Washer
الغسّالة (al-ghassāla) is a feminine noun meaning 'washing machine' or 'washer,' referring to the electrical appliance used for cleaning clothes. It is a common household item in modern Arabic-speaking homes and is used in both formal and informal contexts. The word can also historically refer to a female laundress or washerwoman.
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الغسّالة الجديدة تعمل بكفاءة عالية.
Al-ghassāla al-jadīda ta'mal bi-kafā'a 'āliya.
The new washing machine works very efficiently.
هل يمكنك أن تضع الملابس في الغسّالة؟
Hal yumkin-ka an tadsa' al-malābis fī al-ghassāla?
Can you put the clothes in the washer?
اشتريت غسّالة أوتوماتيكية الشهر الماضي.
Ishtarayt ghassāla ūtumātīkiyya al-shahr al-mādi.
I bought an automatic washing machine last month.
الغسّالة بحاجة إلى تنظيف دوري.
Al-ghassāla bi-hāja ilā tanẓīf dawrī.
The washing machine needs periodic cleaning.
صوت الغسّالة مزعج جداً في الليل.
Sawt al-ghassāla muza'ij jiddan fī al-layl.
The sound of the washing machine is very annoying at night.
In modern Arab households, washing machines are standard appliances that have transformed domestic life. Historically, the term غسّالة also referred to women who worked as laundresses, reflecting the traditional labor division in Arab societies. Today, the automatic washing machine is a symbol of modern convenience and is found in urban and increasingly rural homes across the Arab world.
Remember that الغسّالة is a feminine noun (ending in -a with the definite article ال), so it takes feminine adjectives and pronouns. Use it with specific appliance-related vocabulary like غسيل (laundry), ماء (water), and مسحوق (powder). Note that newer models might be called غسّالة أوتوماتيكية (automatic washer) or غسّالة ذكية (smart washer).
الغسّالة (al-ghassāla) is an Arabic feminine noun that refers to a washing machine or washer. This everyday appliance is essential in modern Arab households. The word is derived from the root غ-س-ل (gh-s-l), which relates to the concept of washing or cleaning. The feminine ending -a (ة) indicates that it is a feminine noun, which is grammatically important when using adjectives or pronouns.
Historically, before the advent of electrical appliances, الغسّالة also referred to a female laundress or washerwoman—someone who performed laundry work professionally. This reflects the traditional occupational terminology in Arabic, where feminine forms often indicated female practitioners of a profession. As technology modernized, the term evolved to exclusively denote the mechanical or electrical appliance.
Today, الغسّالة is a standard household appliance found in urban and increasingly suburban homes throughout the Arab world. It represents modernization and convenience in daily domestic life. The technology has become so prevalent that older manual washing methods are rarely employed in urban areas, though some traditional practices persist in rural communities.
Arab consumers distinguish between different types:
As a feminine noun, الغسّالة requires:
Operational phrases:
Maintenance phrases:
When discussing washing machines, learners should know:
The washing machine holds cultural importance in Arab societies as a time-saving device that has significantly changed domestic responsibilities, particularly for women. Its presence in a household is often seen as a marker of modernity and economic status. In many Arab countries, washing machines have become so integral to daily life that hand-washing clothes is increasingly rare outside of delicate items or traditional contexts.
When learning about الغسّالة, practice the vocabulary in context. Try to:
While الغسّالة is the most common term, you may encounter:
Understanding الغسّالة provides insight into modern Arabic domestic vocabulary and reflects how language evolves with technological advancement in Arab societies.