فرس النهر
faras an-nahr
The Arabic word for hippo is فرس النهر (faras an-nahr).
This phrase is used to refer to the hippo, a large, semiaquatic mammal characterized by its grey skin and wide mouth.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'horse of the river', where نَهْر means river.
How do you pronounce it?
faras an-nahr
Did you know?
- The word فرس in فرس النهر is derived from the Old Persian word Pārsa, which refers to the region of Persia.
- In Arabic, the word for 'hippo' uses the term فرس for 'horse', but the more common word for a domestic horse is حصان.
Examples in context
- أَنَا شَاهَدْتُ فيل النهر في حديقة الحيوانات.I saw a hippopotamus at the zoo.
- فرس النهر حيوان ضخم.Faras al-nahr hayawan dhakhm.The hippo is a huge animal.
- رأيت فرس النهر في حديقة الحيوان.Ra'aytu faras al-nahr fi hadiqat al-hayawan.I saw the hippo in the zoo.
- يعيش فرس النهر بالقرب من الماء.Ya'ishu faras al-nahr bil-qurb min al-ma'.The hippo lives near the water.
Example conversation
Omar and Layla are visiting the zoo.
- عمر Omarانظري يا ليلى، هناك فرس النهر!undhuri ya layla, hunaka faras an-nahr!Look, Layla, there is the hippo!
- ليلى Laylaيا إلهي، إنه كبير حقاً.ya ilahi, innahu kabir haqqan.Oh my god, it is really big.
- عمر Omarأحب كيف يفتح فمه الواسع.uhibbu kayfa yaftahu famahu al-wasi'.I love how it opens its wide mouth.
- ليلى Laylaأوافقك الرأي يا عمر.uwafiquka ar-ra'y ya Omar.I agree with you, Omar.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries فرس, CC BY-SA 4.0.
