آلات
ʾālāt
The English phrase 'instruments' is translated into Arabic as آلات (ʾālāt).
آلات refers to devices used for producing musical sounds or for scientific and technical work. To be more specific, you can add an adjective after the noun: use آلات موسيقية for 'musical instruments' and آلات علمية for 'scientific instruments'.
What does it mean word for word?
آلات is the plural form of آلة (ʾāla), which means a single instrument, tool or machine.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Egypt, specific musical instruments are referred to by these terms: الأكورديون (accordion), الساكسفون (saxophone) and الترومبون (trombone).
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of the plural آلات is آلة (ʾāla).
How do you pronounce it?
ʾālāt
Did you know?
- In high literature, describing a person as a آلة can be a subtle way of calling them a mere instrument or a puppet of another's will.
- While English distinguishes between 'tools' and 'musical instruments', the Arabic word آلة provides a single umbrella term for both a hammer and a violin.
- The word آلة is often used in philosophical contexts to mean an 'instrumentality' or the medium through which an action is performed, rather than a physical device.
Examples in context
- هذه آلات موسيقية قديمة.hadhihi alat musiqiyya qadima.These are old musical instruments.
- يستخدم الطبيب آلات دقيقة.yastakhdim al-tabib alat daqiqa.The doctor uses precise instruments.
- اشتريت آلات جديدة للمختبر.ishtaraytu alat jadida lil-mukhtabar.I bought new instruments for the lab.
Example conversation
Ahmed and Maryam are looking at a display in a museum.
- أحمد Ahmedهل هذه آلات موسيقية؟hal hadhihi alat musiqiyya?Are these musical instruments?
- مريم Maryamنعم، هي آلات من الشرق.na'am, hiya alat min al-sharq.Yes, they are instruments from the East.
- أحمد Ahmedإنها تبدو رائعة جداً.innaha tabdu ra'i'a jiddan.They look very wonderful.
- مريم Maryamبالتأكيد، يا أحمد.bi-ta'kid, ya Ahmad.Certainly, Ahmed.
