Departure
#5
المغادرة (al-mughadara) is a feminine noun meaning 'departure' or 'leaving,' referring to the act of leaving a place, departing from a location, or setting off on a journey. It is commonly used in everyday contexts such as transportation schedules, travel plans, and general descriptions of leaving situations. The word carries a formal yet accessible tone suitable for both written and spoken Arabic.
Worksheets, games, and lesson plans for Years 1-11 — completely free
Get a new Arabic word delivered to your inbox every day — with pronunciation, meaning, and cultural context.
موعد المغادرة من المطار هو الساعة الثالثة صباحاً
Maw'id al-mughadara min al-matar huwa as-sa'a ath-thalitha sabahan
The departure time from the airport is three o'clock in the morning.
تأخرت المغادرة بسبب الأحوال الجوية السيئة
Ta'akhkharat al-mughadara bi-sabab al-ahwal al-jawiya as-sayya
The departure was delayed due to bad weather conditions.
بعد المغادرة من البيت، تذكرت أنني نسيت المفاتيح
Ba'd al-mughadara min al-bayt, thakarart ani nasit al-mafatih
After leaving the house, I remembered that I had forgotten the keys.
المغادرة المفاجئة للمدير أثارت قلق الموظفين
Al-mughadara al-mufaja'a lil-mudir atha'arat qalaq al-muwazzafin
The manager's sudden departure raised the concerns of the employees.
لا يمكن تغيير موعد المغادرة في هذه اللحظة
La yumkin taghyir maw'id al-mughadara fi hadhih al-lahza
It is not possible to change the departure time at this moment.
In Arab culture, departures often carry significant social weight, especially when family members or friends are involved. It is customary to bid farewell with warm wishes and sometimes prayers for safe travel. In modern contexts, المغادرة is frequently used in transportation announcements, business settings, and formal communications, reflecting the importance of punctuality and scheduling in contemporary Arab society.
Remember that المغادرة is a feminine noun (ending in -a), so adjectives and articles must agree in gender. Use it with the preposition 'من' (min) to indicate departing from a location, as in 'المغادرة من المدينة' (departure from the city). This word is more formal than the verb 'غادر' (ghadora), making it ideal for official announcements, schedules, and written communications.
المغادرة (al-mughadara) is an Arabic feminine noun that translates to 'departure' or 'leaving.' This word refers to the act of departing from a location, whether it be a physical place like an airport, city, or home, or a more abstract concept like leaving a job or situation. The word is derived from the verb 'غادر' (ghadora), which means 'to leave' or 'to depart,' and the feminine noun ending '-a' indicates its grammatical gender.
As a feminine noun, المغادرة must be treated grammatically as feminine. This means that any adjectives, articles, or verbs that modify or accompany this word must agree in gender. For example: 'المغادرة المفاجئة' (the sudden departure) uses the feminine form of the adjective 'مفاجئة.' This is an important consideration for English speakers who may not be accustomed to grammatical gender in their native language.
The word المغادرة appears frequently in travel and transportation contexts. It is commonly used in airport announcements, train schedules, and bus station information systems. You will hear it in phrases such as 'موعد المغادرة' (departure time) and 'تأخير المغادرة' (delayed departure). In professional settings, it can refer to an employee's departure from a company or an executive's resignation. In everyday conversation, it may describe someone leaving home, school, or any location.
Understanding المغادرة in relation to connected vocabulary enriches comprehension. The verb 'غادر' (ghadora) is the verb form from which this noun is derived. 'الوصول' (al-wusul) means 'arrival,' serving as its natural antonym. 'السفر' (as-safar) refers to travel or journey more broadly, while 'الرحيل' (ar-rahil) is a more poetic or formal synonym for departure. 'الموعد' (al-maw'id) means 'appointment' or 'scheduled time,' frequently appearing alongside المغادرة.
In formal contexts: 'موعد المغادرة من المطار هو الساعة الثالثة صباحاً' (The departure time from the airport is three o'clock in the morning). This structure is typical for announcements and schedules.
In conversational Arabic: 'متى المغادرة؟' (When is the departure?) is a common question asked by travelers.
In business communications: 'تم إعلان المغادرة الفجائية للمدير' (The sudden departure of the manager was announced) demonstrates how the word is used in professional discourse.
In Arab culture, departures hold particular significance, especially within family contexts. When someone departs on a journey, particularly for travel abroad, it is customary to offer prayers and wishes for safe passage. The concept of 'المغادرة' extends beyond mere physical movement; it carries emotional and social dimensions. In modern Arab society, punctuality regarding departure times reflects respect and professionalism, making this word important in both personal and professional communication.
When learning المغادرة, focus on using it with the preposition 'من' (min) to indicate the point of departure: 'المغادرة من المدينة' (departure from the city). Remember that this is a formal noun, making it more suitable for official contexts than the verb form. Practice using it in time-related phrases, as this is where learners most frequently encounter it. Additionally, pay attention to how adjectives modify this feminine noun to reinforce your understanding of Arabic grammatical gender.