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Wallet
#8
المحفظة (al-mahfaza) is an Arabic noun meaning 'wallet' or 'portfolio,' referring to a small flat case used to carry money, cards, and personal documents. It is commonly used in everyday conversation across all Arabic-speaking regions and can also metaphorically refer to a financial portfolio or collection of assets.
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فقدت محفظتي في الطريق إلى العمل.
Faqadtu mahfazati fi at-tareeq ila al-amal.
I lost my wallet on the way to work.
وضعت بطاقاتي الائتمانية في محفظتي.
Wada'tu bitaqati al-aittimaniya fi mahfazati.
I put my credit cards in my wallet.
المحفظة الاستثمارية للشركة تحتوي على عدة أسهم.
Al-mahfaza al-istiithmaria lil-shirka tahtawi ala iddah asham.
The company's investment portfolio contains several stocks.
اشتريت محفظة جديدة من الجلد الأسود.
Ishtarayt mahfaza jadida min al-jild al-aswad.
I bought a new wallet made of black leather.
هل رأيت محفظتي على الطاولة؟
Hal ra'ayta mahfazati ala at-taawila?
Did you see my wallet on the table?
In Arab culture, the wallet is an important personal item often given as a gift, particularly leather wallets which are considered prestigious. The concept of محفظة has expanded in modern Arabic to include investment portfolios and financial instruments, reflecting the language's adaptation to contemporary economic terminology. Losing one's wallet is considered quite unfortunate and is a common topic of conversation in daily life.
Remember that محفظة is feminine in Arabic, so adjectives and verbs must agree in gender. When referring to someone's wallet, use the possessive form (محفظتي, محفظتك, محفظته). In financial contexts, it's often used in phrases like 'محفظة استثمارية' (investment portfolio), so context will clarify whether you're discussing a physical wallet or financial holdings.
The Arabic word المحفظة (al-mahfaza) translates to 'wallet' in English. It is a feminine noun in Arabic and refers to a small, flat case or holder designed to carry money, credit cards, identification documents, and other personal valuables. The word is universally understood across all Arabic-speaking regions, from the Levant to Egypt, the Gulf states, and North Africa.
The word is pronounced 'al-mahfaza' with the stress on the second syllable. The Arabic script is written as المحفظة, where:
When used without the definite article, it becomes محفظة (mahfaza), meaning 'a wallet.' The word is derived from the Arabic root ح-ف-ظ (hafaza), which means 'to preserve' or 'to keep,' reflecting the wallet's function of preserving and protecting one's money and valuables.
In daily conversation, المحفظة is one of the most commonly used words when discussing personal finance or daily necessities. Arabs use this word frequently in contexts such as:
Wallets in Arab cultures are often made from leather, which is considered a sign of quality and prestige. You might hear descriptions like:
Leather wallets are common gifts in Arab societies, particularly for important occasions like graduations, weddings, or business relationships.
Beyond its literal meaning, المحفظة has been adopted in modern Arabic financial terminology. In contemporary business and investment contexts, you'll encounter:
This usage demonstrates how Arabic evolves to accommodate modern financial concepts while maintaining linguistic consistency.
In Arab culture, caring for one's wallet is considered important both practically and symbolically. A nice, well-maintained wallet is sometimes seen as a reflection of one's character and financial responsibility. Losing a wallet is viewed as particularly unfortunate, and it's a topic that generates considerable sympathetic conversation in social settings.
As a feminine noun, المحفظة takes feminine forms in agreement with adjectives and verbs:
When learning about محفظة, you should also become familiar with related vocabulary:
Several common expressions use المحفظة:
These expressions show how the word has entered into idiomatic usage beyond its basic literal meaning. Understanding these phrases will help you communicate more naturally with Arabic speakers in everyday financial discussions.