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Bikini
البيكيني (al-bikini) is a borrowed English word in Arabic referring to a two-piece swimsuit typically worn by women at beaches and swimming pools. It is a modern loanword that has been adopted into Modern Standard Arabic and colloquial dialects, particularly in contexts discussing fashion, swimwear, and beach culture. The word is used straightforwardly without modification and maintains its English pronunciation and spelling when written in Arabic script.
Worksheets, games, and lesson plans for Years 1-11
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ترتدي الفتاة البيكيني الأحمر على الشاطئ.
Tartadi al-fatāh al-bikini al-ahmar ʿalā al-shātiʾ.
The girl wears a red bikini on the beach.
اشترت والدتي بيكيني جديد للعطلة الصيفية.
Ishtarat wālidatī bikini jadīd li-l-ʿutlah al-sayfiiyah.
My mother bought a new bikini for summer vacation.
هذا المتجر يبيع أنواعاً مختلفة من البيكينيات.
Hādhā al-mutajir yabīʿ anwāʿan mukhtalifah min al-bikiniāt.
This store sells different types of bikinis.
لا تستطيع ارتداء البيكيني في بعض الشواطئ المحافظة.
Lā tastatiʿ irtidāʾ al-bikini fī baʿḍ al-shawātiʾ al-muhāfidah.
You cannot wear a bikini on some conservative beaches.
البيكيني الأزرق يناسبك أكثر من الأسود.
Al-bikini al-azraq yanāsibuk akthar min al-aswad.
The blue bikini suits you better than the black one.
The word البيكيني is a modern loanword reflecting globalization and Western fashion influence in the Arab world. While it is commonly used in secular and cosmopolitan contexts, particularly in tourist areas and urban centers, its acceptability varies significantly across different regions and social contexts. In more conservative or religiously observant communities, alternative swimwear styles such as the burkini (a full-coverage swimsuit) may be preferred, reflecting different cultural attitudes toward modest dress at the beach.
Remember that البيكيني is borrowed directly from English, so pronunciation and spelling remain largely unchanged in Arabic. It is a feminine noun and follows standard Arabic plural rules, becoming بيكينيات (bikiniāt) in plural form. When discussing swimwear in formal or mixed settings, consider the cultural context and audience sensitivities, as the topic may carry different connotations depending on the region and social group.
The word البيكيني (al-bikini) is a modern loanword in Arabic that refers to a two-piece swimsuit, typically worn by women at beaches, swimming pools, and water resorts. As a borrowed term from English, it has been fully integrated into Modern Standard Arabic (Fusha) and various colloquial Arabic dialects, particularly in urban and cosmopolitan areas.
البيكيني is pronounced "al-bikini" with the definite article "al-" (the). The word is grammatically feminine in Arabic, following standard noun rules. When used in the plural form, it becomes بيكينيات (bikiniāt). Examples include:
The word البيكيني is commonly used in contemporary Arabic media, fashion discussions, and casual conversations about beach attire and swimwear. It appears frequently in fashion magazines, online shopping websites, and travel blogs targeting Arabic-speaking audiences. The straightforward adoption of the English loanword demonstrates how modern Arabic continually incorporates vocabulary for contemporary fashion and lifestyle concepts.
While البيكيني is widely understood and used in Arabic-speaking countries, its acceptability varies significantly depending on cultural, religious, and regional contexts. In secular, cosmopolitan, and tourist-oriented areas such as Dubai, Cairo, Beirut, and Alexandria, bikinis are commonly worn and discussed openly. However, in more conservative communities or regions with stricter interpretations of Islamic dress codes, alternative swimwear options like the burkini (a full-coverage Islamic swimsuit) may be more culturally appropriate.
It is important for Arabic learners to understand that while the vocabulary exists and is used, discussing or promoting bikinis in certain social contexts may be considered inappropriate or offensive. Cultural sensitivity and audience awareness are essential when using this term.
Understanding البيكيني becomes more meaningful when learned alongside related Arabic vocabulary:
When learning البيكيني, it is useful to know common phrases:
For English speakers learning Arabic, البيكيني is relatively easy to understand and remember due to its similarity to the English word. However, learners should be mindful of:
In the fashion and e-commerce sectors, البيكيني is a standard term used in Arabic-language websites, catalogs, and advertisements. Fashion designers and retailers frequently use this word when marketing swimwear collections to Arabic-speaking consumers, particularly women interested in contemporary beachwear and resort fashion.
Understanding and correctly using vocabulary like البيكيني demonstrates familiarity with modern Arabic consumer culture and contemporary lifestyle discussions, making it valuable for learners interested in fashion, travel, and leisure-related conversations in Arabic.