الطابعة

Printer

Difficulty Level

Description

الطابعة (al-tābi'ah) is the Arabic word for 'printer,' referring to the electronic device used to produce physical copies of digital documents on paper. It is a feminine noun in Arabic and is commonly used in both modern office and home settings. The word derives from the root طبع (t-b-') meaning 'to print' or 'to press.'

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Example Sentences

أحتاج إلى إصلاح الطابعة لأنها لا تطبع بشكل صحيح.

Aḥtāj ilā 'iṣlāḥ al-tābi'ah li-'annaha lā taṭba' bi-shakl ṣaḥīḥ.

I need to fix the printer because it is not printing correctly.

هل يمكنك طباعة هذا المستند على الطابعة؟

Hal yumkin laka ṭibā'at hādhā al-mustnad 'ala al-tābi'ah?

Can you print this document on the printer?

الطابعة الجديدة في المكتب أسرع من الطابعة القديمة.

Al-tābi'ah al-jadīdah fī al-maktab 'asra' min al-tābi'ah al-qadīmah.

The new printer in the office is faster than the old printer.

يجب أن نشتري حبراً جديداً للطابعة.

Yajib 'an nashtarī ḥubrā jadīdan li-l-tābi'ah.

We need to buy new ink for the printer.

الطابعة متصلة بالحاسوب عبر كابل USB.

Al-tābi'ah muttas ilah bi-l-ḥāsūb 'ibr kābil USB.

The printer is connected to the computer via a USB cable.

Synonyms

جهاز الطباعة(printing device)آلة الطباعة(printing machine)

Antonyms

الماسح الضوئي(scanner (opposite function - reads rather than prints))

Cultural Notes

In modern Arabic-speaking countries, the word الطابعة has become standard terminology in offices, schools, and government institutions. With the digital revolution, printer ownership and usage have become commonplace in both educational and professional settings across the Middle East and North Africa. The technology and vocabulary have been naturally integrated into everyday Arabic with the feminine noun form reflecting the gender classification system of Arabic nouns.

Usage Tips

Remember that الطابعة is a feminine noun, so it takes feminine adjectives and verbs (e.g., 'الطابعة الجديدة' for 'the new printer'). When discussing printer-related actions, use the verb 'طبع' (to print) or 'طباعة' (printing). In modern contexts, you might also hear technology-specific terms mixed with Arabic, such as 'طابعة ليزر' (laser printer) or 'طابعة نافثة للحبر' (inkjet printer).

## الطابعة (Al-Tābi'ah) - The Arabic Word for Printer ### Introduction to الطابعة The Arabic word **الطابعة** (al-tābi'ah) is the standard term used to refer to a printer in modern Arabic. This feminine noun is derived from the root **طبع** (t-b-'), which means 'to print' or 'to press.' In the context of modern technology and office environments, الطابعة has become the universally recognized term across Arabic-speaking countries for the electronic device that produces printed documents on paper. ### Etymology and Word Formation Understanding the root structure of الطابعة helps learners grasp related vocabulary. The root **طبع** appears in several related words: - **طباعة** (tībā'ah) - the noun form meaning 'printing' - **طابع** (tābi') - a print, stamp, or character - **يطبع** (yatba') - third person singular present tense 'he/she prints' - **مطبعة** (mṭaba'ah) - printing press or printing house The word الطابعة specifically refers to the device itself, while طباعة refers to the action of printing. This distinction is important for proper usage in Arabic. ### Gender and Grammar As a feminine noun in Arabic, الطابعة always takes feminine agreement with adjectives, verbs, and pronouns. For example: - **الطابعة الجديدة** (al-tābi'ah al-jadīdah) - the new printer - **الطابعة القديمة** (al-tābi'ah al-qadīmah) - the old printer - **هي سريعة** (hiya sarī'ah) - it (feminine) is fast When using possessive pronouns, you would say 'طابعتي' (tābi'atī - my printer) or 'طابعتك' (tābi'atk - your printer), reflecting the feminine form. ### Modern Technology Vocabulary In contemporary Arabic, various types of printers are described using الطابعة as the base word: - **طابعة ليزر** (tābi'ah lāzar) - laser printer - **طابعة نافثة للحبر** (tābi'ah nāfithah li-l-hubr) - inkjet printer - **طابعة ثلاثية الأبعاد** (tābi'ah thulāthiyyah al-ab'ād) - 3D printer - **طابعة متعددة الوظائف** (tābi'ah muta'addidah al-wazā'if) - multifunction printer ### Usage in Context The word الطابعة is used in various contexts from professional to casual settings. In offices and schools throughout the Arabic-speaking world, you'll frequently hear requests like: - "أين الطابعة؟" (Where is the printer?) - "الطابعة معطلة" (The printer is broken) - "هل تستطيع طباعة هذا على الطابعة؟" (Can you print this on the printer?) ### Related Office and Technology Vocabulary To fully understand the context where الطابعة is used, learners should become familiar with related terms: - **الحاسوب** (al-ḥāsūb) - computer - **حبر** (hubr) - ink - **ورق** (waraḥ) - paper - **الماسح الضوئي** (al-māsiḥ al-ḍaw'ī) - scanner - **كابل** (kābil) - cable - **USB** - pronounced 'yū-ās-bī' in Arabic ### Cultural Context and Adoption The technology sector in Arabic-speaking countries has embraced standard Arabic terminology while also incorporating some English terms. الطابعة is one of the most successfully arabicized technology terms, consistently used across all Arabic dialects and formal Arabic. This standardization makes it an essential word for anyone learning Arabic in modern contexts, whether for business, education, or daily communication. ### Practical Tips for Learners When learning الطابعة and related vocabulary, practice it in context with common phrases and verbs. Pairing it with action words like 'طبع' (to print), 'إصلاح' (to repair), and 'تشغيل' (to turn on) will help you use the word naturally in conversations. Additionally, familiarizing yourself with compound words and phrases using الطابعة will enhance your technical vocabulary in Arabic. ### Conclusion The word الطابعة represents how modern Arabic has adapted to technological advancement. As a core vocabulary word in today's Arabic, whether you're learning Modern Standard Arabic (MSA) or any regional dialect, understanding الطابعة and its related terms is essential for navigating contemporary Arabic communication in professional and educational settings.