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Argileh vs. Hookah — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 24, 2024
Argileh, commonly used in Levantine Arabic, refers to a water pipe for smoking tobacco, similar to hookah, which is a term more widespread in English-speaking countries.
Argileh vs. Hookah — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Argileh and Hookah

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Key Differences

Argileh, also known as shisha or narghile, is a traditional smoking device originating from the Middle East, specifically in Levantine countries. Whereas, hookah is the term more commonly used in South Asia and has gained popularity across North America and Europe.
The design of an argileh often features intricate patterns and can be made from a variety of materials including brass and glass. On the other hand, hookahs are generally more standardized in their design, often featuring a glass base with a metal or wooden body.
In terms of usage, argileh smoking is deeply embedded in the social culture of the Levant, often accompanied by the serving of tea or coffee. Conversely, hookah bars and cafes are popular urban social spots in Western countries, offering various flavored tobaccos.
The tobacco used in argilehs, commonly referred to as moassel, is a syrupy mix of tobacco, molasses, and fruit flavors. Meanwhile, hookah tobacco, while similar, often comes in a wider variety of flavors and blends, catering to a more diverse international palate.
Argileh sessions are typically longer, reflecting its role in leisurely social gatherings, whereas hookah smoking can vary in duration, often adjusted to fit commercial settings like cafes and lounges.
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Comparison Chart

Terminology

Preferred in Levantine Arabic
Commonly used in English-speaking regions

Design

Often intricate, varies in material
Standardized, frequently glass and metal

Cultural Context

Integral to social settings
Popular in social businesses

Tobacco Type

Moassel (syrupy and fruity)
Wide range of flavors, more commercial

Session Length

Longer, leisure-focused
Shorter, adaptable to various settings

Compare with Definitions

Argileh

Known for its cultural significance in social gatherings.
At family gatherings, an argileh session is a common sight.

Hookah

Used in various social settings, including cafes and lounges.
The hookah lounge downtown is a popular spot on weekends.

Argileh

Often features ornate and traditional designs.
The argileh was adorned with beautiful Arabic calligraphy.

Hookah

Typically made of a glass base with a metal stem.
The hookah had a sleek modern design with a clear glass base.

Argileh

A Middle Eastern water pipe used for smoking specially prepared tobacco.
He enjoyed smoking argileh at the local café with friends.

Hookah

A smoking device popular in both Eastern and Western cultures.
They ordered a hookah with apple-flavored tobacco.

Argileh

Uses a mix of tobacco, molasses, and fruits.
The argileh tobacco had a rich grape flavor.

Hookah

Smoking duration can be tailored to different environments.
Their quick hookah break lasted about thirty minutes.

Argileh

Associated with longer, relaxed smoking sessions.
Their argileh session extended late into the evening.

Hookah

Offers a wide variety of tobacco flavors.
They chose a minty flavor from the hookah menu.

Argileh

Chiefly in Syria and neighbouring Arabic-speaking countries: = "narghile".

Hookah

A hookah (Hindustani: حقّہ (Nastaleeq), हुक़्क़ा (Devanagari), IPA: [ˈɦʊqːa]; also see other names), or shisha, is a single- or multi-stemmed instrument for heating or vaporizing and then smoking either tobacco, flavored tobacco (often Mu‘assel), or sometimes cannabis, hashish, and in the past opium. The smoke is passed through a water basin—often glass-based—before inhalation.The health risks of smoking through a hookah include exposure to toxic chemicals that are not filtered out by the water and risk of infectious disease when hookahs are shared.The hookah or waterpipe was invented by Abu’l-Fath Gilani, a Persian physician of Akbar, in the Indian city of Fatehpur Sikri during Mughal India; the hookah spread from the Indian subcontinent to Persia first, where the mechanism was modified to its current shape, and then to the Near East.

Argileh

Hookah

Hookah

An oriental tobacco pipe with a long, flexible tube which draws the smoke through water contained in a bowl.

Hookah

A pipe traditionally used for smoking flavored tobacco in which tobacco is placed in a bowl and heated with burning charcoal, producing smoke that is drawn through an urn of water that cools it and then into a long tube with an attached mouthpiece. In some modern versions, the charcoal-heated bowl is replaced with a battery-powered vaporizer containing a liquid mixture similar to that used in an e-cigarette. Also called hubble-bubble, narghile, shisha.

Hookah

An e-cigarette or a vaporizer pen. Also called hookah pen.

Hookah

(recreational inhalants) Smoking A pipe with a long flexible tube that draws the smoke through water, traditionally used for smoking tobacco, which is often flavored.

Hookah

(diving) A tank-less surface air compressor pump and umbilical piping system that supplies air to a diving mask

Hookah

A pipe with a long, flexible stem, so arranged that the smoke is cooled by being made to pass through water. Also called narghile and water pipe. The hubble-bubble is a simple form of this device.

Hookah

An oriental tobacco pipe with a long flexible tube connected to a container where the smoke is cooled by passing through water;
A bipolar world with the hookah and Turkish coffee versus hamburgers and Coca Cola

Common Curiosities

What materials are commonly used to make argileh and hookah?

Argilehs are commonly made from materials like brass, glass, and sometimes ceramic, reflecting traditional craftsmanship. Hookahs are primarily made from glass and metal, aiming for durability and style.

Is there a difference in the health risks associated with smoking argileh versus hookah?

Smoking either argileh or hookah involves inhaling tobacco smoke, which carries health risks including exposure to tar, carbon monoxide, and other harmful substances.

What is the origin of the terms "argileh" and "hookah"?

"Argileh" comes from Arabic origins, particularly common in the Levant region, while "hookah" is derived from the Hindi word "huqqa," which made its way into English during the British colonial period in India.

How do you properly set up an argileh compared to a hookah?

The setup for both is similar, involving filling the base with water, placing the tobacco in the bowl at the top, covering it with foil, and heating it with coals, but the exact methods can vary slightly due to design differences.

Can argileh and hookah be used to smoke substances other than tobacco?

Both argileh and hookah are designed primarily for smoking tobacco, especially flavored tobacco, although some users also smoke herbal mixtures.

How do maintenance and cleaning practices differ between argileh and hookah?

Maintenance is similar for both, requiring regular cleaning of the pipes and base to prevent buildup and ensure fresh flavor. However, the intricacy of argileh designs can sometimes make them more challenging to clean.

What are the social connotations of smoking argileh versus hookah?

In their respective cultural contexts, argileh often has a more traditional and familial connotation, while hookah is sometimes seen as more trendy and cosmopolitan.

Why has hookah become popular in Western countries?

Hookah has gained popularity in Western countries due to cultural globalization, the appeal of social smoking, and the exotic allure of its various flavors and communal smoking experience.

Do argileh and hookah offer different flavors of tobacco?

Both offer a variety of tobacco flavors, but hookah tobacco tends to have a wider range of exotic and hybrid flavors to cater to a diverse international market.

Are there different sizes and shapes available for argileh and hookah?

Yes, both come in various sizes and shapes. Argilehs can range from very ornate personal sizes to large communal ones, while hookahs often vary in height and style, accommodating different social settings.

Can argileh and hookah be used indoors?

Both can be used indoors in ventilated areas, though many prefer to smoke them outdoors due to the smoke produced.

How long does a typical argileh or hookah session last?

Argileh sessions can last several hours, especially in a traditional setting, while hookah sessions in more commercial environments might last from one to several hours depending on the setting.

Are there any rituals or customs associated with smoking argileh or hookah?

Yes, in many cultures, there are specific rituals, such as passing the hose in a particular order or manner, which respect the communal and often ceremonial nature of smoking.

Is it common to share argileh and hookah during sessions?

Yes, sharing is common and is a part of the social experience, with personal mouthpieces often used for hygiene.

What makes argileh culturally significant in the Levant?

Argileh is integral to social life and hospitality in the Levant, often serving as a centerpiece for gatherings and a symbol of leisurely communal interaction.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Tayyaba Rehman
Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat

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