الطائرة بدون طيّار

Drone

Difficulty Level

Description

الطائرة بدون طيّار (al-tā'irah bidūn tayyār) literally means 'an aircraft without a pilot' and refers to an unmanned aerial vehicle or drone. This compound noun describes any remotely operated or autonomous flying device used for surveillance, delivery, military, or recreational purposes. The term has become increasingly common in modern Arabic, particularly in media, technology, and military contexts.

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Example Sentences

استخدمت الشركة الطائرة بدون طيّار لتصوير المشروع من الهواء.

Istahdamat ash-sharikah al-tā'irah bidūn tayyār li-tasūir al-mashrū' min al-hawā'.

The company used a drone to film the project from the air.

تحظر بعض الدول استخدام الطائرات بدون طيّار في المناطق السكنية.

Tahzur ba'd ad-duwal istikhdām al-tā'irāt bidūn tayyār fī al-manātiq as-sakaniyyah.

Some countries prohibit the use of drones in residential areas.

اشترى الصحفي طائرة بدون طيّار جديدة لتغطية الأحداث.

Ishtarā as-sahāfī tā'irah bidūn tayyār jadīdah li-taghtyat al-ahdāth.

The journalist bought a new drone to cover events.

الطائرة بدون طيّار يمكنها الوصول إلى الأماكن التي يصعب الوصول إليها.

Al-tā'irah bidūn tayyār yumkinuhā al-wusūl ilā al-amākin allatī yaṣ'ubu al-wusūl ilayha.

A drone can reach places that are difficult to access.

يجب على مشغلي الطائرات بدون طيّار الحصول على رخصة من السلطات.

Yajib 'alā mushaghgilī al-tā'irāt bidūn tayyār al-husūl 'alā rukhsah min as-sultāt.

Drone operators must obtain a license from the authorities.

Synonyms

الطائرة الموجهة عن بعد(Remote-controlled aircraft)المحرك الجوي بدون طيّار(Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV))الطائرة المستقلة(Autonomous aircraft)

Antonyms

الطائرة المأهولة بالركاب(Manned aircraft)الطائرة التجارية(Commercial airplane)

Cultural Notes

The term الطائرة بدون طيّار has gained significant prominence in Arabic media and everyday conversation, particularly following technological advances and increased commercial availability of drones. In the Middle East, the technology has applications in agriculture, real estate photography, news reporting, and military operations, making it a culturally and politically relevant term. The word reflects how Arabic has adapted to modern technology by creating descriptive compound terms rather than borrowing foreign words directly.

Usage Tips

Remember that this is a compound noun (طائرة + بدون + طيّار), so it is typically used with the definite article 'al-' (ال) at the beginning. When referring to drones in plural, use 'al-tā'irāt bidūn tayyār' (الطائرات بدون طيّار). In informal or technical contexts, you might also hear the shortened form 'درون' (drone) borrowed directly from English, but the Arabic compound form is more formal and widely understood.

## Understanding الطائرة بدون طيّار (Drone) ### Meaning and Definition The Arabic term الطائرة بدون طيّار (al-tā'irah bidūn tayyār) literally translates to "an aircraft without a pilot." It is a compound noun composed of three elements: الطائرة (al-tā'irah, meaning aircraft or airplane), بدون (bidūn, meaning without), and طيّار (tayyār, meaning pilot). Together, these words create a descriptive term that accurately represents what a drone is—an unmanned flying vehicle. This word is used to describe any remotely operated or autonomous aircraft, including recreational drones, commercial delivery drones, surveillance drones, and military unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The term has become standard in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) and is widely used in Arabic media, government communications, and everyday conversation. ### Grammatical Structure The phrase الطائرة بدون طيّار functions as a noun phrase. When you break it down: - **الطائرة** (al-tā'irah): The definite noun "the aircraft" (feminine) - **بدون** (bidūn): A preposition meaning "without" - **طيّار** (tayyār): The noun "pilot" (masculine) When used in plural form, the phrase becomes الطائرات بدون طيّار (al-tā'irāt bidūn tayyār), where only the first noun takes the plural form. This follows standard Arabic grammar rules for compound nouns. ### Usage in Modern Arabic The term الطائرة بدون طيّار is increasingly used across various fields: **Journalism and Media**: News agencies use drones for aerial photography and video coverage of events, disasters, and developments. **Agriculture**: Farmers in Arab countries use drones for crop monitoring, irrigation assessment, and pest control. **Real Estate and Construction**: Photography and surveying companies employ drones for property documentation and project monitoring. **Military and Security**: Various armed forces and security agencies utilize drones for surveillance and operational purposes. **Recreation**: Hobbyists and enthusiasts use recreational drones for entertainment and sport. ### Regional Variations While الطائرة بدون طيّار is the formal and most widely understood term across the Arab world, some regions and contexts may use alternative terminology. In informal settings, especially among younger tech-savvy Arabic speakers, you might hear the English loanword "درون" (drone) used directly. However, the Arabic compound term remains the standard in official documents, news broadcasts, and formal communication. ### Common Phrases and Expressions Understanding how الطائرة بدون طيّار is used in context will help you communicate more effectively: - **تشغيل الطائرة بدون طيّار** (Tashghīl al-tā'irah bidūn tayyār): Operating a drone - **رخصة الطائرة بدون طيّار** (Rukhsat al-tā'irah bidūn tayyār): Drone license - **صور من الطائرة بدون طيّار** (Suwar min al-tā'irah bidūn tayyār): Drone photographs or aerial footage - **قوانين الطائرات بدون طيّار** (Qawānīn al-tā'irāt bidūn tayyār): Drone regulations ### Regulations and Legal Context Many Arab countries have implemented regulations governing the use of drones. Understanding the vocabulary related to drone regulations is important: - **قانون** (qānūn): Law - **رخصة** (rukhsah): License or permit - **مشغل** (mushaghghil): Operator - **المناطق المحظورة** (al-manātiq al-muhāzharah): Restricted zones - **الارتفاع المسموح** (al-irtifā' al-masmūh): Permitted altitude ### Learning Tips When learning the word الطائرة بدون طيّار, remember that it is a descriptive compound phrase rather than a single word. This makes it easy to understand even if you are not familiar with the complete term—if you know the individual words, you can decipher the meaning. In written Arabic, you will always see this term with the definite article (ال) at the beginning: الطائرة. When describing multiple drones, only the first noun (طائرة) changes to plural form (طائرات), while بدون and طيّار remain the same. Practice using this word in sentences about technology, news, and modern applications. This will help you become more comfortable with the terminology and better understand how it functions in real-world Arabic communication.