طَرَابُلُس
ṭarābulusfeminine
Tripoli is the capital of Libya, and in Arabic, it is referred to as طَرَابُلُس (ṭarābulus). Wiktionary also lists طَرَابُلُس الغَرْب (ṭarābulus al-ḡarb).
Meaning: capital of Libya (name)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| طَرَابُلُس | ṭarābulus | feminine |
| طَرَابُلُس الغَرْب | ṭarābulus al-ḡarb | feminine |
The word is used to refer to the capital city of Libya. In formal contexts, one might use Madinat Tarabulus to specifically specify 'Tripoli City'.
Which one should you use?
While طَرَابُلُس is the standard name, the form طَرَابُلُس الغَرْب (meaning 'Tripoli in the West') is used to specifically distinguish the Libyan capital from other cities named Tripoli, such as Tripoli in Lebanon.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Libya, the term Trablus is used to refer to Tripoli.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is ṭarābulus.
Did you know?
- The name طَرَابُلُس is a direct Arabic adaptation of the Ancient Greek 'Tripolis', which means 'three cities'.
- In the Lebanese version of طَرَابُلُس, the city is often referred to as the 'Bride of the North' in poetry and song, a title not shared by the Libyan capital.
- While the formal Arabic spelling is طَرَابُلُس, Libyans in daily conversation often drop the final vowel sounds to say Trablus.
Examples in context
- مرحبا، هل سبق لك زيارة طرابلس؟Hello, have you ever visited Tripoli?
- نعم، قد قمت بزيارة مدينة طرابلس اللبنانية.Yes, I have visited the Lebanese city of Tripoli.
- آه، طرابلس جميلة جداً. كنت هناك في الصيف الماضي!Ah, Tripoli is very beautiful. I was there last summer!
- كيف يمكنني الذهاب إلى طرابلس بالنقل العام؟How can I go to Tripoli by public transport?
- زُرْتُ طَرَابُلُس في الصَّيفِ.zurtu ṭarābulus fī aṣ-ṣayf.I visited Tripoli in the summer.
- طَرَابُلُس مَدينَةٌ جَميلَةٌ جِدًّا.ṭarābulus madīnatun jamīlatun jiddan.Tripoli is a very beautiful city.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a future vacation.
- ليلى Laylaأريد السفر إلى طَرَابُلُس.Uridu as-safar ila Tripoli.I want to travel to Tripoli.
- عمر Omarهذه فكرة رائعة يا ليلى.Hadhihi fikra ra'i'a ya Layla.That is a great idea, Layla.
- ليلى Laylaهل تعرف أي فندق هناك؟Hal ta'rif ay funduq hunak?Do you know any hotel there?
- عمر Omarسأبحث عن فندق في طَرَابُلُس الآن.Sa-abhath 'an funduq fi Tripoli al-an.I will look for a hotel in Tripoli now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tripoli” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
