ارتفاع
irtifa'
The English word height is translated into Arabic as ارتفاع (irtifa').
The word ارتفاع refers to the distance from bottom to top.
Meaning: distance from bottom to top (noun)
Which one should you use?
While ارتفاع is used for height, the word طول is the standard term for height. Additionally, the form الارتفاع can be used in formal settings to express height, though it more often refers to altitude.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of the noun is ارتفاعات, used when referring to multiple heights or elevations.
How do you pronounce it?
irtifa'
Did you know?
- When talking about the 'height' of a building or a mountain, ارتفاع is used, but when talking about the 'height' of a person, ارتفاع would sound like you are measuring them as a piece of furniture.
- The root letters in ارتفاع (r-f-') are also found in the word for 'lifting' or 'elevating'. This shows that Arabic builds its vocabulary for measurement around the action of raising something.
- In many Arabic-speaking cultures, expressing 'height' in a metaphorical sense, such as 'high status', is often achieved through words related to 'rising' rather than 'height' itself.
Examples in context
- ما هو طولك؟What is your height?
- شو رأيك بهالقامة؟What do you think of this height/stature?
- أنا طولي ١٧٠ سم. وأنت؟I am 170 cm tall. And you?
- قامتها مثل قامتي، تقريبًا ١٦٠ سم.Her height is just like mine, around 160 cm.
- ما هو ارتفاع هذا الجبل؟ma huwa irtifa' hadha al-jabal?What is the height of this mountain?
- ارتفاع الطائرة مرتفع جداً.irtifa' al-ta'ira murtafi' jiddan.The height of the plane is very high.
- قاس المهندس ارتفاع الجدار.qasa al-muhandis irtifa' al-jidar.The engineer measured the height of the wall.
Example conversation
Maryam and Yusuf are looking at a new bookshelf.
- مريم Maryamهل يعجبك ارتفاع هذه الخزانة يا يوسف؟hal yu'jibuka irtifa' hadhihi al-khizana ya Yusuf?Do you like the height of this cabinet, Yusuf?
- يوسف Youssefنعم، لكنها تبدو طويلة قليلاً.na'am, lakinnaha tabdu tawila qalilan.Yes, but it looks a bit tall.
- مريم Maryamأعتقد أن الارتفاع مناسب للغرفة.a'taqidu anna al-irtifa' munasib lil-ghurfa.I think the height is suitable for the room.
- يوسف Youssefمعك حق، لنشتريها الآن.ma'aki haqq, linash-tariha al-an.You are right, let's buy it now.
