مكالمة
mukālama
In Arabic, the word for call is مكالمة (mukālama).
While مكالمة can mean a call, it is often paired with هاتفية (hātifiyya) to specify it is a phone call rather than a general conversation. While مكالمة refers specifically to the act of a conversation/call, اِتِّصَال is a broader term meaning 'contact' or 'connection'.
Meaning: to contact by telephone (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The noun مكالمة is derived from the root meaning 'to speak' or 'to converse'.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
mukālama
Did you know?
- The word هاتف (hātif) for 'telephone' literally means 'someone who calls out from a distance' or 'invisible voice'. In traditional Arabic literature, it referred to a supernatural voice heard by a person but not seen.
- In many Arabic dialects, people often use the word رنة (rinna), which literally means 'a ring' or 'a jingle', to refer to a phone call or a ringtone.
- While مكالمة describes the conversation, if you want to say you are 'calling' someone on a mobile phone, many speakers will use the word 'call' directly from English, pronounced as كول (kul).
Examples in context
- ابتسم ديما: "أوه، بل أكثر بكثير، لكن في الواقع، هذه مكالمة يدفعها المُستقبِل. إذن أنت النوب، لأنك أنت الذي تدفع"."Oh, it's a lot more," Dima smiled. "But actually, this is a collect call. So you're the noob, 'cause you're paying."This sentence shows how to use مكالمة in the context of a collect call.Tatoeba #627457 by Samer, translation #589400 by FeuDRenais2
- أين يمكنني إجراء مكالمة هاتفية؟Where can we make a phone call?This sentence demonstrates asking where one can make a phone call using مكالمة.Tatoeba #2882356 by alanood, translation #693478 by Shishir
- تلقى طوم باكرا هذا الصباح مكالمة هاتفية من ماريTom had a telephone call from Mary early this morning.This sentence illustrates receiving a telephone call using مكالمة.Tatoeba #2527379 by omri, translation #1028822 by CK
- أُحبذ أن تتصل بالمدير المالي بخصوص هذه المسألة.I prefer that you call the financial manager regarding this matter.
- إذا احتجتني، اتّصِ بي في أيّ وقت.If you need me, call me anytime.
- بعد ما تخلص من التسوق، اعمل اتصال علشان يجوا يستلموا المشتريات منك.After you finish shopping, make a call so they can come and collect the purchases from you.
- اثنينا مشغولين الآن. سأتّصِل بك لاحقًا.We're both busy right now. I'll call you later.
Example conversation
Omar and Mariam are discussing a phone call from their boss.
- عمر Omarهل استلمتِ مكالمة من المدير اليوم؟hal istalamti mukalama min al-mudir al-yawm?Did you receive a call from the manager today?
- مريم Maryamنعم، كانت مكالمة قصيرة جداً.na'am, kanat mukalama qasira jiddan.Yes, it was a very short call.
- عمر Omarماذا طلب منكِ في هذه المكالمة؟madha talaba minki fi hadhihi al-mukalama?What did he ask of you in this call?
- مريم Maryamطلب مني إرسال التقرير فوراً.talaba minni irsal al-taqrir fawran.He asked me to send the report immediately.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
