ملعب
mal'ab
The Arabic word for playground is ملعب (mal'ab).
ملعب refers to an open space for children to play in. However, in many contexts, it is also used to refer to a sports stadium or a specific playing field for organized sports.
Meaning: open space for children to play in (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is derived from the root m-l-' (to play) and the pattern mal'ab, which indicates a place where an action occurs. Thus, it literally means 'place of playing'.
How do you pronounce it?
mal'ab
Did you know?
- In a figurative sense, ملعب can be used to describe someone's 'territory' or area of expertise, similar to saying someone is 'on their own turf'.
- In some Arabic dialects, the root of ملعب is used in slang to describe someone who is 'playing' or manipulating a situation to their advantage.
- The structure of ملعب follows a specific linguistic pattern used to turn any action into a location, such as مكتب (maktab) for 'office' from the word 'to write'.
Examples in context
- إلعبوا في ملعب الأطفال بعد الفطور.Play in the children's playground after breakfast.
- أين هو ملعب الأطفال؟ayna huwa mal'ab al-atfal?Where is the children's playground?
Example conversation
Ziad and Maryam are taking their children to the park.
- زياد Ziadانظري يا مريم، هناك ملعب للأطفال!unzhuri ya Maryam, hunaka mal'ab lil-atfal!Look Maryam, there is a playground for children!
- مريم Maryamهذا رائع، الأولاد سيحبونه كثيراً.hadha ra'i', al-awlad sayuhibbunahu kathiran.That's great, the boys will love it a lot.
- زياد Ziadهل نتركهم يلعبون في الملعب الآن؟hal natrukuhum yal'abuna fil-mal'ab al-an?Shall we let them play in the playground now?
- مريم Maryamنعم، لنذهب إلى هناك يا زياد.na'am, lina-dhhab ila hunaka ya Ziyad.Yes, let's go there, Ziad.
