الأذان
al-adhan
The English phrase "the azan" is translated into Arabic as الأذان (al-adhan).
The term refers specifically to the vocal call to prayer, not the prayer itself.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word includes the definite article al- (the), making it a specific noun.
How do you pronounce it?
al-adhan
Did you know?
- In some regions, a slightly different version of the الأذان is recited for the dawn prayer, including an extra phrase that translates to 'prayer is better than sleep'.
- In the Ottoman Empire, the tuning and melodic mode of the الأذان would change throughout the day, using different musical scales for different prayers to reflect the mood of the hour.
- Because the الأذان is performed in Classical Arabic, speakers of diverse dialects who cannot understand each other in daily conversation can all understand every word of the call.
Examples in context
- أسمع الأذان الآن.asma'u al-adhan al-an.I hear the azan now.
- هل سمعت الأذان؟hal sami'ta al-adhan?Did you hear the azan?
- الأذان يرفع من المسجد.al-adhan yurfa'u min al-masjid.The azan is being recited from the mosque.
Example conversation
Two friends are walking home and hear the call to prayer.
- سارة Saraيوسف، هل سمعت الأذان؟Youssef, hal sami'ta al-adhan?Youssef, did you hear the azan?
- يوسف Youssefنعم، لقد سمعت الأذان.Na'am, laqad sami'tu al-adhan.Yes, I heard the azan.
- سارة Saraحان وقت الصلاة.hana waqt al-salat.It is time to pray.
- يوسف Youssefلنذهب إلى المسجد.Linadhhab ila al-masjid.Let's go to the mosque.
