ساعة
sāʕa/saː.ʕa/
The Arabic word for watch is ساعة (sāʕa).
ساعة refers to a portable or wearable timepiece, such as a watch. In a different context, the word is also used to mean an hour, representing a unit of time.
Meaning: portable or wearable timepiece (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word ساعة literally means hour.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural form of ساعة is ساعات, which can mean either 'watches' or 'hours' depending on the context. To specifically denote a wristwatch, you can use the phrase ساعة يد, which adds the word for hand.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced as sāʕa. It has two syllables.
Did you know?
- In certain religious or poetic contexts, ساعة can refer to 'the Hour', meaning the Day of Judgment.
- The root of ساعة can be found in ancient Aramaic, linking the modern Arabic word to a much older linguistic tradition.
- In many Arabic dialects, if you ask for a 'ساعة', you might end up being asked 'how many hours?' instead of being shown a timepiece.
Examples in context
- أرني ساعة يد أخرى.Show me another watch.This sentence is useful for practicing the word ساعة in the context of a wristwatch.Tatoeba #4795827 by nadou, translation #320300 by CK
- أعطاني أبي ساعةً حلوة.My father gave a nice watch to me.This sentence shows how to use ساعة when receiving a gift.Tatoeba #666317 by Samer, translation #251685 by CK
- "هل اشترت ساعةً؟" "أجل"."Did she buy a watch?" "Yes, she did."This sentence demonstrates a simple question and answer using ساعة.Tatoeba #2605084 by Samer, translation #404129 by CK
- قدمت لأخي هدية، فأهدته ساعة يد رائعة.I gave my brother a gift, and I presented him with a wonderful watch.
- 8 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mariam and Youssef are looking at a shop window.
- مريم Maryamهل هذه ساعة ذهبية؟Hal hadhihi sa'atun dhahabiyya?Is this a gold watch?
- يوسف Youssefنعم، إنها ساعة جميلة جداً.Na'am, innaha sa'atun jamilatun jiddan.Yes, it is a very beautiful watch.
- مريم Maryamيوسف، هل تشتري ساعة جديدة؟Youssef, hal tashtari sa'atan jadidatan?Youssef, are you buying a new watch?
- يوسف Youssefربما، سأفكر في الأمر.Rubbama, sa-ufakkiru fil amr.Maybe, I will think about it.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ساعة, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ساعة, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
