Woman
الإمرأة (al-imra'ah) is the standard Arabic word for "woman" or "female adult." It is a feminine noun that is widely used in formal and informal contexts throughout the Arabic-speaking world. This word carries cultural significance and is fundamental to everyday Arabic vocabulary.
Worksheets, games, and lesson plans for Years 1-11
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الإمرأة تعمل في المكتب.
Al-imra'ah ta'mal fee al-maktab.
The woman works in the office.
هذه الإمرأة طبيبة ماهرة.
Hadhihi al-imra'ah tabibah mahirah.
This woman is a skilled doctor.
الإمرأة العربية قوية وذكية.
Al-imra'ah al-'arabiyyah qawiyyah wa-dhakiyyah.
The Arab woman is strong and intelligent.
التقت بالإمرأة في السوق.
Iltaqat bi-al-imra'ah fee al-suq.
She met the woman at the market.
الإمرأة هي الأم والمعلمة والقائدة.
Al-imra'ah hiya al-umm wa-al-mu'allimah wa-al-qa'idah.
Woman is the mother, the teacher, and the leader.
In Arabic culture, the concept of woman (إمرأة) carries significant cultural and social weight. The word is used respectfully and is central to discussions about family, society, and traditional roles. Modern usage reflects evolving perspectives on women's roles in education, work, and leadership across the Arab world, while respecting traditional values in many communities.
Always remember that الإمرأة is feminine, so adjectives and verbs describing a woman will take feminine forms. In formal writing, you may also encounter السيدة (the lady) as a more respectful form of address. When referring to multiple women, use the plural نساء. The word works with the definite article (ال) as shown in the examples, and can also be used without it when indefinite.
الإمرأة (al-imra'ah) is one of the most fundamental Arabic words, meaning "woman" or "female adult." This term is essential for anyone learning Arabic, as it appears frequently in daily conversations, literature, media, and formal discourse across all Arabic-speaking regions.
The word الإمرأة refers to an adult female person. It is a feminine noun in Arabic and comes with the definite article "ال" (al-), which means "the." The root word is imra'ah (امرأة), and when used without the definite article, it simply means "a woman" or "woman" in general.
As a feminine noun, الإمرأة follows feminine grammatical patterns in Arabic. This means that:
For example: "الإمرأة الطبيبة" (al-imra'ah al-tabibah) - "the woman doctor" uses the feminine form of the adjective.
There are several related terms in Arabic that convey similar or nuanced meanings:
In Arabic-speaking cultures, the word الإمرأة carries significant cultural and social meaning. Historically, the role and status of women have been deeply intertwined with family, religion, and societal traditions. Today, the term is used in discussions about education, employment, women's rights, and social progress throughout the Arab world.
Modern Arabic media frequently uses phrases like "حقوق الإمرأة" (women's rights) and "تمكين الإمرأة" (women's empowerment), reflecting evolving conversations about gender equality and women's participation in all sectors of society.
Understanding الإمرأة in context means learning how it appears in common phrases:
When learning to use الإمرأة correctly:
الإمرأة is a fundamental word in Arabic that extends far beyond its basic definition. Understanding its grammatical properties, cultural significance, and common usage patterns is essential for developing competence in Arabic. As you progress in your Arabic learning journey, you'll encounter this word in various contexts—from everyday conversation to literary works—making it a cornerstone vocabulary item.