متوسط
mutawassit
The Arabic word for 'medium' (of intermediate size) is متوسط (mutawassit).
If you want to specifically say 'medium size' as a complete phrase, the word الحجم (the size) is often appended to the adjective, resulting in the phrase متوسط الحجم.
Meaning: of intermediate size (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is derived from the root w-s-t (وسط), which means middle or center.
How does it change in a sentence?
It takes the feminine form متوسطة when describing a feminine noun, and the masculine plural form متوسطين when describing a masculine plural noun in certain grammatical cases.
How do you pronounce it?
mutawassit
Did you know?
- The word وسط is used in the phrase الوسطية, which describes the concept of 'moderation' or 'the middle way'. This is a central philosophical and religious pillar in Islamic thought, emphasizing balance over extremism.
- The word متوسط shares the same linguistic origin as the word for the 'Mediterranean' Sea, البحر المتوسط.
- While متوسط describes size, the root وسط also appears in the word وساطة, which means 'mediation'. This describes the act of a third party stepping into the 'middle' to settle a dispute.
Examples in context
- رأيت ذات يوم في المدرسة ولدًا متوسط الحجم يسيء إلى ولد أصغر منه. عنّفتُه لكنه ردّ: "الكبار يضربونني، فأضرب الأطفال، هذا عدل". بكلماته هذه اختصر تاريخ الجنس البشري.I found one day in school a boy of medium size ill-treating a smaller boy. I expostulated, but he replied: "The bigs hit me, so I hit the babies. That's fair." In these words he epitomized the history of the human race.The sentence is useful for seeing متوسط used in the context of describing a boy's size.Tatoeba #861158 by Samer, translation #411790 by Scott
- اخْتَرْ لَحْمًا مَعْتَدِلَ الدَّهْنِChoose meat with a medium fat content.
- أريد قميصًا بمقاس متوسط.urīdu qamīṣan bi-maqās mutawassiṭ.I want a shirt in a medium size.
- هذا الكلب متوسط الحجم.hādhā al-kalbu mutawassiṭ al-ḥajm.This dog is of medium size.
Example conversation
Ziad and Sarah are ordering food at a restaurant.
- زياد Ziadهل تريدين وجبة كبيرة أم صغيرة؟Hal turīdīna wajbah kabīrah am ṣaghīrah?Do you want a large or a small meal?
- سارة Saraأفضل الحجم المتوسط يا زياد.Ufaḍḍilu al-hajm al-mutawassit yā Ziyād.I prefer the medium size, Ziad.
- زياد Ziadحسناً، سأطلب واحداً متوسطاً لي أيضاً.Ḥasanan, sa-aṭlubu wāḥidan mutawassiṭan lī ayḍan.Okay, I will order a medium one for myself too.
- سارة Saraهذا اختيار جيد.Hādhā ikhtiyār jayyid.That is a good choice.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
