عدوى
'adwa
The Arabic word for "infection" is عدوى ('adwa).
Meaning: disease (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
'adwa
Did you know?
- The root of عدوى can also mean 'to engage in hostile action' or 'to run'. This suggests a linguistic connection between the way an infection spreads and the way an enemy pursues a target.
- Because the word is related to 'hostility', some classical Arabic scholars used the concept of 'adwa' to discuss the social friction or 'infection' of bad behavior in a community.
- Arabic distinguishes between عدوى, which refers to the process of contagion, and التهاب, which refers to the inflammation often caused by an infection.
Examples in context
- علماء الأمراض يبحثون عن عُلاج للعَدْوَى الفيروسية الجديدة.Researchers are searching for a treatment for the new viral infection.
- هذه عدوى شديدة.hadhihi 'adwa shadida.This is a severe infection.
Example conversation
Omar and Nour are talking about a health news report.
- عمر Omarهل سمعتِ عن هذه العدوى؟hal sami'ti 'an hadhihi al-'adwa?Did you hear about this infection?
- نور Nourنعم، إنها عدوى جديدة.na'am, innaha 'adwa jadida.Yes, it is a new infection.
- عمر Omarيجب أن نكون حذرين يا نور.yajibu an nakuna hadhirin ya Nour.We must be careful, Nour.
- نور Nourبالتأكيد، سأهتم بصحتي.bi-ta'kid, sa-ahtammu bi-sihati.Certainly, I will take care of my health.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries عدوى, CC BY-SA 4.0.
