ܟܐܦܐ
ke’pā’Syriac, feminine
The Aramaic word for "rock" is ܟܐܦܐ (ke’pā’). Wiktionary also lists כאפא (ke’pā’).
Meaning: large stone or boulder (noun)
Ways to say it
| Aramaic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| ܟܐܦܐ | ke’pā’ | Syriac, feminine |
| כאפא | ke’pā’ | feminine |
The term is used to refer to a large stone or a boulder.
Which one should you use?
While ܟܐܦܐ is a general term for a rock or boulder, the formal term סֵלַע is used specifically to describe a rock that is solid and firm. Additionally, the term אֶבֶן refers to a stone or rock and is commonly used in the context of materials used to construct buildings.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The form ܟܐܦܐ is specifically identified as Syriac.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both ܟܐܦܐ and כאפא are feminine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
ke’pā’
Did you know?
- The name 'Peter' comes from the Greek word Petros, which is a translation of the Aramaic ܟܐܦܐ. In the New Testament, this word is used as a play on words to describe the 'rock' upon which a church is built.
- Because Aramaic is a Semitic language, ܟܐܦܐ is a cognate of the Hebrew word kepha, though the two languages often use different words for 'stone' depending on whether the object is a tool or a natural feature.
- While 'rock' is a noun, the concept of 'being a rock' is often embedded in Aramaic idioms to denote reliability or unshakeable character.
Examples in context
- ܗܳܠܳܐ ܟܐܦܐ ܓܒܺܝܐ.halo k'apo gbi'o.This rock is big.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rock” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
