Bicycle
#12
الدّرّاجة (al-darrāja) is the Arabic word for 'bicycle,' a two-wheeled vehicle propelled by pedals. It is a common mode of transportation and recreation in Arab countries, particularly among children and in urban areas. The word is feminine in gender, as indicated by the feminine ending -ة (tā' marbūta).
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أركب الدّرّاجة كل صباح للذهاب إلى المدرسة.
Arkab al-darrāja kulla sabāḥ lil-dhahāb ilā al-madrasa.
I ride the bicycle every morning to go to school.
اشتريت درّاجة جديدة لابني في عيد ميلاده.
Ishtarayt darrāja jadīda li-abnī fī ʿīd mīlādihi.
I bought a new bicycle for my son on his birthday.
الدّرّاجة وسيلة نقل صديقة للبيئة وصحية.
Al-darrāja wasīla naql ṣadīqa lil-bīʾa wa-ṣiḥḥiya.
The bicycle is an environmentally-friendly and healthy mode of transportation.
يلعب الأطفال بدراجاتهم في الحديقة.
Yaʿlab al-aṭfāl bi-darrajātihim fī al-ḥadīqa.
The children play with their bicycles in the park.
تحتاج الدّرّاجة إلى صيانة منتظمة لضمان سلامتك.
Taḥtāj al-darrāja ilā ṣiyāna muntaẓima li-ḍamān salāmatika.
The bicycle needs regular maintenance to ensure your safety.
In Arab countries, bicycles are widely used by children and young adults as a primary means of transportation, especially in urban and suburban areas. They are also popular for recreational activities and sports. The bicycle holds cultural significance as an affordable, eco-friendly transportation option that has been part of daily life for generations. In recent years, cycling has gained popularity as a health and fitness activity in major Arab cities.
Remember that الدّرّاجة is feminine, so it takes feminine adjectives and verb forms (e.g., الدّرّاجة جميلة - the bicycle is beautiful). When talking about multiple bicycles, use the plural form دراجات (darrājāt). The word can be shortened colloquially to just درّاجة without the definite article in casual speech.
The word الدّرّاجة (al-darrāja) is the standard Arabic term for a bicycle, a two-wheeled human-powered vehicle. This word is fundamental for learners of Arabic as it relates to daily transportation and recreational activities commonly discussed in Arabic-speaking communities.
الدّرّاجة is a feminine noun, as indicated by the feminine ending -ة (tā' marbūta). This means it follows feminine grammatical patterns in Arabic. When using adjectives or verbs with this word, they must agree with the feminine gender. For example: الدّرّاجة الجديدة (al-darrāja al-jadīda - the new bicycle) uses the feminine form of the adjective جديد.
The plural form is دراجات (darrājāt), and it can be preceded by the definite article ال (al-) to create الدّراجات (al-darrājāt - the bicycles). The word can also be used without the definite article in colloquial speech, simply as درّاجة.
In Arab countries, bicycles remain a popular and practical mode of transportation, especially for children and young people. The word الدّرّاجة appears frequently in everyday conversations, particularly in educational and recreational contexts. You might hear it used when discussing commuting, exercise, or leisure activities.
Common usage examples include: ركب الدّرّاجة (rakab al-darrāja - to ride a bicycle), إصلاح الدّرّاجة (iṣlāḥ al-darrāja - to repair a bicycle), and سباق الدّراجات (sibāq al-darrājāt - a bicycle race).
When learning الدّرّاجة, it's helpful to also learn related bicycle components and activities:
Bicycles hold cultural importance across the Arab world as symbols of independence, especially for young people. They represent an affordable, eco-friendly alternative to motorized transportation. In urban centers like Cairo, Beirut, and Baghdad, bicycles have historically been crucial for daily transportation. More recently, cycling culture has expanded, with cycling clubs and competitive cycling becoming increasingly popular in major cities.
While الدّرّاجة is the most standard term, you may encounter variations such as الدّراجة الهوائية (al-darrāja al-hawāʾiyya - air bicycle) and the more colloquial البسكليتة (al-bisklayta), which is a transliteration from the English word "bicycle."
When learning this word, practice it in context with other transportation-related vocabulary. Remember the feminine gender when using it in sentences. Try describing different types of bicycles or discussing your experiences with cycling in Arabic. This practical application will help solidify your understanding and improve your conversational abilities.