June 5th, 2009 6 comments
Our dear friend summer is almost with us again, the sun is shining and the weather is warm, so go out and get yourself some fresh air and maybe a tan too! Don't forget to take us along and allow us to teach you some useful Arabic phrases (coincidentally) about summer! Whether taking a relaxing stroll in the park or sunbathing on the beach, we don't mind where you are, just tune in and let the learning begin.

Please Upgrade to Listen

  4.7/5 (13 votes)


6 Comments
Desmond says
Sat 6th Jun 09@07:57 am

The Arabic noun "mawsim" calls for a few remarks:

(1) There is another Arabic word for "season" - "fasl" (pl. "fusuul"). "Fasl", however, can also mean "class" (i.e. a group of students).

(2) "Mawsim" is related to "wasama" (he marked), which is derived from the Semitic root w-s-m.

(3) "Mawsim" has two partially overlapping meanings: (1) any of the four main periods of the year, (2) the appropriate season for a voyage, pilgrimage, etc. An example of this second meaning can be found in the title of a famous narrative work by Tayeb Salih, "Mawsim al-hijra ila al-shamaal" (Season of Migration to the North).

(4) Engl. "monsoon" and Fr. "mousson" both come from Arab. "mawsim".
pbienst says
Sun 7th Jun 09@02:10 pm

I was wondering what the difference is between lam + present tense to make a past tense negation, and simply ma + past tense?
Ehab says
Tue 9th Jun 09@11:59 pm

In general, both means the action didn't happen, however, using lam with present tense verb gives more emphasis to the negation, we call it (jazm). In other words, using lam + present is stronger in negating the verb comparing to using maa + paste tense verb.
jookieapc says
Wed 10th Jun 09@05:19 pm

Interesting again Desmond. You're a wealth of knowledge on word origins.
demoncrat says
Tue 3rd Nov 09@12:52 pm

Any chance we will ever get a translation of the song in this lesson?
Ehab says
Tue 3rd Nov 09@09:23 pm

Yes indeed, the words are:
في وقت الصيف حينما يكون الجو حار.. نتسلّى مع الأصدقاء و العائلة و الجار
which is:
In the summer time when the weather is hot...We have fun with friends, family and the neighbours. smile
Join the Discussion


Random Word
عصير
Show Translation
Juice
Advertisement