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Meal
#12
وجبة الطعام (wajbat al-ta'aam) is a noun phrase meaning 'meal' and refers to a portion of food eaten at a particular time of day. It is composed of two words: وجبة (wajba, meaning 'meal' or 'serving') and الطعام (al-ta'aam, meaning 'food'), together creating a comprehensive term for any eating occasion. This phrase is commonly used in everyday Arabic to discuss breakfast, lunch, dinner, or any formal meal.
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تناولت وجبة الطعام الصباحية في الساعة السابعة صباحاً.
Tanawaltu wajbat al-ta'aam al-sabahiyya fi al-sa'a al-sabi'a sabahan.
I had my breakfast meal at seven o'clock in the morning.
وجبة الطعام اللذيذة التي أعدتها والدتي كانت رائعة.
Wajbat al-ta'aam al-ladhidha allati a'addat-ha waliddati kaanat raa'i'a.
The delicious meal that my mother prepared was wonderful.
نستمتع بوجبة الطعام معاً كل مساء.
Nastamti'u bi-wajbat al-ta'aam ma'an kulla masaa'.
We enjoy eating a meal together every evening.
هذه وجبة الطعام الخاصة بالعيد تتضمن أطباقاً تقليدية.
Hadhih wajbat al-ta'aam al-khassa bi-al-'iid tatadammanu atbaqan taqlididiyya.
This holiday meal includes traditional dishes.
كم سعرة حرارية في هذه الوجبة الطعام؟
Kam sa'ira harraariyya fi hadhih al-wajba al-ta'aam?
How many calories are in this meal?
In Arabic culture, meals are often communal occasions where family members gather together, and sharing food is considered an important social bonding activity. The concept of وجبة الطعام extends beyond mere sustenance; it represents family values, hospitality, and tradition. In Islamic contexts, meals are particularly significant during Ramadan, where the iftar (breaking of the fast) meal holds spiritual and social importance.
When using وجبة الطعام, remember it's a formal way to refer to complete meals; for casual references to food, you might use just وجبة or طعام. The phrase is often accompanied by adjectives describing the meal (delicious, healthy, traditional) or prepositions indicating when it's eaten. Note that وجبة is feminine, so any adjectives modifying it will take feminine forms.
The Arabic phrase وجبة الطعام (wajbat al-ta'aam) literally translates to "meal" or "serving of food" and is one of the most commonly used terms in Arabic for discussing eating occasions. The word is composed of two essential components: وجبة (wajba), which means a meal or serving, and الطعام (al-ta'aam), which means food. Together, they form a comprehensive expression used across all Arabic-speaking regions.
The singular noun وجبة literally means "meal" or "portion" and is a feminine noun in Arabic. It can be used independently to refer to any meal, though when combined with الطعام, it becomes more formal and complete. The plural form وجبات (wajbat) is used when discussing multiple meals.
Al-ta'aam is the Arabic word for "food" and comes from the root ط-ع-م (ta-'a-m), which relates to tasting and eating. This root also gives us related words like طعم (flavor) and طاعم (tasty). When combined with وجبة, it specifies that we're discussing prepared food arranged as a meal.
وجبة الطعام is used to refer to any eating occasion, whether breakfast (الفطور), lunch (الغداء), or dinner (العشاء). It's commonly found in:
For example, when discussing a restaurant's offerings, you might hear "تقدم المطعم وجبات طعام متنوعة" (The restaurant offers varied meals).
In Arab culture, meals hold tremendous social and familial importance. The concept of وجبة الطعام goes beyond simple nutrition; it represents family togetherness, hospitality, and tradition. In many Arab households, the evening meal is a cherished time when family members gather around the table to share food and conversation.
During the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, the iftar meal (وجبة الإفطار) takes on special spiritual significance as the meal that breaks the daily fast. This meal often becomes a time for family bonding and charitable giving, with many families inviting guests to share their iftar.
When using وجبة الطعام in sentences, remember that وجبة is a feminine noun (indicated by the ة at the end). This means any adjectives or descriptive words must agree in gender and number. For example:
The phrase وجبة الطعام is frequently modified by adjectives such as:
While وجبة الطعام is the most comprehensive term for "meal," Arabic offers several related words:
To master the use of وجبة الطعام, English speakers should practice:
وجبة الطعام is an essential vocabulary word for anyone learning Arabic. Its frequent use in daily conversations, media, and cultural contexts makes it invaluable for achieving fluency. By understanding not just the translation but also the cultural significance and proper usage of this phrase, learners can develop a more authentic and nuanced command of the Arabic language. Whether ordering at a restaurant, discussing nutrition, or sharing a family dinner, knowing how to use وجبة الطعام appropriately will significantly enhance your Arabic communication skills.