نوبة صرع
nawbat sar'
The English phrase 'epileptic seizure' is translated into Arabic as نوبة صرع (nawbat sar').
This phrase refers to a sudden attack of uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain that may cause shaking or loss of consciousness.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase نوبة صرع consists of the noun نوبة meaning 'attack' or 'episode' and the word صرع meaning 'epilepsy'.
How do you pronounce it?
nawbat sar'
Did you know?
- The word نوبة used in this medical context shares a historical connection with the word for a 'troupe of musicians' or a 'shift' in duty. This is due to a semantic loan from the Ottoman Turkish word نوبت.
- In classical Arabic literature, the root of صرع is used in the context of wrestling to describe pinning an opponent. This provides a vivid image of the body being overcome by a force it cannot resist.
- While نوبة is the standard term for an 'episode', it can also describe a sudden 'fit' of emotion, such as a 'fit of anger' or a 'fit of laughter'.
Examples in context
- يَعانِي مِنْ نَوَبَات صَرْعِيَّة مُتَكَرِّرَةٍ، فَيَتَنَاوَلُ الدَّوَاءَ بِانْتِظَامٍ.He experiences frequent epileptic seizures, so he takes medication regularly.
- هل تسبب هذه الأدوية نوبة صرع؟hal tusabbibu hādhihi al-adwiyatu nawbata ṣarʿ?Do these medications cause an epileptic seizure?
- يجب مراقبة الطفل بعد نوبة صرع.yajibu murāqabatu al-ṭifli baʿda nawbati ṣarʿ.The child must be monitored after an epileptic seizure.
Example conversation
A mother and son are talking in a clinic.
- ليلى Laylaهل تعرض عمر لنوبة صرع اليوم؟hal taʿarraḍa ʿumaru li-nawbati ṣarʿin al-yawm?Did Omar suffer an epileptic seizure today?
- عمر Omarنعم، كانت نوبة صرع قصيرة.naʿam, kānat nawbata ṣarʿin qaṣīratan.Yes, it was a short epileptic seizure.
- ليلى Laylaهل هو بخير الآن؟hal huwa bi-khayrin al-ʾān?Is he okay now?
- عمر Omarإنه ينام الآن بهدوء.innahu yanāmu al-ʾān bi-hudūʾ.He is sleeping peacefully now.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries نوبة, CC BY-SA 4.0.
