لوحة المفاتيح
lawḥat al-mafātīḥ
The English word keyboard is لوحة المفاتيح (lawḥat al-mafātīḥ) in Arabic.
The term refers to a set of keys used to operate devices such as computers or typewriters.
Meaning: set of keys used to operate a typewriter, computer etc. (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of lawḥat, meaning board or panel and al-mafātīḥ, meaning the keys.
How do you pronounce it?
lawḥat al-mafātīḥ
Did you know?
- The word لوحة describes both a computer keyboard and a piece of fine art in a gallery, as both are viewed as a 'panel' or 'canvas'.
- The word مفاتيح ('keys') comes from the root for 'opening'. In Arabic, a keyboard is literally a 'board of openers'.
- In many modern tech circles across the Arab world, people bypass the formal لوحة المفاتيح entirely and simply use the English word 'keyboard' in everyday conversation.
Examples in context
- لديه لوحة المفاتيح الأمازيغية على هاتفه.He has the Berber keyboard on his phone.This sentence is useful for describing someone having a specific keyboard on their phone.Tatoeba #7669534 by MisterBrown, translation #7670677 by MisterBrown
- أملك لوحة المفاتيح للأمازيغية على هاتفي.I have the Berber keyboard on my phone.This sentence is useful for expressing possession of a keyboard on a phone.Tatoeba #7669537 by MisterBrown, translation #7670666 by MisterBrown
- نملك لوحة المفاتيح الأمازيغية على هواتفنا.We have the Berber keyboard on our phones.This sentence is useful for expressing plural possession of keyboards on phones.Tatoeba #7669532 by MisterBrown, translation #7670679 by MisterBrown
- ممكن أستخدم لوحة الـكِيبُورْد عشان شوية؟Is it possible for me to use the keyboard for a while?
- 22 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yousef is trying to fix his computer in the living room.
- ليلى Laylaهل لوحة المفاتيح معطلة؟Hal lawhat al-mafatih mu'attala?Is the keyboard broken?
- يوسف Youssefنعم، لوحة المفاتيح لا تعمل.Na'am, lawhat al-mafatih la ta'mal.Yes, the keyboard is not working.
- ليلى Laylaهل تريد واحدة جديدة؟Hal turid wahida jadida?Do you want a new one?
- يوسف Youssefنعم، يرجى شراء واحدة لي.Na'am, yurja shira' wahida li.Yes, please buy one for me.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
