Published: December 31, 2024
Media Arabic Booster 12/24
This month (12/24) in Media Arabic Booster: The fall of Bashar al-Assad and an article discussing the link between Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood
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: 12/24 Show
A close look at a headline
Bashar al-Assad’s fall: How the Arab press reacted
The fall of the dictatorship of Bashar al-Assad (بشار الأسد) in Syria occurred on December 8, 2024, during a major offensive by Syrian revolutionary forces. This offensive, led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (هيئة تحرير الشام) and supported by the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (الجيش الوطني السوري) and Kurdish forces, marked the end of the Assad family’s rule, which had lasted since 1971. The capture of Damascus (دمشق) was a pivotal moment, leading to Assad fleeing to Russia (روسيا), where he was granted asylum.
Let’s focus on the headlines:
سوريا تطوي صفحة حكم الأسد
Syria turns the page on Assad’s rule
سوريا تحتفي بإسقاط الأسد
Syria celebrates the fall of Assad
«نهاية الأبد» في سوريا… وفرار الأسد إلى روسيا
The “end of forever” in Syria… and Assad’s escape to Russia
نهاية عهد »الأسد«
The end of Assad’s reign
The collapse of the Syrian regime has sent shock waves through the Arab world. Authoritarian states are studying exactly what happened there, especially as the economic situation of many people, especially in Egypt, is catastrophic. But tensions are also rising in Jordan, where the king has been under severe pressure, especially since October 7, and in authoritarian countries such as Algeria.
BACKGROUND: Egypt’s regime after the fall of al-Assad
The Egyptian regime seems to be concerned about the rise of Islamist groups in Syria following the fall of dictator Bashar al-Assad.
- This worry has resulted in strict censorship of certain news from Syria in local newspapers and new security rules for Syrians entering Egypt.
- Just a few days after the Syrian regime collapsed, the Egyptian Passports Authority stopped letting Syrians with residency in Europe, the US, and Canada enter without prior security approval. This rule affects Schengen visa holders and Syrians married to Egyptian citizens. Although the Ministry of Interior has not officially announced these changes, airlines in Egypt have warned Syrian travelers, suggesting the government sees this as a security issue, not a political one.
- Experts speaking to media outlets expressed worries about the Egyptian regime’s concerns over rising extremist groups, especially in Libya and Syria. They also noted that the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) is trying to gain a strong foothold in Sudan and is calling for its return to influence in Egypt, possibly through violence.
- According to the UN, almost half of the refugees in Egypt are Syrians, with 137,599 registered out of 273,152 living there as of January 2024. Egypt has also limited the entry of Sudanese nationals from other countries, requiring security approval and a visa.
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-Arab: Hamas, the Muslim Brotherhood and congratulations to the Syrians
On 10 December 2024, the London-based daily Al-Arab (العرب) published a front-page report on how the Hamas group in Gaza was dealing with the ousting of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Asad.
Let’s now take a closer look at a few complete paragraphs.
Section 1
باركت حركة حماس في بيان للشعب السوري إسقاط نظام الرئيس السوري السابق بشار الأسد، ونجاحه في تحقيق طموحاته في “الحرية والعدالة”، في موقف تصدرت به الحركة قرارا إخوانيا بتهنئة السوريين على إسقاط الأسد باعتباره خصما تاريخيا.
ويمثل بيان حماس انقلابا ثانيا على الأسد وحليفيه إيران وحزب الله بعد الانقلاب الأول، الذي أعقب انطلاق الاحتجاجات على الرئيس السوري في 2011، واضطرت الحركة إلى التراجع عنه والذهاب إلى دمشق بوساطة إيرانية لإذابة الجليد بينها وبين الأسد.
In a statement, the Hamas Movement congratulated the Syrian people on the toppling of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime and their success in realizing their aspirations for “freedom and justice,”Through this position, the Movement took the lead in a Brotherhood decision to congratulate the Syrians on the overthrow of Assad, considering him a historical enemy.
Hamas’ statement constitutes a second coup against Al-Assad and his two allies, Iran and Hezbollah, after the first coup which followed the onset of the protests against the Syrian president in 2011. Back then, the Movement was forced to retract its statement and to turn to Damascus, through an Iranian mediation, to thaw the ice with Al-Assad.
Section 2
ويظهر البيان أن حماس مهما غيرت موقفها أو تحالفاتها ظرفيا، تظل حركة إخوانية تحتكم إلى الموقف العام للجماعة وتعادي خصومها حتى لو كان ذلك على حساب مصالحها وتحالفاتها كما حصل في 2011 عندما دعمت الثورة السورية.
وتأتي تهنئة السوريين بإسقاط الأسد ضمن مناخ سياسي تحرص قطر وتركيا على تجييره لصالحهما وإظهار تأثيرهما الإقليمي من خلال التحالف في دعم مجموعات مسلحة لإسقاط الأسد، لاستعادة ثقة الأميركيين، وخاصة الإدارة الجديدة بقيادة الرئيس المنتخب دونالد ترامب، وفي الوقت نفسه -وهذا الأهم- تبريد الغضب الإسرائيلي على قطر بسبب الفشل في الضغط على حماس لإطلاق سراح الرهائن الإسرائيليين.
The statement shows that no matter how much Hamas changes its position or alliances circumstantially, Hamas remains (~ will always be) a Muslim Brotherhood movement, one that abides by the group’s general stand and one that antagonizes its opponents, even if this has to come at the expense of the Movement’s own interests and alliances, as it was the case (happened) in 2011 when it supported the Syrian revolution.
Congratulating the Syrians on the overthrow of Al-Assad falls in the context of a political climate that Qatar and Turkey are keen to exploit in their favor to demonstrate their regional influence through their alliance in supporting armed groups to oust Al-Assad. The aim is to regain the trust of the Americans, mainly the new administration led by President-elect Donald Trump, and at the same time, most importantly, to cool off the Israeli anger at Qatar over the latter’s failure to pressure Hamas to release the Israeli hostages.
Section 3
ويوحي البيان بأن حماس اختارت أن تكون في صف قطر وتركيا، وأنها قد تكون وافقت على إبداء مرونة كبيرة في التفاوض لإنجاح مساعي الهدنة وإعطاء ورقة دعم وتقوية للدور القطري، وهو ما يعيدها إلى الواجهة سياسيا، والأهم أنه يضمن رضاء القيادة القطرية عنها ويؤمّن لها البقاء في الدوحة مع الحفاظ على كل الامتيازات التي من بينها التمويل والإقامة الفاخرة لقيادتها…
The statement implies that Hamas has chosen to side with Qatar and Turkey and that it may have agreed to show great flexibility in the negotiations to make the truce efforts successful and to provide a supportive and strengthening card for the Qatari role. This would bring Hamas back to the political limelight. Most importantly, it would please the Qatari leadership and secure Hamas’ persistence in Doha while preserving all the privileges including funding and luxurious residences for its leadership…
Section 4
ومن المرجح أن يثير هذا البيان خلافات عاصفة داخل الحركة، وقد يؤدي إلى قطيعة بين قيادة الخارج والداخل …
ويعبر موقف حماس عن توجه إخواني مناوئ للأسد ظهر في بيانات إخوان تونس والأردن. ففي تونس بارك حزب حركة النهضة سقوط حكم الأسد في سوريا وانتصار “ثورة الشعب السوري التي انطلقت في 2011 رغم محاولات الإخماد والقمع الممنهج.”…
وكانت جماعة الإخوان المسلمين في الأردن قد باركت سقوط نظام الأسد. وتقدمت الجماعة في بيان الأحد إلى أفراد الشعب السوري “بأعظم التحية والتهنئة لإنجاز ثورتهم المباركة، بعد سنوات من التضحيات الكبيرة والصبر العظيم.”
This statement is likely to stir a storm of differences within the Movement and might lead to an estrangement between the internal (at home) and external (abroad) Hamas leadership…
Hamas’ position expresses a Muslim Brotherhood orientation against Al-Assad that appeared in the statements of the Brotherhood in Tunisia and Jordan. In Tunisia, the Ennahda Movement party congratulated the fall of Al-Assad’s rule in Syria and the victory of the “Syrian people’s revolution that began in 2011 despite attempts at suppression and systematic repression”…
The Muslim Brotherhood in Jordan has blessed the fall of the Assad regime. In a statement on Sunday, the group extended to the Syrian people “the greatest greetings and congratulations for the achievement of their blessed revolution, after years of great sacrifices and great patience.”
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 |
|---|---|
| هَيْئةٌ | body, authority, organization, institution. The core meaning of the related I-verb هاءَ – يَهاءُ (root: ه-ي-ء) means to be shapely, well-formed; to be prepared. For example: the diplomatic corps (الْهَيْئةُ الدِّبْلُوماسِيّةُ); the United Nations Organization (هَيْئَةُ الأُمَمِ المُتَّحِدَةِ) |
| طَوَى – يَطْوِي | to fold (up); to cover; to hide, to shut/close (a book); also: to overpower/capture; to settle finally, to bury (the past). I-verb. For example: to start fresh (طَوَى صَفْحةَ الْماضِي); to fold a piece of paper (طَوَى وَرَقةً); to take the road to (طَوَى الطَّرِيق إِلَى); to roll up the carpet ~ close a case (طَوَى الْبِساطَ) |
| اِحْتَفَى – يَحْتَفِي ب | to celebrate. VIII-verb. Root: ح-ف-و; the core meaning is to receive kindly and hospitably. For example: to celebrate a feast (اِحْتَفَى بِعيدٍ) |
| إِسْقاطٌ | overthrow(-ing). Verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) of the IV-verb أَسْقَطَ – يُسْقِطُ which means to bring down, to overthrow; to abort. Remark: During the Arab spring, people on the streets were shouting الشَعْبُ يُريدُ إسْقاطَ النِظامِ (down with the regime!), which literally means The people want to overthrow (bring down) the regime. |
| أَبَدٌ pl: آبادٌ | eternity. forever. For example: for all eternity (إِلَى الأَبَدِ or إِلَى أَبَدِ الآبَدينَ). Remark: If you see أَبَدًا (lit: forever; forever and ever) in the accusative case (مَنْصُوبٌ), it works as an adverb and comprises all future time. It denotes ever and with a negation never. Note that you need the future tense of the verb! For example: No one will ever forget him (لَنْ يَنْساهُ أَحَدٌ أَبَدًا). To express never in the past tense, you use قَطُّ. If you see أَبَدًا alone (without a verb), it often denotes by no means. If you are not sure about how to use أَبَدًا and قَطُّ, take a look at this article. |
| فِرارٌ | flight; escape. Verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) of the I-verb فَرَّ – يَفِرُّ which means to flee. Other مَصْدَرٌ-forms are فَرٌّ and مَفَرٌّ. For example: the people fled (فَرَّ النّاسُ); to escape from prison (فَرَّ مِن الْسِجْنِ). Watch out and pay attention to the correct pronunciation: فَرَّارٌ means fugitive (صِغةُ الْمُبالَغةِ) but also quicksilver, mercury. فُرَارٌ means lamb (of a ewe). |
| عَهْدٌ pl: عُهُودٌ | era, period; in an abstract sense also: regime, government, reign; also: contract, covenant, pledge. It can be used in various contexts. Some examples: heir to the throne = crown prince (وَلِيُّ الْعَهْدِ); for a long time (مُنْذُ عَهْدٍ بَعيدٍ); he has no knowledge of it (لا عَهْدَ لَهُ بِهِ); recently (مِنْ عَهْدٍ حَدِيثٍ). Note: In Christianity: the Old Testament (الْعَهْدُ الْقَدِيمُ); the New Testament (الْعَهْدُ الْجَدِيدُ). |
How to use أَبَدًا correctly in Arabic
Native Arabic speakers make certain mistakes in Arabic. One example is the correct Arabic word for "never". An analysis of أَبَدًا vs. قَطُّ.
Part 2: Translation of an article
Headline and article section 1
| ARABIC | EXPLANATION |
|---|---|
| يَتَصَدَّرُ – تَصَدَّرَ | to take the lead; to head; to preside. V-verb. For example: to be at the top of the charts/list (تَصَدَّرَ الْقائِمةَ); to be in charge of something (تَصَدَّرَ شَيْئًا). Europe’s security must top our political agenda (يَجِبُ أَنْ يَتَصَدَّرَ أَمْنُ أوروبا أَجِنْدَتَنا السِّياسِيَّةَ). |
| مَرْكَزِيٌّ | central; centralized. It is the Nisba adjective (نِسْبةٌ) of the noun مَرْكَزٌ which means center. For example: the central bank (الْمَصْرِفُ الْمَرْكَزِيُّ) |
| تَهْنِئةٌ pl: تَهانٍ or تَهانِئُ or تَهْنِئَاتٌ | congratulations. It is the verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) of the II-verb هَنَّأَ – يُهَنِّئُ which means to congratulate. |
| ARABIC | EXPLANATION |
|---|---|
| بارَكَ – يُبارِكُ | to bless. III-verb. It is usually used with a direct object (مَفْعُولٌ بِهِ) in the sense of to bless somebody. When you see it with the preposition لِ, it means to give someone one’s blessing. There is a famous Islamic phrase: May God bless you (بارَكَ اللهُ فِيكَ) |
| بَشّار | Bashar – a male given name. It is a noun of exaggeration (صِيغةُ الْمُبالةِ) of the root ب-ش-ر meaning to be happy at (بِ) and thus literally means bringer of glad tidings. Note that the II-verb بَشَّرَ – يُبَشِّرُ means to bring news, to promise. |
| طُمُوحٌ pl: طُمُوحاتٌ | ambition. Note that طَمُوحٌ (with “a”) is an adjective meaning ambitious. For example: an ambitious plan (خُطَّةٌ طَمُوحةٌ) |
| حُرِّيّةٌ | freedom. For example: freedom of press (حُرِّيَّةُ الصِّحافةِ); freedom of speech (حُرِّيَّةُ الكَلامِ); freedom of religion (حُرِّيَّةُ الْعِبادةِ). |
| عَدالةٌ | justice. It is a verbal noun form (مَصْدَرٌ) of the I-verb عَدَلَ – يَعْدِلُ which means to act justly. For example: social justice (الْعَدالةُ الْاِجْتِماعِيَّةُ) |
| اِعْتِبارٌ | consideration, regard. It is the verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) of the VIII-verb اعْتَبَرَ – يَعْتَبِرُ which means to regard as, to take into account. For example: considering that; with regard to the fact that (عَلَى اِعْتِبارِ أَنَّ). Other examples: for personal reasons (لِاِعْتِباراتٍ شَخْصِيّةٍ). Watch out: It often occurs in the phrase اِعْتِبارًا مِنْ which basically expresses as of; starting; from. For example: starting today (اِعْتِبارًا مِن الْيَوْمِ) |
| خَصْمٌ pl: خُصُومٌ or أََخْصامٌ | opponent; adversary; also: deduction; discount. For example: a fierce opponent (خَصْمٌ لَدُودٌ); the opposing group (الْفَرِيقُ الْخَصْمُ) |
| ARABIC | EXPLANATION |
|---|---|
| اِنْقِلابٌ | coup, revolution; change, turn, overturning. It is the verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) of the VII-verb اِنْقَلَبَ – يَنْقَلِبُ which means to turn over/around. For example: military coup (اِنْقِلابٌ عَسْكَرِيٌّ); attempted coup (مُحاوَلةُ اِنْقِلابٍ); bloody coup (اِنْقِلابٌ دَمَوِيٌّ); peaceful coup (اِنْقِلابٌ أَبْيَضُ); to start a coup (قامَ بِانْقِلابٍ) |
| حَلِيفٌ pl: حُلَفاءُ | ally; allied. The root ح-ل-ف has the original meaning of to swear and also to aid/assist and making a confederacy. Se Media Arabic Booster 10-24 and 11-24. |
| أَعْقَبَ – يُعْقِبُ | to follow, to succeed. IV-verb. For example: the period following the revolution (الْفَتْرَةُ الَّتِي أَعْقَبَتْ الثَّوْرَةَ) |
| اِنْطِلاقٌ | departure, start. It is the verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) of the VII-verb انْطَلَقَ – يَنْطَلِقُ which means to start, to take off. For example: to leave for home (اِنْطَلَقَ إِلَى الْبَيْتِ) |
| اِحْتِجاجٌ pl: اِحْتِجاجاتٌ | protest, objection against (عَلَى). It is the verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) of the VIII-verb اِحْتَجَّ – يَحْتَجُّ عَلَى which means to protest against. |
| اِضْطَرَّ – يَضْطَرُّ | to force, to compel. Root: ض-ر-ر. It is a VIII-verb following the pattern اِفْتَعَلَ and since the first root letter is ض, the ت of the pattern is changed into ط. Note that the verb is often used in the passive voice (الْمَبْنِيُّ لِلْمَجْهُولِ); for example: to be forced to do something (اُضْطُرَّ إِلَى شَيْءٍ) |
| تَراجُعٌ pl: تَراجُعاتٌ | decline, regression. It is the verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) of the VI-verb تَراجَعَ – يَتَراجَعُ which means to go back on, to decline. See Media Arabic Booster 05-24 and 06-24. |
| وَساطةٌ | mediation, intervention. Often used with the preposition بِ or عَن before expression by mediation/intercession of. Note: When the Aleph is at another position, as in بِواسِطةِ, it means by means of; through. Note: You may read وَساطةٌ with “a” or وِساطةٌ with “i”. |
| إِِذابةٌ | melting. It is the verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) of the IV-verb أَذابَ – يُذيبُ (root: ذ-و-ب) which means to melt (something); to thaw; to dissolve – so you need a direct object (مَفْعُولٌ بِهِ). Otherwise, use the I-verb ذابَ – يَذوبُ (infinitive noun: ذَوَبانٌ) for to melt. For example: the ice is melting (يَذُوبُ الْجَليدُ) |
| جَلِيدٌ | ice. For example: the ice is melting (يَذُوبُ الْجَليدُ) |
Article Section 2
| ARABIC | EXPLANATION |
|---|---|
| تَحالُفٌ | alliance, treaty, pact. It is the verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) of the VI-verb تَحالَفَ – يَتَحالَفُ which means to form an alliance. See Media Arabic Booster 05-24. |
| ظَرْفِيٌّ | circumstantial. It is the Nisba adjective (نِسْبةٌ) of the noun ظَرْفٌ which means circumstance, container. For example: circumstantial evidence (دَلِيلٌ ظَرْفِيٌّ) |
| ظَلَّ – يَظَلُّ | to remain; to keep on. I-verb. For example: to stand one’s ground (ظَلَّ عِنْدَ رَأْيِهِ); to remain the way it is (ظَلَّ عَلَى حالِهِ); to keep walking (ظَلَّ يَمْشِي) |
| اِحْتَكَمَ – يَحْتَكِمُ إِلَى | to be led; to be guided; to make an appeal. VIII-verb. For example: to appeal to the word of God for judgment (اِحْتَكَمَ إلى قَوْلِ اللهِ) |
| أَعادَ – يُعِيدُ | to bring back; to cause to return; repeat. IV-verb; root: ع-و-د. The verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) is إِعادةٌ. |
| حَتَّى وَلَوْ كانَ | even though |
| ARABIC | EXPLANATION |
|---|---|
| مَصْلَحةٌ pl: مَصالِحُ | benefit; advantage. For example: the public interest (ُالْمَصْلَحةُ الْعامّة) |
| مَناخٌ | climate; atmosphere. For example: the economic climate (الْمَناخُ الْاِقْتِصادِيُّ) |
| حَرَصَ – يَحْرِصُ عَلَى | to want; to strive for; to aspire to. I-verb. For example: to strive for something (حَرَصَ عَلَى شَيْءٍ); to be dedicated to somebody (حَرَصَ عَلَى شَخْصٍ); in the desire for (حِرْصًا عَلَى) |
| اِسْتِعادةٌ | restoring; recovery. It is the verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) of the X-verb اِسْتَعادَ- يَسْتَعيدُ (root: ع-و-د) which means to get back. |
| ثِقةٌ | trust; faith; confidence. For example: self-confidence (ثِقةٌ بِالنَّفْسِ or ثِقةٌ بِالذّاتِ); mutual trust (ثِقةٌ مُتَبادَلةٌ) |
| قِيادةٌ | leadership; command; government. For example: under the leadership of (تَحْتَ قِيادةِ) |
| مُنْتَخَبٌ | elected; selection. It is the passive participle (اِسْمُ الْمَفْعُولِ) of the VIII-verb انْتَخَبَ – يَنْتَخِبُ which means to choose. For example: the national team (الْمُنْتَخَبُ الْوَطَنِيُّ) |
| فِي الْوَقْتِ نَفْسِهِ | at the same time. You can also use a different construction: فِي نَفْسِ الْوَقْتِ |
| تَبْرِيدٌ | cooling. It is the verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) of the II-verb بَرَّدَ – يُبَرِّدُ which means to cool. |
| غَضَبٌ | anger, rage. For example: with anger, out of anger (غَضَبًا or مِن الْغَضَبِ). Note: غَضِبٌ (with “i”) is the adjective meaning angry, furious. |
| فَشَلٌ | failure, flop. It is the verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) of the I-verb which means فَشِلَ – يَفْشَلُ which means to fail. For example: complete failure (فَشَلٌ تامٌّ) |
| ضَغْطٌ | pressure, tension. For example: to work under pressure (عَمِلَ تَحْتَ الضَّغْطِ) |
| سَراحٌ | release, discharge. For example: to set a person free (أَطْلَقَ سَراحَ شَخْصٍ) |
| رَهِينةٌ pl: رَهائِنُ | hostage. For example: to release the hostages (أَطْلَقَ سَراحَ الرَّهائِنِ); to hold people hostages (اِحْتَجَزَ الرَّهائِنَ) |
Article Section 3
| ARABIC | EXPLANATION |
|---|---|
| أَوْحَى – يُوحِي إِلَى بِ | to give an impression; to suggest. IV-verb; root: و-ح-ي. For example: to suggest to somebody something (أَوْحَى لِشَخْصٍ بِشَيْءٍ) |
| صَفٌّ pl: صُفُوفٌ | row; line; order. For example: to sit in the front (جَلَسَ فِي الصَّفِّ الْأَوَّلِ); to stand in the line/queue (وَقَفَ فِي الصَّفِّ) |
| وافَقَ – يُوافِقُ عَلَى | to agree to; to correspond with. III-verb. For example: to approve that (وافَقَ عَلَى أَنَّ) |
| إِبْداءٌ | showing, expressing. It is the verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) of the IV-verb أَبْدَى – يُبْدِي (root: ب-د-و) which means to express, to show, to manifest. For example: to give one’s opinion (أَبْدَى رَأْيَهُ) |
| تَفاوُضٌ | negotiation. It is the verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) of the VI-verb تَفاوَضَ – يَتَفاوَضُ which means to negotiate. For example: non-negotiable (غَيْرُ قابِلٍ لِلتَّفاوُضِ). See Media Arabic Booster 01-24. |
| إِنْجاحٌ | success. It is the verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) of the IV-verb أَنْجَحَ – يُنْجِحُ which means to make successful. |
| مَسْعًى pl: مَساعٍ | effort, attempt. It is a special type of the infinitive noun (مَصْدَرٌ مِيمِيٌّ), based on the I-verb سَعَى – يَسْعَى لِ which means to strive, to seek. See Media Arabic Booster 04-24. |
| ARABIC | EXPLANATION |
|---|---|
| تَقْوِيَةٌ | strengthening. It is the verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) of the II-verb قَوَّى – يُقَوِّي which means to strengthen, to reinforce. |
| ضَمِنَ – يَضْمَنُ | to guarantee. I-verb. The verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) is ضَمانٌ which means guarantee. |
| رِضاءٌ | agreement; consent; approval. It is a verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) form of the III-verb راضَى – يُراضي (root: ر-ض-و) which means to seek to satisfy; to appease; the standard form of the مَصْدَرٌ being مُراضاةٌ. Watch out: Don’t mix it up with رِضًا/رِضًى (“Rida”) which means satisfaction, contentment; it is the مَصْدَرٌ of the I-verb رَضِيَ – يَرْضَى بِ which means to be satisfied with. Note that Rida is also a male given name. |
| أَمَّنَ – يُؤَمِّنُ عَلَى | to insure against. The verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) is تَأْمِينٌ which means guarantee; insurance. For example: to insure something against theft (أَمِنْ عَلَى شَيْءٍ ضِدَّ السَّرِقَةِ). |
| اِمْتِيازٌ pl: اِمْتِيازاتٌ | privilege; distinction. It is a verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) form of the VIII-verb امْتازَ – يَمْتازُ بِ (root: م-ي-ز) which means to distinguish oneself by. For example: to enjoy privileges (تَمَتَّعْ بِاِمْتِيازاتٍ) |
| فاخِرٌ pl: فَواخِرُ | excellent; luxury. For example: a luxurious flat (شَقّةٌ فاخِرةٌ) |
Article Section 4
| ARABIC | EXPLANATION |
|---|---|
| مِن الْمُرَجَّحِ أَنْ/أَنَّ | it is likely; in all probability. It is the passive participle (اِسْمُ الْمَفْعُولِ) of the II-verb رَجَّحَ – يُرَجِّحُ which means to think probable; to give preponderance. Similar to this: most likely (عَلَى الْأَرْجَحِ) |
| أَثارَ – يُثِيرُ | to arouse; to stir up. IV-verb; root: ث-و-ر. For example: to cause a stir (أَثارَ ضَجّةً). Note: The active participle (اِسْمُ الْفاعِلِ) is مُثِيرٌ as in the expression for interesting (مُثِيرٌ لِلْاِهْتِمامِ). |
| عاصِفٌ | stormy; turbulent. It is the active participle (اِسْمُ الْفاعِلِ) of the I-verb عَصَفَ – يَعْصِفُ which means to storm, to rage, to blow. Note that عاصِفةٌ means storm. |
| أَدَّى – يُؤَدِّي إِلَى | to lead to; to result in. IV-verb; root: ء-د-ي. For example: this leads to nowhere (هٰذا لا يُؤَدِّي إِلَى شَيْءٍ). |
| قَطِيعةٌ | rift; breach, split. For example: Before a fall-out occurs, try to mediate a conflict quickly (قَبْلَ حُدُوثِ قَطِيعَةٍ، حاوِلْ التَوَسُّطَ فِي نِزاعٍ بِسُرْعَةٍ). |
| عَبَّرَ – يُعَبِّرُ عَنْ | to express; to put into words. II-verb. The verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) is تَعْبِيرٌ which means expression; also: saying. For example: to express one’s opinion (عَبَّرَ عَنْ رَأْيِهِ) |
| تَوَجُّهٌ | tendency; view; going into a direction. It is the verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) of the V-verb تَوَجَّهَ – يَتَوَجَّهُ إِلَى which means to go, to head. See Media Arabic Booster 06-24. |
| ARABIC | EXPLANATION |
|---|---|
| نَهْضةٌ | rebirth; revival; al-Nahda. Name of a political party in Tunisia. Other examples: the Islamic revival (النَهْضة الإسْلاميّة); the Renaissance in Europe (النَّهْضةُ الْأُورُوبِّيّةُ). Note that speaking in historical terms, al-Nahda usually denotes the Arabic renaissance of the nineteenth century (see below). |
| اِنْتِصارٌ pl: اِنْتِصاراتٌ | victory; triumph over (عَلَى). It is the verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) of the VIII-verb انْتَصَرَ – يَنْتَصِرُ. The original idea of the root ن-ص-ر is closely connected to the idea of to help, to assist. Watch out: Used with the preposition مِنْ, the meaning changes: to take revenge on someone (اِنْتَصَرَ مِنْ شَخْصٍ) |
| ثَوْرةٌ | revolution. See Media Arabic Booster 07-24. |
| اِنْطَلَقَ – يَنْطَلِقُ | to start; to take off. VII-verb. For example: The search and rescue team set out early in the morning to find survivors (اِنْطَلَقَ فَرِيقُ الْبَحْثِ وَالإِنْقاذِ فِي وَقْتٍ مُبَكِّرٍ مِنْ الصَّباحِ لِلْعُثُورِ عَلَى النّاجِينَ). |
| إخْمادٌ | suppression; extinction. It is the verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) of the IV-verb أَخْمَدَ – يُخْمِدُ which means to suppress; to extinguish. For example: to put down riots (أَخْمَدَ اِضْطِراباتٍ) |
| مُمَنْهَجٌ | systematic. It is the passive participle (اِسْمُ الْمَفْعُولِ) of مَنْهَجَ – يُمَنْهِجُ which is a I-verb with 4 root letters and means to schedule, to program. |
| تَقَدَّمَ – يَتَقَدَّمُ | to advance, to make progress. V-verb. See Media Arabic Booster 05-24. |
| فَرْدٌ pl: أَفْرادٌ | individual; person |
| تَحيّةٌ | greeting, salutation. For example: say hello to (بَلِّغْ تَحيّاتِي إِلَى); in the military: to return the salute (رَدَّ عَلَى التَّحيّةِ الْعَسْكَرِيّةِ) |
| إِنْجازٌ pl: إِنْجازاتٌ | achievement; success. It is the verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) of the IV-verb أَنْجَزَ – يُنْجِزُ which means to accomplish, to carry out. |
| تَضْحِيةٌ | sacrifice. It is the verbal noun (مَصْدَرٌ) of the II-verb ضَحَّى – يُضَحِّي which means to sacrifice. For example: to sacrifice for the sake of something (تَضْحِيةٌ فِي سَبيلِ شَيْءٍ); to make a sacrifice (بَذَلَ تَضْحِيةً) |
BACKGROUND: In Arab history, what does al-Nahda mean?
The al-Nahda (النّهضة), also known as the Arab Awakening or Renaissance, was a significant cultural and intellectual movement that emerged in the Arab world during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
This movement primarily took place in regions of the Ottoman Empire, mainly Egypt (مصر), Lebanon (لبنان), Syria (سوريا), and Tunisia (تونس)
The Nahda was characterized by a revival of Arabic literature, a renewed interest in science and education, and the translation of Western works into Arabic. It was influenced by several factors, including the cultural shock of Napoleon’s invasion of Egypt in 1798 and the subsequent reforms by rulers like Muhammad Ali of Egypt (محمد علي باشا). Additionally, the Ottoman Tanzimat reforms, which aimed to modernize the empire, played a crucial role in shaping the Nahda.
Key figures of the Nahda included Rifa’a al-Tahtawi (1801-1873; in Arabic: رفاعة الطهطاوي) from Egypt, who advocated for educational reforms and the adoption of Western scientific knowledge, and Butrus al-Bustani (1819 – 1873; in Arabic: بطرس البستاني), who contributed to the development of Syrian nationalism. The movement also saw the proliferation of the press and other publications, which helped spread new ideas and foster a sense of Arab identity. The al-Nahda (النّهضة) movement gradually declined in the early 20th century.
What is the political party Ennahda? The political party Ennahda (حركة النهضة), also known as the Renaissance Party, is a major political movement in Tunisia. It was founded in 1981 by Rached Ghannouchi (راشد الغنوشي) and Abdelfattah Mourou (عبد الفتاح مورو) as the Islamic Tendency Movement. Ennahda played a crucial role in Tunisia’s political landscape, especially after the 2011 Tunisian Revolution, which led to the fall of the Tunisian regime under Zine El Abidine Ben Ali (زين العابدين بن علي).
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