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ishāra murūr
traffic light
#15
إشارة مرور (ishāra murūr) is a compound noun meaning 'traffic light,' literally translating to 'traffic signal.' This is the standard term used throughout the Arabic-speaking world to refer to the electronic traffic control devices found at intersections. The word is essential for discussing road safety, driving, and urban infrastructure in Arabic.
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توقفت السيارة عند إشارة المرور الحمراء.
Tawaqafat al-sayyāra ʿinda ishārat al-murūr al-ḥamrāʾ.
The car stopped at the red traffic light.
يجب أن ننتظر إشارة المرور الخضراء قبل العبور.
Yajib an nantaẓir ishārat al-murūr al-khaḍrāʾ qabla al-ʿubūr.
We must wait for the green traffic light before crossing.
تعطلت إشارة المرور في هذا الطريق منذ أسبوع.
Taʿaṭṭalat ishārat al-murūr fī hādhā al-ṭarīq mundhu usbūʿ.
The traffic light on this road has been broken for a week.
يقف الشرطي بجانب إشارة المرور لتنظيم حركة السير.
Yaqif al-shurṭī bi-jānib ishārat al-murūr li-tanẓīm ḥarakat al-sayr.
The police officer stands beside the traffic light to regulate traffic flow.
تغيرت ألوان إشارة المرور من الأحمر إلى الأصفر ثم الأخضر.
Taghayarat alwān ishārat al-murūr min al-aḥmar ilā al-aṣfar thumma al-akhḍar.
The traffic light colors changed from red to yellow then green.
Traffic lights are a critical part of modern Arab city infrastructure, especially in rapidly developing urban centers like Dubai, Cairo, and Beirut. The use of standardized color signals (red, yellow, green) follows international conventions, making it universally understood across all Arabic-speaking countries. In some areas, particularly older neighborhoods or less developed regions, traffic may still be regulated by police officers using hand signals, though electronic traffic lights remain the standard in most urban areas.
When using this word, remember that إشارة (ishāra) means 'signal' and مرور (murūr) means 'traffic,' so the phrase literally means 'traffic signal.' In casual speech, you might hear it shortened to just إشارة when the context is clear. Always use the feminine form when adding colors or adjectives: إشارة حمراء (red light), إشارة خضراء (green light). The word is commonly used with the definite article: إشارة المرور (the traffic light).
The Arabic phrase إشارة مرور (ishāra murūr) is the standard term used throughout the Arabic-speaking world to refer to traffic lights. This compound noun breaks down into two components: إشارة (ishāra), meaning 'signal' or 'indication,' and مرور (murūr), meaning 'traffic' or 'passing.' Together, they literally translate to 'traffic signal,' though the term is universally understood as referring specifically to the electronic traffic control devices found at road intersections.
As a feminine noun in Arabic, إشارة requires feminine adjectives and agreement patterns. When describing colors, you would use the feminine form: إشارة حمراء (red light), إشارة خضراء (green light), and إشارة صفراء (yellow light). The word مرور is typically used in the genitive case (مرور) when functioning as part of this compound noun, following the general Arabic naming pattern where a noun is modified by another noun in the genitive case.
The definite article ال is commonly attached to both words: إشارة المرور (the traffic light), though in context it may be used without the article when the meaning is clear. When pluralizing, the term becomes إشارات المرور (traffic lights), with only the first noun taking the plural form in this type of compound construction.
In everyday conversation, Arabic speakers use this term when discussing driving, directions, and traffic safety. You'll hear it frequently in driving instructions, traffic reports, and urban navigation contexts. For example, when giving directions, someone might say: "توقف عند إشارة المرور الأولى" (Stop at the first traffic light). In news broadcasts and weather/traffic reports, you might hear announcements about traffic congestion near specific traffic lights.
The term is essential for anyone learning Arabic and planning to drive or navigate in Arab countries, as understanding and following traffic signals is a fundamental safety requirement.
To fully understand traffic-related Arabic vocabulary, learners should know several associated terms:
Understanding these related terms helps learners construct sentences and discussions about traffic and road safety more naturally.
The three main colors of traffic lights correspond to universal meanings:
When speaking about traffic lights, Arabs commonly reference these colors specifically, as in: "توقفت السيارة عند الإشارة الحمراء" (The car stopped at the red light).
When learning this word, practice it in realistic scenarios:
Traffic lights are an integral part of modern Arab city infrastructure, particularly in rapidly developing urban centers like Dubai, Cairo, Beirut, and Amman. The adoption of electronic traffic control systems reflects the modernization of Arab cities and adherence to international traffic standards. In some older neighborhoods or smaller towns, traffic may still be managed by police officers using hand signals, but electronic traffic lights remain the standard in most urban and highway settings.
The standardization of traffic light colors (red, yellow, green) across all Arabic-speaking countries makes the term universally understood and applicable, regardless of which Arab country a learner is visiting or studying about.
English speakers learning Arabic should be aware of common mistakes:
Mastering the term إشارة مرور is essential for anyone learning Arabic, especially those planning to live, work, or travel in Arab-speaking countries. This word represents not just a vocabulary item, but a crucial component of traffic safety communication in Arabic-speaking societies. By understanding its structure, usage patterns, and cultural context, learners can confidently discuss traffic situations and navigate Arab cities safely.