الكون
al-kawn
The Arabic word for universe is الكون (al-kawn).
الكون refers to the sum of everything that exists, specifically the physical universe.
Meaning: sum of everything that exists (name)
What does it mean word for word?
The root of the word refers to existence or being.
Which one should you use?
While الكون refers to the physical universe, the word العالم (al-ʿālam) is often used to mean 'the world' in a more terrestrial or human context.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Egyptian Arabic, the commonly used term for 'universe' is الكون.
How does it change in a sentence?
الكون is a masculine noun, and the form al-kawn includes the definite article al- (the).
How do you pronounce it?
al-kawn
Did you know?
- The word الكون is derived from the same root as the command كن (kun), meaning 'be'. In Islamic theology, this refers to the divine command that brings the entire universe into existence.
- While الكون refers to the physical cosmos, the related word العالم (al-ʿālam) shares a root meaning 'mark' or 'sign'. This implies that the world is a sign pointing toward a higher creator.
- The root of الكون is used to form the word كائن (ka'in), which means 'being' or 'creature'. This connects the vastness of the 'universe' directly to the identity of a single living entity.
Examples in context
- علم الفلك هو علم الكون.Astronomy is the science of the universe.This sentence is useful for showing how to express the science of the universe using الكون.Tatoeba #1033213 by alkhaldy, translation #278981 by Zifre
- هي تعتقد أنها مركز الكون.She thinks that she's the center of the universe.This sentence shows how to use الكون in a metaphorical way regarding being the center of everything.Tatoeba #12831720 by Mortyy, translation #2669425 by Hybrid
- ليس هناك شَكٌّ أن الكون لا مُنْتَهٍ.There's no doubt that the universe is infinite.This sentence demonstrates how to describe the universe as being infinite using الكون.Tatoeba #549843 by Samer, translation #413823 by Liface
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ahmed and Layla are looking at the stars at night.
- أحمد Ahmedانظري يا ليلى، الكون واسع جداً.Unzuri ya Layla, al-kawn wasi' jiddan.Look Layla, the universe is very vast.
- ليلى Laylaنعم، أشعر أنني صغيرة في هذا الكون.Na'am, ash'ur annani saghira fi hadha al-kawn.Yes, I feel that I am small in this universe.
- أحمد Ahmedهل تعتقدين أن هناك حياة أخرى في الكون؟Hal ta'taqidin anna hunaka hayaat ukhra fi al-kawn?Do you think there is other life in the universe?
- ليلى Laylaأظن أن الكون مليء بالأسرار.Adhun anna al-kawn mali' bil-asrar.I think the universe is full of secrets.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
