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muqābil li-
opposite to
مقابل لـ (muqābil li-) is a prepositional phrase meaning 'opposite to,' 'facing,' or 'in front of.' It combines the noun مقابل (muqābil, meaning 'opposite' or 'facing') with the preposition لـ (li-, meaning 'to' or 'for'). This phrase is used to indicate spatial relationships, contrast, or to show that something is positioned directly across from something else.
Worksheets, games, and lesson plans for Years 1-11
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البنك مقابل لـ المدرسة.
Al-bank muqābil li-l-madrasa.
The bank is opposite to the school.
الفندق يقع مقابل لـ محطة القطار.
Al-funduq yaqaʿ muqābil li-maḥṭat al-qaṭār.
The hotel is located opposite to the train station.
جلسنا مقابل لـ بعضنا البعض.
Jalasna muqābil li-baʿḍinā al-baʿḍ.
We sat facing each other.
هذا الرأي مقابل لـ الرأي الآخر.
Hādhā al-raʾy muqābil li-l-raʾy al-ākhir.
This opinion is opposite to the other opinion.
وضع الكرسي مقابل لـ النافذة.
Waḍaʿ al-kursī muqābil li-l-nāfidha.
He placed the chair opposite to the window.
In Arabic, spatial descriptions are important for providing directions and describing locations, especially in traditional navigational contexts. The phrase مقابل لـ is commonly used in everyday conversation when giving directions in cities, describing neighborhood locations, or explaining where businesses and landmarks are situated relative to one another. This phrase reflects the Arabic cultural emphasis on clear, relationship-based descriptions of space rather than abstract coordinate systems.
Remember that مقابل لـ requires the preposition لـ (li-) before the noun that follows, which will cause the noun to take the definite article (ال) when appropriate. The phrase can describe both physical spatial relationships and abstract opposition between ideas or opinions. Pay attention to gender and number agreement when used with adjectives, as مقابل can vary in form depending on what it modifies.
The Arabic phrase مقابل لـ (muqābil li-) literally translates to 'opposite to,' 'facing,' or 'in front of.' It is a prepositional phrase that combines the noun مقابل (muqābil), meaning 'opposite' or 'facing,' with the preposition لـ (li-), which means 'to' or 'for.' This phrase is essential for describing spatial relationships and indicating position or contrast in Arabic.
The phrase مقابل لـ consists of two parts:
When used, the noun following لـ typically takes the definite article (ال), creating constructions like مقابل لـ المدرسة (opposite to the school) or مقابل لـ البناء (facing the building).
The most common application of مقابل لـ is describing physical locations and directions. In urban settings, when giving directions, this phrase helps people understand where buildings, shops, and landmarks are positioned relative to each other. For example:
This usage is particularly prevalent in Arabic-speaking cities where giving precise directions often relies on describing landmark relationships.
Beyond spatial relationships, مقابل لـ is also used to express opposition or contrast between ideas, opinions, or concepts. In this context, it conveys the sense of 'contrary to' or 'against.' Examples include:
This abstract usage allows speakers to articulate disagreement or contrast without using more confrontational language.
Understanding مقابل لـ is enhanced by knowing related expressions:
These related terms share the fundamental concept of facing or meeting something.
In Arabic-speaking cultures, spatial awareness and relationship-based descriptions are fundamental to communication. Rather than using abstract coordinate systems or street names (which may not exist in traditional areas), people describe locations relative to well-known landmarks and buildings. The phrase مقابل لـ is therefore a cornerstone of navigational language and everyday conversation.
When using مقابل لـ, remember these important points:
Learners often forget to include the preposition لـ, writing only مقابل instead of مقابل لـ. Additionally, forgetting the definite article on the following noun is a common error. Always remember: مقابل لـ + [definite noun].
The phrase مقابل لـ is an invaluable tool for describing spatial relationships, giving directions, and expressing contrast in Arabic. Mastering this phrase enhances your ability to communicate location information and abstract opposition effectively, making it essential for any student of Arabic seeking to improve their conversational skills and understanding of everyday Arabic usage.