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Aground
ملامس القاع (mulāmis al-qāʿ) is a phrase meaning 'aground' or 'touching the bottom,' used to describe a ship or vessel that has run aground or is in contact with the seafloor. This term is primarily used in maritime and nautical contexts to indicate that a vessel is no longer floating freely but is grounded on shallow water or land. The phrase combines the verb ملامس (touching/in contact) with القاع (the bottom/seabed).
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السفينة ملامسة للقاع في الميناء الضحل.
As-safīna mulāmisa lil-qāʿ fī al-mīnāʾ aḍ-ḍaḥl.
The ship is aground in the shallow harbor.
عندما اقتربت السفينة من الشاطئ، بدأت ملامسة القاع.
ʿIndamā iqtarabat as-safīna min ash-shāṭiʾ, badaʾat mulāmasa al-qāʿ.
When the ship approached the shore, it began to touch the bottom.
الناقلة ملامسة للقاع بسبب انخفاض مستوى المياه.
An-nāqila mulāmisa lil-qāʿ bi-sabab inkhifāḍ mustawá al-miyāh.
The tanker is aground due to the low water level.
تحذير: السفينة قد تكون ملامسة للقاع في هذا المضيق الضيق.
Taḥdhīr: As-safīna qad takūn mulāmisa lil-qāʿ fī hādhā al-maḍīq aḍ-ḍayyiq.
Warning: The ship may be aground in this narrow strait.
بعد العاصفة، وجدنا السفينة ملامسة للقاع على الشاطئ.
Baʿd al-ʿāṣifa, wajadnā as-safīna mulāmisa lil-qāʿ ʿalá ash-shāṭiʾ.
After the storm, we found the ship aground on the beach.
Maritime terminology is important in Arab cultures with extensive coastlines, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa. The term ملامس القاع reflects the traditional maritime knowledge of Arab seafarers who have navigated Mediterranean and Gulf waters for centuries. Understanding such nautical terms is essential for anyone involved in shipping, trade, or maritime industries in Arabic-speaking regions.
This phrase is primarily used in formal maritime and nautical contexts, such as in ship reports, navigation warnings, and maritime law documentation. It's passive in construction, describing the state of a vessel rather than an action being performed. When learning this term, remember that ملامس (touching/in contact) is a participle describing the ongoing state of the ship's condition.
ملامس القاع (mulāmis al-qāʿ) is an Arabic phrase composed of two essential maritime elements: ملامس (mulāmis), meaning "touching" or "in contact," and القاع (al-qāʿ), meaning "the bottom" or "the seabed." When combined, this phrase describes the condition of a ship or vessel that has run aground—that is, it is no longer floating freely in deep water but is instead in contact with the seafloor or shallow underwater terrain.
This maritime terminology is crucial for ship captains, harbor pilots, and nautical professionals who need to communicate vessel status and safety conditions. The phrase is passive in nature, describing a state rather than an active process.
Arabic maritime vocabulary reflects centuries of seafaring tradition among Arab peoples. The Mediterranean, Red Sea, Persian Gulf, and Arabian Sea have been vital trade routes for generations, making nautical terminology an important part of Arab maritime heritage. The term ملامس القاع emerged from practical seafaring needs and remains essential in modern maritime communication.
Historically, Arab navigators developed sophisticated understanding of coastal waters, shallow areas, and navigation hazards. Terms like ملامس القاع were essential for communicating dangerous conditions to crew members and other vessels.
In contemporary maritime contexts, ملامس القاع appears in:
Understanding ملامس القاع requires familiarity with related maritime vocabulary:
القاع (al-qāʿ) - The bottom or seabed. This fundamental term appears in various maritime contexts and depth measurements.
الجنوح (al-junūḥ) - Stranding or running aground. This is a synonym that emphasizes the condition and potential emergency situation.
المياه الضحلة (al-miyāh aḍ-ḍaḥla) - Shallow water. This describes the dangerous conditions where ships are most likely to run aground.
السفينة (as-safīna) - Ship or vessel. The subject typically described by the condition of being aground.
الميناء (al-mīnāʾ) - Harbor or port. Shallow harbors present particular risk for vessels running aground.
The phrase ملامس القاع functions as a participial phrase describing a state. The word ملامس is a masculine singular active participle derived from the verb لمس (lamasa), meaning "to touch." The construction ملامس القاع literally translates as "touching the bottom" or "in contact with the bottom."
When describing a ship with a feminine noun (السفينة - as-safīna), the agreement requires the feminine form: ملامسة للقاع.
A ship approaching a harbor might report: "نحن نقترب من الضحالة ويجب أن نحذر من ملامسة القاع" (We are approaching shallow water and must be careful of running aground).
A harbor authority might issue a warning: "تنبيه: السفينات الكبيرة قد تكون معرضة لملامسة القاع في هذا المضيق" (Alert: Large vessels may be at risk of running aground in this strait).
Vessels at risk of running aground employ various strategies:
Contemporary ships use advanced technology to prevent running aground:
While technology has reduced incidents of running aground, the term ملامس القاع remains important in maritime communication and emergency protocols.
For English speakers learning Arabic maritime terminology, remember that ملامس القاع describes a state rather than an action. The phrase appears frequently in maritime documents, news reports about shipping accidents, and maritime safety warnings.
Practice recognizing this term in context alongside related words like جنوح, الضحالة, and القاع. Understanding the context of maritime communication will help you recognize when and how this term is appropriately used.
ملامس القاع remains an essential term in Arabic maritime vocabulary, reflecting both historical seafaring traditions and contemporary shipping safety needs. Whether studying Arabic for professional maritime work or general language proficiency, understanding this term provides insight into specialized nautical vocabulary and Arab maritime heritage.