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Blockade
الحصار (al-ḥiṣār) is a masculine noun meaning 'blockade' or 'siege,' referring to the act of surrounding and isolating a place or people to prevent supplies, movement, or communication. It is commonly used in military, political, and historical contexts to describe military siege operations or economic/political isolation of a region or nation.
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فرضت الدولة حصاراً على المدينة المتمردة.
Faraḍat al-dawla ḥiṣāran ʿalā al-madīna al-mutamardida.
The state imposed a blockade on the rebellious city.
استمر الحصار لمدة ستة أشهر.
Istamarra al-ḥiṣāru li-muddat sitta ashur.
The siege lasted for six months.
رفعوا الحصار بعد التوصل إلى اتفاق سلام.
Rafaʿū al-ḥiṣāra baʿda al-tawwaṣul ilā itifāq salām.
They lifted the blockade after reaching a peace agreement.
يعاني السكان من الحصار الاقتصادي.
Yuʿānī al-sukkān min al-ḥiṣār al-iqtiṣādī.
The residents are suffering from the economic blockade.
كان الحصار العسكري حول العاصمة صارماً جداً.
Kāna al-ḥiṣār al-ʿaskarī ḥawl al-ʿāṣima ṣāarman jiddan.
The military blockade around the capital was very strict.
In Arabic historical and political discourse, الحصار is frequently referenced in discussions of Middle Eastern conflicts, particularly regarding Palestinian territories and historical Islamic conquests. The term carries significant weight in contemporary news media and political debates, where economic and military blockades are common topics. Understanding this word is essential for engaging with news about geopolitical tensions and historical accounts of warfare in the Arab world.
Remember that الحصار is a masculine noun that often appears with definite articles (الحصار) or in prepositional phrases like 'تحت الحصار' (under blockade). When discussing types of blockades, you can combine it with adjectives such as اقتصادي (economic), عسكري (military), or بحري (naval). Be aware that the verb form 'حاصر' means 'to besiege' and the noun 'محاصرة' refers to the action of besieging.
الحصار (al-ḥiṣār) is a masculine noun in Arabic that translates to 'blockade' or 'siege' in English. This word is derived from the root ح-ص-ر, which relates to the concept of confinement, restriction, and encirclement. The term is widely used in military, political, and historical discussions throughout the Arab world and among Arabic learners worldwide.
As a masculine noun, الحصار follows standard Arabic grammar patterns. When used with the definite article, it becomes الحصار (al-ḥiṣār, 'the blockade'). The word can be modified by adjectives such as:
The verb form derived from the same root is حاصر (ḥāṣara), meaning 'to besiege' or 'to surround,' and the feminine noun form is محاصرة (muḥāṣara).
In Arabic historical discourse, الحصار appears frequently when discussing major military campaigns, particularly those from Islamic history such as the Siege of Medina or various crusades. In contemporary usage, the term is extensively employed in news coverage of Middle Eastern conflicts, border disputes, and international relations. The word carries significant emotional and political weight, especially in discussions of Israeli-Palestinian conflicts where economic and military blockades are frequently referenced.
Modern Arabic, both formal and colloquial, uses الحصار when discussing:
For example, discussions of the Gaza Strip, the blockade on Qatar (2017-2021), or sanctions on Iran all extensively use this terminology in Arabic media and political discourse.
Understanding الحصار requires familiarity with related concepts:
Common phrases include 'رفع الحصار' (rafʿ al-ḥiṣār, to lift the blockade), 'تحت الحصار' (taḥt al-ḥiṣār, under blockade), and 'فرض حصاراً' (farḍ ḥiṣāran, to impose a blockade). These phrases appear regularly in news broadcasts, academic texts, and political discussions.
For English speakers learning Arabic, understanding الحصار is crucial for comprehending contemporary Middle Eastern politics and historical narratives. The term frequently appears in Arabic news media, documentaries, and academic materials. It is essential vocabulary for anyone seeking to discuss international relations, military history, or geopolitical issues in Arabic.
When using الحصار, remember to: