hamza
masculine
hamza is the French word for the Arabic sign representing a glottal stop.
The term refers to the Arabic linguistic sign used to represent a glottal stop.
Meaning: Arabic sign representing a glottal stop (noun)
Did you know?
- Because hamza describes a glottal stop, a sound that does not exist in standard French, French speakers often substitute it with a slight pause or a vowel shift when reciting Arabic texts.
- Because French uses the Latin alphabet, the hamza is often omitted or simplified in French transliterations of Arabic names.
- In French, the term hamza is used specifically by linguists and Orientalists to describe the phonetic phenomenon, rather than being a common word used in everyday conversation.
Examples in context
- Le régime algérien anti-kabyle a vendu un contrat minier à l'Australie, ce qui est dangereux pour la population locale et pour l'environnement. Le village de Tala Hamza est en grand danger face au silence honteux de l'opposition algérienne.The Algerian anti-Kabyle regime has sold a mining contract to Australia, which is dangerous for the local population and for the environment. The village of Tala Hamza is in great danger in the face of the shameful silence of the Algerian opposition.This sentence mentions the village of Tala Hamza.Tatoeba #9830879 by Igider, translation #9800704 by Igider
- Je te présente mon ami Hamza.I'd like to introduce my friend Hamza.
- Hamza est originaire du Maroc.Hamza is originally from Morocco.
- Demain, je vais déjeuner avec Hamza.Tomorrow, I'm having lunch with Hamza.
- Le hamza marque une pause dans la prononciation.The hamza marks a pause in the pronunciation.
- Il faut savoir placer le hamza correctement.You must know how to place the hamza correctly.
Example conversation
Lucas and Chloé are studying Arabic linguistics together.
- LucasComment prononces-tu ce hamza ?How do you pronounce this hamza?
- ChloéC'est un véritable arrêt glottal, Lucas.It is a real glottal stop, Lucas.
- LucasJe ne l'entends pas très bien.I don't hear it very well.
- ChloéÉcoute bien la coupure du son.Listen closely to the break in the sound.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hamza” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
