السبت
al-sabt
The English word "sabbath" can be translated to Arabic as السبت (al-sabt).
In most Arabic-speaking contexts, this word refers to the day of the week Saturday rather than a religious Sabbath.
Meaning: Sunday (Christianity) (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the definite article al- (the) and sabt (Saturday).
Which one should you use?
While the source pack defines this as the Christian 'Sabbath' (Sunday), in modern standard Arabic, السبت is the standard word for the day of the week 'Saturday'.
How do you pronounce it?
al-sabt
Did you know?
- The word is built from the root meaning 'to hibernate' or 'to be motionless', linking the concept of a day of rest to the physical state of complete stillness.
Example conversation
Maryam and Omar are discussing their weekly plans.
- مريم Maryamماذا ستفعل في السبت القادم؟Madha sataf'al fi al-sabt al-qadim?What will you do next Sabbath?
- عمر Omarسأزور والديّ في الصباح.Sa-azur walidayya fi al-sabah.I will visit my parents in the morning.
- مريم Maryamهذا جميل، أنا سأذهب للصلاة.Hadha jamil, ana sa-adhhab lil-salat.That's lovely, I will go to pray.
- عمر Omarأتمنى لك السبت سعيداً يا مريم.Atamanna laki al-sabt sa'idan ya Maryam.I wish you a happy Sabbath, Maryam.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries السبت, CC BY-SA 4.0.
