What does Dunya mean?

Today, we are going to take a look at the structure and pattern of a very common word. The Arabic word dunya (دُنْيا) is usually translated into English as world. The meaning is correct – but the literal translation is totally different. Let us check the root for this word: د – ن – و

The literal meaning of الدُّنْيا is the lowest or the closest or the nearest – and not world.

Grammatically speaking, the word دُنْيا is the feminine form of the pattern أَفْعَلُ. It is the comparative or superlative (elative) form, so called اِسْم التَّفْضِيل. The word دُنْيا is generally used in its definite form: الدُّنْيا. The plural of دُنْيا is دُنْيَيات

Let us check this pattern in detail:

Notice the feminine form in the last example! It is different because in the root, there is a و.

The meaning of دُنْيا is similar to أَقْرَبُ – meaning: closer.

A long time ago, people were using the term الْحَياةُ الدُّنْيا for describing the life which is closest to us (namely: life in this world) – because the afterlife/the hereafter (الْحَياة الْآخِرة) is something we don’t know. After some time, the word الْحَياة was deleted.

The expression الدُّنْيا is already found in the Qur’an, e.g. 16;30, سُورة النَّحْل (The bee)

… لِلَّذِينَ أَحْسَنُوا فِي هٰذِهِ الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةٌ وَلَدَارُ الْآخِرَةِ خَيْرٌ…

…for those who do good is a reward in this present world, but the abode of the Hereafter is far better…

Good to know:

• The most famous mosque in Jerusalem, which is also one of the most important in Islam, is called al-Aqsa-Mosque. It is called الأَقْصَى as in old times it was the mosque that was the furthest from Mecca. الأَقْصَى literally means the furthest.
• In German, the word dunya is sometimes transliterated as dunja, as in the name of the TV journalist Dunja Hayali.

• Unlocking Arabic #3: عَرُوسٌ – Does it mean ‘bride’ or ‘bride groom’ or both?
• Media Arabic Booster 05/25
• Quiz: Media Arabic Booster 05/25