منتصف الليل
muntasaf al-layl
The English word "midnight" is translated into Arabic as منتصف الليل (muntasaf al-layl).
منتصف الليل is used to refer specifically to 12 o'clock at night.
Meaning: 12 o'clock at night exactly (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of منتصف, meaning "middle" and الليل, meaning "the night".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Levantine Arabic, people often use the phrase نص الليل to mean "midnight".
How does it change in a sentence?
The first word does not take an indefinite article.
How do you pronounce it?
muntasaf al-layl
Did you know?
- The word منتصف comes from a root that refers to splitting something into two equal halves. In a broader cultural sense, the same root is used to describe fairness and justice in Arabic.
- While منتصف الليل refers to the clock time, Arabic has a distinct word سحر for the time just before dawn. This period is spiritually significant and is the preferred time for private prayer and reflection.
- In some poetic Arabic contexts, the 'middle of the night' is often used as a metaphor for the deepest point of loneliness or solitude.
Examples in context
- جاء زيري في منتصف الليل.Ziri came at midnight.This sentence shows how to use منتصف الليل to indicate a specific time of arrival.Tatoeba #11615911 by dididodo, translation #10206691 by Amastan
- وصلنا إلى لندن عند منتصف الليل.We reached London at midnight.This sentence demonstrates using منتصف الليل to express reaching a destination at a specific time.Tatoeba #384275 by saeb, translation #248915 by CN
- عاد توم إلى المنزل بعد منتصف الليل.Tom came home after midnight.This sentence illustrates using منتصف الليل to describe an action occurring after the specified time.Tatoeba #7531822 by Rose_qudairi, translation #7522687 by CK
- يتم إغلاق المتجر الساعة ١٢ منتصف الليلThe shop closes at midnight
- بنتي تحب السهر حتى منتصف الليلMy daughter likes staying awake until midnight
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mariam and Omar are discussing a movie screening time.
- مريم Maryamمتى يبدأ الفيلم؟Mata yabda' al-film?When does the movie start?
- عمر Omarيبدأ في منتصف الليل.Yabda' fi muntasaf al-layl.It starts at midnight.
- مريم Maryamهذا وقت متأخر جداً!Hadha waqt muta'akhir jiddan!That is very late!
- عمر Omarنعم، لكنه فيلم رائع.Na'am, lakinahu film ra'i'.Yes, but it is a great movie.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
