فقمة
faqma
The English word seal (referring to the animal) is فقمة (faqma) in Arabic.
فقمة is used specifically to refer to the pinniped, the marine mammal.
Meaning: pinniped (noun)
Which one should you use?
While فقمة refers to the animal, the word ختم is the most common term in Modern Standard Arabic for a seal used as a stamp for authentication or to impress an emblem on documents. Additionally, خاتم can mean seal when referring specifically to personal or family seals.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of the noun is فقمات.
How do you pronounce it?
faqma
Did you know?
- In certain Arabic dialects, particularly in coastal areas, people might use the word دب بحري which literally translates to 'sea bear' to describe similar large marine mammals.
- The word for a stamp seal, ختم, is also the root for the verb 'to conclude' or 'to finish' something in many contexts.
- If you are looking for a signet ring used as a seal, you should use خاتم, which is the exact same word used for a common finger ring.
Examples in context
- يُستخدم الختم الرسمي لتوثيق الوثائق في الشركات.The official seal is used to authenticate documents in companies.
- يجب أن يكون لديك ختم مُعْتَمَد لتأكيد صحة الوثائق.You should have an authorized seal to validate the authenticity of the documents.
- رأيت فقمة في حوض السمك.ra'aytu fuqmatan fi hawd al-samak.I saw a seal in the aquarium.
Example conversation
Sarah and Ahmed are visiting an aquarium.
- سارة Saraانظر يا أحمد، هناك فقمة!Unzur ya Ahmed, hunaka fuqmah!Look Ahmed, there is a seal!
- أحمد Ahmedإنها تصفق بيديها، هذا مضحك.Innaha tusaffiq bi-yadayha, hadha mudhik.It is clapping its flippers, that is funny.
- سارة Saraأعتقد أن الفقمة ذكية جداً.A'taqidu anna al-fuqmah dhakiya jiddan.I think the seal is very intelligent.
- أحمد Ahmedنعم، هي تحب اللعب بالكرة.Na'am, hiya tuhib al-la'ib bil-kura.Yes, it loves playing with the ball.
