أبو الهول
abu l-hōlEgyptian, name
In Egyptian Arabic the Sphinx is called أبو الهول (abu l-hōl), which means "father of terror". It is the name used for the Great Sphinx of Giza.
Egyptians use أبو الهول (abu l-hōl) as a proper name for the monument at the Giza pyramids, so it is not used for sphinxes in general.
Meaning: the Great Sphinx of Giza (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The name has two parts: أبو (abu), "father of", and الهول (el-hōl), "the terror". "Father of" is a common Arabic way to name something by its main quality.
How do you pronounce it?
The vowel in الهول is a long "o" as in "hole", so it sounds like "abu l-HOLE".
Did you know?
- The Great Sphinx stands on the Giza plateau close to the pyramids and has the body of a lion.
Examples in context
- زرنا أبو الهول امبارح.zurna abu l-hōl embāriḥ.We visited the Sphinx yesterday.
- أبو الهول جنب الأهرامات.abu l-hōl ganb el-ahrāmāt.The Sphinx is next to the pyramids.
- عايز أتصور مع أبو الهول.ʿāyiz atṣawwar maʿa abu l-hōl.I want to take a photo with the Sphinx.
Example conversation
Guide Mahmoud shows tourist Emma the monument at Giza.
- Emmaإيه اسم التمثال ده؟ēh ism et-timsāl da?What is the name of this statue?
- Mahmoudده أبو الهول.da abu l-hōl.This is the Sphinx.
- Emmaكبير قوي!kibīr ʾawi!It is very big!
