سلسلة جبال
silsilat jibāl
The English phrase 'mountain range' is translated into Arabic as سلسلة جبال (silsilat jibāl).
The term سلسلة جبال is the most commonly used formal phrase to refer to a mountain range in Arabic.
Meaning: line of mountains (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of سلسلة, which literally means 'chain' or 'series' implying a connected sequence and جبال, which means 'mountains'. جبال is the plural form of the word for 'mountain'.
Which one should you use?
سلاسل الجبال is another formal way to express 'mountain range' and can be used interchangeably with سلسلة جبال.
How do you pronounce it?
silsilat jibāl
Did you know?
- The word سلسلة is an ancient Semitic term that likely mimics the rattling sound of metal chains. It shares this onomatopoeic origin with words for 'chains' in Hebrew and Amharic.
- Because سلسلة means 'chain', it is used for more than just physical objects or mountains. It is the standard word for a 'series' of books, a 'sequence' of numbers, or even a television show.
- In Arabic, you can describe a person of great strength or high status as a جبل, which is the singular form of the word used in سلسلة جبال.
Examples in context
- قُم بزيارة سلسلة جبال الأطلس التي تمتد عبر شمال إفريقيا.Visit the Atlas Mountain Range stretching across North Africa.
- شاهدنا أجمل مناظر الطبيعة في مجموعة جبال الألب.We witnessed stunning natural landscapes in the Alps mountain range.
- هذه سلسلة جبال طويلة جداً.hādhihi silsilatu jibālin ṭawīlatun jiddan.This is a very long mountain range.
- رأيت سلسلة جبال في الأفق.ra'aytu silsilata jibālin fī al-ufuq.I saw a mountain range on the horizon.
Example conversation
Yousef and Nour are looking at a map of the region.
- يوسف Youssefانظري يا نور، هنا توجد سلسلة جبال.Unzhuri ya Nour, huna tujad silsilat jibal.Look Nour, there is a mountain range here.
- نور Nourهل هي صعبة التسلق يا يوسف؟Hal hiya sa'ba al-tasalluq ya Yousef?Is it difficult to climb, Yousef?
- يوسف Youssefنعم، إنها سلسلة جبال وعرة.Na'am, innaha silsilat jibal wa'ra.Yes, it is a rugged mountain range.
- نور Nourإذاً لنذهب إلى مكان أسهل.Idhan linadhhab ila makan ashal.Then let's go to an easier place.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries سلسلة, CC BY-SA 4.0.
