إلقاء القنابل
'ilqā' al-qanābil
The Arabic phrase for "bombs away" is إلقاء القنابل ('ilqā' al-qanābil).
This phrase is a command used by a pilot or a flight crew to signal the release of bombs from an aircraft.
How do you pronounce it?
'ilqā' al-qanābil
Did you know?
- The word إلقاء is also used in a completely different context to describe the act of giving a speech or delivering a lecture.
- The verb used in إلقاء can also be used for 'throwing' or 'casting' a fishing net or 'tossing' a coin. This means the word carries a sense of a controlled, deliberate release rather than an accidental drop.
- In many Arabic dialects, if you were to use this exact phrase in a casual setting, it would sound strangely cinematic or like a line from an dubbed action movie. It lacks the idiomatic 'slang' feel a native speaker might use to describe something dropping rapidly.
Example conversation
Two military pilots are coordinating a strike in a simulator.
- سارة Saraعمر، هل الهدف في المرمى؟Omar, hal al-hadaf fi al-marma?Omar, is the target in range?
- عمر Omarنعم سارة، الهدف مؤكد.Na'am Sarah, al-hadaf mu'akkad.Yes Sarah, the target is confirmed.
- سارة Saraإلقاء القنابل!Ilqaa' al-qanaabil!Bombs away!
- عمر Omarتم الإلقاء بنجاح.Tamma al-ilqaa' bi-najah.Release successful.
