حقيبة ظهر
haqibat dahr
The English word "backpack" is حقيبة ظهر (haqibat dahr) in Arabic.
حقيبة ظهر refers to a bag that is worn on a person's back, e.g., for hiking.
Meaning: worn on a person's back, e.g., for hiking (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase plural, you pluralize the first word (the noun) while the second word (the descriptor) remains singular: حقائب ظهر.
How do you pronounce it?
haqibat dahr
Did you know?
- The word ظهر used in حقيبة ظهر shares a deep linguistic root with the Hebrew word for 'noon' or 'midday', צהריים, as both words relate to the sun reaching its peak overhead.
- While حقيبة ظهر is the standard Modern Standard Arabic term, in many spoken dialects like Egyptian or Levantine, people often use the word شنطة (shanta) for any bag, including a backpack.
- In classical Arabic literature, the word ظهر is often used as a metaphor to describe the weight of a person's responsibilities or burdens.
Examples in context
- عند ياني حقيبة ظهر صغيرة.Yanni has a little backpack.This sentence shows how to use حقيبة ظهر to describe ownership.Tatoeba #10259621 by Amghar, translation #9804323 by Amastan
- كيف يمكنني أن أقول 'backpack' بالعربية بطريقة رسمية؟How can I say 'backpack' in Arabic formally?
- حطها في شنطتك!Put it in your backpack!
- أين حقيبة ظهر التخييم الخاصة بك؟ayna ḥaqībatu ẓahr al-takhīm al-khāṣṣa bika?Where is your hiking backpack?
Example conversation
Mariam and Omar are preparing for a mountain hike.
- مريم Maryamهل أخذتَ حقيبة ظهر التخييم يا عمر؟hal akhadhta ḥaqībata ẓahr al-takhīm yā ʿumar?Did you take the hiking backpack, Omar?
- عمر Omarنعم، حقيبة ظهر التخييم موجودة في السيارة.naʿam, ḥaqībatu ẓahr al-takhīm mawjūda fī al-sayyāra.Yes, the hiking backpack is in the car.
- مريم Maryamرائع، هل هي كبيرة بما يكفي؟rāʾiʿ, hal hiya kabīra bimā yakfī?Great, is it big enough?
- عمر Omarنعم، هي كبيرة جداً ومناسبة.naʿam, hiya kabīra jiddan wa munāsiba.Yes, it is very big and suitable.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ظهر, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
