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Island
#11
الجزيرة (al-jazīrah) is an Arabic noun meaning 'island,' referring to a piece of land surrounded by water. It is a feminine noun in Arabic and is commonly used in geographical contexts to describe both small islands and larger landmasses surrounded by sea or rivers. The word carries no negative connotations and is a straightforward geographical term used in modern standard Arabic and all dialects.
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جزيرة العرب هي موطن الحضارة الإسلامية.
Jazīrat al-'arab hiya mawṭan al-ḥaḍārah al-islāmiyyah.
The Arabian Peninsula is the birthplace of Islamic civilization.
زرنا جزيرة جميلة في البحر المتوسط.
Zurnā jazīrah jamīlah fī al-baḥr al-mutawassit.
We visited a beautiful island in the Mediterranean Sea.
تشتهر هذه الجزيرة بشواطئها الرملية البيضاء.
Tashtahir hādhih al-jazīrah bi-shawāṭi'ihā ar-ramliyyah al-bayḍā'.
This island is famous for its white sandy beaches.
السياح يقضون إجازاتهم على جزيرة استوائية.
As-sīyyāḥ yaqḍūn ijāzātihim 'alā jazīrah istiwā'iyyah.
Tourists spend their vacations on a tropical island.
كانت الجزيرة معزولة عن العالم الخارجي لسنوات عديدة.
Kānat al-jazīrah mu'azzalah 'an al-'ālam al-khārijī li-sanawāt 'adīdah.
The island was isolated from the outside world for many years.
The Arabian Peninsula (جزيرة العرب) holds immense cultural and religious significance in Arabic and Islamic traditions as the birthplace of Islam and the location of Mecca and Medina. Islands have played important roles in Arab history, trade, and geography, particularly in the Mediterranean, Persian Gulf, and Red Sea regions. The term is frequently used in geographical education, tourism, and literature throughout the Arab world.
Remember that الجزيرة is feminine in Arabic, so adjectives and verbs must agree with this gender (e.g., جزيرة جميلة 'a beautiful island'). When referring to multiple islands, use the plural form الجزر. The word appears frequently in geographical contexts, tourist materials, and historical discussions, making it essential for learners interested in geography or travel vocabulary.
الجزيرة (al-jazīrah) is the Arabic word for 'island,' referring to any area of land completely or almost completely surrounded by water. In modern standard Arabic (Fusha), this word is fundamental to geographical vocabulary and is used consistently across all Arabic-speaking regions and dialects, though pronunciation and dialectal variations may occur.
الجزيرة is a feminine noun in Arabic, which affects how it is used within sentences. When describing an island, all adjectives must agree with the feminine gender. For example:
The plural form of الجزيرة is الجزر (al-juzur), which is used when referring to multiple islands. This plural form is irregular, which is important to remember when studying Arabic noun patterns.
The Arabian Peninsula, known as جزيرة العرب (Jazīrat al-'arab), holds paramount importance in Arab and Islamic history. This term specifically refers to the large landmass that encompasses modern-day Saudi Arabia and surrounding regions. It is the birthplace of Islam, home to the holiest cities of Mecca and Medina, and the origin point of Islamic civilization. Throughout history, the Arabian Peninsula has been central to Arab identity and culture.
Beyond the Arabian Peninsula, the Arab world is surrounded by various islands of strategic and economic importance, including islands in the Mediterranean Sea, the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea, and the Arabian Sea. These islands have historically served as important trading posts, naval bases, and cultural centers.
In contemporary Arabic, الجزيرة is extensively used in:
When learning about islands, it's helpful to understand related geographical vocabulary:
You might encounter الجزيرة in various contexts:
English speakers should note that the Arabic concept of 'island' aligns closely with the English meaning, making this a relatively straightforward vocabulary item. However, remember the feminine gender agreement, as this differs from English grammar. Practice using adjectives with the feminine ending -ة when describing islands, and familiarize yourself with the irregular plural form الجزر.
The word الجزيرة also appears in various geographical names and place names throughout the Arab world, so learning this term will help you understand and remember these locations more easily.