البلوغ
al-bulūgh
In Arabic, the word for puberty is البلوغ (al-bulūgh).
The term refers to the biological stage of life where a person becomes capable of sexual reproduction.
Meaning: age at which a person is first capable of sexual reproduction (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The noun is derived from the root B-L-GH, which means to reach, attain or arrive at a destination or a certain age. Therefore, the word literally translates to reaching or attainment.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form البلوغ includes the definite article al-, which is standard when referring to the biological concept of puberty in a general sense. If you wish to describe the action of a person reaching this stage, you can use the verb form بلغ, which means "to reach puberty" or "to reach maturity".
How do you pronounce it?
al-bulūgh
Did you know?
- The word بالغ is also used to describe someone who is 'exaggerating' or 'overdoing it'. This stems from the idea of 'reaching' a limit or going beyond the necessary point.
- The concept of البلوغ is closely linked to the Arabic word for 'maturity' or 'ripeness' of fruit. The same root describes a fruit that has finally 'reached' its peak state for eating.
- In classical Arabic jurisprudence, البلوغ is not just a biological state but a legal threshold. Once a person reaches البلوغ, they are often considered 'mukallaf', meaning they are now legally and religiously responsible for their own actions.
Examples in context
- يجب أن تتحدثوا عن سن البلوغ في الدراسة العلمية.You should discuss puberty in your scientific study.
- تتغير الهرمونات أثناء مرحلة البلوغ.tataghayyar al-hormonat athna' marhalat al-bulugh.Hormones change during the stage of puberty.
- يجب التحدث عن البلوغ مع المراهقين.yajibu al-tahadduth 'an al-bulugh ma' al-murahiqin.One must talk about puberty with teenagers.
Example conversation
A doctor is explaining developmental stages to a young man.
- مريم Maryamهل تشعر بتغيرات جسدية مؤخرًا؟hal tash'ur bi-taghayyurat jasadiyya mu'akh-kharan?Do you feel physical changes recently?
- زياد Ziadنعم، هل هذا بسبب البلوغ؟na'am, hal hadha bi-sabab al-bulugh?Yes, is this because of puberty?
- مريم Maryamنعم يا زياد، هذا أمر طبيعي جداً.na'am ya Ziyad, hadha amrun tabi'iyyun jiddan.Yes, Ziyad, this is a very natural thing.
- زياد Ziadشكراً لك يا دكتورة مريم.shukran laki ya duktura Maryam.Thank you, Dr. Maryam.
