Published: August 31, 2024
Media Arabic Booster 08/24
This month (08/24) in Media Arabic Booster: Emirati car owners and the word مُلاك and why Syria did not broadcast Nasrallah’s latest speech
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.
Media Arabic Booster: 08/24 Show
A close look at a headline
Emarat al-Youm: Prices for car repairs
Fun fact: In July 2009, the Abu Dhabi Federal Court of Appeal shut down the print and online versions of the paper for 20 days and fined its editor $5,445 due to an October 2006 article alleging that some ruling family’s race horses were given steroids. Three months after the court ruling, in October 2009, the newspaper became part of the state-run Dubai Media Incorporated.
Let’s focus on the headline:
مُلاك سيارات: أسعار التصليح داخل الوكالات «غير مبررة»
Car owners: Repair prices at dealerships are “unjustified”
When Arabic newspapers write vowels, you should always look closely. We should also do that with the word مُلاك. Which form is that and what does the word mean? We will see it in the vocabulary list.
Vocabulary list
All words marked in color above are explained here.
| ARABIC | EXPLANATION |
|---|---|
| مالِكٌ pl: مُلاّكٌ or مُلَّكٌ | owner; possessor; owning. It is the active participle (اِسْمُ الْفاعِلِ) of the I-verb مَلَكَ – يَمْلِكُ which means to own; to possess. Now, watch out: There are some words which may look the same without vowels: → مَلّاك with “a” and Shadda (شَدّةٌ) on the ل also means owner, possessor – but is singular and not plural! It is a noun of intensification/exaggeration (صِيغَةُ المُبالَغَةِ) and basically expresses that someone owns (“many times”) ~ a lot! It is often used to express that someone is a landowner. → مَلاكٌ with “a” means angel and has the plural form مَلائِكةٌ. → مِلاك with “i” and may denote staff, workforce. → مْلَاكْ in Maghrebi dialects (e.g., Tunisian Arabic), expresses engagement (ceremony); occasionally also: engagement gifts (from the groom to the bride) |
| سِعْرٌ pl: أَسْعارٌ | price; rate. For example: exchange rate (سِعْرُ الصَّرْفِ); rising prices (ارْتِفاعُ الْأَسْعارِ); falling prices (اِنْخِفاضُ الْأَسْعارِ) |
| تَصْلِيحٌ pl: تَصْلِيحاتٌ | repair. It is the verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) of the II-verb صَلَّحَ – يُصَلِّحُ which means to repair; to fix. For example: to do/carry out repairs (أَجْرَى – يُجْرِي تَصْلِيحاتٍ); irreparable (لا يُمْكِنُ تَصْلِيحُهُ); major repairs (ٌتَصْلِيحاتُ مُهِِمّة) vs. minor repairs (تَصْلِيحاتٌ بَسِيطةٌ) |
| or وَكالةٌ وِكالةٌ | agency; representation; sometimes also: authorization; proxy; administrative agency; commercial/trade agency. For example: press agency (وَكالَةُ الْأَنْباءِ). UNRWA – United Nations Relief and Works Agency (for Palestine Refugees in the Near East) = وَكالَةُ الأُمَمِ المُتَّحِدَةِ لِإِغاثَةِ وَتَشْغِيلِ اللَّاجِئِينَ (الْفِلَسْطِينِيِّينَ) |
| مُبَرَّرٌ | justified. It is the passive participle (اِسْمُ الْمَفْعُولِ) of the II-verb بَرَّرَ – يُبَرِّرُ which means to justify; to excuse; to account for. To express the opposite, unjustified, you can say غَيْرُ مُبَرَّرٍ |
If you are wondering why car owners in the Emirates are angry, here is some background information:
- Car owners (not only in the Emirates) are often compelled to repair their new vehicles at authorized agencies due to the advanced technologies requiring skilled labor.
- These official agencies and licensed distributors charge significantly higher prices for spare parts and repairs, sometimes up to 900% more than external repair shops.
- For instance, according to the article, in August 2024, a compressor belt costs 550 dirhams ($149.72; €134.20) at a dealership but only 70 dirhams ($19.05; €17.07) at an external distributor.
- Labor costs at agencies are also high at licensed agencies, with rates around AED 480 ($130.68; €117.12) per hour. One customer highlighted that an agency quoted 26,000 dirhams ($7,086.30; €6,344.64) for parts and labor, while an external repair shop quoted only 14,500 dirhams ($3,952.55; €3,539.88), raising concerns about the inflated prices at car agencies.
- Note: Repairs may be expensive in the UAE, but at least fuel is relatively cheap (compared to Europe). As of August 2024, one liter of Super 98 costs AED 3.05 which is €0.74 or $0.83. Note that 1 liter equals 0.26 gallons.
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-Modon: The Syrian regime “boycotts” Nasrallah
On August 8, 2024, the following article was published by the Lebanese online newspaper al-Modon (المدن), based in Beirut. The text analyzes the relationship between the leader of the secretary-general of Hezbollah (حزب الله) – Hassan Nasrallah (حسن نصر الله) – and the Syrian regime under Bashar al-Asasd (بشار حافظ الأسد). Hezbollah is a Shia Islamist political party and militant group in Lebanon.
Al-Modon (المدن) was launched in February 2013 in Beirut, Lebanon, and is now an electronic newspaper. It aims to represent Lebanese and Arab civil society (تمثل التيار المدني اللبناني والعربي), defending the democratic identity of the Arab Spring against religious and military tyranny. In general, its editorial line is critical of Hezbollah and most sectarian parties.
Al-Modon is owned by Rainbow Media Co. It is part of a larger network of outlets through the ownership of Fadaat Media (فضاءات ميديا), a company owned by Qatari partners.
Fadaat Media directly manages websites and TV companies in the region, such as Al-Araby Al-Jadeed (based in London), Al Araby Television (Lusail – لوسيل – in Qatar), Syria Television (broadcast from Turkey), and The New Arab (based in London). Fadaat Media Group itself was established in 2012 as a private commercial company in Doha, Qatar.
Let’s now take a closer look at a few complete paragraphs.
Section 1
للمرة الثانية على التوالي، امتنع التلفزيون السوري الرسمي عن بث كلمة الأمين العام لـ”حزب الله” حسن نصرالله، رغم تصاعد الصراع في غزة والمخاوف المتزايدة من توسع نطاق الحرب في الشرق الأوسط، بعد اغتيال قادة في “حزب الله” وحركة “حماس”، فيما غابت جبهة سوريا أيضاًَ في كلمة نصرالله الأخيرة. والتجاهل الإعلامي لنصرالله في سوريا الأسد التي ترسم لنفسها صورة إعلامية ودعائية كقوة قيادية في “محور الممانعة“، يشكل موقفاً غير متوقع من النظام السوري، في نظر مواليه على الأقل…
For the second time in a row, Syrian State Television has refrained from airing the speech of Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, despite the escalation of the conflict in Gaza and growing fears of a wider war in the Middle East following the assassination of Hezbollah and Hamas leaders. In Nasrallah’s latest speech, the Syrian front was also absent. The media’s disregard for Nasrallah in Al-Assad’s Syria – which portrays itself in the media and propaganda as a leading force in the “Axis of Resistance” – constitutes an unexpected stance from the Syrian regime, at least in the eyes of its loyalists (supporters).
BACKGROUND: Nasrallah and the Axis of Resistance
Hasan Nasrallah (حسن نصر الله), born on August 31, 1960, in Bourj Hammoud (برج حمود), a suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, is the Secretary-General of Hezbollah (حزب الله). He grew up in a Shia family and showed an early interest in religious studies. Nasrallah joined the Amal Movement (حركة أمل) during his youth but later shifted to Hezbollah, which was formed to resist the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982. He pursued religious education in Najaf, Iraq, and Qom, Iran, before returning to Lebanon. Nasrallah assumed leadership of Hezbollah in 1992 after the assassination of his predecessor, Abbas al-Musawi (عباس الموسوي), by an Israeli airstrike.
Under Nasrallah’s leadership, Hezbollah has grown significantly in both military and political influence. He is known for his charismatic leadership and strategic acumen, which have helped Hezbollah become a major player in Lebanese politics and a significant force in the region. Nasrallah’s role in the 2006 Lebanon War, where Hezbollah’s resistance against Israel garnered widespread support, further solidified his importance. Despite controversies and criticisms, particularly regarding Hezbollah’s involvement in the Syrian Civil War, Nasrallah remains a pivotal figure in Middle Eastern geopolitics.
Picture credit: screenshot/Gerald Drißner
Hasan Nasrallah (حسن نصر الله) and Bashar al-Assad (بشار الأسد), the President (dictator) of Syria, share a strategic alliance rooted in mutual interests and regional geopolitics. Hezbollah, under Nasrallah’s leadership, has been a staunch ally of the Syrian government, particularly during the Syrian Civil War (الحرب الأهلية السورية) that began in 2011. This alliance is part of the broader “Axis of Resistance (محور المقاومة), which includes Iran, Syria, and Hezbollah, opposing Western influence and Israeli policies in the Middle East.
During the Syrian Civil War, Hezbollah provided significant military support to Assad’s regime, helping to turn the tide in several key battles. This support was crucial for Assad, as it bolstered his forces against various rebel groups and Islamist factions. In return, Assad’s regime has provided Hezbollah with logistical support and a strategic depth that enhances its operational capabilities against Israel. This symbiotic relationship has strengthened both parties’ positions in the region, making Nasrallah and Assad key figures in the Middle Eastern geopolitical landscape.
Religiously, Nasrallah and Assad come from different sects within Islam. Nasrallah is a Shia Muslim, while Assad belongs to the Alawite sect (الطّائِفةُ الْعَلَوِيَّةُ), which is a branch of Shia Islam. Despite these differences, their alliance is primarily driven by political and strategic considerations rather than religious affiliation.
In the Arabic media, you will encounter مِحْوَرُ الْمُقاوَمةِ and مِحْوَرُ الْمُمانِعةِ which both mean the same: “Axis of Resistance”.
The Axis of Resistance (محور المقاومة) is an informal alliance of political and military groups in the Middle East, primarily led by Iran. It was conceptualized in the early 2000s as a counter to Western and Israeli influence in the region. Key members include Iran, Syria, Hezbollah (حزب الله) in Lebanon, and various other groups such as Hamas (حماس) in Gaza and the Houthi movement (الحوثيون) in Yemen. The alliance aims to resist American and Israeli policies and support each other in regional conflicts.
Section 2
وبعد الثورة في البلاد والدعم الإيراني للنظام عبر ميليشيات مختلفة من بينها “حزب الله” الذي شارك في المعارك ومازال يتمركز في مناطق سورية عديدة، كان نصرالله دائم الحضور في الشاشات التي نقلت خطاباته وأجرت معه مقابلات حصرية وأفردت له ولحزبه مساحة واسعة. ولا يمكن نسيان المقابلة الأولى له على شاشة سورية العام 2015 عندما وصفته المذيعة رانيا الذنون، التي ارتدت الحجاب استثنائياً أمامه، بـ”القائد” و”الأب”و”المقاوم”
After the revolution in the country and the Iranian support for the regime through various militias including Hezbollah, the (political) party that took part in the battles and is still stationed (positioned) in many Syrian regions, Nasrallah was constantly present on screens that broadcast his speeches, conducted exclusive interviews with him, and dedicated a large space for him and his party. One cannot forget his first interview on Syrian television in 2015 when the presenter, Rania al-Zanoun – who wore a veil (Hijab) exceptionally in his presence – called him (described him as) “the leader”, “the father”, and “the resistor”.
Question: In the last sentence, we see the preposition بِ before the words leader, father and resister. Why is that? As often the case, we need to identify the verb in the sentence. In this example, it is the I-verb وَصَفَ – يَصِفُ. If you want to express to describe somebody/someone as, you will have to use the preposition بِ before the description. For example: Some described it as a moment of weakness (الْبَعْضُ وَصَفَها بِـلَحْظَةِ ضَعْفٍ).
Section 3
وعبر تجاهل إطلالات نصر الله في الإعلام السوري، الذي اكتفى ببث تصريحات مقتضبة من الخطابين الأخيرين عبر وكالة “سانا” من دون حتى تخصيص أخبار مكتوبة أو مواد رأي في الصحف المحلية الثلاث، كما جرت العادة سابقاً، فإن النظام ربما يقدم رسالة انفصال عن الحزب وطهران، في ما يخص التصعيد الحالي في المنطقة. كما أن الأسد شخصياً يحاول في الفترة الأخيرة إعادة بناء صورته كقائد جماهيري في المنطقة، ويتطلب ذلك التقليل من حجم القادة الآخرين، حتى الحلفاء منهم.
By ignoring Nasrallah’s appearances in the Syrian media, which merely broadcast brief quotes from the two recent speeches via SANA without even devoting written news or opinion pieces in the three local newspapers, as was previously customary, the regime may be sending a message of separation from Hezbollah and Tehran when it comes to the current escalation in the region. Al-Assad himself has also recently been trying to rebuild his image as a leader of the masses (popular leader) in the region, which calls for downplaying (belittling) other leaders, even those who are allies.
Section 4
وتحدث إعلاميون موالون في مواقع التواصل عن توجيهات من القيادة بعدم بث خطابات نصرالله، بهدف تحييد سوريا عن الانخراط في الحرب، من أجل تقديم رسائل للدول العربية التي أعادت علاقاتها الدبلوماسية مع دمشق وإلى الدول الغربية أيضاً، بوجود رغبة رسمية في الحفاظ على الاستقرار، خصوصاً أمام الوضع الهش الذي يعيشه النظام على كافة المستويات.
Pro-Syrian regime journalists (media figures) spoke on social media of directives from the leadership not to broadcast Nasrallah’s speeches, with the aim of preventing (neutralizing) Syria from involvement in the war and (in order) to send a message to the Arab countries that have restored diplomatic relations with Damascus and to Western countries as well, underlining the official desire to maintain stability, especially in light of the fragile situation that the regime is experiencing at all levels.
BACKGROUND: What is the situation in Syria in August 2024?
Syria is currently ruled by the regime of Bashar al-Assad (بشار الأسد), who has been in power since 2000, succeeding his father, Hafez al-Assad (حافظ الأسد). Bashar al-Assad’s regime has maintained control over most of the country, largely due to support from allies such as Iran and Russia.
Despite a brutal civil war that began in 2011 and led to significant loss of life and displacement, Assad’s position has been further solidified by Syria’s readmission to the Arab League in May 2023. Iran currently – as of summer 2024 – does not play a key role in Syria anymore. And the Lebanese-based group Hezbollah has strong ties with Iran which may explain why Syrian state TV did not broadcast Nasrallah’s recent speeches live.
Syria’s economy is collapsing, and it has no intellectual resources left. Assad’s family controls the economy and has taken all they can. Many people who haven’t left yet want to leave. Almost 5 percent of Syrians, assuming a population of 22 million, now live in Germany.
Turkey (Türkiye) is to the north; Iraq is to the east and southeast; Jordan is to the south; Israel is to the southwest; Lebanon is to the west.
But there is a lot more still going. The following information is intended to provide a simplified description and classification of the situation as of August 2024.
- The Assad regime currently appears distant from its former ally Iran. It seems unconcerned about the Golan Heights (هَضْبة الجَوْلان), a conflict zone between Hezbollah (backed by Iran) and Israel. The Golan Heights, internationally recognized as Syrian territory, were occupied by Israel in the Six-Day War of 1967 and annexed in 1981.
- Hamas (حماس), which Assad once hosted in Damascus, is no longer on good terms with the Syrian regime because they turned against Assad during the 2011 uprising.
- Russia, backing the Syrian regime, does not want Syria involved in a bigger conflict between the “Axis of Resistance” (مِحْوَرُ الْمُقاوَمةِ) and Israel.
- The Arab Gulf states want to normalize relations with Assad because Saudi Arabia and the Emirates are dealing with a problem with the drug Captagon, produced in Syria and smuggled into their countries, sometimes even with drones over the deserts of Jordan and Iraq.
Regarding security, the country is calmer but still unstable.
- The situation in Idlib (إدلب) in the northwest remains grim. Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS -هيئة تحرير الشام), a terrorist group, controls the area with Turkish support. The regime and Russia, occasionally, are still carrying out airstrikes. HTS, which fights ISIS, has its origins in Al-Qaeda (القاعدة).
- In the northeast, the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF, قوات سوريا الديمقراطية) often clash with the regime. Some Arab tribes support the regime because they oppose Kurdish dominance. Turkey also acts against the Kurds, especially PKK-affiliated militias within the SDF.
- Palmyra (تدمر) in central Syria is still under threat from ISIS (داعش). On August 25, 2024, eleven Syrian soldiers were found dead, some beheaded.
- In Daraa (درعا), in southern Syria, the regime is still fighting rebels. Located 13 kilometers north of the Jordan border, Daraa is called the “cradle of the revolution” for its role in the 2011 Syrian Revolution, which began after protests against the arrest of 15 boys who painted anti-government graffiti.
- The Druze region in Suwayda (السويداء) in the southwest is unstable. Druze militias fight Islamists and sometimes the regime.
- State of War: Syria and Israel have been in a state of war since 1948, with significant conflicts occurring during the Arab-Israeli wars of 1948-1949, 1967, and 1973.
- No Diplomatic Relations: The two countries have never established formal diplomatic relations. Syria does not recognize Israel as a legitimate state and does not accept Israeli passports.
- Territorial Disputes: A major point of contention is the Golan Heights (هضبة الجولان), a region that Israel captured from Syria during the Six-Day War in 1967 and later annexed. This area is still considered Syrian territory by the United Nations.
- Syrian Civil War: The Syrian Civil War, which began in 2011, has further complicated relations. Israel has conducted airstrikes in Syria, primarily targeting Iranian forces and Hezbollah to prevent their entrenchment near its borders.
We don’t know for sure. Questions have arisen about the Syrian regime’s lack of participation in the Axis of Resistance, with observers asking whether Bashar al-Assad (بشار الأسد) is actually part of it, based on the regime’s reaction to Iranian consulate bombing in Damascus (13th April 2024) by Israeli forces, where the Iranian General Zahedi (زاهدی) was killed.
Syria is currently extremely weakened militarily. For Israel, al-Assad is relatively easy to deal with at the moment. In late April 2024, a report by Agence France-Presse noted that Israel threatened to topple al-Assad if he intervened in the Gaza war, according to a French diplomat.
Sources: al-Quds al-Arabi and The Times of Israel
In summer 2024, the Russian Defense Ministry announced the construction of a military base in Kobanê (کۆبانی) = Ayn al-Arab (عين العرب) with the Syrian regime forces, near the Turkish border in Northern Syria. This area is controlled by the Kurdish-led and US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The SDF was established in 2015 and has been a key ally of the US in the fight against the terrorist organization “Islamic State” (ISIS – داعش), playing a crucial role in reclaiming territory from the terrorist group.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (المرصد السوري لحقوق الإنسان) reported that Russia is also building bases west of Ayn al-Arab in Bir Hasu (بير حسو) and on Mount Izaaha (جبل الإذاعة), with reinforcements, weapons, and soldiers.
This development coincides with efforts to normalize relations between Turkey and the Syrian regime, supported by Russia, and reports of a possible meeting between Turkish President Erdoğan and Syrian ruler al-Assad. Turkey has demanded the expulsion of the Kurdish-led SDF from Kobanê, making Russia’s actions significant. Kobanê is a top priority for Turkey, and Russia’s presence there could be a point of cooperation between the Syrian regime, Russia, and Turkey, especially since the area is almost free of Iranian influence.
Source: Arabi21
The relationship between the Syrian regime and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) is tense. In August 2024, for days, the regime in Damascus has been attacking the self-governing region of Deir el-Zor (دير الزور). Al-Assad’s regime accuses the SDF of inciting tribal fighters to attack areas in the western suburbs of Deir el-Zor. The terrorist organziation “Islamic State” (ISIS – داعش) captured large parts of Deir el-Zor in 2014. The province is rich in oil and gas fields, which ISIS exploited to fund their operations, and it is near the Iraqi border which made it a crucial point for ISIS’s operations and logistics.
The Kurdish-led SDF is controlling a quarter of Syria. In response to al-Assad’s recent attack on Deir el-Zor (دير الزور) in August 2024 which led to more than a dozen dead people, the SDF took measures against the Syrian government, including the suspension of crude oil shipments to Syrian-controlled areas in the al-Hasakah (الحسكة) fields. Despite sanctions, the SDF often supplies oil to the government, with tankers transporting thousands of barrels from al-Hasakah to government areas almost daily.
Source: al-Arab
Section 5
على أن سوريا، تبقى دولة غير قادرة على التحكم في أمورها. وهي إذ وسّعت المسافة بينها وبين طهران، فإنها تزداد التصاقاً بروسيا. ففي تموز/يوليو الماضي، توجه الأسد إلى موسكو بشكل مفاجئ للقاء نظيره فلاديمير بوتين، ودار اللقاء بحسب وسائل الإعلام الروسية، حول إمكانات توسع الحرب في المنطقة…
Nevertheless, Syria is still a country that is incapable of controlling its own affairs. While Syria did widen the distance from Tehran, it has become increasingly close to Russia. Last July, Al-Assad made a surprise trip to Moscow to meet with his counterpart, Vladimir Putin. According to the Russian media, the meeting revolved around the possible expansion of the war in the region.
ومنذ التدخل العسكري الروسي المباشر في سوريا العام 2015 لصالح النظام السوري، انتشرت تحليلات حول الخلافات الإيرانية الروسية في سوريا، حيث تمتلك موسكو وطهران أهدافاً متباينة…
Since Russia’s direct military intervention in Syria in 2015 in favor of the Syrian regime, there have been many analyses regarding Iranian-Russian differences in Syria where Moscow and Tehran have conflicting objectives (different goals).
Vocabulary list
If you are unfamiliar with the verb system used in the Hans Wehr dictionary (Roman numerals, I-X), click here for a short and simplified overview.
Headline of the article in al-Modon
| ARABIC | EXPLANATION |
|---|---|
| قاطَعَ – يُقاطِعُ | to boycott; also: to interrupt. III-verb. The verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) is مُقاطَعةٌ. Some examples: to boycott the elections (قاطَعَ الْانْتِخاباتِ); boycott of settlement products (مُقاطَعَةُ مُنْتَجاتِ الْمُسْتَوْطَناتِ) |
| رَسْمِيٌّ | official; formal. It is the Nisba adjective (نِسْبةٌ) of the noun رَسْمٌ which has many meanings: drawing, mark, rule, command. Some examples: national mourning (حِدَادٌ رَسْمِيٌّ or حِدَادٌ وَطَنِيٌّ); unofficially (غَيْرُ رَسْمِيٍّ). The word ٌرَسْمِيّات usually means formalities. With the definite article, الرَّسْمِيّاتُ denotes protocol (in diplomacy), i.e., a set of courtesy rules. |
| تَجاهُلٌ | ignoring; disregard. It is the verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) of the VI-verb تَجاهَلَ – يَتَجاهَلُ which means to ignore. For example: It is not possible to ignore the fact that (ما لا يُمْكِنُ تَجاهُلُهُ هُوَ أَنَّ) |
| خِطابٌ pl: خِطَاباتٌ | speech; also: letter. For example: to give a speech (أَلْقَى – يُلْقِي خِطابًا); opening “inaugural” speech (ٌخِطابٌ اِفْتِتاحِيّ). In grammar: direct speech (الْخِطابُ الْمُباشِرُ or الْكَلامُ الْمُباشِرُ) and indirect speech (الْخِطابُ غَيْرُ الْمُباشِرِ or الْكَلامُ غَيْرُ الْمُباشِرِ) |
Section 1
| ARABIC | EXPLANATION |
|---|---|
| تالٍ pl: تَوالٍ | following; next; especially the plural also denotes succession; sequence. تالٍ is the active participle (اِسْمُ الْفاعِلِ) of the I-verb تَلَا – يَتْلُو (root: ت-ل-و) which means to follow; depending on the context also: to recite/read aloud. The verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) of the I-verb is تُلُوٌّ or تِلاوةٌ – the passive participle (اِسْمُ الْمَفْعُولٌ) is مَتْلُوٌّ. The plural تَوالٍ is often used in the phrase: one after the other; successively; in a row (عَلَى التَّوالِي). Some more examples: for the third year in a row (لِلسَّنةِ الثّالِثِةِ عَلَى التَّوالِي). An example for the singular form (adjective): the next day (الْيَوْمُ التّالِي). Note that we write the final ي if the word is definite. |
| اِمْتَنَعَ – يَمْتَنِعُ عَنْ | to refrain (from). VIII-verb. For example: to refuse/decline to comment (اِمْتَنَعَ عَنْ أَيِّ تَعْلِيقٍ) |
| بَثٌّ | broadcast(ing); spreading. It is the verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) of the I-verb بَثَّ – يَبِثُّ which means to transmit, to broadcast; to spread. For example: live broadcast (بَثٌّ مُباشِرٌ); livestream (بَثٌّ حَيٌّ); TV broadcast (بَثٌّ تلفزيونِيٌّ) |
| أَمِينٌ عامٌّ | Secretary-General. Quasi-participle (صِفَةٌ مُشَبَّهَةٌ) of the I-verb أَمُنَ – يَأْمُنُ which means to be reliable. Note that with a different vowel, “i” in the middle, the I-verb أَمِنَ – يَأْمَنُ means to be safe. The word أَمِينٌ (plural: أُمَناءُ) means faithful; reliable as an adjective and when used to express a job or function, it denotes trustee; guardian; manager; secretary. For example: board of trustees (مَجْلِسُ الْأُمَناءِ) |
| تَصاعُدٌ | escalation, mounting; also: increase, rise. It is the verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) of the VI-verb تَصاعَدَ – يَتَصاعَدُ which means to ascend; to climb, to rise, to go up. For example: escalating tension (تَصاعُدُ التَّوَتُّرِ) |
| صِراعٌ pl: صِراعاتٌ | struggle, conflict, fight. For example: power struggle (الصِّراعُُ عَلَى السُّلْطةِ). Note that there are many words for conflict in Arabic: نِزاعٌ – نِزاعاتٌ عَلَى (dispute, conflict ; quite a strong word) and خِلافٌ – خِلافاتٌ عَلَى (contrast, difference of opinion) and there is also صِراعٌ – صِراعاتٌ عَلَى which conveys the idea of fight, struggle for. Note that you usually use the preposition عَلَى after these expressions. |
| مَخافةٌ pl: مَخاوِفُ | fear; dread. It is a special form of a verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ مِيمِيٌّ) of the I-verb خافَ – يَخافُ which means to fear (to fear for = عَلَى; to be afraid of/fear something = مِنْ). The standard verbal noun is خَوْفٌ. For example: fear of Allah (مَخافةُ اللَّهِ). Fearing that… (مَخافةً أنْ) |
| مُتَزايِدٌ | increasing, growing. It is the active participle (اِسْمُ الْفاعِلِ) of the VI-verb تَزايَدَ – يَتَزايَدُ (root: ز-ي-د which means to increase. For example: an increasing number of (عَدَدٌ مُتَزايِدٌ مِنْ); increasingly (بِشَكْلٍ مُتَزايِدٍ) |
| تَوَسُّعٌ pl: تَوَسُّعات | expansion; enlargement. It is the verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) of the V-verb تَوَسَّعَ – يَتَوَسَّعُ (root: و-س-ع) which means to be extended; also: to extend. For example: population growth (تَوَسُّعٌ سُكّانِيٌّ); varicose veins (تَوَسُّعُ الْأَوْرِدةِ) – note that وَرِيدٌ means vein (sometimes also just blood vessel) and has the plural forms وُرُودٌ and وُرُدٌ and ٌأَوْرِدة. Another word for vein/blood vessel is عِرْقٌ (pl: ٌعُرُوق). For the sake of completeness: شِرْيانٌ (pl: شَرايِينُ) means artery. Thus, veins and arteries can be translated as عُرُوقٌ وَشَرايِينُ |
| ARABIC | EXPLANATION |
|---|---|
| نِطاقٌ pl: نُطُقٌ | range; scope; extent; also: circle. For example: small-scale (عَلَى نِطاقٍ ضَيِّقٍ) vs. large-scale (عَلَى نِطاقٍ واسِعٍ) |
| اِغْتِِيالٌ pl: اغْتِيالات | assassination, murder. It is the verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) of the VIII-verb اغْتالَ – يَغْتالُ (root: غ-و-ل) which means to assassinate. For example: assassination attempt (مُحاوَلةُ اِغْتِيالٍ). Note: Interestingly, the VIII-verb اِغْتالَ is usually not found in older dictionaries. The idea of the root غ-و-ل is to destroy; to seize and take away unexpectedly; to take someone away in the sense of: death or the decree of death destroyed a person or took a person away. The word غَوْلٌ (with “a”) means far extent of a waterless desert because it destroys everyone who passes along in it. It casts away the travelers, causes them to fall. It later got the meaning of sudden misery. The word غُوْلٌ (with “u”) is a kind of goblin, demon appearing in the desert, assuming various forms, causing people to wander from the way and destroying them. |
| قائِدٌ pl: قادةٌ or قاداتٌ or قوَّدٌ or قوّادٌ | leader; head; general (in military); also: driver or pilot. It is the active participle (اِسْمُ الْفاعِلِ) of the I-verb قادَ – يَقودُ (root: ق-و-د) which means to lead; also: to drive. For example: party leaders (قادةُ الْحِزْبِ); commander-in-chief (قائِدٌ أَعْلَى or قائِدٌ عامٌّ) |
| فِيما | while; as; in that; in that which; in what. Depending on the construction and context, the ما here can work as a relative pronoun (اِسْمٌ مَوْصُولٌ) – idea of “what/which” – or as a device molding an infinitive (أَداةُ مَصْدَرٍ). More importantly, there are many common expressions with فِيما. For example: afterward; in the following (فِيما بَعْدُ); below/hereinafter; in what follows (فِيما يَلِي); as I believe (فِيما أَعْتَقِدُ) |
| غابَ – يَغيبُ | to be absent; to disappear. I-verb; root: غ-ي-ب |
| جَبْهةٌ | front; front line (military); forehead (anatomy). For example: PFLP = the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (الْجَبْهَةُ الشَّعْبِيَّةُ لِتَحْرِيرِ فِلَسْطِينَ) |
| دِعائِيٌّ | propaganda (adjective/before noun). In a positive sense, it can also mean advertising. The English noun propaganda or advertisement would be دِعايَةٌ. The root is د-ع-و. |
| مُمانِعٌ | opposing; rejecting. It is the passive participle (اِسْمُ الْمَفْعُولِ) of the III-verb مانَعَ – يُمانِعُ which means to rebel (against), to resist. |
| مُوالٍ pl: مُوالُونَ | supporter; follower; friend. When placed as an adjective, it can express loyal; faithful. It is the active participle (اِسْمُ الْفاعِلِ) of the III- verb وَالَى – يُوالِي which means to support, to back; also: to continue. |
Section 2
| ARABIC | EXPLANATION |
|---|---|
| تَمَرْكَزَ – يَتَمَرْكَزُ فِي | to be centralized; to be concentrated. Also: to consolidate one’s position; to gravitate; to settle. It is a II-verb based on four root letters – the root is: م-ر-ك-ز. The verbal/infinitive noun is تَمَرْكُزٌ. Note that contrary to a II-verb (فَعَّلَ) of a verb with three root letters which usually conveys an active, intensive meaning, here the II-verb based on four root letters does convey kind of a passive meaning. How come? The second stem (extended form) of the four-radical verb has predominantly reflexive and passive meaning. The model structure corresponds to that of the V-stem of the three-radical verbs with the difference that instead of a doubled second radical there are two different radicals. |
| دائِمٌ | continuous, permanent; enduring/lasting. It is the active participle (اِسْمُ الْفاعِلِ) of the I-verb دامَ – يَدومُ (root: د-و-م) which means to last, to continue. For example: permanent (بِصِفةٍ دائِمةٍ). You often find it as a first part of a إِضافةٌ-construction, expressing that something in permanent. For example: evergreen plant (دائِمُ الْخُضْرةِ); permanent member (دائِمُ الْعُضْوِيَّةِ) It is often used as an adverb of time (ظَرْفُ زَمانٍ). The word دائِمًا is then usually translated as always. For example: always and forever (دائِمًا وَأَبَدًا). Note: أَبَدًا without negation means eternity, eternal duration. With negation in a sentence, it means: never (in the future), not at all, by no means. Isolated, i.e., alone and without negation, أَبَدًا usually means not at all, certainly not! Never! |
| نَقَلَ – يَنْقُلُ | to carry; to transmit. I-verb. It is not always used in a physical sense of “to transport”. For example: to translate into another language (نَقَلَ إِلَى لُغةٍ أُخْرَى); to report from a security source (نَقَلَ عَنْ مَصْدَرٍ أَمْنِيٍّ); to quote the president (نَقَلَ عَنْ الرَّئِيسِ قَوْلَهُ) |
| أَجْرَى – يُجْرِي | to carry out; to conduct; to implement (“do“). IV-verb; root (ج-ر-ي). For example: to conduct a study (أَجْرَى دِراسةً). The verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) is إجْراءٌ (plural: إِجْراءاتٌ) which usually means action; measure. The active participle (اِسْمُ الْفاعِلِ) is مُجْرٍ. The passive participle (اِسْمُ الْمَفْعُولِ) is مُجْرًى. |
| مُقابَلةٌ | interview; meeting; sometimes also: match, game. It is the verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) of the III-verb قابَلَ – يُقابِلُ which means to meet. |
| حَصْرِيٌّ | exclusive. For example: exclusive program/event (بَرْنامَجٌ حَصْرِيٌّ). It is the Nisba (نِسْبةٌ) adjective of the noun حَصْرٌ which means restriction; limitation. |
| أَفْرَدَ – يُفْرِدُ | to allot; to devote; sometimes also: to isolate; to single out. IV-verb. For example: Chapter V was specifically devoted to international cooperation (أُفْرِدَ الْبابُ الْخامِسُ خِصِّيصًا لِلتَّعاوُنِ الدَّوْلِيِّ). |
| نِسْيانٌ | forgetting; forgetfulness. It is one of the forms of the verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) of the I-verb نَسِيَ – يَنْسَى which means to forget. The standard infinitive form is ٌنَسْي. For example: forgetful (كَثِيرُ النِّسْيانِ) |
| مُذِيعٌ | anchor: announcer; interviewer. It is the active participle (اِسْمُ الْفاعِلِ) of the IV-verb أَذاعَ – يُذيعُ (root: ذ-ي-ع) which means to announce; to spread. |
| اِرْتَدَى – يَرْتَدِي | to dress; to put on, to wear. VIII-verb; root: ر-د-ي. For example: to get dressed (اِرْتَدَى مَلابِسَهُ). Watch out: Don’t confuse it with the VIII-verb ارْتَدَّ – يَرْتَدُّ (root: ر-د-د) which means to go back; to shrink; to backfire. |
| اِسْتِثْنائيًّا | exceptionally, as an exception. It is the Nisba (نِسْبةٌ) adjective of اِسْتِثْناءٌ which means exception and is the verbal noun of X-verb اِسْتَثْنَى – يَسْتَثْنِي (root: ث-ن-ي) which means to except. |
Section 3
| ARABIC | EXPLANATION |
|---|---|
| إِطْلالةٌ | appearance; view; look. Root: ط-ل-ل. This is a so-called noun of instance (اِسْمُ الْمَرّةِ). It often goes along with the preposition عَلَى. For example: Some of the rooms offer sea view (تَوَفِّرُ بَعْضُ الْغُرَفِ إِطْلالَةً عَلَى الْبَحْرِ). |
| اِكْتَفَى – يَكْتَفِي بِ | to content oneself; to be enough; to make do. VIII-verb, root: ك-ف-ي |
| مُقْتَضَبٌ | short; concise. It is the passive participle (اِسْمُ الْمَفْعُولِ) of the VIII-verb اِقْتَضَبَ – يَقْتَضِبُ which means to shorten. |
| تَخْصِيصٌ | allocation; designation; assignment. It is the verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) of the II-verb خَصَّصَ – يُخَصِّصُ (root: خ-ص-ص) which means to designate; to allocate. |
| جَرَتْ الْعادةُ أَنْ | it was usual; it was customary; it was the practice to. Here we use the I-verb جَرَى – يَجْرِي which means to happen; to occur; but depending on the context also: to run; to flow. |
| اِنْفِصالٌ عَنْ | separation (from). It is the verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) of the VII-verb اِنْفَصَلَ – يَنْفَصِلُ which means to separate. |
| فِيما يَخُصُّ | with regard to; as far as … is concerned; as for. In this phrase, we use the I-verb خَصَّ – يَخُصُّ which means to concern. For example: And, in terms of security, Egypt is a completely safe country (فِيما يَخُصُّ النّاحِيَةَ الْأَمْنِيَّةَ، مِصْرُ دَوْلَةٌ أَمْنَةٌ تَمامًا). |
| تَصْعِيدٌ | escalation. It is the verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) of the II-verb صَعَّدَ – يُصَعِّدُ which means to escalate, to intensify; to sublime (in chemistry). |
| تَطَلَّبَ – يَتَطَلَّبُ | to require; to demand; depending on the context also: to expect someone to. V-verb. For example: to demand something from someone (تَطَلَّبَ شَيْئًا مِنْ شَخْصٍ); to require special care (تَطَلَّبَ عِنايةً خاصّةً). |
Section 4
| ARABIC | EXPLANATION |
|---|---|
| تَحْيِيدٌ | neutralization (in politics and chemistry). It is the verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) of the II-verb حَيَّدَ – يُحَيِّدُ which means to neutralize; to keep aside. If you want to express (to be) neutral or independent, you use a word of the same root: مُحايِدٌ. This is the active participle of the III-verb حايَدَ – يُحايِدُ which means to avoid; to behave in a neutral way; also: to deviate. For example: a neutral country (دَوْلةٌ مُحايِِدةٌ) |
| اِنْخِراطٌ فِي | joining; engagement; involvement. It is the verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) of the VII-verb اِنْخَرَطَ – يَنْخَرِطُ which means to join; to become a member of (= فِي). |
| رَغْبةٌ pl: رِغابٌ or رَغَباتٌ | wish, desire. For example: I don’t want that (لا رَغْبَةَ لِي فِي ذٰلِكَ). |
| اِسْتِقْرارٌ | stability, stabilization. It is the verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) of the X-verb اِسْتَقَرَّ – يَسْتَقِرُّ (root: ق-ر-ر) which means to settle; to stabilize. For example: political instability (عَدَمُ الْاِسْتِقْرارِ السِّياسِيِّ) |
| هَشٌّ | fragile; breakable; frangible; depending on the context also: happy; fresh/crisp (e.g., bread). For example: fragile peace (سَلامٌ هَشٌّ) |
| كافّةٌ | all; totality; entirety. Often serves as the first part of a إِضافةٌ-construction. As an adverb, the word كافّةً denotes entirely; fully, in total. For example: all states (كافَّةُ الدُّوَلِ); all people, entirely (الشَّعْبُ كَافَّةً). So, what’s the root? It is ك-ف-ف and not ك-ف-ي (to be enough). |
Section 5
| ARABIC | EXPLANATION |
|---|---|
| عَلَى أَنَّ | although; however, but; on the other hand; nevertheless. Note: عَلَى أَنْ (not أَنَّ) usually means on the condition that; provided that. |
| قادِرٌ عَلَى | to be capable of. It is the active participle (اِسْمُ الْفاعِلِ) of the I-verb قَدَرَ – يَقْدِرُ عَلَى which means to be able to/capable of. To express incapable, you can say غَيْرُ قادِرٍ. Note: الْقادِرُ is one of the names of Allah and means The Omnipotent/The All-Powerful. |
| تَحَكُّمٌ فِي or بِ | control of. It is the verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) of the V-verb تَحَكَّمَ – يَتَحَكَّمُ which means to control; to have control. |
| اِزْدادَ – يَزْدادُ | to increase. VIII-verb; root: ز-ي-د. Note that the first د should be a ت applying the pattern اِفْتَعَلَ, but to facilitate the pronunciation after the letter ز, it became د. |
| اِلْتِصاقٌ بِ | sticking; adhesion. Note that the ال here is not the definite article! اِلْتِصاقٌ is the verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) of the VIII-verb الْتَصَقَ – يَلْتَصِقُ which means to stick to; to adhere to. |
| نَظِيرٌ | counterpart; equal, peer, match. نَظِيرٌ is often used in politics when, e.g., a minister speaks about his colleague in another country. Other examples: peer-to-peer (النَّظِيرُ للنَّظِيرِ). You can also use this word to express unequalled: مُنْقَطِعُ النَّظيرِ or لا نَظِيرَ لَهُ or عَزَّ نَظِيرُهُ |
| دارَ – يَدُورُ | to spin, to circle, to concern. I-verb; root: د-و-ر. For example: Everything revolves around this topic (يَدُورُ كُلُّ شَيْءٍ حَوْلَ هٰذا الْمَوْضُوعِ). |
| ARABIC | EXPLANATION |
|---|---|
| تَدَخُّلٌ | intervention; interference. It is the verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) of the V-verb تَدَخَّلَ – يَتَدَخَّلُ. For example: military intervention (تَدَخُّلٌ عَسْكَرِيٌّ) |
| لِصالِحِ or فِي صالِحِ | on behalf of something/someone; in favor of; for the benefit of; in the interest of. The word صالِحٌ has many meanings. When it functions as an adjective, the core meaning ist good; right. When it does not work as an adjective, usually صالِحٌ (pl: صَوالِحُ) denotes interest or advantage. |
| انْتَشَرَ – يَنْتَشِرُ | to spread; to be widespread. VIII-verb |
| تَحْلِيلٌ pl: تَحالِيلُ or تَحْلِيلاتٌ | analysis. It is the verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) of the II-verb حَلَّلَ – يُحَلِّلُ which means to examine. For example: web analytics (تَحْلِيلُ الْوِيبِ) |
| خِلافٌ pl: خِلافاتٌ | difference; conflict/dispute. For example: border dispute (خِلافٌ حُدُودِيٌّ). Watch out: The phrase خِلافًا ل means contrary to. For example: on the contrary (عَلَى خِلافِ ذٰلِكَ). But that’s not all. There are two other important phrases which you encounter a lot: and the like; and others (وَخِلافُهُ); apart from that/beside that (بِخِلافِ ذٰلِكَ) |
| اِمْتَلَكَ – يَمْتَلِكُ | to own; to possess. VIII-verb. It is not only used for physical possessions. For example: to have a gift (اِمْتَلَكَ مَوْهِبةً); to possess a quality (اِمْتَلَكَ مِيزةً) |
| مُتَبايِنٌ | mixed; contrasting. It is the active participle (اِسْمُ الْفاعِلِ) of the VI-verb تَبايَنَ – يَتَبايَنُ which means to vary; to be contrary. For example: mixed reactions (رُدُودُ فِعْلٍ مُتَبايِنَةٌ); mixed feelings (أَحاسِيسُ مُتَبايِنَةٌ) |
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This month (07/24) in Media Arabic Booster: The meaning of the word شرطة and how the drug Captagon affects the relations between Syria, Turkey and the Arab neighbors
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This month (05/24) in Media Arabic Booster: How to say "naturalized" and a translation of an article about tensions between Algeria and Morocco.
One more thing: If you were wondering what the Arabic writing in the feature image is, it’s just a bunch of garbage letters that somehow look Arabic, generated by the Midjourney AI, which still has some problems with letters. But since it only serves the purpose of illustration, I left the funky picture.
Thank you very much for the thorough explanations! They were really interesting. I also appreciate getting the Anki file so I can continue studying the words.