سلة مهملات
sallat muhmalat
The Arabic word for bin is سلة مهملات (sallat muhmalat).
The term refers to a container used for rubbish or waste.
Meaning: container for rubbish (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of سلة (basket) and مهملات (things that are neglected or discarded).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain Arab countries, the word صندوق is also used to mean a bin or container.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word سلة (basket) is feminine, which is reflected in the grammatical agreement of the phrase.
How do you pronounce it?
sallat muhmalat
Did you know?
- In a sporting context, سلة is the same word used for 'basketball' (كرة السلة), as both rely on the concept of a basket.
- The word سلة actually traces its roots back to Aramaic and Syriac, where it originally referred to things like moss, seaweed, or even a contemptible plant.
- The word مهملات comes from a root meaning 'to neglect', implying that rubbish is simply things that have been forgotten or ignored.
Examples in context
- ضع الورق في الصندوق.Put the paper in the bin.
- حط العلب في القمامة.Put the cans in the bin.
- انتظر حتى أفرغ القمامة.Wait until I empty the bin.
- أين سلة مهملات المكتب؟ayna sallat muhmalāt al-maktab?Where is the office bin?
- سلة مهملات الشارع ممتلئة.sallat muhmalāt al-shāri' mumtali'ah.The street bin is full.
Example conversation
In a living room, Omar is cleaning up.
- عمر Omarليلى، أين سلة مهملات الغرفة؟Laylā, ayna sallat muhmalāt al-ghurfah?Layla, where is the room's bin?
- ليلى Laylaهي بجانب الطاولة يا عمر.Hiya bijānib al-ṭāwilah yā 'Umar.It is next to the table, Omar.
- عمر Omarشكراً لكِ، سأضع القمامة فيها.Shukran laki, sa-aḍa' al-qumāmah fīhā.Thank you, I will put the rubbish in it.
- ليلى Laylaلا مشكلة، هل تحتاج مساعدة؟Lā mushkilah, hal taḥtāj musā'adah?No problem, do you need help?
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries سلة, CC BY-SA 4.0.
