بومة
būma
The Arabic word for owl is بومة (būma).
بومة is the noun used to refer to the bird known as an owl.
Meaning: bird (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is būma.
Did you know?
- Because of the negative superstitions surrounding the بومة, some people avoid saying the word out loud to prevent attracting bad luck.
- In Arabic literature and poetry, the بومة is often used as a metaphor for loneliness or ruins, reflecting the bird's habit of nesting in abandoned places.
- The term بومة can be used colloquially as a derogatory label for someone perceived as unlucky or an omen of failure.
Examples in context
- أظهرت الدراسة أن البومة تعتبر من الطيور الليلية الجميلة.The study revealed that the owl is considered one of the beautiful nocturnal birds.
- عندما رأيت الشكل المخيف في الشجرة، أدركت أنها بومة.When I saw the scary shape in the tree, I realized it was an owl.
- أحب الطيور، ولكن البومة هي المفضلة لدي.I love birds, but the owl is my favorite.
- لدي صورة لبومة جميلة في حديقتي.I have a picture of a beautiful owl in my garden.
- رأيت بومة بنية اللون أمس في الغابة.Yesterday, I saw a brown owl in the forest.
- رأيت بومة في الغابة.Ra'aytu bumatan fi al-ghaba.I saw an owl in the forest.
- هذه بومة كبيرة جداً.Hadhihi bumatun kabiratun jiddan.This is a very large owl.
Example conversation
Yusuf and Layla are looking at a picture book in a library.
- يوسف Youssefما هذا الطائر يا ليلى؟Ma hadha al-tayru ya Layla?What bird is this, Layla?
- ليلى Laylaإنها بومة جميلة.Innaha bumatun jamila.It is a beautiful owl.
- يوسف Youssefهل تعيش البومة في الأشجار؟Hal ta'ishu al-bumatu fi al-ashjar?Does the owl live in trees?
- ليلى Laylaنعم، هي تعيش هناك.Na'am, hiya ta'ishu hunaka.Yes, it lives there.
