A variety of colorful capsules and pills scattered on a sandy terrain, with small rocks and pebbles nearby and distant mountains under a cloudy sky in the background.

Media Arabic Booster 07/24

This month (07/24) in Media Arabic Booster: The meaning of the word ุดุฑุทุฉ and how the drug Captagon affects the relations between Syria, Turkey and the Arab neighbors

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.

Akhbar al-Hawadith: The police and the military in Egypt

On Thursday, July 4, 2024, the weekly Egyptian magazine Akhbar al-Hawadith (ุฃุฎุจุงุฑ ุงู„ุญูˆุงุฏุซ), a state-owned semi-official publication and offshoot of the daily al-Akhbar newspaper, published the following article:

  • On 30 June 2013, protesters demonstrated across Egypt against Mohammed Morsi (ู…ุญู…ุฏ ู…ุฑุณูŠ), the elected president of Egypt at that time and a prominent figure in the Muslim Brotherhood (ุงู„ู’ุฅูุฎู’ูˆุงู†).
  • The protesters expressed their anger at the Muslim Brotherhood, which they accuse of hijacking Egypt’s revolution and using its electoral victories to monopolize power and impose Islamic law.
  • Egyptian army chief General Abdel Fattah el-Sisi (ุนุจุฏ ุงู„ูุชุงุญ ุณุนูŠุฏ ุญุณูŠู† ุฎู„ูŠู„ ุงู„ุณูŠุณูŠ) led a coalition to remove President Mohamed Morsi from power and suspended Egypt’s 2012 constitution.
  • A few days later, on 3 July 2013, the Egyptian military seized power.
  • On 14 August 2013, Egyptian police and the armed forces, led by Defense Minister Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, used lethal force to break up two protest camps in Cairo: one at al-Nahda Square (ู…ูŠุฏุงู† ุงู„ู†ู‡ุถุฉ) and a larger one at Rabaa al-Adawiya Square (ู…ุณุฌุฏ ุฑุงุจุนุฉ ุงู„ุนุฏูˆูŠุฉ). The camps were occupied by supporters of President Mohamed Morsi.
  • The exact death toll is unclear, with conflicting estimates. Human Rights Watch reports at least 904 protesters were killed (817 in Rabaa Square and 87 in al-Nahda Square).
  • These events in June and July 2013 were portrayed by the military as a way to eliminate the revolution of 2011, which led to the collapse of Hosni Mubarak’s regime (ู…ุญู…ุฏ ุญุณู†ูŠ ู…ุจุงุฑูƒ). For the military, the events in 2013 were the true revolution.
  • Under Mubarak, the police forces were strong, which is why Egypt was called a police state. Now there is a military dictatorship that is trying to integrate the police into the structures.

Let’s focus on the headline:

ุจู†ุงุก ุดุฑุทุฉ ุนุตุฑูŠุฉ ุชูˆุงูƒุจ ุงู„ุฌู…ู‡ูˆุฑูŠุฉ ุงู„ุฌุฏูŠุฏุฉ

Building a modern police force that keeps pace with the new republic


Vocabulary list

All words marked in color above are explained here.

ARABICEXPLANATION
ุจูู†ุงุกูŒbuilding. It is the verbal noun (ู…ูŽุตู’ุฏูŽุฑูŒ) of the I-verb ุจูŽู†ูŽู‰ – ูŠูŽุจู’ู†ููŠ which means to build. Some examples: construction company (ุดูŽุฑููƒุฉู ุจูู†ุงุกู); based on; on the basis of (ุจูู†ุงุกู‹ ุนูŽู„ูŽู‰)
ุดูุฑู’ุทุฉูŒpolice. A singular policeman is ุดูุฑู’ุทููŠู‘ูŒ. Some examples: to inform the police (ุฃูŽุจู’ู„ูŽุบูŽ ุงู„ุดูู‘ุฑู’ุทุฉูŽ); police officer (ุถุงุจูุทู ุดูุฑู’ุทูŽุฉู); police station (ู…ูŽุฑู’ูƒูŽุฒู ุงู„ุดูู‘ุฑู’ุทุฉู)
ุนูŽุตู’ุฑููŠู‘ูŒmodern; contemporary. It is the Nisba adjective (ู†ูุณู’ุจุฉูŒ) of the noun ุนูŽุตู’ุฑูŒ which means age; era; period. For example: contemporary technology (ุชูƒู†ูˆู„ูˆุฌูŠุง ุนูŽุตู’ุฑููŠู‘ูŽุฉูŒ)
ูˆุงูƒูŽุจูŽ – ูŠููˆุงูƒูุจูto go along with; to accompany; to go together with (use a direct object in Arabic; not a preposition). III-verb. For example: to keep up with the times (ูˆุงูƒูŽุจูŽ ุงู„ู’ุนูŽุตู’ุฑูŽ)
Vocabulary List – Media Arabic Booster 07/24 – ยฉ Gerald DriรŸner

What does al-Shurta (ุงู„ุดุฑุทุฉ) actually mean?

Most sources assume the following origin of the word al-Shurta (ุงู„ุดุฑุทุฉ): The police were given this name in reference to a strip of cloth that was placed on the hand over the clothing of the security man during the reign of สฟAbd al-Malik ibn Marwฤn (ุงู„ุฎู„ูŠูุฉ ุนุจุฏ ุงู„ู…ู„ูƒ ุจู† ู…ุฑูˆุงู†) to distinguish them from the general public.

โžค How come? The root ุด-ุฑ-ุท, in an old meaning, denotes to slit the ear of a camel. From this, it got the meaning of sign, token, mark; also condition. Note: The Biblical Hebrew word ืฉึถื‚ืจึถื˜ (sheret) – with similar Semitic root letters – means stripe, incision, tear, line, scratch.

โžค Who was Abd al-Malik ibn Marwฤn? He was one of the most important caliphs of the Umayyads and ruled from 685 (65 AH) to 705 (86 AH). The Dome of the RockQubbat al-Sakhrah (ู‚ูุจู‘ุฉู ุงู„ุตูŽู‘ุฎู’ุฑุฉู) in Jerusalem (ุงู„ู’ู‚ูุฏู’ุณู) was built at the behest of Caliph Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan. Construction began in 687 and was completed in 691. The word ุตูŽุฎู’ุฑูŒ (pl.: ุตูุฎูˆูุฑูŒ) means rock or stone in Arabic.

Dome of the Rock in Jersualem - picture: Gerald DriรŸner
Dome of the Rock in Jersualem – picture: Gerald DriรŸner

Translation of an article

Let’s look at parts of a longer newspaper article in Arabic. We will translate each sentence carefully. The highlighted words are in the vocabulary list below.

al-Arabi al-Jadeed: “Did ErdoฤŸan obtain a green Qatari light to invite Al-Assad?”

On July 9, 2024, the following analysis was published in the Qatari-owned London-based newspaper al-Arabi al-Jadeed (ุงู„ุนุฑุจูŠ ุงู„ุฌุฏูŠุฏ). The Turkish president is under political pressure to send back Syrian refugees, and in early July 2024, shops and vehicles belonging to Syrian residents were attacked and sometimes set on fire by rioters in several Turkish cities. In July, ErdoฤŸan extended an invitation to the Syrian ruler.

Article Al Arabi Al Jadeed, July 09, 2024

Let’s now take a closer look at a few complete paragraphs.

Note: In June 2022, the Republic of Turkey officially changed its name at the United Nations to Tรผrkiye. In this article, I will still use Turkey to avoid confusing readers.


ู‡ู„ ุญุตู„ ุฃุฑุฏูˆุบุงู† ุนู„ู‰ ุถูˆุก ู‚ุทุฑูŠ ุฃุฎุถุฑ ู„ุฏุนูˆุฉ ุงู„ุฃุณุฏ

Did ErdoฤŸan obtain a green light from Qatar to invite al-Assad?

Section 1

ุฑุฌุญุช ุฃูˆุณุงุท ุนุฑุจูŠุฉ ุฃู† ูŠูƒูˆู† ุงู„ุฑุฆูŠุณ ุงู„ุชุฑูƒูŠ ุฑุฌุจ ุทูŠุจ ุฃุฑุฏูˆุบุงู† ู‚ุฏ ุญุตู„ ุนู„ู‰ ุถูˆุก ุฃุฎุถุฑ ู…ู† ู‚ุทุฑ ู„ุฏุนูˆุฉ ุงู„ุฑุฆูŠุณ ุงู„ุณูˆุฑูŠ ุจุดุงุฑ ุงู„ุฃุณุฏ ุฅู„ู‰ ุฒูŠุงุฑุฉ ุชุฑูƒูŠุง ุจุนุฏ ุณู†ูˆุงุช ู…ู† ุงู„ู‚ุทูŠุนุฉ ูˆุงู„ุนุฏุงุก. ูˆุงุนุชุจุฑุช ุงู„ุฃูˆุณุงุท ุฐุงุชู‡ุง ุฃู† ุนูˆุฏุฉ ุฃุฑุฏูˆุบุงู† ุฅู„ู‰ ุชุฃูƒูŠุฏ ุงู„ุฏุนูˆุฉ ุจุนุฏ ู…ุฑูˆุฑ ุฃู‚ู„ ู…ู† ุฃุณุจูˆุนูŠู† ุนู„ู‰ ุฅุซุงุฑุฉ ุงู„ู…ูˆุถูˆุน ุชุดูŠุฑ ุฅู„ู‰ ุญุตูˆู„ู‡ ุนู„ู‰ ุฅุดุงุฑุงุช ุจุดุฃู† ู…ูˆุงูู‚ุฉ ุงู„ุฃุณุฏ ุงู„ุชูŠ ุชูƒูˆู† ู‚ุฏ ุชู…ุช ุจุนุฏ ุงู„ุชุฃูƒุฏ ู…ู† ุชุญูŠูŠุฏ ู‚ุทุฑ ุงู„ุชูŠ ุฑูุถุช ุฑูƒูˆุจ ู‚ุทุงุฑ ุงู„ุชุทุจูŠุน ู…ุน ุฏู…ุดู‚ ู‚ุจู„ ุณู†ุฉ ูˆู„ู… ุชุคูŠุฏ ุนูˆุฏุฉ ุณูˆุฑูŠุง ุฅู„ู‰ ุงู„ุฌุงู…ุนุฉ ุงู„ุนุฑุจูŠุฉ.

Arab circles indicated that Turkish President Recep Tayyip ErdoฤŸan may have received a green light from Qatar to invite Syrian President to visit Turkey after years of estrangement and hostility. The same circles said (considered) that ErdoฤŸan’s reiteration of the invitation less than two weeks after raising this issue indicates that he obtained signs of al-Assad’s approval. This may have happened after making sure that Qatar has now been convinced, knowing that the latter had refused to board the normalization train with Damascus a year ago and did not support Syria’s return to the Arab League.

Section 2

ูˆู„ุง ูŠุจุฏูŠ ุงู„ุฑุฆูŠุณ ุงู„ุณูˆุฑูŠ ุชุญู…ุณุง ุดุฏูŠุฏุง ู„ุงุณุชุนุงุฏุฉ ุนู„ุงู‚ุงุชู‡ ุงู„ุณุงุจู‚ุฉ ู…ุน ุชุฑูƒูŠุงุŒ ู„ูƒู† ุชุตุฑูŠุญุงุช ุฃุฑุฏูˆุบุงู† ุงู„ู…ุชุชุงู„ูŠุฉ ุชุนูƒุณ ูˆุฌูˆุฏ ุชู‚ุฏู… ููŠ ุงู„ู…ูุงูˆุถุงุช ุชุฌุงู‡ ู‡ุฐุง ุงู„ู…ู„ูุŒ ู…ุง ูŠุฑุฌุญ ุฏุฎูˆู„ ู‚ุทุฑ ุนู„ู‰ ุงู„ุฎุท ุฎุงุตุฉ ู…ุน ุบูŠุงุจ ุฃูŠ ู…ุคุดุฑ ุนู„ู‰ ุงุณุชุนุฏุงุฏ ุฃู†ู‚ุฑุฉ ู„ุชู†ููŠุฐ ุงู„ุดุฑุท ุงู„ุณูˆุฑูŠ ุงู„ู…ุนู„ู† ูˆุงู„ู…ุชู…ุซู„ ููŠ ุณุญุจ ุชุฑูƒูŠุง ู‚ูˆุงุชู‡ุง ู…ู† ุดู…ุงู„ ุณูˆุฑูŠุง. ูƒู…ุง ุฃู† ุชุตุฑูŠุญุงุช ุงู„ุฃุณุฏ ู‚ุจู„ ุฃูŠุงู… ู„ู… ุชุดุฑ ุฅู„ู‰ ุดุฑุท ุณุญุจ ุชุฑูƒูŠุง ู‚ูˆุงุชู‡ุง ู…ู† ุณูˆุฑูŠุงุ› ุญูŠุซ ุงูƒุชูู‰ ุจุงู„ุญุฏูŠุซ ุนู† ุงู†ูุชุงุญ ุจู„ุงุฏู‡ ุนู„ู‰ ุงู„ู…ุจุงุฏุฑุงุช ุงู„ู‡ุงุฏูุฉ ุฅู„ู‰ ุนูˆุฏุฉ ุงู„ุนู„ุงู‚ุงุช ู…ุน ุฃู†ู‚ุฑุฉ ุงู„ู…ุณุชู†ุฏุฉ ุฅู„ู‰ ุณูŠุงุฏุฉ ุงู„ุฏูˆู„ุฉ ุงู„ุณูˆุฑูŠุฉ ูˆุถุฑูˆุฑุฉ ู…ุญุงุฑุจุฉ ูƒู„ ุงู„ุชู†ุธูŠู…ุงุช ุงู„ุฅุฑู‡ุงุจูŠุฉ.

The Syrian president doesn’t show much enthusiasm for restoring his previous relations with Turkey, but ErdoฤŸan’s successive statements reflect that progress has been made in the negotiations on (regarding) this issue, which means that Qatar has probably entered the fray, especially in the absence of any sign indicating that Ankara will meet the declared Syrian condition, which is for Turkey to withdraw its forces from the Syrian north. Moreover, al-Assad’s statements a few days ago did not refer to the condition of Turkey pulling its troops from Syria. Instead, he merely spoke about his country’s openness to initiatives aimed at restoring relations with Ankara based on the sovereignty of the Syrian state and the need to fight all terrorist organizations.

Section 3

ูˆูŠู‚ูˆู„ ู…ุฑุงู‚ุจูˆู† ุฅู† ุงู„ุฃุณุฏ ุญุฑูŠุต ุนู„ู‰ ููƒ ุนู‚ุฏุฉ ุงู„ุนู†ุงุฏ ุงู„ู‚ุทุฑูŠ ูˆู„ูˆ ุนู† ุทุฑูŠู‚ ุงู„ุฃุชุฑุงูƒุŒ ุฎุงุตุฉ ุฃู† ุชุญุณูŠู† ุงู„ุนู„ุงู‚ุงุช ู…ุน ุงู„ุณุนูˆุฏูŠุฉ ู„ู… ูŠู†ุนูƒุณ ุจุดูƒู„ ุฅูŠุฌุงุจูŠ ุนู„ู‰ ูˆุถุน ุณูˆุฑูŠุง ุงู„ุณูŠุงุณูŠ ูˆูŠุŒ ู„ุงูุชูŠู† ุฅู„ู‰ ุฃู† ุงู„ู…ุณุชููŠุฏ ู…ู† ุชุญุณูŠู† ุงู„ุนู„ุงู‚ุงุช ุจูŠู† ุงู„ุฑูŠุงุถ ูˆุฏู…ุดู‚ ู‡ูˆ ุงู„ุณุนูˆุฏูŠุฉ ู„ุฃู†ู‡ุง ุชุบู„ู‚ ุจุงุจ ุงู„ุงู„ุชุฒุงู…ุงุช ู…ุน ูุตุงุฆู„ ุงู„ู…ุนุงุฑุถุฉุŒ ูˆุชุชุฑูƒ ุงู„ู†ุธุงู… ุงู„ุณูˆุฑูŠ ุฃู…ุงู… ู…ุณุคูˆู„ูŠุฉ ู…ูˆุงุฌู‡ุฉ ุชู‡ุฑูŠุจ ุงู„ู…ุฎุฏุฑุงุช ุงู„ู…ุตู†ุนุฉ ููŠ ุณูˆุฑูŠุง -ู…ุซู„ ุงู„ูƒุจุชุงุบูˆู†- ูˆุงู„ู…ุชุฌู‡ุฉ ุฅู„ู‰ ุงู„ุณุนูˆุฏูŠุฉ.

Observers say that al-Assad is keen on resolving the problem (untieing the knot) of the Qatari stubbornness, even if via the Turks, especially since improving relations with Saudi Arabia has not had a positive impact on Syria’s political and economic situation. They point out that the beneficiary of improving relations Riyadh and Damascus is Saudi-Arabia, because this shall shut the door to the [Saudi] commitments with the opposition factions while leaving the Syrian regime with the responsibility of confronting the smuggling of drugs manufactured in Syria – such as Captagon – and heading to Saudi Arabia.

Captagon is an amphetamine-based drug that combines fenethylline, which was discovered in the 1960s in Germany, with other stimulants, often resulting in a highly addictive substance. It produces euphoria, increased alertness, and a lack of fatigue, making it popular with those seeking enhanced performance or an escape from reality.

Largely produced in war-torn Syria due to the lack of law enforcement and the country’s need for money, Captagon has become a significant black market commodity. The drug is mainly exported to the Middle East and Europe, where it fuels organized crime.

In Saudi Arabia, several high-profile cases have made headlines. For example, in 2015, authorities seized more than 22 million Captagon pills and arrested several suspects involved in the smuggling ring. In another case, in 2022, authorities seized a record 46 million amphetamine pills hidden in a shipment of flour. Additionally, in 2019, three people were executed after being convicted of attempting to smuggle tens of thousands of Captagon tablets into the kingdom.

Section 4

ูˆููŠ ุงู„ุนุงู… ุงู„ู…ุงุถูŠ ู‚ุงูˆู…ุช ู‚ุทุฑ ุงู„ุฌู‡ูˆุฏ ุงู„ุชูŠ ู‚ุงุฏุชู‡ุง ุงู„ุณุนูˆุฏูŠุฉ ู„ุฅุนุงุฏุฉ ุณูˆุฑูŠุง ุฅู„ู‰ ุงู„ุฌุงู…ุนุฉ ุงู„ุนุฑุจูŠุฉ …. ู„ูƒู† ู…ุฑุงู‚ุจูŠู† ุนุฏูˆุง ุฑูุถู‡ุง ุญูŠู†ุฆุฐ ู†ูˆุนุง ู…ู† ุงู„ุชุฑูŠุซุŒ ู…ุนุชุจุฑูŠู† ุฃู†ู‡ุง ุณุชุญุฐูˆ ุญุฐูˆ ุฌูŠุฑุงู†ู‡ุง ุงู„ุฎู„ูŠุฌูŠูŠู† ูˆุจู‚ูŠุฉ ุงู„ุฏูˆู„ ุงู„ุนุฑุจูŠุฉ ููŠ ุงู„ูˆู‚ุช ุงู„ุฐูŠ ุชุฑุงู‡ ู…ู†ุงุณุจุง. ูˆู„ุนุจุช ู‚ุทุฑ ุฏูˆุฑุง ูƒุจูŠุฑุง ููŠ ุงู„ุฃุฒู…ุฉ ุงู„ุณูˆุฑูŠุฉ ุนู„ู‰ ุงู„ุตุนูŠุฏูŠู† ุงู„ุณูŠุงุณูŠ ูˆุงู„ุนุณูƒุฑูŠ ูˆุฃุฏู‰ ุชุฏุฎู„ู‡ุง ุฅู„ู‰ ุฎุฑูˆุฌ ุงู„ุงุญุชุฌุงุฌุงุช ุนู„ู‰ ุงู„ู†ุธุงู… ุงู„ุณูˆุฑูŠ ุนู† ู…ุณุงุฑู‡ุง ุงู„ู…ุฏู†ูŠ ุจุนุฏ ุนุณูƒุฑุฉ ุฃุฌุณุงู… ุงู„ุซูˆุฑุฉ ุงู„ุชูŠ ู‡ูŠู…ู† ุนู„ูŠู‡ุง ุงู„ุฅุณู„ุงู…ูŠูˆู†. ูˆุฑุบู… ู‡ุฒูŠู…ุฉ ุงู„ู…ุนุงุฑุถุฉ ุจุนุฏ ุงู„ุชุฏุฎู„ ุงู„ุฑูˆุณูŠ ููŠ ุณูˆุฑูŠุง ุฅู„ุง ุฃู† ุงู„ู…ุนุงุฑุถุฉ ุงู„ู…ุฏุนูˆู…ุฉ ู…ู† ู‚ุทุฑ ูˆุชุฑูƒูŠุง ู…ุงุฒุงู„ุช ุชุณูŠุทุฑ ุนู„ู‰ ุจุนุถ ุงู„ุฌูŠูˆุจ ููŠ ุงู„ุดู…ุงู„

Last year, Qatar resisted Saudi-led efforts to reinstate Syria in the Arab League โ€ฆ However, observers considered Qatar’s refusal at the time to be a kind of wait-and-see, saying that Qatar would follow the example of its Gulf neighbors and the rest of the Arab countries at the time it sees fit. Qatar had played an important role in the Syrian crisis, both on the political and military level. Its intervention caused the protests against the Syrian regime to stray away from their civil path after the militarization of the revolution bodies, which were dominated by Islamists. Despite the defeat of the opposition as a result of the Russian intervention in Syria, Qatar and Turkey-supported opposition is still controlling some pockets in the North.


Vocabulary list

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

Section 1

ARABICEXPLANATION
ุฑูŽุฌู‘ูŽุญูŽ – ูŠูุฑูŽุฌู‘ูุญูto think likely; to think probable; to give preponderance (to something = direct object; over = ุนูŽู„ูŽู‰). It can also denote to prefer. If you see ุฃูŽู†ู‘ูŽ after, it usually means to think likely. . For example: Some have suggested that it may be due to an allergy (ุฑูŽุฌู‘ูŽุญูŽ ุงู„ุจูŽุนู’ุถู ุฃูŽู†ู‘ูŽู‡ู ู‚ูŽุฏู’ ูŠูŽูƒููˆู†ู ุจูุณูŽุจูŽุจู ุญูŽุณุงุณููŠู‘ูŽุฉู).
ูˆูŽุณูŽุทูŒ
pl: ุฃูŽูˆู’ุณุงุท
circle; middle; also: milieu. For example: diplomatic circles (ุงู„ู’ุฃูŽูˆู’ุณุงุทู ุงู„ุฏู‘ูุจู„ููˆู…ุงุณููŠู‘ูŽุฉู)
ุถูŽูˆู’ุกูŒ ุฃูŽุฎู’ุถูŽุฑูgreen light. The noun ุถูŽูˆู’ุกูŒ means light. For example: in view of/in the light of (ุนูŽู„ูŽู‰ ุถูŽูˆู’ุกู or ูููŠ ุถูŽูˆู’ุกู) plus noun = second part of a genitive construction (ุฅูุถุงูุฉูŒ).
ุฏูŽุนู’ูˆุฉูŒ ู„ูinvitation; call. The corresponding verbs are tricky: to accept an invitation (ู„ูŽุจู‘ูŽู‰ ุฏูŽุนู’ูˆุฉู‹); to get an invitation (ุชูŽู„ูŽู‚ู‘ูŽู‰ ุฏูŽุนู’ูˆุฉู‹); to send an invitation (ูˆูŽุฌู‘ูŽู‡ูŽ ุฏูŽุนู’ูˆุฉู‹ ุฅูู„ูŽู‰ ุดูŽุฎู’ุตู)
ู‚ูŽุทููŠุนุฉูŒsplit; rift
ุนูŽุฏุงุกูŒ ุนูŽู„ูŽู‰
pl: ุนูŽุฏุงุกุงุชูŒ
hostility; aggression. The noun ุนูŽุฏุงุกูŒ is the verbal noun (ู…ูŽุตู’ุฏูŽุฑูŒ) of the I-verb ุนูŽุฏูŽุง – ูŠูŽุนู’ุฏููˆ which means to be hostile towards (ุนูŽู„ูŽู‰), but also: to run. Other ู…ูŽุตู’ุฏูŽุฑูŒ-forms are ุนูŽุฏู’ูˆูŒ (to express to run, or with ุนูŽู„ูŽู‰ to steal) or ุนูุฏู’ูˆุงู†ูŒ in the verbal meaning of ุธูŽู„ูŽู…ูŽ. The word ุนูŽุฏุงุกูŒ can also serve to express the English prefix anti-. For example: anti-Semitism can be rendered as ุงู„ู’ุนูŽุฏุงุกู ู„ูู„ุณู‘ุงู…ูŠู‘ูŽุฉู. However, for anti-Semitism there are other expressions too: ู„ุงุณุงู…ูŠู‘ุฉ (a newly coined word) or ู…ูุนุงุฏุงุฉู ุงู„ู’ูŠูŽู‡ูˆุฏู.
ุงูุนู’ุชูŽุจูŽุฑูŽ – ูŠูŽุนู’ุชูŽุจูุฑูto consider; to take as; to hold (with direct object); also: to take an example from (ุจู); to be warned. It is a VIII-verb. Watch out: Although the passive voice is rare in Arabic, it is often used with this verb. For example: The war was considered a mistake (ุงูุนู’ุชูุจูุฑูŽุชู’ ุงู„ู’ุญูŽุฑู’ุจู ุฎูŽุทูŽุฃู‹ ูƒูŽุจููŠุฑู‹ุง).
ุฐุงุชูŒ
pl: ุฐูŽูˆุงุชูŒ
same; self; -self (ู†ูŽูู’ุณูŒ). Note that ุฐุงุชูŒ is a noun (ุงูุณู’ู…ูŒ), expressing the idea of being, essence, and therefore gets cases. Some examples: himself/he himself (ุจูุฐุงุชูู‡ู); simultaneously (ูููŠ ุฐุงุชู ุงู„ู’ูˆูŽู‚ู’ุชู); above all (ุจุงู„ุฐู‘ุงุชู); once (ูููŠ ุฐุงุชู ู…ูŽุฑู‘ุฉู); specifically; particularly (ุจูุงู„ุฐูŽู‘ุงุชู); for this very reason (ู„ูู‡ูฐุฐุง ุงู„ุณูŽุจูŽุจู ุจูุงู„ุฐุงุชู).

Used as an adverb (ุฐุงุชูŽ), it means “at a certain time” and indicates an indefinite point in time. ุฐุงุชูŽ is thus only associated with indefinite time concepts. For example: one day (ุฐุงุชูŽ ูŠูŽูˆู’ู…ู); one night (ุฐุงุชูŽ ู„ูŽูŠู’ู„ูŽุฉู).
ุนูŽูˆู’ุฏุฉูŒreturn; repatriation. It is the verbal noun (ู…ูŽุตู’ุฏูŽุฑูŒ) of the I-verb ุนุงุฏูŽ – ูŠูŽุนููˆุฏู which means to go back.
ุชูŽุฃู’ูƒููŠุฏูŒconfirmation; affirmation. It is the verbal noun (ู…ูŽุตู’ุฏูŽุฑูŒ) of the II-verb ุฃูŽูƒู‘ูŽุฏูŽ – ูŠูุคูŽูƒู‘ูุฏู (first root letter: ุก) which means to confirm. For example: certainly (ุจุงู„ุชูŽู‘ุฃู’ูƒูŠุฏู ู†ูŽุนูŽู…) or certainly not (ุจุงู„ุชูŽู‘ุฃู’ูƒูŠุฏู ู„ุง).
ู…ูุฑููˆุฑูŒpassing; course; lapse. It is the verbal noun (ู…ูŽุตู’ุฏูŽุฑูŒ) of the I-verb ู…ูŽุฑู‘ูŽ -ูŠูŽู…ูุฑู‘ู which means to pass, to go by. For example: with the passing of time (ุจูŽุนู’ุฏูŽ ู…ูุฑููˆุฑู ุงู„ู’ูˆูŽู‚ู’ุชู). Watch out: ู…ูุฑููˆุฑูŒ also means passage, crossing. Thus, password in Arabic means ูƒูŽู„ูู…ุฉู ู…ูุฑููˆุฑู. And don’t confuse it with the passive participle (ุงูุณู’ู…ู ุงู„ู’ู…ูŽูู’ุนููˆู„ู) which is ู…ูŽู…ู’ุฑููˆุฑูŒ.
Vocabulary List – Media Arabic Booster 07/24 – ยฉ Gerald DriรŸner
ARABICEXPLANATION
ุฅูุซุงุฑุฉูŒprovocation; irritation. It is the verbal noun (ู…ูŽุตู’ุฏูŽุฑูŒ) of the IV-verb ุฃูŽุซุงุฑูŽ – ูŠูุซูŠุฑู which means to cause;to bring up; to incite; to stir up. For example: to cause a stir (ุณูŽุจู‘ูŽุจูŽ ุฅูุซุงุฑุฉู‹); tabloid/yellow press (ุตูุญููู ุฅูุซุงุฑุฉู).
ุฅูุดุงุฑุฉูŒsign; signal; hint; gesture. It is the verbal noun (ู…ูŽุตู’ุฏูŽุฑูŒ) of the IV-verb ุฃูŽุดุงุฑูŽ – ูŠูุดููŠุฑู ุฅููู„ูŽู‰ which means to point to. For example: a nice gesture (ุฅูุดุงุฑุฉูŒ ูˆูุฏู‘ููŠู‘ุฉูŒ); with regard to (ูููŠ ุฅูุดุงุฑุฉู ุฅูู„ูŽู‰); red traffic light (ุฅูุดุงุฑุฉู ู…ูุฑููˆุฑู ุญูŽู…ู’ุฑุงุกู)
ุจูุดูŽุฃู’ู†ูwith regard to (first part of ุฅูุถุงูุฉูŒ). The word ุดูŽุฃู’ู†ูŒ means matter; case.
ุชูŽู…ู‘ูŽ – ูŠูŽุชูู…ู‘ูto happen; to become a fact. I-verb. Watch out: When followed by a verbal noun (ู…ูŽุตู’ุฏูŽุฑูŒ), the verb ุชูŽู…ู‘ูŽ is often used to paraphrase the Arabic passive voice. For example: The goods were delivered (ุชูŽู…ู‘ูŽ ุชูŽุณู’ู„ููŠู…ู ุงู„ู’ุจูŽุถุงุฆูุนู.).
ุชูŽุฃูŽูƒู‘ูุฏcertainty; assurance. It is the verbal noun (ู…ูŽุตู’ุฏูŽุฑูŒ) of the V-verb ุชูŽุฃูŽูƒู‘ูŽุฏูŽ – ูŠูŽุชูŽุฃูŽูƒู‘ูŽุฏู which means to check; to verify. For example: just to be sure (ู…ู† ุฃูŽุฌู’ู„ู ุงู„ุชูŽุฃูŽูƒู‘ูุฏู).
ุชูŽุญู’ูŠููŠุฏูŒneutralization (of a country). It is the verbal noun (ู…ูŽุตู’ุฏูŽุฑูŒ) of the II-verb ุญูŽูŠู‘ูŽุฏูŽ – ูŠูุญูŽูŠู‘ูุฏู which means to neutralize; to keep/put aside.
ุฑููƒููˆุจูŒriding, boarding. It is the verbal noun (ู…ูŽุตู’ุฏูŽุฑูŒ) of the I-verb ุฑูŽูƒูุจูŽ – ูŠูŽุฑู’ูƒูŽุจู which means to ride; to get in (a car, a bus, a train) = to board.
ู‚ูุทุงุฑูŒ
pl: ู‚ูุทูŽุงุฑุงุชูŒ or ู‚ูุทูุฑูŒ or ู‚ูุทูุฑุงุชูŒ
train. For example: subway/underground train (ู‚ูุทุงุฑู ุฃูŽู†ู’ูุงู‚ู)
ุชูŽุทู’ุจููŠุนูŒnormalization. It is the verbal noun (ู…ูŽุตู’ุฏูŽุฑูŒ) of the II-verb ุทูŽุจู‘ูŽุนูŽ – ูŠูุทูŽุจู‘ูุนู which means to normalize. For example: normalization of relations (ุชูŽุทู’ุจููŠุนู ุงู„ู’ุนูŽู„ุงู‚ุงุชู)
ุฃูŽูŠู‘ูŽุฏูŽ – ูŠูุคูŽูŠู‘ูุฏูto support; to help. For example: I endorse this remark (ุฃูุคูŽูŠู‘ูุฏู ู‡ูฐุฐูู‡ู ุงู„ู’ู…ูู„ุงุญูŽุธุฉูŽ).
ุงู„ู’ุฌุงู…ูุนูŽุฉู ุงู„ู’ุนูŽุฑูŽุจููŠู‘ูŽุฉูThe Arab League. Note: The Arab League was formed in Cairo in March 1945, initially with seven members: Egypt, Iraq, Transjordan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Syria, and North Yemen. In 2024, the League has 22 members.
Vocabulary List – Media Arabic Booster 07/24 – ยฉ Gerald DriรŸner

Section 2

ARABICEXPLANATION
ุฃูŽุจู’ุฏูŽู‰ – ูŠูุจู’ุฏููŠto utter; to express; to display; to manifest. It is a IV-verb (root: ุจ-ุฏ-ูˆ). For example: to express one’s opinion (ุฃูŽุจู’ุฏูŽู‰ ุฑูŽุฃู’ูŠูŽู‡ู). Watch out: Can it also mean to seem, to appear? No, that would be the I-verb of the same root: ุจูŽุฏูŽุง – ูŠูŽุจู’ุฏููˆ.
ุชูŽุญูŽู…ู‘ูุณูŒpassion; enthusiasm; fanaticism. It is the verbal noun (ู…ูŽุตู’ุฏูŽุฑูŒ) of the V-verb ุชูŽุญูŽู…ู‘ูŽุณูŽ – ูŠูŽุชูŽุญูŽู…ู‘ูŽุณู which means to be/become enthusiastic.
ุงูุณู’ุชูุนุงุฏุฉูŒrecovery; restoring, restoration. It is the verbal noun (ู…ูŽุตู’ุฏูŽุฑูŒ) of the X-verb ุงุณู’ุชูŽุนุงุฏูŽ – ูŠูŽุณู’ุชูŽุนูŠุฏู (root: ุน-ูˆ-ุฏ) which means to get/ask back; to reclaim. For example:restoring the national sovereignty (ุงูุณู’ุชูุนุงุฏุฉู ุณููŠุงุฏุฉู ุงู„ู’ูˆูŽุทูŽู†ู)
ุชูŽุตู’ุฑููŠุญูŒ
pl: ุชูŽุตู’ุฑููŠุญุงุชูŒ or ุชูŽุตุงุฑููŠุญู
statement; declaration; announcement. Also: license, permit (a word often used in Arab countries). It is the verbal noun (ู…ูŽุตู’ุฏูŽุฑูŒ) of the II-verb ุตูŽุฑู‘ูŽุญูŽ – ูŠูุตูŽุฑู‘ูุญู ุจู which means to declare; to allow. For example: residence permit (ุชูŽุตู’ุฑููŠุญู ุฅู‚ุงู…ุฉู).
ู…ูุชูŽุชุงู„ูconsecutive; sequential. It is the active participle (ุงูุณู’ู…ู ุงู„ู’ูุงุนูู„ู) of the VI-verb ุชูŽุชุงู„ู‰ – ูŠูŽุชูŽุชุงู„ู‰ which means to follow one after another. For example: consecutive numbers (ุฃูŽุฑู’ู‚ุงู…ูŒ ู…ูุชูŽุชุงู„ููŠูŽุฉูŒ)
ุนูŽูƒูŽุณูŽ – ูŠูŽุนู’ูƒูุณูto reflect. Also: to reverse. For example: to show courage (ุนูŽูƒูŽุณูŽ ุฌูุฑู’ุฃุฉู‹); to twist/reverse the letters of a word (ุนูŽูƒูŽุณูŽ ุฃูŽุญู’ุฑูููŽ ูƒูŽู„ูู…ุฉู)
ุชูŽู‚ูŽุฏู‘ูู…ูŒprogress; advancement. It is the verbal noun (ู…ูŽุตู’ุฏูŽุฑูŒ) of the V-verb ุชูŽู‚ูŽุฏู‘ูŽู…ูŽ – ูŠูŽุชูŽู‚ูŽุฏู‘ูŽู…ู ุจู which means to advance; to make progress; also: to submit/present. For example: to place/submit an order (ุชูŽู‚ูŽุฏู‘ูŽู…ูŽ ุจูุทูŽู„ูŽุจู); to move forward (ุชูŽู‚ูŽุฏู‘ูŽู…ูŽ ุฅูู„ูŽู‰ ุงู„ู’ุฃูŽู…ุงู…ู)
ู…ููุงูˆูŽุถุฉูŒnegotiation; talk. It is the verbal noun (ู…ูŽุตู’ุฏูŽุฑูŒ) of the III-verb ูุงูˆูŽุถูŽ – ูŠููุงูˆูุถู which means to negotiate; to bargain. For example: negotiation table (ุทุงูˆูู„ุฉู ุงู„ู’ู…ููุงูˆูŽุถุงุชู)
ุชูุฌุงู‡ูŽtowards; opposite; in front of; with respect to. It is used as an adverb (notice the “a” at the end).
ู…ูู„ูŽูู‘ูŒ
pl: ู…ูู„ูŽูู‘ุงุชูŒ
dossier; file (also on the computer)
Vocabulary List – Media Arabic Booster 07/24 – ยฉ Gerald DriรŸner
ARABICEXPLANATION
ุฎุงุตู‘ุฉู‹especially; in particular
ุบููŠุงุจูŒabsence. It is the verbal noun (ู…ูŽุตู’ุฏูŽุฑูŒ) of the I-verb ุบุงุจูŽ – ูŠูŽุบูŠุจู which means to be absent.
ู…ูุคูŽุดู‘ูุฑูŒsign; indication; indicator; index; mouse cursor. It is the active participle (ุงูุณู’ู…ู ุงู„ู’ูุงุนูู„ู) of the II-verb ุฃูŽุดู‘ูŽุฑูŽ -ูŠูุคูŽุดู‘ูุฑู ุนูŽู„ูŽู‰ which means to mark. For example: an indication that (ู…ูุคูŽุดู‘ูุฑูŒ ูŠูŽุฏูู„ู‘ู ุนูŽู„ูŽู‰ ุฃูŽู†ู‘ูŽ). Note that the word ุชูŽุฃู’ุดููŠุฑูŽุฉูŒ means visa. It is the pattern of a so-called noun of one act (ุงูุณู’ู…ู ู…ูŽุฑู‘ูŽุฉู) of the II-verb ุฃูŽุดู‘ูŽุฑูŽ.
ุงูุณู’ุชูุนู’ุฏุงุฏูŒreadiness; willingness. It is the verbal noun (ู…ูŽุตู’ุฏูŽุฑูŒ) of the X-verb ุงุณู’ุชูŽุนูŽุฏู‘ูŽ – ูŠูŽุณู’ุชูŽุนูุฏู‘ู which means to prepare oneself; to get ready.
ุชูŽู†ู’ูููŠุฐูŒrealization; implementation. It is the verbal noun (ู…ูŽุตู’ุฏูŽุฑูŒ) of the II-verb ู†ูŽูู‘ูŽุฐูŽ – ูŠูู†ูŽูู‘ูุฐู which means to execute.
ุดูŽุฑู’ุทูŒ
pl: ุดูุฑููˆุทูŒ
condition; term/clause; requirement
ู…ูุนู’ู„ูŽู†ูŒannounced. It is the passive participle (ุงูุณู’ู…ู ุงู„ู’ู…ูŽูู’ุนููˆู„ู) of the IV-verb ุฃูŽุนู’ู„ูŽู†ูŽ -ูŠูุนู’ู„ูู†ู which means to make public; to announce. For example: not announced (ุบูŽูŠู’ุฑู ู…ูุนู’ู„ูŽู†ู ุนูŽู†ู’ู‡ู). Watch out: the active participle (ุงูุณู’ู…ู ุงู„ู’ูุงุนูู„ู) is ู…ูุนู’ู„ูู†ูŒ and often denotes advertiser.
ู…ูุชูŽู…ูŽุซู‘ูู„ูŒ ูููŠconsisting of; represented in (body). It is the active participle (ุงูุณู’ู…ู ุงู„ู’ูุงุนูู„ู) of the V-verb ุชูŽู…ูŽุซู‘ูŽู„ูŽ – ูŠูŽุชูŽู…ูŽุซู‘ูŽู„ู which means to be represented by; to (try to) become like. Depending on the context, we may have to use the passive participle for the English translation, although we use the active participle in Arabic. It is also often left untranslated. For example: The government is increasingly failing in its duty to protect us (ุงู„ุญููƒููˆู…ูŽุฉู ูุงุดูู„ูŽุฉูŒ ูููŠ ุงู„ุงูุถู’ุทูู„ุงุนู ุจููˆุงุฌูุจูู‡ุง ุงู„ู…ูุชูŽู…ูŽุซู‘ูู„ู ูููŠ ุญูู…ุงูŠูŽุชูู†ุง ุจูุดูŽูƒู’ู„ู ู…ูุชูŽุฒุงูŠูุฏู).
ุณูŽุญู’ุจูŒwithdrawal; pulling. It is the verbal noun (ู…ูŽุตู’ุฏูŽุฑูŒ) of the I-verb ุณูŽุญูŽุจูŽ – ูŠูŽุณู’ุญูŽุจู which means to take back; to withdraw. For example: drag and drop (ุงู„ุณูŽูŽู‘ุญู’ุจู ูˆูŽุงู„ู’ุฅูุณู’ู‚ุงุทู).
Vocabulary List – Media Arabic Booster 07/24 – ยฉ Gerald DriรŸner
ARABICEXPLANATION
ูƒูŽู…ุงas; like; likewise; furthermore. For example: as if (ูƒูŽู…ุง ู„ูˆ); as usual (ูƒูŽู…ุง ู‡ููŠ ุงู„ู’ุนุงุฏุฉู)
ุงููƒู’ุชูŽููŽู‰ – ูŠูŽูƒู’ุชูŽูููŠ ุจูto be enough; to content oneself. VIII-verb
ู…ูุจุงุฏูŽุฑุฉูŒinitiative. It is the verbal noun (ู…ูŽุตู’ุฏูŽุฑูŒ) of the III-verb ุจุงุฏูŽุฑูŽ – ูŠูุจุงุฏูุฑู which means to take the initiative; to set out.
ู‡ุงุฏูููŒ ู„ูdetermined; aimed at. It is the active participle (ุงูุณู’ู…ู ุงู„ู’ูุงุนูู„ู) of the I-verb ู‡ูŽุฏูŽููŽ – ูŠูŽู‡ู’ุฏููู which means to aim at.
ู…ูุณู’ุชูŽู†ูุฏูŒ ุฅูู„ูŽู‰based on. It is the active participle (ุงูุณู’ู…ู ุงู„ู’ูุงุนูู„ู) of the VIII-verb ุงุณู’ุชูŽู†ูŽุฏูŽ – ูŠูŽุณู’ุชูŽู†ูุฏู ุฅูู„ูŽู‰ which means to be based on; to lean. Watch out: ู…ูุณู’ุชูŽู†ูŽุฏูŒ (with “a”; plural: ู…ูุณู’ุชูŽู†ูŽุฏุงุชูŒ) means document; proof.
ุณููŠุงุฏุฉูŒsovereignty; rule; dominance. When used with certain people: Excellency. For example: His Excellency the minister (ุณููŠุงุฏุฉู ุงู„ู’ูˆูŽุฒูŠุฑู).
ุถูŽุฑููˆุฑุฉูŒnecessity; urgency. For example: if absolutely necessary (ุนูู†ู’ุฏูŽ ุงู„ุถูŽู‘ุฑููˆุฑูŽุฉู ุงู„ู’ู‚ูุตู’ูˆูŽู‰); necessarily (ุจูุงู„ุถูŽู‘ุฑููˆุฑุฉู)
ู…ูุญุงุฑูŽุจุฉูŒbattle; fight; warfare. It is the verbal noun (ู…ูŽุตู’ุฏูŽุฑูŒ) of the III-verb ุญุงุฑูŽุจูŽ – ูŠูุญุงุฑูุจู which means to fight.
ุชูŽู†ู’ุธููŠู…ูŒ
pl: ุชูŽู†ู’ุธูŠู…ุงุช
organization. It is often used before the name of a terrorist organization to denote that it is an organization. For example: al-Qaida (ุชูŽู†ู’ุธููŠู…ู ุงู„ู’ู‚ุงุนูุฏุฉู)
ุฅูุฑู’ู‡ุงุจููŠู‘ูŒterrorist. It is the Nisba adjective (ู†ูุณู’ุจุฉูŒ) of the noun ุฅูุฑู’ู‡ุงุจูŒ which means terror; terrorism. ุฅูุฑู’ู‡ุงุจูŒ is the verbal noun (ู…ูŽุตู’ุฏูŽุฑูŒ) of the IV-verb ุฃูŽุฑู’ู‡ูŽุจูŽ – ูŠูุฑู’ู‡ูุจู which means to frighten; to terrorize.
Vocabulary List – Media Arabic Booster 07/24 – ยฉ Gerald DriรŸner

Section 3

ARABICEXPLANATION
ู…ูุฑุงู‚ูุจูŒobserver; overseer; inspector, censor. It is the active participle (ุงูุณู’ู…ู ุงู„ู’ูุงุนูู„ู) of the III-verb ุฑุงู‚ูŽุจูŽ – ูŠูุฑุงู‚ูุจู which to control; to watch.
ุญูŽุฑููŠุตูŒ ุนูŽู„ูŽู‰striving for; to be keen on. It is a quasi-participle (ุตููุฉูŒ ู…ูุดูŽุจู‘ูŽู‡ุฉูŒ) of the I-verb ุญุฑูุตูŽ – ูŠูŽุญู’ุฑูุตู ุนูŽู„ูŽู‰ which means to desire; to strive. Watch out: depending on the context, it may also denote miserly; greedy.
ููŽูƒู‘ูŒtaking apart. It is the verbal noun (ู…ูŽุตู’ุฏูŽุฑูŒ) of the I-verb ููŽูƒู‘ูŽ – ูŠูŽูููƒู‘ู which means to take apart. In colloquial language, the verb is often used to express to give change (money).
ุนูู‚ู’ุฏุฉูŒknot; tie. For example: to untie a knot (ููŽูƒูŽู‘ ุนูู‚ู’ุฏุฉู‹)
ุนูู†ุงุฏูŒstubbornness; resistance. It is a verbal noun form (ู…ูŽุตู’ุฏูŽุฑูŒ ุณูŽู…ุงุนููŠู‘ูŒ) of the III-verb ุนูŽุงู†ูŽุฏูŽ – ูŠูุนุงู†ูุฏู which means to be stubborn. The standard ุงู„ู’ู…ูŽุตู’ุฏูŽุฑู ุงู„ู’ู‚ููŠุงุณููŠู‘ู is ู…ูุนูŽุงู†ูŽุฏูŽุฉูŒ.
ุชูุฑู’ูƒููŠู‘ูŒTurkish; Turk. Note: If you want to say the Turks (= the Turkish people), you use ุงู„ู’ุฃูŽุชู’ุฑุงูƒู.
ุชูŽุญู’ุณููŠู†ูŒimprovement; also: decoration. It is the verbal noun (ู…ูŽุตู’ุฏูŽุฑูŒ) of the II-verb ุญูŽุณู‘ูŽู†ูŽ – ูŠูุญูŽุณู‘ูู†ู which means to beautify; to improve.
ุงูู†ู’ุนูŽูƒูŽุณูŽ – ูŠูŽู†ู’ุนูŽูƒูุณูto reflect; to be reflected. VII-verb. For example: to have positive effects (ุงูู†ู’ุนูŽูƒูŽุณูŽ ุฅููŠุฌุงุจูŠู‘ู‹ุง)
ุดูŽูƒู’ู„ูŒ
pl: ุฃูŽุดู’ูƒุงู„ูŒ
form, shape; image. For example: positively (ุจูุดูŽูƒู’ู„ู ุฅููŠุฌุงุจููŠู‘ู); in general (ุจูุดูŽูƒู’ู„ู ุนุงู…ู‘ู)
ุฅููŠุฌุงุจููŠู‘ูŒpositive; affirmative. For example: a positive result (ู†ูŽุชููŠุฌูŽุฉูŒ ุฅููŠุฌุงุจููŠู‘ูŽุฉูŒ). Antonym: negative; unfavorable; adverse (ุณูŽู„ู’ุจููŠู‘ูŒ)
Vocabulary List – Media Arabic Booster 07/24 – ยฉ Gerald DriรŸner
ARABICEXPLANATION
ู„ูŽููŽุชูŽ – ูŠูŽู„ู’ููุชู ุฅูู„ูŽู‰to point out that; to attract attention. I-verb. For example: what caught my attention was (ู…ุง ู„ูŽููŽุชูŽ ุงูู†ู’ุชูุจุงู‡ููŠ ุฃูŽู†ู‘ูŽ)
ู…ูุณู’ุชูŽูููŠุฏูŒbeneficiary; entitled person. It is the active participle (ุงูุณู’ู…ู ุงู„ู’ูุงุนูู„ู) of the X-verb ุงูุณู’ุชูŽูุงุฏูŽ – ูŠูŽุณู’ุชูŽููŠุฏู (root: ู-ูŠ-ุฏ) which means to benefit from (ุจ or ู…ูู†ู’).
ุฃูŽุบู’ู„ูŽู‚ูŽ – ูŠูุบู’ู„ูู‚ูto close; to lock. IV-verb. For example: to close the window (ุฃูŽุบู’ู„ูŽู‚ูŽ ุงู„ู†ู‘ุงููุฐุฉูŽ)
ุงู„ู’ุชูุฒุงู…ูŒ
pl: ุงู„ู’ุชูุฒุงู…ุงุชูŒ
commitment; compliance; agreement. It is the verbal noun (ู…ูŽุตู’ุฏูŽุฑูŒ) of the VIII-verb ุงู„ู’ุชูŽุฒูŽู…ูŽ – ูŠูŽู„ู’ุชูŽุฒูู…ู ุจู which means to comply with; to observe.
ููŽุตููŠู„ุฉูŒ
pl: ููŽุตุงุฆูู„ู
group; faction; species; family (in biology). For example: blood type (ููŽุตููŠู„ุฉู ุฏูŽู…ู); firing squad (ููŽุตููŠู„ูŽุฉู ุงู„ู’ุฅูุนู’ุฏุงู…ู)
ู…ูุนุงุฑูŽุถุฉูŒopposition; resistance. It is the verbal noun (ู…ูŽุตู’ุฏูŽุฑูŒ) of the III-verb ุนุงุฑูŽุถูŽ – ูŠูุนุงุฑูุถู which means to resist; to oppose.
ุชูŽุฑูŽูƒูŽ – ูŠูŽุชู’ุฑููƒูto leave; to leave behind; to abandon; also: to allow. I-verb. For example: to leave luggage behind (ุชูŽุฑูŽูƒูŽ ุฃูŽู…ู’ุชูุนูŽุฉู‹); to leave a company (ุชูŽุฑูŽูƒูŽ ุดูŽุฑููƒุฉู‹)
ู†ูุธุงู…ูŒ
pl: ู†ูุธุงู…ุงุชูŒ or ู†ูุธูู…ูŒ or ุฃูŽู†ู’ุธูู…ุฉูŒ
regime; system; order. For example: legal system (ู†ูุธุงู…ูŒ ู‚ูŽุถุงุฆููŠู‘ูŒ); to take down/overthrow the regime (ุฃูŽุณู’ู‚ูŽุทูŽ – ูŠูุณู’ู‚ูุทู ุงู„ู†ูู‘ุธุงู…ูŽ)
ู…ูŽุณู’ุคููˆู„ููŠู‘ุฉูŒresponsibility. It is the artificial verbal noun (ู…ูŽุตู’ุฏูŽุฑู ุตูู†ูŽุงุนููŠู‘ูŒ) of ู…ูŽุณู’ุคููˆู„ูŒ (responsible) which is the passive participle (ุงูุณู’ู…ู ุงู„ู’ู…ูŽูู’ุนููˆู„ู) of I-verb ุณูŽุฃูŽู„ูŽ – ูŠูŽุณู’ุฃูŽู„ู which means to ask; to request. For example: fully accountable (ูƒุงู…ูู„ู ุงู„ู’ู…ูŽุณู’ุคูˆู„ูŠู‘ุฉู); disclaimer (ุฅูุฎู’ู„ุงุกู ู…ูŽุณู’ุคููˆู„ููŠู‘ูŽุฉู)
ู…ููˆุงุฌูŽู‡ุฉูŒconfrontation. It is the verbal noun (ู…ูŽุตู’ุฏูŽุฑูŒ) of the III-verb ูˆุงุฌูŽู‡ูŽ – ูŠููˆุงุฌูู‡ู which means to confront; to defy.
ุชูŽู‡ู’ุฑููŠุจูŒsmuggling; trafficking. It is the verbal noun (ู…ูŽุตู’ุฏูŽุฑูŒ) of the II-verb ู‡ูŽุฑู‘ูŽุจูŽ – ูŠูู‡ูŽุฑูู‘ุจู which means to smuggle; also: to let escape. For example: human trafficking (ุชูŽู‡ู’ุฑููŠุจู ุงู„ู’ุฃูŽุดู’ุฎุงุตู)
ู…ูุฎูŽุฏู‘ูุฑูŒ
pl: ู…ูุฎูŽุฏู‘ูุฑุงุชูŒ
drug; narcotic. It is the active participle (ุงูุณู’ู…ู ุงู„ู’ูุงุนูู„ู) of the II-verb ุฎูŽุฏู‘ูŽุฑูŽ – ูŠูุฎูŽุฏู‘ูุฑู which means to sedate; to drug. For example: drug dealer (ุชุงุฌูุฑู ุงู„ู’ู…ูุฎูŽุฏู‘ูุฑุงุชู); drug user (ู…ูุณู’ุชูŽู‡ู’ู„ููƒูŒ ู„ูู„ู’ู…ูุฎูŽุฏู‘ูุฑุงุชู); drug addict (ู…ูุฏู’ู…ูู†ูŒ ุนูŽู„ูŽู‰ ู…ูุฎูŽุฏู‘ูุฑุงุชู)
ู…ูุตูŽู†ู‘ูŽุนูŒmanufactured; processed. It is the passive participle (ุงูุณู’ู…ู ุงู„ู’ู…ูŽูู’ุนููˆู„ู) of the II-verb ุตูŽู†ู‘ูŽุนูŽ – ูŠูุตูŽู†ู‘ูุนู which means to produce; to make.
ู…ูุชู‘ูŽุฌูู‡ูŒdirection. For example: the train to Cairo (ุงู„ู’ู‚ูุทุงุฑู ุงู„ู’ู…ูุชู‘ูŽุฌูู‡ู ุฅูู„ูŽู‰ ุงู„ู’ู‚ุงู‡ูุฑูŽุฉู). It is the active participle (ุงูุณู’ู…ู ุงู„ู’ูุงุนูู„ู) of the VIII-verb ุงูุชู‘ูŽุฌูŽู‡ูŽ – ูŠูŽุชู‘ูŽุฌูู‡ู ุฅูู„ูŽู‰ which means to head to; to go to.
Vocabulary List – Media Arabic Booster 07/24 – ยฉ Gerald DriรŸner

Section 4

ARABICEXPLANATION
ู‚ุงูˆูŽู…ูŽ – ูŠูู‚ุงูˆูู…ูto resist; to oppose. III-verb. For example: to fight evil (ู‚ุงูˆูŽู…ูŽ ุงู„ุดูŽู‘ุฑู‘ูŽ)
ู‚ุงุฏูŽ – ูŠูŽู‚ููˆุฏูto lead; to chair. I-verb. For example: to lead a political party (ู‚ุงุฏูŽ ุญูุฒู’ุจูŒ ุณููŠุงุณููŠู‘ูŒ)
ุนูŽุฏู‘ูŽ – ูŠูŽุนูุฏู‘ูto count, to calculate; to consider; to regard as. For example: to count to a hundred (ุนูŽุฏู‘ูŽ ุฅูู„ูŽู‰ ู…ูุงุฆุฉู); countless = lit.: not to be counted (ู„ุง ูŠูุนูŽุฏู‘ู). In the passive voice, ุนูุฏู‘ูŽ means to be considered as. For example: This man is considered to be the leader of the terrorist organization (ูŠูุนูŽุฏู‘ู ู‡ูฐุฐุง ุงู„ุฑูŽู‘ุฌูู„ู ุฒูŽุนููŠู…ูŽ ุงู„ุชูŽู‘ู†ู’ุธููŠู…ู ุงู„ู’ุฅูุฑู’ู‡ุงุจููŠู‘ู). Watch out: In the text, we had the verb form ุนุฏูˆุง which is they (3rd person; masculine plural). Don’t mix it with form I (ุนูŽุฏูŽุง – ูŠูŽุนู’ุฏููˆ) which looks the same without tashkeel: ุนูŽุฏู‘ูˆุง (II) versus ุนูŽุฏูŽูˆุง (I). Form I means to run but also: to be hostile towards (โ†’ then use the preposition ุนูŽู„ูŽู‰).
ุญููŠู†ูŽุฆูุฐูthen; at the time. It is an adverb of time (ุธูŽุฑู’ูู ุฒูŽู…ุงู†ู) There are many phrases like this which basically mean the same (then; at the time; at that time): ูˆูŽู‚ู’ุชูŽุฆูุฐู or ูŠูŽูˆู’ู…ูŽุฆูุฐู (then; on that day). Note that such words are compound nouns (ูƒูŽู„ูู…ูŽุฉูŒ ู…ูุฑูŽูƒู‘ูŽุจูŽุฉูŒ) consisting of a first part denoting time and the noun ุฅูุฐู’.
ู†ูŽูˆู’ุนูŒtype; kind; form; category
ุชูŽุฑูŽูŠู‘ูุซูŒwait-and-see; hesitation; procrastination. It is the verbal noun (ู…ูŽุตู’ุฏูŽุฑูŒ) of the V-verb ุชูŽุฑูŽูŠู‘ูŽุซูŽ – ูŠูŽุชูŽุฑูŽูŠู‘ูŽุซู which means to take one’s time; to linger. For example: to delay making the decision (ุชูŽุฑูŽูŠู‘ูŽุซูŽ ูููŠ ุงูุชู‘ูุฎุงุฐู ุงู„ู’ู‚ูŽุฑุงุฑู).
ู…ูุนู’ุชูŽุจูุฑูŒthinking, holding, having the opinion that (ุฃูŽู†ู‘ูŽ), considering. It is the active participle (ุงูุณู’ู…ู ุงู„ู’ูุงุนูู„ู) of the VIII-verb ุงูุนู’ุชูŽุจูŽุฑูŽ – ูŠูŽุนู’ุชูŽุจูุฑู which means to consider; to regard as; to take as. Note that the passive participle (ุงูุณู’ู…ู ุงู„ู’ู…ูŽูู’ุนููˆู„ู) is ู…ูุนู’ุชูŽุจูŽุฑูŒ with “a” often means respected; esteemed; respectable
ุญูŽุฐูŽุง – ูŠูŽุญู’ุฐููˆto imitate, to take an example; to do it like. I-verb. Often occurs in the expression ุญูŽุฐุง ุญูŽุฐู’ูˆูŽ ุดูŽุฎู’ุตู which means to follow someone’s footsteps/example. The adverb ุญูŽุฐู’ูˆูŽ means parallel to; face to face with.
ุฌุงุฑูŒ
pl: ุฌููŠุฑุงู†ูŒ
neighboring; adjacent; neighbor
ุฎูŽู„ููŠุฌูŠู‘ูŒGulf (Arab region). For example: the Gulf Cooperation Council – GCC (ู…ูŽุฌู’ู„ูุณู ุงู„ุชูŽู‘ุนุงูˆูู†ู ุงู„ู’ุฎูŽู„ููŠุฌููŠู‘ู)
Vocabulary List – Media Arabic Booster 07/24 – ยฉ Gerald DriรŸner
ARABICEXPLANATION
ุจูŽู‚ูŠู‘ุฉูŒ
pl: ุจูŽู‚ุงูŠุง
rest; remains; remainder. For example: for the rest of her life (ุจูŽู‚ูŠู‘ุฉูŽ ุนูู…ู’ุฑูู‡ุง)
ุฑูŽุฃูŽู‰ – ูŠูŽุฑูŽู‰to see; to regard; to think. For example: What do you think? (ูŠุง ุชูุฑูŽู‰ุŸ). For the conjugation of the verb, see this article.
ู…ูู†ุงุณูุจูŒsuitable; convenient. It is the active participle (ุงูุณู’ู…ู ุงู„ู’ูุงุนูู„ู) of the III-verb ู†ุงุณูŽุจูŽ – ูŠูู†ุงุณูุจู which means to suit; to be suitable. For example: this is good! that fits (ู‡ูฐุฐุง ู…ูู†ุงุณูุจูŒ)
ุตูŽุนููŠุฏูŒ
pl: ูŒุตูุนูุฏ
level; area; domain; field
ุชูŽุฏูŽุฎู‘ูู„ูŒinterference; intervention. It is the verbal noun (ู…ูŽุตู’ุฏูŽุฑูŒ) of the V-verb ุชูŽุฏูŽุฎู‘ูŽู„ูŽ – ูŠูŽุชูŽุฏูŽุฎู‘ูŽู„ู ูููŠ which means to interfere in. For example: military intervention (ุชูŽุฏูŽุฎู‘ูู„ูŒ ุนูŽุณู’ูƒูŽุฑููŠู‘ูŒ)
ุงูุญู’ุชูุฌุงุฌูŒ
pl: ุงูุญู’ุชูุฌุงุฌุงุชูŒ
objection; protest. It is the verbal noun (ู…ูŽุตู’ุฏูŽุฑูŒ) of the VIII-verb ุงูุญู’ุชูŽุฌู‘ูŽ – ูŠูŽุญู’ุชูŽุฌู‘ู ุนูŽู„ูŽู‰ which means to protest against; to object.
ู…ูŽุณุงุฑูŒ
pl: ู…ูŽุณุงุฑุงุชูŒ
path; route; course. Depending on the context, it is the noun of place (ุงูุณู’ู…ู ู…ููƒุงู†ู) or a special type of the verbal noun, the Masdar Mimiy (ู…ูŽุตู’ุฏูŽุฑูŒ ู…ููŠู…ููŠู‘ูŒ), of the I-verb ุณุงุฑูŽ – ูŠูŽุณูŠุฑู which means to go, to walk. Note: An Egyptian band from Alexandria is called Massar Egbari (ู…ูŽุณุงุฑ ุฅูุฌุจุงุฑููŠู‘). They explain their name as Compulsory Detour.
ู…ูŽุฏูŽู†ููŠู‘ูŒcivil; civic. It is the Nisba adjective (ู†ูุณู’ุจุฉูŒ) of ู…ูŽุฏููŠู†ูŽุฉูŒ which today mainly denotes city.
ุนูŽุณู’ูƒูŽุฑุฉูŒmilitarization, militarism
Vocabulary List – Media Arabic Booster 07/24 – ยฉ Gerald DriรŸner
ARABICEXPLANATION
ุฌูุณู’ู…ูŒ
pl: ุฃูŽุฌู’ุณุงู…ูŒ or ุฌูุณููˆู…ูŒ
body; object. For example: the human body (ุฌูุณู’ู…ู ุงู„ู’ุฅู†ู’ุณุงู†ู)
ุซูŽูˆู’ุฑุฉูŒrevolution; revolt; uprising. It is the verbal noun (ู…ูŽุตู’ุฏูŽุฑูŒ) of the I-verb ุซุงุฑูŽ – ูŠูŽุซูˆุฑู which means to revolt. For example: The French Revolution (ุงู„ุซูŽู‘ูˆู’ุฑุฉู ุงู„ู’ููŽุฑูŽู†ู’ุณูŠู‘ุฉู)
ู‡ูŽูŠู’ู…ูŽู†ูŽ – ูŠูู‡ูŽูŠู’ู…ูู†ู ุนูŽู„ูŽู‰to dominate; to control. The verbal noun (ู…ูŽุตู’ุฏูŽุฑูŒ) is ู‡ูŽูŠู’ู…ูŽู†ุฉูŒ. It is a I-verb based on four root letters. For example: to control a region (ู‡ูŽูŠู’ู…ูŽู†ูŽ ุนูŽู„ูŽู‰ ู…ูู†ู’ุทูŽู‚ุฉู). Watch out: Depending on the context, ู‡ูŽูŠู’ู…ูŽู†ูŽ may also mean: to say “amen” (ู‚ุงู„ูŽ ุขู…ููŠู†)
ุงู„ู’ุฅูุณู’ู„ุงู…ูŠู‘ููˆู†ูŽูŽThe Islamists. This is the masculine human plural ุฌูŽู…ู’ุนู ุงู„ู’ู…ูุฐูŽูƒูŽู‘ุฑู ุงู„ุณูŽู‘ุงู„ูู…ู. It is a relatively new term. You should be careful when using it as the adjective ุฅูุณู’ู„ุงู…ููŠู‘ูŒ just means Islamic and does not have any bad connotation in the Arab world at all. For example: the Islamic law = Sharia (ุงู„ุดูŽู‘ุฑููŠุนุฉู ุงู„ู’ุฅูุณู’ู„ุงู…ูŠู‘ุฉู)
ุฑูŽุบู’ู…ูŽdespite; in spite of; for all; notwithstanding. Often used with ุฃูŽู†ู‘ูŽ as in ุฑูŽุบู’ู…ูŽ ุฃู†ู‘ which means although.
ู‡ูŽุฒููŠู…ุฉูŒ
pl: ู‡ูŽุฒุงุฆูู…ู
defeat. It is a verbal noun form (ู…ูŽุตู’ุฏูŽุฑูŒ) of the I-verb ู‡ูŽุฒูŽู…ูŽ – ูŠูŽู‡ู’ุฒูู…ู which means to defeat. For example: to gain a crushing victory (ู‡ูŽุฒูŽู…ูŽ ู‡ูŽุฒูŠู…ุฉู‹ ุณุงุญูู‚ุฉู‹).
ุฅูู„ู‘ุง ุฃูŽู†ู‘ูŽbut; however; only
ู…ูŽุฏู’ุนููˆู…ูŒsupported; reinforced; subsidized. It is the passive participle (ุงูุณู’ู…ู ุงู„ู’ู…ูŽูู’ุนููˆู„ู) of the I-verb ุฏูŽุนูŽู…ูŽ – ูŠูŽุฏู’ุนูŽู…ู which means to support. For example: subsidized loans (ู‚ูุฑููˆุถูŒ ู…ูŽุฏู’ุนููˆู…ูŽุฉูŒ).
ู…ุง ุฒุงู„ูŽ or ู„ุง ูŠูŽุฒุงู„ูstill. This is a common phrase consisting of the negation particle and the I-verb ุฒุงู„ูŽ – ูŠูŽุฒุงู„ู which literally means not stop being. For example: he is still poor (ู…ุง ุฒุงู„ูŽ ููŽู‚ููŠุฑู‹ุง)
ุณูŽูŠู’ุทูŽุฑูŽ – ูŠูุณูŽูŠู’ุทูุฑู ุนูŽู„ูŽู‰to rule; to master; to control. It is a I-verb based on four root letters. The verbal noun (ู…ูŽุตู’ุฏูŽุฑูŒ) is ุณูŽูŠู’ุทูŽุฑุฉูŒ.
ุฌูŽูŠู’ุจูŒ
pl: ุฌููŠูˆุจ
pocket; also: small compartment of a suitcase. For example: a pocket dictionary (ู‚ุงู…ููˆุณู ุฌูŽูŠู’ุจู)
Vocabulary List – Media Arabic Booster 07/24 – 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.

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