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ka's al-alam
World Cup
كأس العالم (ka's al-alam) is a compound noun meaning 'World Cup,' referring to the prestigious international sports tournament, most famously the FIFA World Cup for soccer/football. This phrase combines كأس (cup/trophy) with العالم (the world) to denote a championship of global significance. It is commonly used in Arabic-speaking countries to discuss international sporting competitions.
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فاز المنتخب السعودي ببطاقة التأهل إلى كأس العالم.
Faza al-muntakhab al-saʿudi bibataaqat al-taʾhil ila ka's al-alam.
The Saudi national team won a qualification card to the World Cup.
كأس العالم تُقام كل أربع سنوات.
Ka's al-alam tuqam kulla arbaʿ sanawat.
The World Cup takes place every four years.
شاهد ملايين الناس نهائي كأس العالم على التلفاز.
Shaahad malayin al-nas nihayy ka's al-alam ʿala al-tilafaz.
Millions of people watched the World Cup final on television.
تطمح فرنسا للفوز بكأس العالم مرة أخرى.
Tatmah faransa lil-fawz bika's al-alam marra ukhra.
France aspires to win the World Cup again.
يتدرب اللاعبون بجد للتحضير لكأس العالم.
Yatadarra al-laaʿibun bijid lil-tahdir lika's al-alam.
The players train hard to prepare for the World Cup.
The FIFA World Cup is an enormously popular event across the Arab world, with passionate support for national teams and intense celebrations when Arab teams qualify or perform well. The tournament has become a significant cultural phenomenon, generating discussions about national pride, sporting achievement, and unity among Arab populations. Major matches often draw millions of viewers across the Middle East and North Africa, making it a shared experience that transcends political and social boundaries.
When discussing the World Cup in Arabic, remember that كأس العالم is a feminine noun (due to كأس being feminine), so adjectives and verbs must agree in gender. You'll hear it used with the definite article 'al-' as كأس العالم, though it can also appear in construct phrases like 'نهائي كأس العالم' (World Cup final). Be aware that in spoken Arabic dialects, the pronunciation may vary slightly from Modern Standard Arabic (MSA), so listen to native speakers to match regional usage.
The phrase كأس العالم (ka's al-alam) is a compound noun in Arabic that literally translates to "Cup of the World" or "World Cup." This term is most commonly associated with the FIFA World Cup, the international football (soccer) tournament that captivates audiences across the globe, and particularly throughout the Arabic-speaking world.
The phrase consists of two components:
In Arabic grammar, كأس is a feminine noun, which means that any adjectives or verbs describing the World Cup must agree in feminine gender. For example, "The World Cup was held" would be "كأس العالم أُقيمت" (ka's al-alam uqimat), using the feminine past tense form.
كأس العالم is used extensively in Arabic media, sports commentary, and casual conversation, particularly during World Cup seasons. You'll encounter it in phrases such as:
The World Cup holds immense cultural importance across the Arab world. Every four years, the tournament brings together nations from around the globe, and Arab countries' participation is a source of national pride. When Arab teams qualify for the World Cup, it generates widespread celebrations, discussions, and a sense of unity among populations. The tournament has become a unifying cultural phenomenon that transcends political divisions and allows Arab nations to compete on the global stage.
In many Arab countries, matches involving their national teams (المنتخب - al-muntakhab) draw millions of viewers, with entire cities coming to a standstill during important matches. The passion and enthusiasm surrounding World Cup matches demonstrate the deep connection between sports and cultural identity in Arab societies.
When learning about كأس العالم, you'll encounter related vocabulary:
While Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) uses كأس العالم, spoken dialects across the Arab world may have slight variations in pronunciation and usage. Some regions may use additional descriptive terms or modify the phrase depending on local linguistic conventions. When consuming Arabic media or speaking with native speakers, you may hear variations that maintain the same meaning while reflecting regional dialect patterns.
To use this phrase naturally and correctly:
In contemporary Arabic, كأس العالم is used not just for the FIFA World Cup but can also refer to world championships in other sports. However, the football World Cup remains the most prominent usage. Arabic news outlets, social media platforms, and sports broadcasting consistently use this terminology, making it essential vocabulary for anyone interested in following international sports events in Arabic.