عمدة
‘umdah
The Arabic word for mayor is عمدة (‘umdah).
The term عمدة refers to a leader of a city. It is a gender-neutral term that can be used for both men and women.
Meaning: leader of a city (noun)
Which one should you use?
While عمدة is a way to refer to a mayor, there are more formal alternatives. رئيس البلدية specifically means the head of the municipality or head of the city, and أمين البلدية refers to a municipal secretary or municipal administrator.
How do you pronounce it?
‘umdah
Did you know?
- The word عمدة shares a root with the Arabic word for 'pillar' or 'column'. This implies that a mayor is the structural support upon which the community rests.
- In some traditional rural contexts, an عمدة was not elected but was a hereditary position or appointed by the central government to act as a liaison.
- In some dialects, calling someone عمدة in a casual setting can be a lighthearted way to acknowledge their influence or bossy nature within a friend group.
Examples in context
- كان سامي عمدة البلدة الصّغيرة.Sami was the mayor of the small community.This sentence shows how to use عمدة to describe someone's role in a small community.Tatoeba #6981294 by OsoHombre, translation #6447738 by OsoHombre
- أصبح زيري عمدة.Ziri is a mayor.This sentence demonstrates the use of عمدة to state someone's profession.Tatoeba #11616134 by dididodo, translation #10209532 by Amastan
- انتخبت مدينة نيويورك أول عمدة مسلم في تاريخها.New York City has elected its first Muslim mayor.This sentence illustrates the use of عمدة when discussing an elected official.Tatoeba #13564663 by rul, translation #13563832 by rul
- في الاحتفال الرسمي، قدم رئيس البلدية كلمة قوية ومؤثرة.In the official ceremony, the mayor delivered a strong and influential speech.
- عمدة المدينة يقوم بجولة لتفقد المشاريع الجديدة.The mayor of the city is taking a tour to inspect the new projects.
Example conversation
Mariam and Ahmed are talking about local politics.
- مريم Maryamهل قابلت عمدة المدينة اليوم؟Hal qabalta 'umudata al-madina al-yawm?Did you meet the city mayor today?
- أحمد Ahmedلا، لكنني أريد مقابلته قريباً.La, lakinani uridu muqabalatahu qariban.No, but I want to meet him soon.
- مريم Maryamلماذا تريد رؤية العمدة يا أحمد؟Limadha turidu ru'yata al-'umuda ya Ahmed?Why do you want to see the mayor, Ahmed?
- أحمد Ahmedلدي بعض الاقتراحات لتحسين الشوارع.Ladayya ba'du al-iqtirahat li-tahsin al-shawari'.I have some suggestions to improve the streets.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
