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Drain
البالوعة (al-bālu'ah) is a feminine noun meaning 'drain' or 'drainage system,' referring to an opening or channel through which water or liquid waste flows away from a sink, bathtub, or other fixture. It's commonly used in household contexts to describe plumbing drainage systems. The word can also refer metaphorically to something that consumes or wastes resources.
Worksheets, games, and lesson plans for Years 1-11
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البالوعة في المطبخ مسدودة ولا يمكن للماء أن يتسرب.
Al-bālu'ah fi al-matbakh masdūdah wa lā yumkin li-l-māʾ an yatasarrab.
The kitchen drain is clogged and water cannot flow.
يجب تنظيف البالوعة بانتظام لتجنب الروائح الكريهة.
Yajib tanẓīf al-bālu'ah bi-intizām li-tajannub al-rawāʾih al-karīhah.
The drain should be cleaned regularly to avoid foul odors.
سمعت صوت الماء ينزل عبر البالوعة في الحمام.
Samiʿt sawt al-māʾ yanzil ʿibr al-bālu'ah fi al-hammām.
I heard the sound of water going down the bathroom drain.
عامل السباكة أصلح البالوعة المكسورة بمهارة.
ʿāmil al-sibākah aṣlaḥ al-bālu'ah al-maksūrah bi-mahārah.
The plumber skillfully repaired the broken drain.
هذا المشروع أصبح بالوعة لأموالنا.
Hādhā al-mashruʿ aṣbaḥ bālu'ah li-amwālinā.
This project has become a drain on our finances.
In Arabic-speaking countries, household plumbing terminology is part of everyday domestic vocabulary. Maintaining proper drainage is culturally important for hygiene and cleanliness, values emphasized in Islamic traditions. The word has also gained metaphorical usage in modern Arabic, particularly in financial or political contexts, to describe situations where resources are wasted or disappear without benefit.
Remember that البالوعة is feminine (al-bālu'ah), so adjectives and verbs must agree in gender. Use it when discussing plumbing problems or household maintenance. The word is commonly paired with verbs like 'to clog' (سدّ), 'to clean' (نظّف), or 'to repair' (أصلح). In formal contexts, you might hear المصرف as a more technical alternative.
البالوعة (al-bālu'ah) is a feminine Arabic noun that literally means 'drain.' It refers to an opening, pipe, or channel system through which water and liquid waste flow away from sinks, bathtubs, showers, and other household fixtures. The word comes from the concept of something that absorbs or takes away unwanted materials.
As a feminine noun in Arabic, البالوعة requires feminine agreement in adjectives and verbs. For example:
The plural form is البالوعات (al-bālu'āt), commonly used when referring to multiple drains in a building or household.
In Arabic-speaking households, البالوعة is part of standard domestic vocabulary. It's frequently used when discussing plumbing maintenance, household repairs, or cleaning tasks. Common situations include:
When discussing drains in Arabic, you'll encounter related terms:
Beyond its literal plumbing meaning, البالوعة has gained metaphorical usage in modern Arabic, particularly in discussions of finance, politics, and resource management. When Arabs say something is "بالوعة للأموال" (a drain on finances) or "بالوعة للموارد" (a drain on resources), they're using the word to describe something that consumes resources without producing meaningful results.
In Islamic and Arab cultural traditions, cleanliness and proper sanitation hold significant importance. Proper drainage systems, therefore, represent not just practical necessities but cultural values. Maintaining functioning drains is part of maintaining a clean and hygienic home, which aligns with religious and cultural principles of cleanliness (النظافة - an-nazāfah).
When learning to use البالوعة, remember these important points:
Consider these realistic scenarios:
البالوعة is an essential vocabulary word for anyone learning Arabic and dealing with household or practical contexts. Its straightforward meaning combined with its useful metaphorical applications makes it a valuable addition to your Arabic vocabulary. Whether you're discussing plumbing problems with a repair person or using it figuratively in modern discourse, understanding this word will enhance your practical communication skills in Arabic-speaking environments.