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Bra
حمّالة الصّدر (hammālat al-sadr) is the Arabic term for a bra or brassieres, literally translating to 'chest carrier' or 'breast support.' This is the standard, formal term used in Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) and most Arabic-speaking countries. The word is composed of two parts: حمّالة (a feminine form meaning 'carrier' or 'support') and الصّدر (meaning 'chest' or 'breast').
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اشترت حمّالة صدر جديدة من المتجر.
Ishtarat hammālat sadr jadīdah min al-mutajjar.
She bought a new bra from the store.
حمّالة الصّدر المريحة مهمّة جداً للنساء.
Hammālat al-sadr al-murīḥah muhimmah jiddan lil-nisā.
A comfortable bra is very important for women.
لا أستطيع العثور على حمّالة صدر بالمقاس المناسب.
Lā astaṭīʿ al-ʿuthūr ʿalā hammālat sadr bil-miqyās al-munāsib.
I cannot find a bra in the right size.
حمّالات الصّدر الرياضية توفر دعماً إضافياً.
Hammālāt al-sadr ar-riyāḍiyyah tawaffir daʿman iḍāfiyyan.
Sports bras provide additional support.
هذه حمّالة الصّدر مصنوعة من مواد عالية الجودة.
Hādhih hammālat al-sadr maṣnūʿah min mawād ʿāliyat al-jawdah.
This bra is made from high-quality materials.
In Arabic-speaking countries, discussions about intimate apparel remain relatively formal and are typically handled with modesty in public discourse. The term حمّالة الصّدر is the appropriate, widely-accepted medical and retail terminology used across all Arab regions. While some countries may use regional variations or borrowed English terms, the formal Arabic compound remains the standard in official, educational, and commercial contexts.
This is a straightforward feminine noun that can be pluralized to حمّالات الصّدر (hammālāt al-sadr). Use it confidently when shopping, discussing fashion, or in medical contexts. Remember that while the term is formal and appropriate, Arabic culture typically maintains modesty in everyday conversation, so you're less likely to hear it in casual chat than, say, discussions about shirts or dresses. When referring to types of bras (sports bra, underwire bra), you can add descriptive adjectives before or after the noun.
The Arabic term حمّالة الصّدر (hammālat al-sadr) is the formal, standard word for a bra in Modern Standard Arabic. This compound noun is formed from two elements: حمّالة (hammālah), which means 'carrier' or 'support,' and الصّدر (al-sadr), meaning 'chest' or 'breast.' Together, they create a descriptive term that literally translates to 'chest support' or 'breast carrier.'
The word is pronounced "HAM-mah-lat al-SADR" with emphasis on the first syllable of each component. In Arabic script, it's written as حمّالة الصّدر, where the doubling of the mīm (م) in حمّالة indicates a strengthened consonant sound. The word is typically written with the definite article (ال) attached to صدر, making it al-sadr.
While حمّالة الصّدر is the standard term used throughout the Arab world in formal contexts, some regional variations exist. In certain countries, you might hear الصّدرية (al-sadiriyyah), which is a more adjective-based form meaning 'chest-related garment.' Additionally, in modern colloquial Arabic, some speakers use the English loanword البرّا (al-bra), particularly among younger generations or in fashion retail contexts.
As a feminine noun in Arabic, حمّالة الصّدر follows feminine grammatical rules. When pluralized, it becomes حمّالات الصّدر (hammālāt al-sadr). Adjectives modifying this noun must also agree in gender and number. For example:
In Arab culture, while intimate apparel is a normal part of daily life and commerce, conversations about such items maintain a degree of formality and modesty. The term حمّالة الصّدر is universally accepted and used in medical discussions, retail environments, and educational contexts. Unlike casual English conversations where people might use various colloquialisms, Arabic tends to maintain the formal compound even in everyday shopping contexts.
You'll encounter this term primarily in fashion and retail contexts when shopping for women's clothing. Department stores, lingerie shops, and online retailers across the Arab world use this terminology. In medical or healthcare settings, doctors and nurses will use the formal term when discussing women's health or fitting concerns. The word appears regularly in fashion magazines, product descriptions, and advertisements.
When discussing bras in Arabic, you'll likely need related vocabulary. الملابس الداخليّة (al-malābis al-dākhiliyyah) means 'underwear,' a broader category that includes bras. المقاس (al-miqyās) means 'size,' essential when shopping. الراحة (al-rāḥah) means 'comfort,' a quality frequently discussed when selecting bras. Understanding these terms together helps create fuller conversations about intimate apparel in Arabic.
Different bra styles are described by adding descriptive adjectives:
When learning this term, remember that it's a straightforward, appropriate word used in professional and retail contexts. Don't shy away from using it when necessary—it's as standard in Arabic as 'bra' is in English. Practice the pronunciation carefully, paying attention to the doubled mīm in حمّالة. Understanding how adjectives agree with feminine nouns will help you describe different types and qualities of bras accurately.