نور
nūreveryday
In Egyptian Arabic light is نور (nūr). It is the word used when you turn a lamp on or off, as in اقفل النور (iʾfel en-nūr), "turn off the light". It is also called ضوء (ḍōʾ) and كهربا (kahraba).
Meaning: illumination (noun)
Ways to say it
| Egyptian | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| نور | nūr | everyday |
| ضوء | ḍōʾ | standard |
| كهربا | kahraba | electric power |
نور is used at home for lamps and ceiling lights. ضوء (ḍōʾ) is the standard word and is used in writing and for sunlight or light in general.
Which one should you use?
كهربا (kahraba), literally "electricity", is also used for electric power. النور قطع (en-nūr ʾaṭaʿ) means "the power went out".
When do people say it?
نور is also a very common name, for girls and for boys.
Did you know?
- نور (nūr) is a given name and also the name of one of the chapters of the Quran.
Examples in context
- افتح النور لو سمحت.iftaḥ en-nūr law samaḥt.Please turn on the light.
- ضوء الشمس قوي النهارده.ḍōʾ eš-šams qawi en-nahardah.The sunlight is strong today.
Example conversation
Siblings Nada and Ziad sit in a dark flat after a power cut in Alexandria.
- Nadaالنور قطع!en-nūr ʾaṭaʿ!The power went out!
- Ziadهاجيب الكشاف.hagīb el-kaššāf.I will get the flashlight.
- Nadaبسرعة.bi-surʿa.Quickly.
- Ziadخلاص، النور رجع.ḵalāṣ, en-nūr rigeʿ.Done, the light is back.
