Badminton
تنس الرّيشة (Tennis al-Reisha) is the Arabic term for badminton, a racquet sport played with a shuttlecock. The phrase literally translates to 'tennis with feathers,' referring to the feathered shuttlecock traditionally used in the game. It's a popular recreational and competitive sport throughout the Arab world.
Worksheets, games, and lesson plans for Years 1-11
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أحب أن ألعب تنس الرّيشة مع أصدقائي في الحديقة كل يوم جمعة.
Ahibb an al'ab tennis al-reisha ma'a asdiqa'i fi al-hadiqah kull yawm jumu'ah.
I love to play badminton with my friends in the park every Friday.
بطولة تنس الرّيشة الدولية ستُقام في دبي هذا الصيف.
Boutoulat tennis al-reisha al-douliah satqu'am fi Dubai haza al-sayf.
The international badminton championship will be held in Dubai this summer.
تحتاج إلى مضرب وريشة وشبكة للعب تنس الرّيشة.
Tahtaj ila mudrab wa-reisha wa-shabakah lil-a'ab tennis al-reisha.
You need a racket, a shuttlecock, and a net to play badminton.
لعبتُ تنس الرّيشة لأول مرة في مدرستي الثانوية.
La'abtu tennis al-reisha li-awwal marrah fi madrasti al-thanawiah.
I played badminton for the first time in my high school.
تنس الرّيشة رياضة ممتعة تقوي العضلات والقلب.
Tennis al-reisha riyada mumti'ah tuqawwi al-'adal wa-al-qalb.
Badminton is a fun sport that strengthens muscles and the heart.
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Badminton has grown increasingly popular in Arab countries, particularly in the Gulf region and Levant, with many schools and sports clubs offering programs. The sport appeals to both recreational players and competitive athletes, with several Arab nations participating in international badminton tournaments. It's often played in schools, community centers, and private clubs as a leisure activity and competitive pursuit.
When referring to badminton in Arabic, use 'تنس الرّيشة' in formal contexts or when speaking about the sport generally. You may hear the shortened form 'الريشة' in casual conversations. Remember that 'تنس' here refers to the sport category (tennis-like) rather than tennis specifically—context makes the distinction clear. The phrase is gender-neutral and can be used in any context.
تنس الرّيشة (Tennis al-Reisha) is the standard Arabic term for badminton, a racquet sport played with a shuttlecock. The phrase literally translates as "tennis with feathers," a descriptive name that references the feathered shuttlecock that was traditionally used in the sport. This compound noun combines "تنس" (tennis, referring to racquet sports) with "الرّيشة" (the feather/shuttlecock).
The term تنس الرّيشة is a noun phrase consisting of two parts. "تنس" is a borrowed word from English/French (tennis) that has been adopted into Arabic to describe racquet sports generally. "الرّيشة" is the Arabic word for feather, with the definite article "ال" (al-) attached. When used in sentences, the entire phrase functions as a single noun and can be modified by adjectives or used with prepositions.
In Arab countries, تنس الرّيشة is a popular recreational and competitive sport. You'll hear this term used in schools, sports clubs, recreational centers, and during sports broadcasts. The sport has gained significant popularity in Gulf countries, the Levant region, and North Africa, with many young people participating in both casual games and organized competitions.
When discussing badminton in Arabic, you'll encounter several related terms:
Badminton occupies an interesting place in modern Arab sports culture. While less dominant than football (soccer) or basketball, it has established itself as a respectable competitive sport and popular leisure activity. International badminton tournaments involving Arab athletes receive media coverage, and several Arab nations compete in regional and global championships. The sport is particularly popular among students and young professionals as a fitness activity.
You can use تنس الرّيشة in various contexts:
English speakers learning Arabic should note that تنس الرّيشة uses a descriptive compound structure common in Arabic sports terminology. The pronunciation of "تنس" (tennis) remains close to the English word, making it relatively easy for English speakers to recognize and remember. The key to mastering this term is understanding that it's a fixed phrase—you would not substitute different words for the shuttlecock description.
تنس الرّيشة represents an important addition to your Arabic sports vocabulary. Whether you're interested in discussing recreational activities, understanding sports coverage, or simply engaging in conversation with Arabic speakers about leisure activities, this term is essential. Its compound structure also demonstrates how Arabic creatively borrows and adapts foreign sports terminology while maintaining its linguistic integrity.