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Tank
الدبابة (al-dabbāba) is the Arabic word for 'tank,' referring to the heavy armored military vehicle equipped with a rotating turret and cannon. It is a modern military term commonly used in news, military contexts, and general discussions about warfare and defense. The word is feminine in gender and is used throughout the Arab world with consistent meaning.
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شاهدت الدبابات تتحرك في الشارع أثناء العرض العسكري.
Shāhadat al-dabbābāt tataharrak fī ash-shāri' athnā' al-'ard al-'askari.
I watched the tanks move down the street during the military parade.
الدبابة الحديثة مزودة بأنظمة دفاع متقدمة.
Al-dabbāba al-hadītha muzawwada bi-anzimat difā' mutaqaddima.
Modern tanks are equipped with advanced defense systems.
قاد الجندي الدبابة بمهارة عبر المنطقة الصحراوية.
Qād al-jundī al-dabbāba bi-mahāra 'abr al-mintaqa as-sahrāwiyya.
The soldier skillfully drove the tank across the desert region.
تكلفة صيانة الدبابة تعتبر مرتفعة جداً.
Taklifa siyāna al-dabbāba ta'tabir murtafi'a jiddan.
The cost of maintaining a tank is considered very high.
يقول الخبير العسكري إن الدبابات الجديدة أسرع من السابقة.
Yaqūl al-khabīr al-'askari inna al-dabbābāt al-jadīda asra' min as-sābiqa.
The military expert says the new tanks are faster than the previous ones.
The term الدبابة entered Arabic through military modernization in the 20th century and is used consistently across all Arab countries. In Middle Eastern contexts, tanks hold significant symbolic and practical importance in military discussions, news coverage of conflicts, and defense strategies. The word reflects the Arab world's engagement with modern military technology and is commonly heard in news broadcasts, military documentaries, and political discussions.
Remember that الدبابة is feminine in gender, so it takes feminine verb forms and adjectives (e.g., الدبابة الجديدة, not الدبابة الجديد). The plural form is الدبابات (al-dabbābāt). When discussing tanks in formal military or news contexts, you may also hear the phrase 'دبابة قتال' (battle tank) or 'دبابة رئيسية' (main battle tank) for specification. This word is appropriate for formal, military, and news contexts.
الدبابة (al-dabbāba) is the standard Arabic word for a military tank. This word is essential for anyone learning Arabic who wants to understand military terminology, news reports, or historical discussions in the Arab world. The term has become standardized across all Arab countries and is recognized universally in military and civilian contexts.
الدبابة is a feminine noun in Arabic, which affects how it agrees with adjectives and verbs. When using this word, remember that adjectives must take the feminine form. For example:
The plural form is الدبابات (al-dabbābāt), and both singular and plural forms maintain feminine grammatical agreement throughout sentences.
The word الدبابة entered Arabic vocabulary during the 20th century as military technology modernized. The term is derived from the root د-ب-ب, which carries connotations of slow, heavy movement—an appropriate metaphor for the slow, powerful movement of tanks. Today, it is the standard military term used in all Arab media, military communications, and educational contexts.
In news and media, you will frequently encounter الدبابة when reporting on military operations, defense budgets, or international conflicts. Military professionals use it in training manuals, strategic discussions, and operational planning. In educational contexts, it appears in history textbooks, military academies, and language courses covering specialized vocabulary.
Understanding الدبابة becomes more meaningful when learning related military terms:
When learning this word, practice using it in context-specific sentences. Read Arabic news articles about military topics to see how الدبابة appears naturally in writing. Watch Arabic documentaries about military history or modern warfare to hear native pronunciation. Pay attention to how journalists and military experts use this term when discussing defense strategies.
Several phrases commonly use الدبابة:
In Arab military culture and history, tanks represent technological advancement and defensive capability. Discussions about tanks often appear in political discourse regarding national security and regional stability. Understanding this terminology allows learners to engage with important contemporary discussions in the Arab world.
To master this word, create sentences describing different types of tanks, tank operations, and military scenarios. Use it in conversations about current events or historical military operations. Combine it with adjectives to practice grammatical agreement. Read military news articles in Arabic to see natural usage patterns. Watch Arabic military documentaries to hear authentic pronunciation and contextual usage.