لاعب
la'ib
The Arabic word for player is لاعب (la'ib).
لاعب refers to someone who plays any game or sport. Much like in English, the term can be used metaphorically to describe a person or an entity that is a significant participant or a 'player' in a specific field, such as business or politics.
Meaning: one who plays any game or sport (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word لاعب is an active participle (ism al-fa'il) derived from the verb 'to play' (la'iba).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Egyptian Arabic, the term لاعيب is a colloquial way to say player, especially when discussing football.
How does it change in a sentence?
To specify a female player, use the feminine singular form لاعبة. For a group of male players, use the masculine plural لاعبون. If you are referring to a group of female players, use the feminine plural لاعبات.
How do you pronounce it?
la'ib
Did you know?
- Arabic uses the same root for لاعب to describe the 'play' of light or shadows, treating the movement of nature as if it were a game.
- In Egyptian Arabic, the colloquial term لاعيب (la'ib) can be used as a high compliment to describe someone who is street-smart or clever in navigating life's challenges.
- While لاعب is the standard term for a player, a person who is described as a لاعب in a political or business context might be viewed with suspicion, implying they are 'playing games' or being manipulative.
Examples in context
- أنت لاعب كرة مضرب.You are a tennis player.This sentence uses لاعب to identify someone as a tennis player.Tatoeba #416803 by saeb, translation #20127 by CM
- أبوه لاعب كرة قدم.His father is a football player.This sentence uses لاعب to identify someone as a football player.Tatoeba #11647821 by dididodo, translation #8301614 by Amastan
- الصين لاعب عالمي هام.China is a huge global player.This sentence uses لاعب metaphorically to describe a global player.Tatoeba #11665722 by dididodo, translation #7809736 by Amastan
- اللاعِبان الماهِران سجّلا هدفين رائعين.The two skilled players scored two wonderful goals.
- اللاعيب ده بيلعب كورة جامدة!This player plays great football!
- اللاعيب لو خدها ومشي، كان ربحنا الماتش.If the player had taken it and gone, we would have won the match.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Omar and Layla are watching a sports match on TV.
- عمر Omarانظر إلى هذا اللاعب!Unzur ila hadha al-la'ib!Look at this player!
- ليلى Laylaإنه لاعب سريع جداً.Innahu la'ib sari' jiddan.He is a very fast player.
- عمر Omarهل تعتقدين أنه أفضل لاعب؟Hal ta'taqidina annahu afdal la'ib?Do you think he is the best player?
- ليلى Laylaنعم، هو لاعب محترف.Na'am, huwa la'ib muhtarif.Yes, he is a professional player.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
