صدفة
sadafah
The English word shell is translated into Arabic as صدفة (sadafah).
This term refers to the hard calcareous or chitinous external covering of many invertebrates.
Meaning: hard calcareous or chitinous external covering of many invertebrates (noun)
Which one should you use?
The term الصدفة and القوقعة are both formal ways to refer to a shell in Arabic.
How do you pronounce it?
sadafah
Did you know?
- In many Arabic dialects, the word صدفة is used to mean a 'coincidence' or a 'chance encounter'.
- The term قوقعة is also the anatomical term for the 'cochlea' in the human ear because of its identical spiral shell shape.
- If you are talking about an eggshell, you would not use صدفة but would instead use the word قشرة.
Examples in context
- وجدت صدفة كبيرة على الشاطئ.Wajadtu sadafa kabira 'ala al-shati'.I found a large shell on the beach.
- هذه صدفة ملونة وجميلة.Hadhihi sadafa mulawwana wa jamila.This is a colorful and beautiful shell.
Example conversation
Layla and Youssef are walking on the sand.
- ليلى Laylaانظر يا يوسف، هذه صدفة لامعة!Unzur ya Youssef, hadhihi sadafah lami'a!Look Youssef, this is a shiny shell!
- يوسف Youssefإنها رائعة حقاً يا ليلى.Innaha ra'i'a haqqan ya Layla.It is truly wonderful, Layla.
- ليلى Laylaهل تريد أن تأخذها معك؟Hal turidu an ta'khudhaha ma'ak?Do you want to take it with you?
- يوسف Youssefنعم، شكراً لكِ.Na'am, shukran laki.Yes, thank you.
