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Wastebasket
سلة المهملات (sallat al-muhmilat) is a compound noun literally meaning 'basket of waste' or 'wastebasket' in English. It refers to a container used for discarding trash, garbage, or unwanted items in homes, offices, and public spaces. This term is commonly used in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) and most Arabic dialects to describe what English speakers call a trash can, waste bin, or garbage basket.
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ألقيت الورقة المجعدة في سلة المهملات.
Alaytoo al-waraqah al-mujaa'ah fee sallat al-muhmilat.
I threw the crumpled paper into the wastebasket.
سلة المهملات الموجودة في المكتب ممتلئة جداً.
Sallat al-muhmilat al-mawjudah fee al-maktab mamtali'ah jiddan.
The wastebasket located in the office is very full.
يجب أن نفرّغ سلة المهملات كل يوم.
Yajib an nufarra ghaa sallat al-muhmilat kull yawm.
We need to empty the wastebasket every day.
وضعت سلة المهملات الجديدة تحت المكتب.
Wada'too sallat al-muhmilat al-jadidah taht al-maktab.
I placed the new wastebasket under the desk.
هذه سلة المهملات مصنوعة من البلاستيك المعاد تدويره.
Hadhih sallat al-muhmilat masnoo'ah min al-blastik al-mu'aad tadwiruh.
This wastebasket is made from recycled plastic.
In Arabic-speaking countries, waste management and cleanliness are important cultural values, though practices vary by region and development level. The term سلة المهملات reflects the practical integration of waste disposal in daily life, from homes to schools to government buildings. Modern Arabic has adapted this compound noun from older terms to match contemporary waste management needs and environmental awareness.
Remember that سلة المهملات is a compound noun, so it's typically used with the definite article 'ال' (al-) when referring to a specific wastebasket in a context. You can also see variations like 'سلة القمامة' or 'حاوية النفايات' depending on region and formality level. When describing multiple wastebaskets, use the plural form 'سلات المهملات' (sallat al-muhmilat).
The Arabic term سلة المهملات (sallat al-muhmilat) is a compound noun that translates directly to 'basket of waste' or 'wastebasket' in English. This word is essential vocabulary for anyone learning Arabic, as it appears frequently in everyday conversations about household items, office supplies, and cleaning routines.
To understand this term better, let's examine its components:
The word مهملات comes from the root ه-م-ل (h-m-l), which relates to neglect or abandonment, making it literally 'the neglected things' or 'abandoned items.' This poetic Arabic etymology reflects how waste represents discarded or unwanted materials.
In Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) and contemporary Arabic dialects, سلة المهملات is the standard term used in formal and informal contexts. You'll encounter this word in:
The term is used with the definite article 'ال' (al-) when referencing a specific wastebasket, such as 'سلة المهملات في المكتب' (the wastebasket in the office).
When discussing waste and garbage in Arabic, you may encounter related terms:
Synonymous expressions include 'سلة القمامة' (garbage basket) and 'حاوية النفايات' (waste container), though these are less commonly used than سلة المهملات.
In Arabic-speaking cultures, cleanliness (نظافة - nidhaifah) is highly valued and has both practical and religious significance. The concept of proper waste disposal reflects broader cultural values about maintaining clean, organized spaces. Environmental awareness has grown in recent decades, making conversations about waste management increasingly common in Arabic media and education.
To master this vocabulary, consider these example sentences:
When learning this term, remember that:
Mastering vocabulary like سلة المهملات helps English speakers develop practical Arabic communication skills for everyday situations. This compound noun exemplifies how Arabic combines simple words to create specific meanings, and understanding its structure aids in learning broader Arabic vocabulary patterns.