آية
āyah
The English phrase "aya" translates to Arabic as آية (āyah).
In a religious context, آية refers to a single verse or sentence of the Quran. Beyond this specific meaning, the word is also used to denote a sign or a miracle.
What does it mean word for word?
The word آية literally means a sign, a miracle or a verse.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of آية is آيات (āyāt).
How do you pronounce it?
āyah
When do people say it?
Because of its association with signs and miracles, آية is frequently used as a female given name in many Arabic-speaking countries.
Did you know?
- The word آية is a cognate of the Hebrew word אוֹת, which also means 'sign'.
- In some dialects, calling someone an آية is a way of saying they are an 'exception' or 'one of a kind' in their skill or behavior.
- Because آية means 'sign', it is used in legal or logical Arabic contexts to mean 'evidence' or 'proof' of a claim.
Examples in context
- آية هي مواطنة سعودية.Aya is a Saudi citizen.This sentence shows آية used as a proper noun (a person's name).Tatoeba #7840921 by MisterBrown, translation #7840919 by MisterBrown
- أنا أحب اسمي الذي اخترته لنفسي، اسمي آية.I love my chosen name, my name is Aya.
- آية هي المديرة العامة للشركة.Aya is the general manager of the company.
- أين ذهبت عايشة؟ لقد غابت عن الحفلة.Where did A'isha go? She's been absent from the party.
- هذه آية جميلة جداً.hathihi aya jamila jiddan.This is a very beautiful verse.
- قرأتُ آية واحدة اليوم.qara'tu aya wahida al-yawm.I read one verse today.
Example conversation
Ziad and Layla are sitting in a quiet room reading the Quran.
- زياد Ziadهل قرأتِ هذه الآية يا ليلى؟hal qara'ti hathihi al-aya ya Layla?Did you read this verse, Layla?
- ليلى Laylaنعم، هي آية رائعة.na'am, hiya aya ra'i'a.Yes, it is a wonderful verse.
- زياد Ziadأريد أن أسمعها منكِ.uridu an asma'aha minki.I want to hear it from you.
- ليلى Laylaحسناً، سأقرأها الآن.hasanan, sa-aqra'uha al-an.Okay, I will read it now.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries آية, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
