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Posts will resume sometime mid-September/ beginning of August.

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(فصل) – Fasl – Arabic Word A Day

(فصل) – faSl – noun – Pl. (فصول) fuSu_l

Meanings

1. section, part, chapter
2. season
3. classroom

Examples

1. tajidu kala_mahu fi ‘l-faSli ‘l-tha_ni min ‘l-kita_b
   (تجد كلامه في الفصل الثاني من الكتاب);
   You’ll find his speech in the second section of the book.
2. dakhalna_ faSla ‘l-rabi_’
   (دخلنا فصل الربيع);
   We’ve entered spring.
3. al-Tulla_bu fi ‘l-faSli
   (الطلاب في الفصل);
   The students are in the classroom.

Etymology

The three letter root (ف ص ل) gives the meaning of distinguishing one thing from another, as well as separating it from something else. From this root comes the name FaySal, which means a judge. From this root comes the word “mifSal” which is a name for the tongue (in that through its use speech is distinguished) and is also the word for a joint. [ibn fa_ris, Maq_yi_s al-Lugha]

(وصل) waSala – Arabic Word A Day

(وصل) waSala – verb

Meanings

1. to connect, to join
2. to establish a connection
3. to reach

Examples

1. yasilu hadha ‘l-sha_ri’ bi ‘l-tari_qi ‘l-‘a_m
   (يصل هذا الشارع بالطريق العام);
   This street connects with the main road.
2. wasalani_ al-khiTa_b
   (وصلني الخطاب);
   I have received the letter.
3. wasalahu al-khabar
   (وصله الخبر);
   He received the news.

(ريف) – Arabic Word A Day

(ريف) ri_fun – noun, pl. (أرياف) arya_f

Meanings:

1. the countryside

Examples

1. za_ra ‘amrun al-ri_fa
   (زار عمروٌ الريف);
   Amr visited the countryside.
2. al-ri_fu jamilu ‘l-Tabi_’ah
   (الريف جميل الطبيعة);
   The countryside has beautiful landscapes.

(بيت) Baytun – Arabic Word A Day

(بيت) Baytun – noun, pl. (بيوت) buyu_t, (أبيات) abya_t

Meanings

1. house, home
2. verse (as in poetry)

Examples

1. wa inna awhana al-buyu_ti labaytu ‘l-‘ankabu_t…
   (َإِنَّ أَوْهَنَ الْبُيُوتِ لَبَيْتُ الْعَنكَبُوتِ);
   “…and indeed the weakest of houses is that of the spider…” – Quran 29:41
2. hafiZtu baytan min abya_ti sh’irihi ‘l-jami_l
   (حفظت بيتا من أبيات شعره الجميل);
   I memorized a verse from the verses of his beautiful poetry.

(كتاب) – Kita_bun – Arabic Word A Day

(كتاب) – kita_bun, pl. kutub (كتب)

Meanings

1. book
2. record

Examples

1. inna kita_ba ‘l-abra_ri la fi ‘illiyyi_n
   (كَلَّا إِنَّ كِتَابَ الْأَبْرَارِ لَفِي عِلِّيِّينَ);
   “Verily, the record of the righteous is in Heaven most high…” Quran 83:18
2. hadha_ kita_buna_ yanTiqu ‘alaykum bi ‘l-Haqq
   (هَذَا كِتَابُنَا يَنطِقُ عَلَيْكُم بِالْحَقّ);
   “This is our book, which testifies against you truthfully…” – Quran 45:29

 

(حيوان) – Hayawa_n – Arabic Word A Day

(حيوان) – Hayawa_n, noun pl. hayawa_na_t (حيوانات)

Meanings

1. animal
2. living creature

Examples

1. dhahabna_ ila_ hadi_qati ‘l-Hayawa_na_t
   (ذهبنا إلى حديقة الحيوانات);
   We went to the zoo.
2. al-insa_nu Hayawanun na_Tiq
   (الانسان حيوان ناطق);
   Man is a speaking, living creature.

 

(هات) – Arabic Word A Day

(هات) – ha_ta , noun

Meanings

1. give
2. bring (me)

Examples

1. ha_ta ‘l-kita_b
   (هات الكتاب);
   Give [me] the book.
2. “wa hal jawa_bu ha_ta illa_ ha_ka?”
   (وهل جواب هات إلا هاك؟);
   And is the answer to give, anything but here you are?

(أنا) ana – Arabic Word A Day

(أنا) ana, noun

Meanings

1. I

Examples

1. Ana min ‘l-gharb
   (أنا من الغرب);
   I am from the west.
2. ana min al-Si_n
   (أنا من الصين);
   I am from China.

Etymology/Notes

n/a