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al-shahr al-sābiq
Previous month
Al-shahr al-sābiq (الشهر السابق) is a noun phrase meaning 'the previous month' or 'last month.' It is commonly used in Arabic to refer to the month that came before the current one, whether in business, personal, or formal contexts. This phrase is essential for discussing past events, comparisons, or historical references related to monthly cycles.
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في الشهر السابق، كنا في أوروبا.
Fī al-shahr al-sābiq, kunnā fī Ūrūbbā.
Last month, we were in Europe.
المبيعات في الشهر السابق كانت أفضل من هذا الشهر.
Al-mabīʿāt fī al-shahr al-sābiq kānat aḥsan min hādhā al-shahr.
The sales in the previous month were better than this month.
تحسّن الطقس منذ الشهر السابق.
Taḥassana al-ṭaqas mundhu al-shahr al-sābiq.
The weather has improved since last month.
قارنّا نتائج هذا الشهر بالشهر السابق.
Qāran-nā natāʾij hādhā al-shahr bi-al-shahr al-sābiq.
We compared this month's results with the previous month.
الشهر السابق كان مشغولاً جداً بسبب المشاريع الكثيرة.
Al-shahr al-sābiq kān mashghūlan jiddan bi-sabab al-mashāriʿ al-kathīrah.
Last month was very busy because of many projects.
In Arabic-speaking cultures, discussing past months is common in business, accounting, and administrative contexts. The concept of 'the previous month' (الشهر السابق) is particularly important in countries that follow the Gregorian calendar for commercial purposes, as well as in Islamic calendar contexts. This phrase is frequently used in monthly reports, salary discussions, and comparative analyses in professional settings.
Remember that 'al-shahr al-sābiq' is a definite noun phrase (marked by the definite article 'al-'), so it refers to a specific previous month in context. You can use it with prepositions like 'fī' (في - in) to indicate time. Be aware that 'al-shahr al-māḍī' (الشهر الماضي) is often used interchangeably as a more colloquial synonym, though 'sābiq' is more formal.
Al-shahr al-sābiq (الشهر السابق) is an Arabic noun phrase that translates to "the previous month" or "last month" in English. This phrase is fundamental in Arabic communication, particularly when discussing past events, making comparisons, or reviewing historical data across monthly timeframes.
The phrase consists of two elements:
Both words carry the definite article "al-" (ال), making this a definite noun phrase that refers to a specific previous month understood from context.
As a noun phrase, al-shahr al-sābiq functions as a singular, definite noun that can be used in various grammatical positions:
This phrase is extensively used in business and professional environments, including:
While al-shahr al-sābiq is formal and precise, many native speakers prefer the more colloquial "al-shahr al-māḍī" (الشهر الماضي), which carries the same meaning. Both phrases are acceptable in formal and informal settings, though al-sābiq demonstrates more formal Arabic usage.
Understanding al-shahr al-sābiq becomes easier when learning related temporal expressions in Arabic:
When using al-shahr al-sābiq in conversation or writing:
In Arabic-speaking business communities, the reference to the previous month holds significant importance for performance metrics and strategic planning. Monthly comparisons are standard practice in reporting and decision-making processes throughout the Arab world. Understanding and correctly using this phrase demonstrates professional competence and cultural awareness.
Mastering al-shahr al-sābiq is essential for learners aiming to engage in professional discourse or discuss past events in Arabic. Whether you're reading business reports, conducting interviews, or simply making conversation, this common phrase will prove invaluable in your Arabic language journey.