including Starbucks UAE now serve ube drinks.
يتوفّر اليوبي بسهولة في جميع أنحاء الإمارات. يمكنك شراء مسحوق اليوبي أو الخلاصة عبر الإنترنت مع التوصيل إلى جميع الإمارات، أو إيجاده في لولو هايبرماركت والماية والمتاجر الفلبينية.
Buy ube powder online
Delivered across all seven Emirates in 2–5 days. · التوصيل لجميع الإمارات
What is ube in Arabic?
Ube in Arabic is البطاطا الأرجوانية الفلبينية — the Filipino purple yam. It is also written phonetically as يوبي.
Is ube the same as taro in Arabic?
No. Taro is القلقاس (al-qulqas) and is a completely different plant. Ube is sweeter, more vibrant and native to the Philippines.
What is ube called in English?
Purple yam, or Filipino purple yam. Its scientific name is Dioscorea alata.
Where can I buy ube in the UAE?
Ube powder and extract are available online with UAE-wide delivery, and ube products are stocked at Lulu, Al Maya and Filipino grocery stores. See our full buying guide.
Discover more about ube
Recipes, guides, and where to find it across the UAE.