طالبان
ṭālibān
The Arabic word for the Taliban is طالبان (ṭālibān).
طالبان is used as a proper noun to refer to the Islamist movement in Afghanistan.
Meaning: Islamist movement in Afghanistan (name)
What does it mean word for word?
The word طالبان is the plural form of the Arabic word for students.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The name is derived from the singular masculine form طَالِب (student) and the singular feminine form طَالِبَة (student).
How do you pronounce it?
ṭālibān
Did you know?
- While طالبان is an Arabic word, it is not a standard Arabic plural. The suffix -ان is a hallmark of Pashto and Persian grammar, which is why the word sounds slightly foreign to native Arabic speakers.
- The word طالب is used in various languages across the Muslim world, from Morocco to Indonesia, to refer to students of religious law.
- In a classical religious context, a طَالِب is not just a school student, but specifically a 'seeker of knowledge' or a person pursuing spiritual truth.
Examples in context
- وقبل أكثر من سبع سنوات قامت الولايات المتحدة بملاحقة تنظيم القاعدة ونظام طالبان بدعم دولي واسع النطاق. لم نذهب إلى هناك باختيارنا وإنما بسبب الضرورةOver seven years ago, the United States pursued al Qaeda and the Taliban with broad international support. We did not go by choice, we went because of necessity.This sentence provides historical context regarding the United States' pursuit of the group using طالبان.Tatoeba #377081 by saeb, translation #377080 by saeb
- تغيرت الأوضاع منذ ظهور طالبان.taghayyarat al-awda' mundhu zuhur taliban.The situation changed since the emergence of the Taliban.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing international news in a cafe.
- ليلى Laylaهل تتابع أخبار طالبان في أفغانستان؟hal tutabi' akhbar taliban fi afghanistan?Are you following the news about the Taliban in Afghanistan?
- أحمد Ahmedنعم، أقرأ عنهم كل يوم.na'am, aqra' 'anhum kull yawm.Yes, I read about them every day.
- ليلى Laylaالأوضاع هناك صعبة جداً.al-awda' hunaka sa'ba jiddan.The situation there is very difficult.
- أحمد Ahmedهذا صحيح، يا ليلى.hadha sahih, ya Layla.That is true, Layla.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
