سلسلة مفاتيح
silsilat mafātīḥ
The English phrase "key chain" is سلسلة مفاتيح (silsilat mafātīḥ) in Arabic.
سلسلة مفاتيح refers to a small chain or ring used for holding keys together.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of سلسلة (chain) and مفاتيح (keys), literally meaning "chain of keys".
How does it change in a sentence?
To refer to multiple key chains, use the plural form سلاسل مفاتيح.
How do you pronounce it?
silsilat mafātīḥ
Did you know?
- In many Arabic-speaking countries, if you are looking for a keychain, you might specifically ask for a ميدالية (midālīya), which is a loanword from the French 'médaille'.
- The word سلسلة (silsila) is ancient, having roots in Aramaic and Akkadian, where it was likely used to mimic the rattling sound of metal links.
- The word مفتاح for 'key' shares its root with the word for 'opening', meaning a key is literally 'the opener'.
Examples in context
- هل يمكنك أن تعطيني مِفتَاحِيَّة السيارة؟Can you give me the car key chain?
- أين وضعت سِلسِلَة المِفَاتِيْح الخاصة بي؟Where did I put my keychain?
- اشتريت سلسلة مفاتيح جديدة.Ishtaraytu silsilat mafatih jadidah.I bought a new key chain.
- هذه سلسلة مفاتيح جميلة جداً.Hadhihi silsilat mafatih jamilah jiddan.This is a very beautiful key chain.
Example conversation
Sarah and Omar are looking for the house keys.
- سارة Saraهل رأيت سلسلة مفاتيح البيت يا عمر؟Hal ra'ayta silsilat mafatih al-bayt ya Omar?Did you see the house key chain, Omar?
- عمر Omarنعم، هي على الطاولة.Na'am, hiya 'ala at-tawila.Yes, it is on the table.
- سارة Saraشكراً لك، لقد وجدتها.Shukran lak, laqad wajadtuha.Thank you, I found it.
- عمر Omarلا مشكلة يا سارة.La mushkila ya Sarah.No problem, Sarah.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries سلسلة, CC BY-SA 4.0.
