عبارات أساسية
‘ibārāt ’asāsiyyah
The English phrase "basic phrases" is translated into Arabic as عبارات أساسية (‘ibārāt ’asāsiyyah).
This term refers to simple and essential expressions used for common communication in the language.
What does it mean word for word?
The word عبارات (ibārāt) is the plural form of عبارة (ibārah), meaning 'phrase' or 'expression'. The adjective أساسية (asāsiyyah) means 'basic' or 'fundamental' and is derived from the noun أساس (asās), which means 'foundation' or 'base'.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase عبارات أساسية, the adjective أساسية follows the plural noun, which is the standard word order for noun-adjective agreement in Arabic. To express the singular 'a basic phrase', the adjective must change to the singular feminine form أساسية (asāsiyyah) to match the singular feminine noun عبارة (ibārah).
How do you pronounce it?
‘ibārāt ’asāsiyyah
Did you know?
- The word عبارة can also mean a 'crossing' or 'ferry' in certain contexts, coming from the same root meaning to cross from one side to another.
- In many Arabic-speaking cultures, 'basic phrases' for greeting are much more elaborate than in English, often involving a series of reciprocal prayers for the other person's well-being.
- In Arabic, the plural عبارات refers to 'non-human' plurals, which means the adjective أساسية must be singular and feminine to describe it.
Example conversation
Yousef and Maryam are discussing language learning.
- يوسف Youssefمريم، هل تعرفين عبارات أساسية بالفرنسية؟Maryam, hal ta'rifina 'ibarat asasiyya bil-faransiyya?Maryam, do you know any basic phrases in French?
- مريم Maryamنعم، أعرف القليل منها.Na'am, a'rif al-qalil minha.Yes, I know a few of them.
- يوسف Youssefهل يمكنك مساعدتي في تعلمها؟Hal yumkinuki musa'adati fi ta'allumiha?Can you help me learn them?
- مريم Maryamبالطبع، سنبدأ الآن.Bil-tab', sanabda' al-an.Of course, we will start now.
