سَمَّاعَة
sammāʕafeminine
The English word 'headphones' is translated into Arabic as سَمَّاعَة (sammāʕa). Wiktionary also lists سَمَاعَات الرَّأْس (samāʕāt ar-raʔs).
Meaning: pair of speakers worn over or in the ears so only the wearer can hear the sound (noun)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| سَمَّاعَة | sammāʕa | feminine |
| سَمَاعَات الرَّأْس | samāʕāt ar-raʔs | feminine, plural |
The term refers to a pair of speakers worn over or in the ears so only the wearer can hear the sound.
What does it mean word for word?
The singular form سَمَّاعَة is derived from the root meaning 'to hear' and literally refers to a device used for hearing.
Which one should you use?
While سَمَاعَات الرَّأْس specifically refers to headphones worn on the head, the singular سَمَّاعَة can refer to a single earpiece or a general hearing device.
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form سَمَّاعَة is feminine, and the plural form سَمَاعَات الرَّأْس is also feminine.
How do you pronounce it?
sammāʕa
Did you know?
- The word سَمَّاعَة is also used to describe a stethoscope in a medical context. This is because both devices serve the same basic function of channeling sound to the ear.
- The word سَمَاع refers to a specific tradition of mystical listening in Sufism. While سَمَّاعَة is the tool for hearing, سَمَاع is the spiritual experience of listening to music to reach a state of ecstasy.
- In many Arabic dialects, سَمَّاعَة is commonly used to refer to a telephone handset. This reflects a time when the speaker and microphone were a single integrated piece held to the ear.
Examples in context
- هل لديك سماعات الرأس؟Do you have headphones?
- أنا أحتاج لشراء السماعات الرأسية الجديدة.I need to buy new headphones.
- ما رأيك في سماعاتي الجديدة؟What do you think of my new headphones?
- أنا سوف أستخدم سماعات الرأس للاستماع إلى الموسيقى في الحافلة.I will use headphones to listen to music on the bus.
Example conversation
Sarah and Ziad are studying in the library.
- سارة Saraزياد، هل معك سَمَّاعَة إضافية؟Ziyad, hal ma'aka samma'a idafiya?Ziad, do you have an extra pair of headphones?
- زياد Ziadنعم، خذي هذه السَمَّاعَة.Na'am, khudhi hadhihi as-samma'a.Yes, take these headphones.
- سارة Saraشكراً لك يا زياد.Shukran laka ya Ziyad.Thank you, Ziad.
- زياد Ziadعفواً يا سارة.Afwan ya Sarah.You're welcome, Sarah.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “headphones” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
