جسر
jisir/d͡ʒisr/Hijazi Arabic, masculine
The English word bridge is translated into Arabic as جسر (jisir). Wiktionary also lists جِسْر (jisr) and قَنْطَرَة (qanṭara).
Meaning: construction or natural feature that spans a divide (noun)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| جسر | jisir | /d͡ʒisr/ /d͡ʒasr/ |
Hijazi Arabic, masculine |
| جِسْر | jisr | masculine | |
| قَنْطَرَة | qanṭara | feminine | |
| قنطرة | qanṭra | /qan.tˤa.ra/ | Moroccan Arabic, feminine |
The term refers to a construction or natural feature that spans a divide.
Which one should you use?
The standard term used in Modern Standard Arabic and most dialects is جِسْر (jisr). However, قَنْطَرَة (qanṭara) is often used in formal or architectural contexts to refer specifically to an arch or an arched bridge.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Egypt, the word كُوبرِي is used to refer to a bridge. In Moroccan-Arabic, the form قنطرة is used.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of the standard word جسر is جسور (jusūr).
How do you pronounce it?
jisir
Did you know?
- The origin of قنطرة might be linked to the Latin 'canthērius', which referred to a 'gelding' or 'beast of burden'.
Examples in context
- سنلتقي على جسر البحيرة.Meet me on the lake bridge.This sentence shows how to use جسر to specify a location like a lake bridge.Tatoeba #11976302 by dididodo, translation #11858737 by Amastan
- ما هو أطول جسر في الجزائر؟What's the longest bridge in Algeria?This sentence uses جسر to ask about the longest bridge in a specific country.Tatoeba #11250397 by Amghar, translation #7861506 by Amastan
- منذ زمن بعيد، كان هناك جسر هنا.A long time ago, there was a bridge here.This sentence demonstrates using جسر to describe the historical presence of a bridge.Tatoeba #419295 by saeb, translation #418874 by CK
- كَانَ الجِسْرُ يربطُ بَيْنَ الضفتَيْنِThe bridge connected the two banks.
- أَهَمِّيَّةُ الجِسْرِ في المدينةThe importance of the bridge in the city.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yousef and Layla are walking in a city park.
- يوسف Youssefليلى، انظري إلى ذلك الجسر.Layla, unzuri ila dhalika al-jisr.Layla, look at that bridge.
- ليلى Laylaإنه جسر جميل جداً يا يوسف.Innahu jisr jamil jiddan ya Yousef.It is a very beautiful bridge, Yousef.
- يوسف Youssefهل تريدين العبور من فوقه؟Hal turidina al-'ubur min fawqih?Do you want to cross over it?
- ليلى Laylaنعم، دعنا نذهب إلى هناك.Na'am, da'ina nadhab ila hunak.Yes, let's go there.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bridge” translations and entries جسر, قنطرة, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries جسر, قنطرة, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
