القاهرة
al-Qāhirah
Cairo in Arabic is القاهرة (al-Qāhirah).
القاهرة refers specifically to the capital of Egypt. In informal Arabic, speakers often use Masr to refer to both the city of Cairo and the country of Egypt.
Meaning: capital of Egypt (name)
What does it mean word for word?
The name القاهرة is derived from an Arabic root meaning "the conquering" or "the victorious."
How does it change in a sentence?
The name القاهرة includes the definite article al- (the) as a standard part of the city's name.
How do you pronounce it?
al-Qāhirah
Did you know?
- The name القاهرة is not just a title of victory, but is actually an astronomical reference to the planet Mars. It was named after the 'victorious star' that was passing over the city when its walls were built in 969 CE.
- Cairo is often called 'the city of a thousand minarets' because of its massive concentration of historic Islamic architecture and mosques.
- The name القاهرة is a feminine noun, which is why the adjective used to describe the city must also be in the feminine form in Arabic grammar.
Examples in context
- أختي هنا في القاهرة.My sister is here in Cairo.This sentence shows how to use القاهرة to say someone is located in the city.Tatoeba #6100324 by OsoHombre, translation #5835915 by OsoHombre
- عاد سامي من القاهرة.Sami returned from Cairo.This sentence shows how to use القاهرة to indicate someone returned from the city.Tatoeba #8058084 by OsoHombre, translation #6694137 by OsoHombre
- هبط سامي في القاهرة.Sami landed in Cairo.This sentence shows how to use القاهرة to indicate someone landed in the city.Tatoeba #8058344 by OsoHombre, translation #7250686 by OsoHombre
- أنا مسافر إلى القاهرة غدًا.I am traveling to Cairo tomorrow.
- 97 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Layla and Youssef are talking about their travel plans.
- ليلى Laylaهل سنذهب إلى القاهرة؟hal sanadhhabu ila al-qāhira?Are we going to Cairo?
- يوسف Youssefنعم، سنزور القاهرة الأسبوع القادم.na'am, sanazūru al-qāhira al-usbū' al-qādim.Yes, we will visit Cairo next week.
- ليلى Laylaأنا أحب مدينة القاهرة كثيراً.anā uḥibbu madīnat al-qāhira kathīran.I love the city of Cairo very much.
- يوسف Youssefهي مدينة رائعة حقاً.hiya madīna rā'i'a ḥaqqan.It is a truly wonderful city.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries القاهرة, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
