لا نهاية
lā nihāya
The Arabic word for infinity is لا نهاية (lā nihāya).
The phrase لا نهاية is used to describe the concept of endlessness, unlimitedness or the complete absence of a limit or end.
Meaning: endlessness, unlimitedness, absence of end or limit (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the negation particle لا (no/not) and the noun نهاية (end).
How does it change in a sentence?
When you want to say 'it has no end' or 'it is infinite' in reference to a specific noun, the suffix changes based on the gender of that noun. For a masculine noun, use لا نهاية له to mean 'it has no end'. For a feminine noun, use لا نهاية لها to mean 'it has no end'.
How do you pronounce it?
lā nihāya
Did you know?
- When discussing the infinite nature of God in Islamic theology, scholars often use the term الأزلية for infinity in the past and الأبدية for infinity in the future.
- The word نهاية (end) shares a root with the word for 'goal' or 'purpose', suggesting that in Arabic, reaching the end of something is linguistically tied to achieving an objective.
- The negation particle لا shares the same Proto-Semitic roots as the Hebrew word לֹא (lo), meaning 'no' or 'not'.
Examples in context
- الجمال في هذا المنظر لا نهاية له.al-jamal fi hatha al-manzar la nihaya lahu.The beauty in this view is endless.
Example conversation
Sara and Yusuf are discussing a math problem in class.
- سارة Saraيا يوسف، ماذا يحدث عند هذه النقطة؟Ya Yusuf, madha yahduth 'inda hadhihi al-nuqta?Yusuf, what happens at this point?
- يوسف Youssefالقيمة هنا تصل إلى لا نهاية.Al-qima huna tasil ila la nihaya.The value here reaches infinity.
- سارة Saraهل هذا يعني أنها لا تتوقف أبداً؟Hal hadha ya'ni annaha la tatawaqqaf abadan?Does this mean it never stops?
- يوسف Youssefنعم، هذا هو مفهوم لا نهاية.Na'am, hadha huwa mafhum la nihaya.Yes, that is the concept of infinity.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries لا, CC BY-SA 4.0.
