Last updated: 3 weeks
Media Arabic Booster 11/24
This month (11/24) in Media Arabic Booster: What do the Houthis get out of attacking ships in the Red Sea? And an interesting headline following the election of Donald Trump as the new US president.
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: 11/24 Show
A close look at a headline
al-Quds al-Araby weekly: on one’s doorstep
Let’s focus on the headline:
حروب نتنياهو: على أعتاب ترامب
Netanyahu’s Wars: On Trump’s Doorstep
In Arabic newspapers, sentences are often repeated. This is also the case here, where the headline appears again in the body text. But here we should better translate it in a figurative rather than literal sense.
على أعتاب وصول ترامب إلى البيت الأبيض
On the brink of Trump’s arrival at the White House…
Essential vocab: elections
Here we want to look at the most important terms and verbs related to elections.
| election | اِنْتِخابٌ – اِنْتِخاباتٌ |
| free elections | اِنْتِخاباتٌ حُرّةٌ |
| general elections | اِنْتِخاباتٌ عامَّةٌ |
| early elections | اِنْتِخاباتٌ مُبَكِّرةٌ |
| presidential election | اِنْتِخابُ الرَّئِيسِ |
| voting system | نِظامُ الْاِنْتِخابِ |
| nomination for the elections | تَرْشِيحٌ لِانْتِخاباتٍ |
| ballot box | صُنْدُوقُ اِنْتِخابٍ |
| re-election | إِعادةُ الْاِنْتِخابِ |
| his re-election as president | إِعادةُ اِنْتِخابِهِ رَئِيسًا |
| to have the right to vote (lit.: to enjoy the right) | تَمَتَّعَ – يَتَمَتَّعُ بِحَقِّ الْاِنْتِخابِ |
| to hold elections | أَجْرَى – يُجْرِي اِنْتِخاباتٍ |
| to lose the elections | خَسِرَ – يَخْسَرُ فِي الْاِنْتِخاباتِ |
| to win the elections | فازَ – يَفوزُ بِ/فِي الْاِنْتِخاباتِ |
| with a bare (slim) majority | بِأَكْثَرِيَّةٍ ضَئِيلَةٍ |
| to boycott the elections | قاطَعَ – يُقاطِعُ الْاِنْتِخاباتِ |
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.
arabi21.com: What do the Houthis get from attacking ships in the Red Sea?
On November 28, 2024, the following article was published by the news website Arabi 21 (عربي21). It is a report by their Yemeni correspondent Ashraf al-Fallahi (أشرف الفلاحي) from Aden.
Arabi 21 is based in London and is part of the New Arab Network (العربي الجديد).
Let’s now take a closer look at a few complete paragraphs.
BACKGROUND: Who are the parties to the conflict in Yemen?
In Yemen, the conflict involves several groups and countries:
- Houthi Movement – Ansar Allah (الحوثيون – أنصار الله): The Houthis, a Shiite rebel group with ties to Iran, control significant parts of northern Yemen, including the capital, Sanaa (صنعاء). They have been fighting against the internationally recognized Yemeni government and its allies.
- Internationally Recognized Yemeni Government (الحكومة اليمنية المعترف بها دوليًا): This government, led by President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi (عبد ربه منصور هادي) until his resignation, is now overseen by the Presidential Leadership Council – PLC – (مجلس القيادة الرئاسي), established in April 2022. The coalition supporting this government is led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (الإمارات العربية المتحدة), and has been conducting airstrikes and other military operations against the Houthis since 2015.
- Southern Transitional Council – STC – (المجلس الانتقالي الجنوبي): The STC is a separatist group that controls parts of southern Yemen, including the temporary capital, Aden (عدن). They seek an independent southern Yemeni state and have had conflicts with both the Yemeni government and the Houthis.
- Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula – AQAP – (تنظيم القاعدة في جزيرة العرب): AQAP is an extremist group that has taken advantage of the chaos to establish a presence in Yemen, particularly in the south and east. They have been involved in various attacks and continue to pose a significant threat.
- International Involvement (التدخل الدولي): The United States, United Kingdom, and other allies have been involved, particularly in targeting Houthi capabilities in response to attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea. This involvement includes military operations and strategic support to the coalition forces.
Section 1
طرحت الهجمات التي تشنها جماعة “أنصار الله” (الحوثي) في اليمن، منذ نحو عام على السفن العابرة من باب المندب، حي ممر الملاحة الدولية والبحر الأحمر، في سياق تضامنها مع غزة، تساؤلات عدة عن المكاسب التي حققتها الجماعة من وراء ذلك.
وعلى الرغم من أن الجماعة اليمنية المدعومة من إيران تؤكد أن عملياتها ضد السفن المتجهة إلى دولة الاحتلال الاسرائيلي أو المرتبطة بها، إسناد لغزة التي تتعرض لحرب مدمرة للعام الثاني على التوالي، فإن تقريرا أمميا زعم “جني الحوثيين نحو 180 مليون دولار شهريا من وكالات شحن بحرية، مقابل عدم اعتراض سفنها التجارية في البحر الأحمر وخليج عدن”.
The attacks launched by the Ansar Allah (Houthi) group in Yemen, for about a year, on ships passing through Bab al-Mandab, the international shipping lane, and the Red Sea, in the context of its solidarity with Gaza, have raised several questions about the gains achieved by the group from this.
Although the Iranian-backed Yemeni group asserts that its operations against ships heading to or linked to the Israeli occupation state are in support of Gaza, which is undergoing a devastating war for the second year in a row, a UN report claimed that “the Houthis are earning about $180 million per month from shipping agencies, in exchange for not intercepting their commercial ships in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.” (…)
BACKGROUND: The Bab al-Mandab
Bab al-Mandab (بابُ الْمَنْدُبِ) is the strait that connects the Red Sea (البحر الأحمر) to the Gulf of Aden (خليج عدن).
It is divided by the volcanic island of Mayyun (جزيرة ميون), also known as Perim (بريم), into two parts: the Large Strait, about 14 km wide, and the Small Strait, around 2.5 km wide. From June to September, during the south-west monsoon, water flows out of the Red Sea, while from November to April, during the north-east monsoon, it flows in. This creates strong currents that can be risky for sailing. To the east of the Small Strait is al-Manhali Hill (جبل المنهالي), which is 232 meters tall.
Source: https://www.openstreetmap.org
About the name Bab al-Mandab: According to Arab legend, Asia and Africa were once connected until Dhū al-Qarnain (ذُو الْقَرْنَيْنِ) split them apart, creating the Red Sea.
The name al-Mandab (المندب), meaning place of lamentation for the dead. It is the noun of place (اِسْمُ الْمَكانِ) of the I-verb نَدَبَ – يَنْدُبُ which means to lament; to mourn for. The name Mandab reflects the dangers of the narrow waterway, which has strong currents, unpredictable winds, reefs, and shallow areas. Many ships have wrecked in the Bab al-Mandab over the years.
The name is believed to originate from an Abyssinian crossing to Yemen (اليمن). In the early 6th century, two Sabaean inscriptions refer to “silsilat al-Mandab” in relation to the conflict between Yusuf As’ar Dhu Nuwas (يوسف أسأر ذو نواس) and the Abyssinians.
The name Bab al-Mandam (باب المندم) is also used, likely because seafaring Arabs often replace ‘b’ with ‘m’ in names. They sometimes simply refer to the strait as al-Bab (الباب).
About Dhū al-Qarnain (ذُو ٱلْقَرْنَيْن): He is a figure in the Qur’an, found in Sura 18 The Cave – al-Kahf (الكهف) -, verses 18:83-101. His name means “The Owner of Two Horns.” The Qur’an describes him as a powerful ruler who traveled far and wide, reaching the ends of the Earth. He is known for building a barrier against the tribes of Gog and Magog (يَأْجُوجُ وَمَأْجُوجُ). Scholars have different ideas about his true identity, with some linking him to Alexander the Great, others to Cyrus the Great, or even a pre-Islamic Arabian king. The exact identity of Dhū al-Qarnain continues to be debated.
Section 2
وفي السياق، يرى الكاتب والمحلل السياسي اليمني، عبدالعزيز المجيدي، أنه على المستوى الداخلي حصلت مليشيا الحوثي ـ حسب وصفه ـ بالتأكيد على مكاسب دعائية كشريك في دفع العدوان عن غزة، وهو الغطاء لدورها الإيراني في الملف.
وتابع المجيدي في حديث خاص لـ”عربي21″ بأن أهم مكاسبها هو “أن هذه الأدوار منحتها القدرة على تجاوز إطارها كفاعل محلي إلى لعب دور إقليمي”
وأضاف أن هذه المكاسب انعكست أيضا في إبداء السعودية تقديرا أكبر للجماعة ومتابعة المشاورات لعقد صفقة سلام معها قد تكون على حساب حلفائها
In this context, the Yemeni journalist and political analyst Abdul Aziz al-Majidi believes that on the domestic (internal) level, the Houthi militia – according to his description – marketed itself (obtained propaganda gains) as a partner in deterring the aggression against Gaza, which is a cover for its Iranian role in this case.
In exclusive statements to Arabi 21, al-Majidi added tha its most important gain is that “these roles enabled it to overcome its role as a local player and assume a more regional role”.
He added that these gains were also reflected in Saudi Arabia showing greater appreciation for the group and following up on consultations to conclude a peace deal, which may come at the expense of its allies.
BACKGROUND: What is the situation in Yemen at the end of 2024?
As Donald Trump returns to the presidency in January 2025, Yemen anticipates significant shifts in US policy regarding its ongoing crisis and conflict.
- Analysts suggest that Trump may prioritize Israel’s interests over Iran’s, potentially leading to new rules for a ceasefire with armed factions in Yemen. This anticipated shift could drastically alter the US approach to the Middle East, especially in response to the Houthis and their military actions.
- Under Trump’s administration, economic sanctions against the Houthi group are expected to intensify, building on measures from his previous term. Experts believe that the Houthis may be reclassified as a terrorist organization, further diminishing avenues for negotiation and sidelining the role of the American envoy in Yemen. This harsher stance indicates a commitment to countering the Houthi threat in the region.
- The military conflict has escalated, particularly following maritime attacks by the Houthis aimed at supporting Gaza. In retaliation, the US and British forces have conducted airstrikes against Houthi positions. Analysts recommend that the US will likely increase military actions, utilizing enhanced intelligence to target key Houthi strongholds and operational capabilities.
- The US also plans to deploy troops in southern Yemen, primarily to train government forces and monitor coastal areas. This decision aligns with a proposed coalition from the UAE to secure maritime routes in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, highlighting concerns over Houthi threats.
Ultimately, the risk of increased conflict is high, as the Houthis are likely to keep acting unless diplomatic efforts change the regional balance of power. Upcoming US policies under Trump are expected to take a stronger position on the Houthi issue, using military and economic strategies as key parts of Washington’s plan for Yemen.
Section 3
قال المجيدي: “يبدو أن هذا النهم للحصول على المال قد وظفته في عملياتها في البحر الأحمر لتحصل على أموال طائلة ضمن نشاط بدا أقرب لأعمال القرصنة، متابعا: “ولهذا بدت أعمال مليشيا الحوثي في البحر الأحمر مفيدة للجماعة سياسيا وماليا وربما عسكريا،…
وأشار إلى أن نشاط الجماعة العسكري “جاء ملبياً لحاجة ملحة للتخلص من موجة السخط الشعبية الناجمة عن سياساتهم الاقتصادية والمالية الكارثية التي عممت الحرمان بحق مئات آلاف الموظفين في الجهاز الحكومي المدني والعسكري بسبب عدم صرف المرتبات“، بالإضافة إلى سياسة فرض الجبايات، ومصادرة الممتلكات الخاصة والعامة…
“It seems that this greed for money has been used in its operations in the Red Sea to obtain huge sums of money in an activity that seems closer to piracy”, Al-Majidi said. “In that sense (That’s why), the Houthi militia’s operations in the Red Sea seemed to be beneficial to the group on the political and financial levels, also maybe militarily…”
He pointed out that the group’s military activity “met (came in response to) an urgent need to remedy the growing popular disgruntlement resulting from the group’s disastrous economic and financial policies, which spread deprivation among hundreds of thousands of employees in the civilian and military governmental apparatus due to the non-payment of the salaries”, not to mention the policy of imposing taxes and confiscating private and public properties…
Section 4
وحسب المحلل السياسي اليمني، فإنه لا يمكن التقليل من أهمية ما ورد في تقرير الخبراء بشأن “الفوائد المالية التي يجنيها الحوثيون جراء فرض إتاوات على السفن”، وقال أيضا، إن هذا الأمر يذكرنا بنشاط القرصنة الذي ساد لسنوات في خليج عدن بواسطة مسلحين صوماليين.
According to the Yemeni political analyst, the importance of the experts’ report on “the financial benefits the Houthis reap from imposing tributes on ships cannot be underestimated.” He also said that this brought back to mind of (reminds us of/is reminiscent of) the piracy activity that prevailed for years in the Gulf of Aden by Somali armed men (militants)…
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.
Part 1: Analysis of a headline
| ARABIC | EXPLANATION |
|---|---|
| عَتَبةٌ pl: أَعْتابٌ or عَتَبٌ or عَتَباتٌ | doorstep; threshold. Also: spur or ledge, like the step of a ladder, on a mountainside; step or rug of a ladder. The singular form عَتَبةٌ is often used in phrases, for example, above the poverty line (فَوْقَ عَتَبةِ الْفَقْرِ) or on the verge of war (عَلَى عَتَبةِ الْحَرْبِ). Watch out: The expression الْعَتَباتُ الْمُقَدَّسةُ means the Holy Sites (in Shia Islam, usually referring to the Iraqi cities of Karbala and Najaf). |
Part 2: Translation of an article
Headline and article section 1
| ARABIC | EXPLANATION |
|---|---|
| طَرَحَ – يَطْرَحُ | to present; to propose. Also: to throw, to cast, to toss. Also: to subtract/deduct (in mathematics). I-verb. For example: to ask someone a question (“to put/submit a question”) (طَرَحَ عَلَى شَخْصٍ سُؤالًا); to subtract 3 from 7 (طَرَحَ 3 مِن 7); to launch a product (طَرَحَ بِضاعةً فِي الْأَسْواقِ) |
| شَنَّ – يَشُنُّ | to launch an attack against (عَلَى); to start; to trigger. I-verb. The verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) is شَنٌّ. It is often used in connection with wars or revolts, assaults. For example: to wage war (شَنَّ حَرْبًا). |
| سَفِينةٌ pl: سُفُنٌ or سَفائِنُ | ship; vessel. For example: freighter (سَفِينةُ شَحْنٍ); container ship (سَفِينةُ حاوِياتٍ). For example: to board the ship (رَكِبَ السَّفِينةَ); to sail on a ship (أَبْحَرَ فِي سَفينةٍ). Watch out: shipwreck (غَرَقُ سَفِينةٍ) – the event of sinking. shipwreck (حُطامُ سَفينةٍ) – the sunken ship. |
| حَيٌّ pl: أَحْياءٌ | district; neighborhood. For example: a working-class neighborhood (حَيٌّ شَعْبِيٌّ) |
| مَمَرٌّ pl: مَمَرّاتٌ | passage; corridor. It is the noun of place (اِسْمُ الْمَكانِ) of the I-verb مَرَّ – يَمُرُّ which means to pass/go by (بِ). For example: pedestrian crossing (مَمَرُّ الْمُشاةِ); a narrow pathway (مَمَرٌّ ضَيِّقٌ) |
| مِلاحةٌ | navigation; shipping, sailing. For example: maritime sector (قِطاعُ الْمِلاحةِ); aviation (مِلاحةٌ جَوِّيّةٌ). Watch out for the correct pronunciation: مَلَاحةٌ (with “a”) means beauty; elegance. مَلّاحَةٌ (with “a” and doubling of the Lam) means salt mine. Note that the Arabic word for salt is مِلْحٌ which can also be understood in a more general way as that with which food is made pleasant. It is an old Semitic root, as in Hebrew, the word for salt is “melach” (מֶלַח), which is already found in the Old Testament. The I-verb مَلُحَ – يَمْلُحُ denotes to be salty or to be handsome. 💡 So what is the connection between sailing and salt then? Scholars have suggested that a sailor (مَلَّاحٌ) is so called because he is constantly upon salt water. His occupation is called مِلاحةٌ or مَلّاحِيّةٌ. Good to know: Often, the pattern فِعَالَةٌ indicates a profession in Arabic. For example: commerce (تِجارةٌ) |
| ARABIC | EXPLANATION |
|---|---|
| تَضامُنٌ | solidarity; joint responsibility. It is the verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) of the VI-verb يَتَضامَنُ – تَضامَنَ which means to stick together; to have mutual responsibility. For example: to declare one’s solidarity with (أَعْلَنَ التَّضامُنَ مَعَ) |
| تَساؤُلٌ pl: تَساؤُلاتٌ | question. It is the verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) of the VI-verb يَتَساءَلُ – تَساءَلَ which means to ask oneself; to ask one another. This verb is used when you are asking a question in general, rather than directing a question to a specific person. For example: to wonder about something (تَساءَلَ عن شَيْءٍ) |
| مَكْسَبٌ pl: مَكاسِبُ | profit; gain; earning. It is a special form of the infinitive (مَصْدَرٌ مِيمِيٌّ) of the I-verb يَكْسِبُ – كَسَبَ which means to win; to gain; to earn. The regular infinitive noun is كَسْبٌ. For example: a large profit (مَكْسَبٌ كَبِيرٌ). Note: مُكْسِبٌ means lucrative; profitable and is the active participle (اِسْمُ الْفاعِلِ) of the IV-verb يُكْسِبُ – أَكْسَبَ which means to make or let someone win or obtain something. But you could also say فِيهِ مَكْسَبٌ to express lucrative. |
| جَماعةٌ | group; community; collective. Note: In colloquial Arabic, e.g. Egyptian, Arabic, you hear the phrase يا جماعة quite often. It means: hey guys; folks. |
| إِسْنادٌ | assignment; reference. It is the verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) of the IV-verb يُسْنِدُ – أَسْنَدَ which means to attribute; to put in charge. For example: assignment of a task (إِسْنادُ مُهِمَّةٍ). Note: In Islam, إِسْنادٌ means ascription of an Islamic tradition, i.e., the attribution of a hadith (حَدَِيثٌ), beginning with the source and continuing in a chain back to the Prophet Muhammad. |
| تَعَرَّضَ – يَتَعَرَّضُ لِ | to be exposed; to sustain. V-verb. For example: to be exposed to criticism (تَعَرَّضَ لِلنَّقْدِ); to suffer severe damage (تَعَرَّضَ لِضَرَرٍ شَدِيدٍ) |
| عَلَى التَّوالِِي | in a row; also: consequently, straight. The word تَوالٍ is the plural of تالٍ which means following, next and is the active participle (اِسْمُ الْفاعِلِ) of the I-verb تَلَا – يَتْلُو which means to follow; to succeed. Note that when used with the definite article, the ي is written: التَّوالِي. The passive participle (اِسْمُ الْمَفْعُولِ) would be مَتْلُوٌّ For example: Mass protests are continuing for the sixth day in a row (ما تَزالُ الْاِحْتِجاجاتُ الْعارِمَةُ مُسْتَمِرَّةً لِليَوْمِ السّادِسِ عَلَى التَوالِي.). To express consequently, depending on the context, you could also say: بِناءً عَلَى هٰذا or بالتّالِي or نَتيجةً لِذَلِكَ |
| ARABIC | EXPLANATION |
|---|---|
| زَعَمَ – يَزْعُمُ | to claim; to allege. I-verb. For example: to claim that climate change is just a lie (زَعَمَ أَنَّ تَغَيُّرَ اَلْمُنَاخِ مُجَرَّدُ كِذْبَةٍ) |
| جَنْيٌ | earning; harvest. It is the verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) of the I-verb جَنى – يَجْني which mean to harvest; to earn. For example: to reap the fruits of one’s labor (جَنَى ثِمارَ جُهودِهِ). Watch out: With the preposition عَلَى, it can denote to cause; to harm; to inflict on; to commit a crime in the sense of اِرْتَكَبَ. For example: to cause somebody harm (جَنَى عَلَى شَخْصٍ). Or: He brought that upon himself (هُوَ مَنْ جَنَى عَلَى نَفْسِهِ). |
| وَكالةٌ also: وِكالةٌ | agency; representation. See Media Arabic Booster 08-24. |
| شَحْنٌ | transport; shipping. It is the verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) of the I-verb شَحَنَ – يَشْحَنُ which means to transport; to carry. For example: sea freight (شَحْنٌ بَحْرِيٌّ); air freight (شَحْنٌ جَوِّيٌّ) |
| مُقابِلَ | in exchange for; instead of; against; opposite/facing. It is the active participle (اِسْمُ الْفاعِلِ) of the III-verb قابَلَ – يُقابِلُ which means to meet; to pay back; to be equal. مُقابِل can be used as an adjective or as an adverb (ending: “a”). For example: in exchange for a sum of money (مُقابِلَ مَبْلَغٍ ماليٍّ). The politician accepts bribes in exchange for favors (السَِياسِيُّ يَقْبَلُ رَشَاوِي مُقَابِلَ خِدْمَةِ مَصَالِحَ). |
| تِجارِيٌّ | trading; commercial; business (before a noun). It is the Nisba adjective (نِسْبةٌ) of تِجارةٌ which means trade. See Media Arabic Booster 05-24. |
Article Section 2
| ARABIC | EXPLANATION |
|---|---|
| سِياقٌ pl: سِياقاتٌ | context; also: succession. It is one of the many verbal noun forms (مَصْدَرٌ – we have سَوْقٌ or سِيَاقٌ or سِيَاقَةٌ or مَسَاقٌ) of the I-verb سَاقَ – يَسُوقُ which means to steer; to cite; to dispatch; to herd (sheep or cattle). For example: in this context (فِي هٰذا السِياقِ) |
| مُحَلِّلٌ | analyst. This is the active participle of the II-verb حَلَّلَ – يُحَلِّلُ which means to analyze; to examine. For example: political analyst (مُحَلِّلٌ سِياسِيٌّ); psychologist (مُحَلِّلٌ نَفْسِيٌّ) |
| حَسَبَ | according to; depending on; as. This is used as an adverb (ظَرْفٌ) which is why there is the final vowel “a”. For example: depending on the current events in the world (حَسَبَ اَلْأَحْدَاثِ اَلْجَارِيَةِ فِي اَلْعَالَمِ); as you deserve (حَسَبَ اِسْتِحْقَاقِكَ). Note: You can almost get the same meaning with a different construction: عَلَى حَسَبِ or بحَسَبِ plus noun (second part of a إِضافةٌ-construction). For example: according to what she said/according to her (بِحَسَبِ قَوْلِها); according to my knowledge (بِحَسَبِ مَعْلُوماتِي); depending on if (بِحَسَبِ ما إِذا) |
| دِعائِيٌّ | advertising (adjective); propaganda (before noun). This is the Nisba adjective (نِسْبةٌ) of the noun دِعايَةٌ which means advertisement; publicity; propaganda. For example: promotional display = propaganda (أَغْراضٌ دِعائِيَّةٌ); marketing/advertising campaign (حَمْلَةٌ دِعَائِيَّةٌ); publicity stunt/trick (خُدْعَةٌ دِعائِيَّةٌ) |
| عُدْوانٌ | aggression; hostile action. It is the verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) of the I-verb عَدا – يَعْدو which can denote many things: to run; to exceed; to be hostile towards ( with عَلَى). The مَصْدَرٌ-forms are عَدْوٌ and عَداءٌ and our word عُدْوانٌ. Note: عُدْوانٌ is often mistaken for a dual form because of the ending – but it is a singular noun! Good to know: The Suez Crisis in 1956 in Arabic is also known as الْعُدْوانُ الثُّلاثِيُّ (Al-‘Udwan al-Thulathi), which translates to “The Tripartite Aggression”. The conflict occurred when Great Britain, France and Israel attacked Egypt. This invasion followed the nationalization of the Suez Canal by Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser on July 26, 1956. The canal had previously been operated by the Suez Canal Company, which was owned by British and French interests. |
| غِطاءٌ pl: أَغْطِيةٌ | cover, lid; also: veil; blanket. Root: غ-ط-و. For example: to expose someone (كَشَفَ الْغِطاءَ عَن شَخْصٍ); in finance: cover of a paper currency (غِطاءٌ نَقْدِيٌّ); gold cover (غِطاءُ الذَّهَبِ). Another example: While on deep cover, he had to frequently change his alias (أَثْنَاءَ اَلْغِطَاءِ اَلسِّرِّيِّ، كَانَ عَلَيْهِ تَغْيِيرُ اِسْمِهِ اَلْمُسْتَعَارِ بِشَكْلٍ مُتَكَرِّرٍ). Note: It can also be applied metaphorically to ignorance as in the Qur’an, Sura Qaf (قاف), 50:22: We have removed your veil (= ignorance) and your sight is sharp (لَقَدْ كُنتَ فِى غَفْلَةٍ مَنْ هَـٰذَا فَكَشَفْنَا عَنكَ غِطَآءَكَ فَبَصَرُكَ ٱلْيَوْمَ حَدِيدٌ). |
| ARABIC | EXPLANATION |
|---|---|
| مِلَفٌّ pl: مِلَفّاتٌ | file (also on the computer); dossier; folder. Root: ل-ف-ف. It is the noun of instrument (اِسْمُ الآلَةِ) of the I-verb لَفَّ – يَلُفُّ which means to roll up; to wrap. It uses the pattern مِفْعَلٌ like in scissors (مِقَصٌّ). Note: When talking about the Israeli-Palestinian-Conflict, you may also hear مِلَفُّ اَلشَّرْقِ اَلْأَوْسَطِ or simply القَضِيَّةُ (the issue; the question). See also Media Arabic Booster 07-24. |
| تابِعٌ pl: تَبَعةٌ or تُبّاعٌ or تابِعُونَ | following. It is the active participle (اِسْمُ الْفاعِلِ) of the I-verb تَبِعَ – يَتْبَعُ (infinitive noun: تَبَعٌ and تَباعةٌ) which means to follow; to come after; to obey. Some examples: subsidiary of a company (شَرِكَةٌ تابِعَة); satellite state, vassal state (دَوْلَةٌ تابِعَةٌ) like in: Brexit supporters say that remaining in any EU grouping will reduce Britain to a “vassal state” (وَيَقُولَ مُؤَيِّدُو اَلْخُرُوجِ إِنَّ اَلْبَقَاءَ فِي أَيِّ تَجَمُّعٍ لِلِاتِّحَادِ سَيَجْعَلُ مِنْ بِرِيطَانْيَا دَوْلَةً تَابِعَةً). Note: Used with the preposition لِ, the phrase تابِعٌ لِ usually denotes belonging to; falling under; affiliated with. For example: affiliated with the ruling party (تابِعٌ لِلْحِزْبِ الْحاكِمِ). |
| مَنَحَ – يَمْنَحُ | to grant; to give; to bestow; also: to allow. I-verb. Note: مِنْحةٌ means scholarship; gift/donation; act of kindness. For example: housing subsidy (مِنْحَةُ السَّكَنِ); scholarship (مِنْحةٌ دِراسِيّةٌ). |
| قُدْرةٌ pl: قُدُراتٌ | power; strength; ability. It is one of the many verbal noun forms (مَصْدَرٌ) of the I-verb قَدَرَ – يَقْدِرُ عَلَى which means to be able to. Other مَصْدَرٌ-forms are ٌمَقْدُرة and مَقْدَرةٌ and مَقْدِرةٌ. For example: purchasing power (قُدْرةٌ شِرائِيّةٌ); mental capacity (قُدْرةٌ عَقْلِيّةٌ); horsepower (قُدْرةٌ حِصانِيّةٌ); omnipotence (قُدْرَةٌ كُلِّيَّةٌ which means الْقُدْرَةُ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ). The word قُدْرةٌ is often used with the preposition عَلَى which then denotes having the power to. For example: bargaining power (اَلْقُدْرَةُ عَلَى الْمُسَاوَمَةِ); resilience (قُدْرةٌ عَلَى الصُّمُودِ) |
| تَجاوُزٌ | violation, abuse; overstepping. It is the verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) of the V-verb تَجاوَزَ – يَتَجاوَزُ which means to exceed, to go beyond plus direct object (مَفْعُولٌ بِهِ). For example: overcoming many obstacles (تَجَاوُزُ اَلْعَدِيدِ مِنْ اَلْعَقَبَاتِ). |
| لَعِبٌ pl: أَلْعابٌ | game. It is the verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) of the I-verb لَعِبَ – يَلْعَبُ which means to play. For example: fair play (ٌلَعِبٌ نَظِيف); to play by the rules (الْتَزَمَ بِقَواعِدِ اللَّعِبِ). |
| اِنْعَكَسَ – يَنْعَكِسُ | to be reflected. VII-verb. For example: to have a positive effect (انْعَكَسَ إيجابيًّا); to have a negative effect (انْعَكَسَ سَلْبيًّا). See Media Arabic Booster 12-23. |
| إِبْداءٌ | showing; expression. It is the verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) of the IV-verb أَبْدَى – يُبْدِي which means to express; to display. The active participle (اِسْمُ الْفاعِلِ) of the verb is مُبْدٍ; the passive participle (اِسْمُ الْمَفْعُولِ) is مُبْدًى. For example: freedom of expression (حُرِّيّةُ إِبْداءِ الرَّأْيِ); expressing one’s opinion (إِبْداءُ رَأْيِهِ) |
| مُتابَعةٌ | continuation; pursuing; resumption; in Law: prosecution, legal proceedings. It is the verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) of the III-verb تابَعَ – يُتابِعُ which means to continue; to take legal action against. For example: legal proceedings (مُتابَعةٌ قانُونِيّةٌ). Or: Patience and persistence go hand in hand when pursuing long-term goals (الصَّبْرُ وَالْمُثابَرَةُ يَسِيرانِ جَنْبًا إِلَى جَنْبٍ عِنْدَ مُتابَعَةِ الأَهْدافِ طَوِيلَةِ الْأَجَلِ). |
| مُشاوَرةٌ | consultation. It is the verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) of the III-verb شاوَرَ – يُشاوِرُ which means to consult; to take counsel. For example: urgent consultations (مُشاوَراتٌ عاجِلةٌ) |
| صَفْقةٌ pl: صَفَقاتٌ | deal; transaction. See Arabic Media Booster 10-24 |
| حَلِيفٌ pl: حُلَفاءُ | ally; as an adjective: allied; friendly. See Arabic Media Booster 10-24 |
Article Section 3
| ARABIC | EXPLANATION |
|---|---|
| نَهَمٌ | ravenous hunger, craving. It is the verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) of the I-verb نَهِمَ – يَنْهَمُ which means to be greedy. The adjective (صِفةٌ) is نَهِمٌ means greedy, gluttonous. |
| وَظَّفَ – يُوَظِّفُ | to invest; also: to employ and to apply. II-verb. For example: to invest money (وَظَّفَ أَمْوالًا); employee (مُوَظَّف) which is the passive participle (اِسْمُ ال/ضﻹْعُولِ) of the verb; to use his potential (وَظَّفَ إِمْكاناتِهِ) |
| تَحَصُّلٌ | obtaining. It is the verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) of the V-verb تَحَصَّلَ – يَتَحَصَّلُ which means to obtain; to be obtained. |
| طائِلةٌ pl: طَوائِلُ | force, capacity; also: vengeance, retribution. Root: ط-و-ل. For example: under penalty of death (تَحْتَ طائِلةِ الْمَوْتِ) |
| ضِمْنَ | among; inside. Used as an adverb (ظَرْفٌ) or with a preposition before: مِنْ ضِمْنِهِمْ or بِضِمْنِهِمْ expressing among them. For example: within budget (ضِمْنَ الْمِيزانِيَّةِ) |
| بَدَا – يَبْدُو | to seem; to turn out. I-verb. Root: ب-د-و. The verbal nouns (مَصْدَرٌ) are بَداءٌ and بُدُوٌّ. The active participle (اِسْمُ الْفاعِلِ) is بادٍ. For example: his warning seemed deadly (بَدَا تَحْذِيرُها بِشَكْلٍ مُمِيتٍ). |
| قَرْصَنةٌ | piracy, act of piracy; hacking (computer). It is the verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) of the I-verb قَرْصَنَ – يُقَرْصِنُ which has four root letters. The word for pirate is قُرْصانٌ and has the plural قَراصِنةٌ. |
| نَشاطٌ pl: أَنْشِطةٌ | activity. It is the verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) of the I-verb نَشِطَ – يَنْشَطُ which means to be active. For example: financial activity (نَشاطٌ مالِيٌّ) |
| مُلَبٍّ | responding; accepting. It is the active participle (اِسْمُ الْفاعِلِ) of the II-verb لَبَّى – يُلَبِّي which means to accept; to comply with; to meet. For example: meeting everyone’s expectations (مُلَبِّيًا تَوَقُّعاتِ الْجَمِيعِ) |
| مُلِحٌّ | urgent, pressing. Root: ل-ح-ح. It is the active participle (اِسْمُ الْفاعِلِ) of the IV-verb أَلَحَّ – يُلِحُّ which means to urge, to press. For example: an urgent situation (حالةٌ مُلِحَّةٌ). Watch out: مُلْحةٌ means anecdote, joke. So always check if a word is used as an adjective (صِفةٌ) when no vowels are written. |
| ARABIC | EXPLANATION |
|---|---|
| تَخَلُّصٌ | getting rid of; disposal, liberation. It is the verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) of the V-verb تَخَلَّصَ – يَتَخَلَّصُ مِنْ which means to get rid of. |
| مَوْجَةٌ | wave; surge. It is a noun of unity (اِسْمُ الْجِنْسِ), i.e., one wave. The collective noun (اِسْمُ الْجِنْسِ الْجَمْعِيِّ) here is مَوْجٌ (pl: أَمْواجٌ) which means surges, waves, seas. For example: shock wave (مَوْجَةُ صَدَمَاتٍ) |
| سُخْطٌ | discontent; annoyance. It one of the verbal nouns (مَصْدَرٌ) of the I-verb سَخِطَ – يَسْخَطُ which means to be/to become discontented. |
| ناجِمٌ عَِنْ | resulting from; arising from; originating from. See Media Arabic Booster 12-23. |
| كارِثِيٌّ | disastrous; catastrophic. It is the Nisba adjective (نِسْبةٌ) of كارِثةٌ (pl: كَوارِثُ) which means disaster, catastrophe. For example: disastrous consequences (عَواقِبُ كارِثِيَّةٌ) |
| عَمَّمَ – يُعَمِّمُ | to make public; to generalize; to popularize; also: to spread. II-verb. For example: to extrapolate the results of (عَمَّمَ نَتائِجَ التَّجارِبِ عَلَى); to make a decision public (عَمَّمَ قَرارًا) |
| حِرْمانٌ | hardship, poverty. Also: deprivation; denial, prohibition. It is the verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) of the I-verb حَرَمَ – يَحْرُمُ which means to deny; to deprive. |
| مُرَتَّبٌ pl: مُرَتَّباتٌ | salary, wage; also: organized, arranged (when used as an adjective). For example: high salary (مُرَتَّبٌ عالٍ). It is the passive participle (اِسْمُ الْمَفْعُولِ) of the II-verb رَتَّبَ – يُرَتِّبُ which means to arrange; also: to allocate, to assign. |
| جِبايَةٌ | collection; raising. When used in the plural, جِباياتٌ, it often denotes taxes. For example: the collection of taxes (جِبايَةُ الضَّرائِبِ) |
| مُصادَرةٌ | confiscation; embargo. It is the verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) of the III-verb صادَرَ – يُصادِرُ which means to seize. For example: confiscation of property (مُصادَرةُ الْأَمْلاكِ) |
| مُمْتَلَكٌ pl: مُمْتَلَكاتٌ | property; possession. It is the passive participle (اِسْمُ الْمَفْعُولِ) of the VIII-verb اِمْتَلَكَ – يَمْتَلِكُ which means to own. The active participle (اِسْمُ الْفاعِلِ) is مُمْتَلِكٌ and denotes owner. |
Article Section 4
| ARABIC | EXPLANATION |
|---|---|
| تَقْلِيلٌ | reduction; decrease. It is the verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) of the II-verb قَلَّ – يُقَلِّلُ which means to decrease. For example: closing the gap (تَقْلِيلُ الْفَجْوةِ) |
| وَرَدَ – يَرِدُ فِي | to be said; to be mentioned. For example: to be mentioned in a book (وَرَدَ فِي كِتابٍ). The I-verb وَرَدَ can mean many things, also: to reach; to arrive. |
| خَبِيرٌ pl: خُبَراءُ | expert; authority. It is the quasi-participle (صِفَةٌ مُشَبَّهَةٌ) of the I-verb خبُرَ – يَخْبُرُ بِ which means to know something thoroughly. For example: expert opinions (آرَاءُ اَلْخُبَرَاءِ) |
| فائِدةٌ pl: فَوائِدُ | benefit, purpose; usefulness. Also: interest, returns (in business/finance). For example: useless (لا فائِدةَ مِنْهُ) |
| إِتاوةٌ pl: أَتاوَى or إِتَاوَاتٌ | tax; duty; royalty. Root: ء-ت-و. |
| سادَ – يَسُودُ | to dominate; to rule. I-verb. Root: س-و-د. The most common verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) of the root is سِيادةٌ. For example: a tense atmosphere reigned = the atmosphere was tense (سادَ جَوٌّ مِن التَّوَتُّرِ) |
| مُسَلَّحٌ pl: مُسَلَّحُونَ | armed; armed person. It is the passive participle (اِسْمُ الْمَفْعُولِ) of the II-verb سَلَّحَ – يُسَلِّحُ which means to arm, to weaponize. |
Media Arabic Booster 11/24
This month (11/24) in Media Arabic Booster: What do the Houthis get out of attacking ships in the Red Sea? And an interesting headline following the election of Donald Trump as the new US president.
Media Arabic Booster 10/24
This month (10/24) in Media Arabic Booster: The situation in Lebanon and an article discussing why Saudi Arabia is reluctant to join the BRICs.
Media Arabic Booster 09/24
This month (09/24) in Media Arabic Booster: Hezbollah and Nasrallah's death in Lebanon and how Iran wants to gain a foothold in Sudan
Note: The feature image was created by AI and is used for illustration purposes only.
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