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Media Arabic Booster 04/24

This month (04/24) in Media Arabic Booster: The expression ุจูŽุนูŠุฏ ุงู„ู’ู…ูŽู†ุงู„ู and a translation of an article discussing why Sudan had suspended “al-Arabiya”

Last updated: 2 weeks

As a journalist, I read Arabic newspapers daily, especially the opinion section. Every month, I want to share with you on Arabic for Nerds what I find interesting from a linguistic perspective and which vocabulary might be worth learning. I call it the Media Arabic Booster.



A close look at a headline

Headlines in Arabic media are generally easy to understand – but there are also some tricky words.

al-Sharq al-Awsat: The expression ุจูŽุนูŠุฏ ุงู„ู’ู…ูŽู†ุงู„ู

On Wednesday, April 24, 2024, the Saudi newspaper (ุงู„ุดุฑู‚ ุงู„ุฃูˆุณุท) had the following headline on its front page:

The terrible situation in Gaza is a daily topic on the front pages of most Arab newspapers. In the title of this headline, I noticed a phrase that is worth knowing:

200 ูŠูˆู…โ€ฆ ุบุฒุฉ ุชู†ุชุธุฑ ยซู‡ุฏู†ุฉ ุจุนูŠุฏุฉ ุงู„ู…ู†ุงู„ยป

200 days… Gaza awaits an elusive truce

The phrase ุจุนูŠุฏ ุงู„ู…ู†ุงู„ – what does it mean? Let’s analyze it.

The word ู…ูŽู†ุงู„ูŒ means achievement; obtaining. It is the ู…ุตุฏุฑ ู…ูŠู…ูŠู‘ of I-verb ู†ุงู„ูŽ – ูŠูŽู†ุงู„ู which means to get; to receive; to achieve; to obtain.

  • The expression ุจูŽุนูŠุฏู ุงู„ู…ูŽู†ุงู„ู can be translated as unattainable; intangible; far from reality. You could also say ุตูŽุนู’ุจู ุงู„ู’ู…ูŽู†ุงู„ู or ุนูŽุณููŠุฑู ุงู„ู’ู…ูŽู†ุงู„ู which basically also means unattainable; unavailable.
  • If you want to express the opposite, you can say ู‚ูŽุฑููŠุจู ุงู„ู’ู…ูŽู†ุงู„ู or ุณูŽู‡ู’ู„ู ุงู„ู’ู…ูŽู†ุงู„ู which translates as easy to reach, achievable.

Some nerd stuff:

  • The root ุช-ูŠ-ู„ and thus the I-verb ู†ุงู„ูŽ – ูŠูŽู†ุงู„ู means to obtain; to receive.
  • The root ู†-ูˆ-ู„ and thus the I-verb ู†ุงู„ูŽ – ูŠูŽู†ููˆู„ู means to give. From this root, you may know the VI-verb ุชูŽู†ุงูˆูŽู„ูŽ – ุชูŽู†ุงูˆูŽู„ูŽ which means to eat (also: to deal with).
  • Manaal (ู…ูŽู†ุงู„) is also a female given name which means attainment; achievement; gaining. It is a diptote (ู…ูŽู…ู’ู†ููˆุน ู…ูู† ุงู„ุตู‘ูŽุฑู’ู).

Vocabulary list

All the words marked in yellow above are explained here.

ARABICEXPLANATION
ุงู†ู’ุชูŽุธูŽุฑูŽ – ูŠูŽู†ู’ุชูŽุธูุฑูto wait for (in Arabic, you do not translate “for”, just use a direct object!). It can also mean to expect (= ุชูŽูˆูŽู‚ู‘ูŽุนูŽ). It is a VIII-verb.
ู‡ูุฏู’ู†ุฉูŒtruce, also translated as cease fire; sometimes also used for armistice (although Arabic usually uses other words for that).

The terms are really confusing. There are no universal (legal) definitions. However, there seems to be a difference between a truce (the older term) and a ceasefire. A ceasefire is better translated as ูˆูŽู‚ู’ูู ุฅูุทู’ู„ุงู‚ู ุงู„ู†ู‘ุงุฑู. While both terms involve a pause in fighting, a ceasefire is more formal and binding (usually a negotiated agreement), while a truce is less formal and more temporary. An armistice is a formal agreement to permanently cease all military operations in a conflict. It ends the war, but does not establish peace; for that, a peace treaty must be negotiated and ratified.1

Note: In the dictionary Lisan al-Arab, the words ุงู„ู’ู‡ูุฏู’ู†ุฉู and ุงู„ู’ู‡ูุฏูŽุงู†ูŽุฉู are explained mainly by their literal meaning related to being calm. Thus, a truce was given a certain period of time, and when that period expired, people returned to fighting. To have peace, you need a treaty. The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah (treaty between the Prophet Muhammad and the Quraysh in 628) is known as ุตูู„ู’ุญู ุงู„ู’ุญูุฏูŽูŠู’ุจูŠู‘ุฉู.

The word ุตูู„ู’ุญ is usually translated as reconciliation. If you want to talk about a treaty, you use the word ู…ูุนุงู‡ูŽุฏุฉ. For example, peace treaty is ู…ูุนุงู‡ูŽุฏุฉู ุตูู„ู’ุญู or ู…ูุนุงู‡ูŽุฏุฉู ุณูŽู„ุงู…ู
ู…ูŽู†ุงู„ูŒobtaining; achievement; attainment
Vocabulary List – Media Arabic Booster 04/24 – ยฉ Gerald DriรŸner

Translation of an article

Let’s focus on certain parts of the text and translate each sentence carefully. The words marked in yellow can be found further down in the vocabulary list.

al-Arab newspaper (London): “Sudan sends messages to Saudi Arabia and the UAE…”

On April 4, 2024, the independent pan-Arab newspaper al-Arab (ุงู„ุนุฑุจ), published in London, carried the following article about possible reasons why the authorities in Sudan had shut down some major Arab TV channels such as (ุงู„ุนุฑุจูŠุฉ) or Sky News Arabia (ุณูƒุงูŠ ู†ูŠูˆุฒ ุนุฑุจูŠุฉ).

Notice: Al Arabiya TV and Al Hadath TV said on April 23, 2024, that Sudanese authorities have allowed them to reopen their offices (see press release).

Let’s examine a large section of the article more closely.


ุงู„ุณูˆุฏุงู† ูŠุจุนุซ ุฑุณุงุฆู„ ู„ู„ุณุนูˆุฏูŠุฉ ูˆุงู„ุฅู…ุงุฑุงุช ุนุจุฑ ูˆู‚ู ุงู„ุนุฑุจูŠุฉ ูˆุงู„ุญุฏุซ ูˆุณูƒุงูŠ ู†ูŠูˆุฒ

Sudan sends messages to Saudi Arabia and the UAE via Al-Arabiya, Al-Hadath and Sky News

ู‚ุฑุฑุช ูˆุฒุงุฑุฉ ุงู„ุซู‚ุงูุฉ ูˆุงู„ุฅุนู„ุงู… ุงู„ุณูˆุฏุงู†ูŠุฉ ุฅูŠู‚ุงู ุนู…ู„ ู‚ู†ูˆุงุช ุงู„ุนุฑุจูŠุฉ ูˆุงู„ุญุฏุซ ูˆุณูƒุงูŠ ู†ูŠูˆุฒ ุนุฑุจูŠุฉ ููŠ ุงู„ุจู„ุงุฏุŒ ุจู€ุณุจุจ “ุนุฏู… ุงู„ุชุฒุงู…ู‡ุง ุจุงู„ู…ู‡ู†ูŠุฉ ุงู„ู…ุทู„ูˆุจุฉ ูˆุงู„ุดูุงููŠุฉ ูˆุนุฏู… ุชุฌุฏูŠุฏ ุชุฑุงุฎูŠุตู‡ุง“ุŒ ููŠ ุฎุทูˆุฉ ุชุนูƒุณ ู…ูˆู‚ู ู…ุฌู„ุณ ุงู„ุณูŠุงุฏุฉ ุงู„ุณูˆุฏุงู†ูŠ ู…ู† ุงู„ุณุนูˆุฏูŠุฉ ูˆุงู„ุฅู…ุงุฑุงุช ุงู„ู„ุชูŠู† ูŠุฑูŠุฏ ุฑุฆูŠุณ ู…ุฌู„ุณ ุงู„ุณูŠุงุฏุฉ ุงู„ุณูˆุฏุงู†ูŠ ุนุจุฏุงู„ูุชุงุญ ุงู„ุจุฑู‡ุงู† ุฅูŠุตุงู„ ุฑุณุงุฆู„ ู„ู‡ู…ุง ุนุจุฑ ุฅูŠู‚ุงู ุงู„ู‚ู†ูˆุงุช ุงู„ุชูŠ ุชู…ุซู„ ูˆุฌู‡ุฉ ุงู„ู†ุธุฑ ุงู„ุฑุณู…ูŠุฉ ู„ู‡ู…ุง.

The Sudanese Ministry of Culture and Information decided to suspend the work of the Al-Arabiya, Al-Hadath and Sky News Arabia channels in the country due to “their failure to abide by the required professionalism and transparency and failure to renew their permits.” This move reflects the position of the Sudanese Sovereignty Council towards Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The Chairman of the Sudanese Sovereignty Council, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, is seeking to deliver messages to the two countries by banning channels that reflect their official point of view. (…)

ูˆูŠุนุชุจุฑ ุงู„ู‚ุฑุงุฑ ุงู„ุณูˆุฏุงู†ูŠ ู…ูุงุฌุฆุง ุจุงู„ู†ุณุจุฉ ุฅู„ู‰ ู‚ู†ุงุชูŠ ุงู„ุนุฑุจูŠุฉ ูˆุงู„ุญุฏุซ ู„ุฃู†ู‡ู…ุง ู„ุง ุชุณุงู†ุฏุงู† ููŠ ุฎุทุงุจู‡ู…ุง ู‚ูˆุงุช ุงู„ุฏุนู… ุงู„ุณุฑูŠุนุŒ ูˆุชุดูŠุฑ ุชุบุทูŠุชู‡ู…ุง ุฅู„ู‰ ู…ูˆู‚ู ุฃู‚ุฑุจ ู„ู„ุฌูŠุด ู…ู†ู‡ ู„ู„ุฏุนู… ุงู„ุณุฑูŠุนุŒ ููŠู…ุง ุฐูƒุฑุช ู…ุตุงุฏุฑ ู…ุทู„ุนุฉ ุฃู† ุงู„ุฌูŠุด ูŠุฑูŠุฏ ุชุบุทูŠุฉ ุฃูƒุซุฑ ุงู†ุญูŠุงุฒุง ู„ู‡ุŒ ูƒู…ุง ุฃู†ู‡ ูŠุฑูŠุฏ ู…ูƒุงุณุจ ุฃุฎุฑู‰ ู…ู† ุงู„ุณุนูˆุฏูŠุฉ ูˆุฑุจู…ุง ุฏุนู…ุง ู…ุงู„ูŠุง ูˆุนุณูƒุฑูŠุง ู†ุธูŠุฑ ุนุฏู… ุชู„ุจูŠุฉ ุงู„ุทู„ุจ ุงู„ุฅูŠุฑุงู†ูŠ ุจุฅู‚ุงู…ุฉ ู‚ุงุนุฏุฉ ุนุณูƒุฑูŠุฉ.

The Sudanese decision comes as a surprise to both Al-Arabiya and Al-Hadath channels because (their discourse does not support the Rapid Support Forces and their coverage rather indicates a position closer to the army than to the Rapid Support Forces. Meanwhile, well-informed sources said that the army wants (aspires for) coverage that is more supportive/favorable of the army in addition to seeking other gains from Saudi Arabia, possibly even financial and military support as a result of not meeting the Iranian request of establishing a military base [in Sudan]. (…)

ูˆูŠุฃุชูŠ ุฅูŠู‚ุงู ู‚ู†ุงุชูŠ ุงู„ุนุฑุจูŠุฉ ูˆุงู„ุญุฏุซ ุงู„ุณุนูˆุฏูŠุชูŠู† ูƒูˆุฑู‚ุฉ ุถุบุท ุณูŠุงุณูŠ ุนู„ู‰ ุงู„ุฑูŠุงุถ ูˆุจุนุซ ุฑุณุงู„ุฉ ู…ูุงุฏู‡ุง ุฃู† ุงู„ุฏุนู… ุงู„ุฎุทุงุจูŠ ู„ุง ูŠููŠ ุจุงู„ุบุฑุถุŒ ูˆุฃู† ุตุฏ ุงู„ู…ุณุงุนูŠ ุงู„ุฅูŠุฑุงู†ูŠุฉ ูŠุณุชูˆุฌุจ ุชุนูˆูŠุถุง ุนุณูƒุฑูŠุง ุฃูˆ ู…ุงู„ูŠุง ูˆุฐู„ูƒ ุฑุบู… ุฃู† ู…ุฏูŠู†ุฉ ุฌุฏุฉ ุณุจู‚ ุฃู† ุงุณุชุถุงูุช ุงู„ู…ูุงูˆุถุงุช ุงู„ุณูˆุฏุงู†ูŠุฉ ุจูŠู† ุทุฑููŠ ุงู„ุญุฑุจ ูˆู„ู… ุชู†ุฌุญ ุงู„ู†ุชุงุฆุฌ ููŠ ุงู„ุชูˆุตู„ ุงู„ู‰ ุงุชูุงู‚ ู„ุฅู†ู‡ุงุก ุงู„ู‚ุชุงู„.

The ban on the Al-Arabiya and Al-Hadath Saudi channels comes as (constitutes) a political pressure card being used against Al-Riyadh and a message indicating that verbal/rhetorical support is not enough and that the deterrence of the Iranian efforts calls for military or financial compensation. The city of Jeddah had previously hosted the Sudanese talks (negotiations) between the two conflicting parties, but this did not result in an agreement to end the fighting. (โ€ฆ)

ูˆูŠุญูŠู„ ุฅูŠู‚ุงู ู‚ู†ุงุฉ ุณูƒุงูŠ ุนุฑุจูŠุฉ ุฅู„ู‰ ู…ูˆู‚ู ุงู„ุฎุฑุทูˆู… ู…ู† ุฃุจูˆุธุจูŠ ูˆุงุชู‡ุงู…ุงุชู‡ุง ุงู„ุชูŠ ุชูุชู‚ุฏ ู„ู„ุฃุฏู„ุฉ ุจุฏุนู… ู‚ูˆุงุช ุงู„ุฏุนู… ุงู„ุณุฑูŠุนุŒ ุฅุฐ ุชุญุดุฏ ู‚ูŠุงุฏุงุช ุงู„ุญุฑูƒุฉ ุงู„ุฅุณู„ุงู…ูŠุฉ ุฏุงุฎู„ ุงู„ุฌูŠุด ุถุฏ ุฏูˆู„ุฉ ุงู„ุฅู…ุงุฑุงุช ู…ุคุฎุฑุงุŒ ุจุนุฏ ู…ุฒุงุนู… ุณุงู‚ู‡ุง ุนุถูˆ ู…ุฌู„ุณ ุงู„ุณูŠุงุฏุฉ ูˆู…ุณุงุนุฏ ุงู„ุจุฑู‡ุงู† ุงู„ูุฑูŠู‚ ูŠุงุณุฑ ุนุทุง ููŠ ุฃูˆุงุฎุฑ ู†ูˆูู…ุจุฑ ุงู„ู…ุงุถูŠ ูˆู‚ุงู„ ููŠู‡ุง ุฅู† โ€œุงู„ุฅู…ุงุฑุงุช ุชุฏุนู… ู‚ูˆุงุช ุงู„ุฏุนู… ุงู„ุณุฑูŠุนโ€.

The ban on Sky News Arabia refers to (~is aligned with) Khartoum’s position on Abu Dhabi and the accusations โ€“ which are not based on any proof โ€“ that Abu Dhabi is supporting the Rapid Support Forces. Thus, the leaders of the Islamic Movement have been inciting against the UAE recently in light of claims voiced by the member of the Sovereignty Council and Al-Burhan’s assistant, Gen. Yasser Atta, last November when he said that the UAE is supporting the Rapid Support Forces.

ูˆู„ู… ูŠู‚ุฏู… ุงู„ุจุฑู‡ุงู† ูˆู„ุง ู…ุณุงุนุฏูˆู‡ ุฏู„ูŠู„ุง ุนู„ู‰ ู…ุฒุงุนู…ู‡ู…ุŒ ูˆุงู„ุชูŠ ุฑุฃุชู‡ุง ุฏูˆุงุฆุฑ ุณูˆุงุฏู†ูŠุฉ ูˆุณูŠู„ุฉ ู„ุชุจุฑูŠุฑ ุฅุฎูุงู‚ุงุช ุงู„ุฌูŠุดุŒ ูˆุฃุฏุงุฉ ู„ุตุฑู ุงู„ุฃู†ุธุงุฑ ุนู† ุญู‚ูŠู‚ุฉ ู…ุง ูŠุนุชู…ู„ ุฏุงุฎู„ ุงู„ู…ุคุณุณุฉ ุงู„ุนุณูƒุฑูŠุฉ ู…ู† ุณูŠุทุฑุฉ ูƒุจูŠุฑุฉ ูุฑุถุชู‡ุง ูู„ูˆู„ ุงู„ู†ุธุงู… ุงู„ุณุงุจู‚ ุนู„ู‰ ุชุญุฑูƒุงุช ุงู„ุจุฑู‡ุงู† ุงู„ุณูŠุงุณูŠุฉ.

Al-Burhan and his aides failed to provide any proof to support their claims. Sudanese circles viewed these claims as a means to justify the army’s failure and a tool to divert people’s attention away from what was really going on inside the military institution in terms of the major control imposed by the remnants of the former regime on Al-Burhan’s political actions. (โ€ฆ)

ูˆูŠุฎุดู‰ ู…ุฑุงู‚ุจูˆู† ู…ู† ุฃู† ูŠุชุญูˆู„ ุงู„ุณูˆุฏุงู† ุฅู„ู‰ ุจุคุฑุฉ ู…ุนุชู…ุฉ ุฅุฎุจุงุฑูŠุง ูˆู…ุณุฑุญุง ู„ุงู†ุชุดุงุฑ ุงู„ุฃุฎุจุงุฑ ุงู„ูƒุงุฐุจุฉ ูˆุงู„ู…ุถู„ู„ุฉุŒ ูˆุฐู„ูƒ ุจุนุฏ ุฎุฑูˆุฌ ุงู„ุตุญุงููŠูŠู† ุงู„ุฃุฌุงู†ุจ ูˆุชูˆู‚ู ุจุซ ุงู„ุชู„ูุฒูŠูˆู† ูˆุงู„ุฅุฐุงุนุฉ ุงู„ุญูƒูˆู…ูŠูŠู’ู† ู…ุน ุจุฏุก ุงู†ุฏู„ุงุน ุงู„ู…ุนุงุฑูƒ ูˆุนุฏู… ุงู†ุชุธุงู… ุจุซู‡ู…ุง ุจุนุฏ ุฐู„ูƒ.

Observers are worried that Sudan could turn into an obscure region media-wise and an arena for the proliferation of fake news as the foreign journalists have left the country and as the state TV and radio stopped broadcasting upon the launching of the battles and suffered from irregular broadcasting after that. (โ€ฆ)


Vocabulary list

All the words in the above article marked in yellow can be found in this table with explanations.

ARABICEXPLANATION
ุฅููŠู‚ุงููŒstopping; also: suspension. Depending on the context, it may also denote arrest; detention. It is the infinitive noun (ู…ุตุฏุฑ) of the IV-verb ุฃูŽูˆู’ู‚ูŽููŽ – ูŠูˆู‚ููู which means to stop.
ู‚ูŽู†ุงุฉูŒ
plural: ู‚ูŽู†ูŽูˆุงุช or ุฃูŽู‚ู’ู†ููŠุฉ
channel (TV; but also in the meaning of canal). For example: The Suez Canal (ุงู„ุณููˆูŽูŠู’ุณู)
ุงูู„ู’ุชูุฒุงู…ูŒ ุจูcompliance; accordance; commitment. Sometimes also: agreement/contract. It is the infinitive noun (ู…ุตุฏุฑ) of the VIII-verb ุงู„ู’ุชูŽุฒูŽู…ูŽ – ุงู„ู’ุชูŽุฒูŽู…ูŽ ุจู which means: to comply with. Root: ู„-ุฒ-ู…
ู…ูู‡ู’ู†ูŠู‘ุฉูŒprofessionalism
ุดูŽูู‘ุงูููŠู‘ุฉูŒtransparency. Depending on the context, also: translucency. It is an artificial infinitive noun (ู…ูŽุตู’ุฏูŽุฑูŒ ุตูู†ูŽุงุนููŠู‘ูŒ). The standard, original infinitive nouns is ุดููููˆููŒ or ุดูŽูู‘ูŒ. The I-verb ุดูŽูู‘ูŽ – ูŠูŽุดููู‘ู means to be transparent.
ุชูŽุฑู’ุฎููŠุตูŒ
plural: ุชูŽุฑุงุฎูŠุตู or ุชูŽุฑู’ุฎูŠุตุงุช
license; permission. It is the infinitive noun (ู…ุตุฏุฑ) of the II-verb ุฑูŽุฎู‘ูŽุตูŽ – ูŠูุฑูŽุฎู‘ูุตู which means to allow. Note: If you talk about the document itself, you normally use the noun ุฑูุฎู’ุตุฉูŒ (plural: ุฑูุฎูŽุตูŒ) of the same root. There is another Arabic word for license/permit which is also often used: ุชูŽุตู’ุฑููŠุญูŒ. For example: residence permit (ุชูŽุตู’ุฑูŠุญ ุฅู‚ุงู…ุฉู)
ุฎูŽุทู’ูˆุฉูŒ
plural: ุฎูŽุทูŽูˆุงุช
step. For example: step by step (ุฎูŽุทู’ูˆุฉู‹ ุฎูŽุทู’ูˆุฉู‹)
ุนูŽูƒูŽุณูŽ – ูŠูŽุนู’ูƒูุณูto reflect. Also: to reverse
ุณููŠุงุฏุฉูŒsovereignty. It can also denote Excellency in respectful titles of address. For example: His Excellency the minister (ุณููŠุงุฏุฉ ุงู„ูˆูŽุฒูŠุฑู). You can also just add a pronoun – ุณููŠุงุฏูŽุชููƒูŽ – which can be translated as a very respectful and polite form of you (lit.: Your Excellency). The word ุณููŠุงุฏุฉูŒ is one of the many infinitive noun (ู…ุตุฏุฑ) forms of the I-verb ุณุงุฏูŽ – ูŠูŽุณููˆุฏู which literally means: to rule; to be master.
ุฅููŠุตุงู„ูŒreceipt. It is the infinitive noun (ู…ุตุฏุฑ) of the IV-verb ุฃูŽูˆู’ุตูŽู„ูŽ – ูŠููˆุตูู„ู which means to bring; to deliver. The root is ูˆ-ุต-ู„.
ูˆูุฌู’ู‡ุฉ ู†ูŽุธูŽุฑูpoint of view. For example: in my opinion (ู…ูู†ู’ ูˆูุฌู’ู‡ุฉู ู†ูŽุธูŽุฑููŠ)
Vocabulary List – Media Arabic Booster 04/24 – ยฉ Gerald DriรŸner
ARABICEXPLANATION
ู…ููุงุฌูุฆูŒsurprising; unexpected. For example: to come as a surprise (ูƒุงู†ูŽ ู…ููุงุฌูุฆู‹ุง)
ุณุงู†ูŽุฏูŽ – ูŠูุณุงู†ูุฏูto support; to assist. III-verb
ุชูŽุบู’ุทููŠุฉูŒcovering; coverage (media). For example: live coverage about (ุชูŽุบู’ุทููŠูŽุฉูŒ ู…ูุจุงุดูุฑูŽุฉูŒ ุญูŽูˆู’ู„ูŽ)
ู…ูุทู‘ูŽู„ูุนูŒwell-informed. It is the active participle (ุงุณู… ุงู„ูุงุนูู„) of the VIII-verb ุงุทู‘ูŽู„ูŽุนูŽ – ูŠูŽุทู‘ูŽู„ูุนู which means to examine. Note: The root is ุท-ู„-ุน and the ุช of the VIII-pattern gets absorbed by the ุท. For example: well-informed sources (ู…ูŽุตุงุฏูุฑู ู…ูุทู‘ูŽู„ูุนูŽุฉูŒ)
ุงูู†ู’ุญููŠุงุฒูŒ ู„ูbias; siding with. It is the infinitive noun (ู…ุตุฏุฑ) of the VII-verb ุงูู†ู’ุญุงุฒูŽ – ูŠูŽู†ู’ุญุงุฒู ู„ู which means to side with. For example: taking sides with someone (ุงู„ุงู†ู’ุญููŠุงุฒ ู„ูุดูŽุฎู’ุตู).
ู…ูŽูƒู’ุณูŽุจูŒ
plural: ู…ูŽูƒุงุณูุจู
profit; gain. For example: a large profit (ู…ูŽูƒู’ุณูŽุจูŒ ูƒูŽุจููŠุฑูŒ)
ู†ูŽุธููŠุฑูŽin return for; in exchange for; in consideration of; as a result of. Note that this is a ุธูŽุฑู’ู – notice the vowel “a” at the end. The noun ู†ูŽุธููŠุฑูŒ means counterpart or peer.
ุชูŽู„ู’ุจููŠูŽุฉูŒacceptance of; also: responding to. It is the infinitive noun (ู…ุตุฏุฑ) of the II-verb ู„ูŽุจู‘ูŽู‰ – ูŠูู„ูŽุจู‘ููŠ which means to comply with; to agree to. Note that in Arabic, you do not need a preposition, just a direct object. For example: to accept/agree to an invitation (ู„ูŽุจู‘ูŽู‰ ุฏูŽุนู’ูˆุฉู‹).
Vocabulary List – Media Arabic Booster 04/24 – ยฉ Gerald DriรŸner
ARABICEXPLANATION
ู…ููุงุฏูŒcontent (of an article); purport. It is the passive participle (ุงุณู… ุงู„ู…ูุนูˆู„) of the IV-verb ุฃูŽูุงุฏูŽ – ูŠูููŠุฏู which means to certify; to inform; make use of. meaning (of an article); contents; substance; purport. For example: a rumor that says that/to the effect that (ุฅูุดุงุนูŽุฉูŒ ู…ูŽูุงุฏูู‡ุง ุฃูŽู†ูŽู‘); a message to the effect that (ุฎูŽุจูŽุฑูŒ ู…ููุงุฏูู‡ู ุฃูŽู†ู‘ูŽ). The root is ู-ูŠ-ุฏ.
ูˆูŽููŽู‰ – ูŠูŽูููŠ ุจูto live up to; to fulfil. Root: ูˆ-ู-ูŠ. Note: The imperative (masculine, singular) of this I-verb consists of only one letter: ูู ุจููˆูŽุนู’ุฏููƒูŽ means keep your promise! The imperative (feminine, singular) is ูููŠ. The infinitive noun (ู…ุตุฏุฑ) is ูˆูŽูุงุกูŒ which means loyalty; faithfulness. Don’t confuse it with ูˆูŽูุงุฉูŒ of the same root which means death; decease.
ุบูŽุฑูŽุถูŒ
plural: ุฃูŽุบู’ุฑุงุถ
goal; objective. The expression ู„ุง ูŠูŽูููŠ ุจูุงู„ู’ุบูŽุฑูŽุถู is often translated as: to be inadequate; also: not enough; does not fit.
ุตูŽุฏู‘ูŒstopping; repulsion. It is the infinitive noun (ู…ุตุฏุฑ) of the I-verb ุตูŽุฏู‘ูŽ – ูŠูŽุตูุฏู‘ู which means to turn away (ุนูŽู†ู’); to stop; to repel. For example: to ward off a question (ุตูŽุฏู‘ูŽ ุงู„ุฃูŽุณู’ุฆูู„ุฉูŽ)
ู…ูŽุณู’ุนู‹ู‰
plural: ู…ูŽุณุงุนู
effort; attempt. Root: ุณ-ุน-ูŠ. It is the ู…ูŽุตู’ุฏูŽุฑูŒ ู…ููŠู…ููŠู‘ูŒ of the I-verb ุณูŽุนูŽู‰ – ูŠูŽุณู’ุนูŽู‰ ุฅูู„ูŽู‰ which means to strive; to seek.
ุงูุณู’ุชูŽูˆู’ุฌูŽุจูŽ – ูŠูŽุณู’ุชูŽูˆู’ุฌูุจูto require; to make compulsory. Sometimes also: to deserve. X-form verb
ุชูŽุนู’ูˆููŠุถูŒ
plural: ุชูŽุนู’ูˆููŠุถุงุชูŒ
refund; reimbursement; compensation. It is the infinitive noun (ู…ุตุฏุฑ) of the II-verb ุนูŽูˆู‘ูŽุถูŽ – ูŠูุนูŽูˆู‘ูุถู ุนูŽู†ู’ which means to compensate for. For example: to ask for a compensation (ุทูŽู„ูŽุจูŽ ุชูŽุนู’ูˆููŠุถู‹ุง). Do not forget the preposition ุนู†. For example: compensation for the damage (ุชูŽุนู’ูˆููŠุถูŒ ุนูŽู† ุงู„ุถูŽู‘ุฑูŽุฑู)
ุงุณู’ุชูŽุถุงููŽ – ูŠูŽุณู’ุชูŽุถูŠููto host. X-form verb of the root ุถ-ูŠ-ู.
ู†ูŽุชููŠุฌุฉูŒ
plural: ู†ูŽุชุงุฆูุฌู
result; consequence; outcome. Note: ู†ูŽุชููŠุฌุฉูŒ often occurs in the phrase ู†ูŽุชููŠุฌุฉู‹ ู„ู or ู†ูŽุชููŠุฌุฉู‹ or ุจูุงู„ู†ูŽู‘ุชููŠุฌุฉู meaning as a result of; because of; due to. When ู†ูŽุชููŠุฌุฉูŒ is used with the preposition ุบูŽู„ูŽู‰, then it means consequence for.
Vocabulary List – Media Arabic Booster 04/24 – ยฉ Gerald DriรŸner
ARABICEXPLANATION
ุฃูŽุญุงู„ูŽ – ูŠูุญูŠู„ูto refer to. Also: to pass on; to hand over. Form IV-verb
ุงููู’ุชูŽู‚ูŽุฏูŽ – ูŠูŽูู’ุชูŽู‚ูุฏูto miss; to lack; to be deprived of. You use a direct object; VIII-verb.
ุฏูŽู„ููŠู„ูŒ
plural: ุฃูŽุฏูู„ู‘ุฉูŒ or ุฏูŽู„ุงุฆูู„ู
evidence: sign, clue. Depending on the context, it may also express guide, manual. For example: phone book/directory (ุฏูŽู„ููŠู„ู ุงู„ู’ู‡ุงุชููู)
ุชูŽุญูŽุดู‘ูŽุฏูŽ – ูŠูŽุชูŽุญูŽุดู‘ูŽุฏูto assemble; to gather together. V-verb
ู…ูŽุฒู’ุนูŽู…ูŒ
plural: ู…ูŽุฒุงุนูู…ู
allegation; claim; assumption. It is the ู…ูŽุตู’ุฏูŽุฑูŒ ู…ููŠู…ููŠู‘ูŒ of the I-verb ุฒูŽุนูŽู…ูŽ – ูŠูŽุฒู’ุนูู…ู which means to allege; to claim.
ุณุงู‚ูŽ – ูŠูŽุณูˆู‚ูto steer; to drive (a car). Also: to quote; to cite or to send. Root: ุณ-ูˆ-ู‚
Vocabulary List – Media Arabic Booster 04/24 – ยฉ Gerald DriรŸner
ARABICEXPLANATION
ุฏุงุฆูุฑุฉูŒ
plural: ุฏูŽูˆุงุฆูุฑู
circle; district
ุชูŽุจู’ุฑููŠุฑูŒjustification. It is the infinitive noun (ู…ุตุฏุฑ) of the II-verb ุจูŽุฑู‘ูŽุฑูŽ – ูŠูุจูŽุฑู‘ูุฑู which means to justify.
ุฅุฎู’ูุงู‚ูŒ
plural: ุฅุฎู’ูุงู‚ุงุชูŒ
failure; fiasco; flop. It is the infinitive noun (ู…ุตุฏุฑ) of IV-verb ุฃูŽุฎู’ููŽู‚ูŽ – ูŠูุฎู’ููู‚ู which means to fail.
ู†ูŽุธูŽุฑูŒ
plural: ุฃูŽู†ู’ุธุงุฑูŒ
view; sight. Often used in phrases such as: regardless of; irrespective of (ุจูุตูŽุฑู’ูู ุงู„ู†ูŽู‘ุธูŽุฑู ุนูŽู†ู’
or ูŠูŽู‚ู’ุทูŽุนู ุงู„ู†ูŽู‘ุธูŽุฑูŽ ุนูŽู†ู’). It is also quite common to use the I-verb ุตูŽุฑูŽููŽ – ูŠูŽุตู’ุฑููู which – among other things (to spend; to change) – means to turn away; to abandon: ุตูŽุฑูŽููŽ ุงู„ู†ูŽุธูŽุฑูŽ ุนู† ุดูŽูŠู’ุกู can be translated as to pay no attention to something; to avert one’s eyes.
ุณูŽูŠู’ุทูŽุฑุฉูŒcontrol, command; domination. It often occurs together with ุชูŽุญู’ุชูŽ, under.
What about the root? It consists of four letters: ุณ-ูŠ-ุท-ุฑ. The word ุณูŽูŠู’ุทูŽุฑุฉูŒ is the infinitive noun (ู…ุตุฏุฑ) of the I-verb ุณูŽูŠู’ุทูŽุฑูŽ – ูŠูุณูŽูŠู’ุทูุฑู which means to control; to dominate. So, do not confuse it with the I-verb based on three letters: ุณูŽุทูŽุฑูŽ – ูŠูŽุณู’ุทูุฑู, which means to write down.
ููŽุฑูŽุถูŽ – ูŠูŽูู’ุฑูุถูto impose; to force on (ุนูŽู„ูŽู‰). Note: This I-verb may also denote to suppose, to assume. For example: Let us assume that... (ู„ูู†ูŽูู’ุฑูุถู’ ุฃู†ู‘ูŽ). โžก To express let’s…, you use a Lฤm with “i” underneath (ู„ู), a so-called ู„ุงู…ู ุงู„ู’ุฃูŽู…ู’ุฑู, and add a verb in the ู…ูŽุฌู’ุฒููˆู…ูŒ-mood (jussive),
ููŽู„ู‘ูŒ
plural: ููู„ููˆู„ูŒ
shabby rest; dent, notch; a portion that has fallen off from a thing; fleeting part of the army; (scattered, miserable) remnant. Note: For the origin and use of this word, see the box below (Deep Dive Fuloul).
ู†ูุธุงู…ูŒ
plural: ู†ูุธุงู…ุงุชูŒ or ู†ูุธูู…ูŒ or ุฃูŽู†ู’ุธูู…ุฉูŒ
regime; system; order, discipline. When Arabs say ุงู„ู†ู‘ูุธุงู…ู, they usually refer to an authoritarian government/regime. For example, to topple the regime (ุฃูŽุณู’ู‚ูŽุทูŽ – ูŠูุณู’ู‚ูุทู ุงู„ู†ูุธุงู…ูŽ). But it also occurs in other contexts. For example: tax system (ู†ูุธุงู…ู ุงู„ุถูŽู‘ุฑุงุฆูุจู).
Vocabulary List – Media Arabic Booster 04/24 – ยฉ Gerald DriรŸner

DEEP DIVE Fuloul (ููู„ููˆู„ูŒ): origin, meaning and the proverb ู„ุง ูŠูŽููู„ู‘ู ุงู„ู’ุญูŽุฏููŠุฏูŽ ุฅูู„ู‘ูŽุง ุงู„ู’ุญูŽุฏููŠุฏู

The origin of the word ููŽู„ู‘ูŒ (plural: ููู„ููˆู„ูŒ) means the notch/dullness in a sword, and perhaps more correctly, the notch or dullness in anything.

So the expression ููู„ููˆู„ู ุงู„ุณู‘ูŽูŠู’ูู denote the remnants of the sword, which are the fractures in the edge of the sword.

The word appears in ancient Arabic poetry and proverbs, including the well-known saying: ู„ุง ูŠูŽููู„ู‘ู ุงู„ู’ุญูŽุฏููŠุฏูŽ ุฅูู„ู‘ูŽุง ุงู„ู’ุญูŽุฏููŠุฏู. It literally means: Iron can only be dulled by iron. This Arabic proverb can be applied in many situations, mainly to indicate that when faced with a particular situation, what is needed are qualities appropriate to that situation – often where in English one would say to set a thief to catch a thief, but it can also work in the sense of fighting fire with fire. For example: A clever but mean man uses his influence to harm the people of a village; then the harmed turn to another man who is equal to the other. In Arabic, however, it can also be used to give people a warning, in the sense of “If you do that, you will be fighting fire with fire….”.

So why is this word now being used politically? The word “Fuloul” (~ remnants) is used today to refer to remnants of a previous regime (politicians, civil servants, military officers).

The term Fuloul (ููู„ููˆู„ูŒ) became popular in Egypt soon after the fall of Mohamed Hosni Mubarak’s regime in 2011, with media outlets referring to his regime, especially members of the National Democratic Party (NDP), which was ordered to disband and hand over its headquarters.

ARABICEXPLANATION
ุฎูŽุดููŠูŽ – ูŠูŽุฎู’ุดู‰ ู…ูู†to be afraid of; to fear. It can be used with the preposition ู…ูู†ู’ or without it (= direct object) to express what you are afraid of. If you want to express that you fear for, you use the preposition ุนูŽู„ูŽู‰. For example: to fear for the children (ุฎูŽุดููŠูŽ ุนูŽู„ูŽู‰ ุงู„ู’ุฃูŽุทู’ูุงู„ู) The infinitive noun (ู…ุตุฏุฑ) is ุฎูŽุดู’ูŠุฉูŒ (fear).
ุจูุคู’ุฑุฉูŒ
plural: ุจูุคูŽุฑูŒ
center, epicenter; spot. For example: a focal point of misery (ุจูุคู’ุฑุฉู ุดูŽู‚ุงุกู); hotspots of tension (ุจูุคูŽุฑู ุชูŽูˆูŽุชูู‘ุฑู)
ู…ูุนู’ุชูู…ูŒdark, opaque; gloomy in the sense of ู…ูุธู’ู„ูู…ูŒ. It is the active participle (ุงูุณู’ู…ู ุงู„ู’ูุงุนูู„ู) of the IV-verb ุฃูŽุนู’ุชูŽู…ูŽ which means to darken something, sometimes also in the sense of to become dark.
ู…ูŽุณู’ุฑูŽุญูŒู
plural: ู…ูŽุณุงุฑูุญู
theater; arena; scene, set
ู…ูุถูŽู„ู‘ูู„ูŒmisleading, deceptive. It is the active participle (ุงูุณู’ู…ู ุงู„ู’ูุงุนูู„ู) of the II-verb ุถูŽู„ู‘ูŽู„ูŽ – ูŠูุถูŽู„ู‘ูู„ู which means to mislead; to delude; to deceive. For example: fake news (ุฃูŽุฎู’ุจุงุฑูŒ ู…ูุถูŽู„ู‘ูู„ุฉูŒ)
ุจูŽุซู‘ูŒbroadcast(ing). It is the infinitive noun (ู…ุตุฏุฑ) of the I-verb ุจูŽุซู‘ูŽ – ูŠูŽุจูุซู‘ู which means to broadcast; to spread. For example: live stream (ุจูŽุซู‘ูŒ ุญูŽูŠู‘ูŒ), live broadcast (ุจูŽุซู‘ูŒ ู…ูุจุงุดูุฑูŒ)
ุงูู†ู’ุฏูู„ุงุนูŒoutbreak. Usually, only used when a major event breaks out or flares up: a war (ุงูู†ู’ุฏูู„ุงุนู ุงู„ู’ุญูŽุฑู’ุจู), a revolution (ุงูู†ู’ุฏูู„ุงุนู ุงู„ุซูŽู‘ูˆู’ุฑุฉู), an epidemic (ุงูู†ู’ุฏูู„ุงุนู ุงู„ู’ูˆูŽุจุงุกู). It is the infinitive noun (ู…ุตุฏุฑ) of the VII-verb ุงู†ู’ุฏูŽู„ูŽุนูŽ – ูŠูŽู†ู’ุฏูŽู„ูุนู which means to break out; to flare up.
ู…ูŽุนู’ุฑูŽูƒุฉูŒ
plural: ู…ูŽุนุงุฑููƒู
battle, fight; battlefield
Vocabulary List – Media Arabic Booster 04/24 – ยฉ Gerald DriรŸner

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NOTICE: If there are any errors or mistakes in this article, please let me know or use the comment section below. I am not a native English speaker, and inaccuracies can quickly creep in with more complicated texts. We are all here to learn.

DISCLAIMER: Just so you know, my focus is purely on the language, and my selection of texts does not express any political views. The Arab world is currently full of sad conflicts. If a text excerpt hits someone personally or makes them angry, please remember that as a journalist, I listen to all sides without judgment, and I do not want to spread any political views or engage in discussions on Arabic for Nerds. All I care about here is the wonderful language of Arabic, and that we can all use it to understand each other better.

  1. Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/23/world/middleeast/truce-cease-fire-and-armistice-the-legal-nuances.html โ†ฉ๏ธŽ
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