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Laptop
#9
الحاسوب النقال (al-ḥāsūb an-niqāl) literally means "the portable computer" and refers to a laptop or notebook computer. This term combines الحاسوب (computer) with النقال (portable/mobile), and is commonly used throughout the Arabic-speaking world to distinguish laptops from desktop computers. It emphasizes the portability and mobility of the device.
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أشتريت حاسوباً نقالاً جديداً لأعمالي.
Ishtaraytu ḥāsūban niqālan jadīdan li-a'māli.
I bought a new laptop for my work.
هذا الحاسوب النقال خفيف الوزن وسهل الحمل.
Hādhā al-ḥāsūb an-niqāl khafīf al-wazn wa-sahil al-ḥaml.
This laptop is lightweight and easy to carry.
أحتاج إلى حاسوب نقال بمعالج قوي لتشغيل البرامج الثقيلة.
Aḥtāj ilā ḥāsūb niqāl bima'āljin qawwīn litashghīl al-barāmij ath-thaqīlah.
I need a laptop with a powerful processor to run heavy software.
الحاسوب النقال أصبح ضرورياً للطلاب الجامعيين.
Al-ḥāsūb an-niqāl aṣbaḥa ḍarūrīyan lil-ṭullāb al-jāmi'īyīn.
Laptops have become essential for university students.
بطارية الحاسوب النقال تستمر حوالي ثماني ساعات.
Bāṭāriyyat al-ḥāsūb an-niqāl tastamir ḥawālī thamānī sā'āt.
The laptop battery lasts about eight hours.
The term الحاسوب النقال reflects how Arabic has adapted to modern technology by combining traditional vocabulary (الحاسوب) with descriptive modifiers. In Arab countries, laptops have become increasingly essential for education, business, and daily communication, particularly among younger generations. The device represents a bridge between traditional workplace practices and modern remote work culture.
Remember that الحاسوب is singular and النقال acts as an adjective meaning 'portable,' so the phrase literally translates to 'the portable computer.' You may also hear the shortened form 'حاسوب نقال' (without the definite article) in casual conversation. The term is used in both formal and informal contexts across all Arabic-speaking regions.
الحاسوب النقال (al-ḥāsūb an-niqāl) is an Arabic term that refers to a laptop or notebook computer. The phrase breaks down into two components: الحاسوب (al-ḥāsūb) meaning "computer" and النقال (an-niqāl) meaning "portable" or "mobile." This compound term emphasizes the key characteristic that distinguishes laptops from desktop computers—their portability and ability to be transported and used in various locations.
الحاسوب itself derives from the root ح-س-ب (ḥ-s-b), which relates to calculation and computation. The term was established in Arabic to replace older descriptions of computing devices. النقال comes from the root ن-ق-ل (n-q-l), which means "to move" or "to transport," making it a logical descriptor for portable technology.
The formation of الحاسوب النقال demonstrates how modern Arabic incorporates technology vocabulary by combining traditional roots with descriptive modifiers, allowing the language to adapt naturally to contemporary innovations without necessarily borrowing heavily from English.
Throughout the Middle East, North Africa, and other Arabic-speaking regions, الحاسوب النقال has become the standard term for what English speakers call a "laptop." While some countries may prefer alternative terms like الكمبيوتر المحمول (al-kumbyūtar al-muḥammil) or simply use the transliterated "لاب توب" (lāb tūb), الحاسوب النقال remains widely understood and frequently used in formal and educational contexts.
In business environments, particularly in countries like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Lebanon, professionals commonly use this term when discussing work equipment and technology requirements. Educational institutions throughout the Arab world also employ this terminology when discussing computer labs and student technology needs.
When using الحاسوب النقال, it can appear in both definite and indefinite forms:
In sentences, النقال functions as a descriptive adjective that must agree with the noun الحاسوب in gender and number. While الحاسوب is masculine, both the noun and adjective carry the definite article when they appear together in the definite form.
When discussing laptops, you'll frequently encounter these related Arabic technology terms:
The proliferation of الحاسوب النقال in Arab society reflects broader technological advancement and globalization. What once was a luxury item is now considered essential equipment for students, professionals, and anyone engaged in digital work or communication. The rise of remote work, particularly accelerated by global events, has further embedded laptop usage and the associated Arabic terminology into everyday discourse.
Universities across the Arab world often list الحاسوب النقال as either required or strongly recommended equipment for students. Many employers expect employees to have access to a laptop for remote work capabilities, a shift that has become increasingly common in the 21st century.
When learning Arabic technology vocabulary, remember that الحاسوب النقال demonstrates how Arabic creates new terms through combination and modification rather than wholesale borrowing. This pattern applies to much of modern Arabic technology vocabulary, making it easier to understand and predict new terms once you grasp the underlying principle.
For English speakers learning Arabic, recognizing that many technology-related Arabic terms are constructed from classical roots can help with vocabulary retention and expansion. Additionally, hearing this term in context—in news broadcasts, educational settings, or business communications—will help reinforce proper pronunciation and usage.