آية
ayah
The Arabic word آية (ayah) means a verse in the Qur'an.
While primarily used to refer to a verse in the Qur'an, the term carries a broader meaning of a sign, a miracle or a lesson.
Meaning: a verse in the Qur'an (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word آية literally translates to a sign, a miracle or a lesson.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of آية is آيات (ayat), meaning verses.
How do you pronounce it?
ayah
Did you know?
- While English uses 'verse' for both poetry and scripture, Arabic uses آية for the Qur'an and بيت, meaning 'house', for poetry.
- An Arabic speaker might describe a person of extraordinary beauty or talent as an آية, treating them as a 'sign' or 'miracle'.
- The term آية shares the same linguistic roots as the Hebrew word אוֹת, both descending from a Proto-Semitic source meaning 'sign'.
Examples in context
- أحب هذه الآية القرآنية كثيرًاI love this Quranic ayat very much
- هذه آية جميلة جداً.hādhihi āyatun jamīlatun jiddan.This is a very beautiful verse.
- قرأتُ آية واحدة اليوم.qara'tu āyatan wāhidatan al-yawm.I read one verse today.
Example conversation
A student and a teacher discussing the Qur'an.
- مريم Maryamيا أستاذ، هل يمكنني قراءة آية؟yā ustādh, hal yumkinunī qirā'atu āyah?Teacher, may I read a verse?
- يوسف Youssefنعم يا مريم، تفضلي.na'am yā Maryam, tafaddalī.Yes, Maryam, please go ahead.
- مريم Maryamسأقرأ هذه الآية القصيرة.sa-aqra'u hādhihi al-āyata al-qaṣīrah.I will read this short verse.
- يوسف Youssefقراءتكِ للآية رائعة.qirā'atuki lil-āyah rā'i'ah.Your recitation of the verse is wonderful.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries آية, CC BY-SA 4.0.
